Pledge to protect EMS staff

The Western Cape Government Health (WCGH) is encouraging members of the public to pledge to stand by Emergency Medical Services (EMS) staff who risk their lives every day to save lives. Through a whole-of-society approach, public support will be crucial to the work performed by our EMS staff who render a critical health care service, and to keep them safe.

A third attack on EMS within a single week took place in Kewtown, Athlone yesterday (23 January) around 04:00. The crew responded to a call at 03:00 and were escorted to the patient’s home by the South African Police Service (SAPS). Although the Kewtown area has not been declared a red zone, the crew requested to be escorted by SAPS as a safety precaution. While the EMS staff and SAPS members were inside the home of the patient, the ambulance’s window was forced open and a Lifepak 15 cardiac monitor, worth an estimated value of R300 000, was stolen from the vehicle. The SAPS Athlone is currently investigating this latest brazen incident. Anyone with information on this theft should please inform the SAPS as soon as possible.

Pledge your support

Safety is everyone’s responsibility and we all need to help keep those safe who stand in service of the people of this province. You can do this by having your name printed on an ambulance, to be unveiled in 2020. Pledge your support to the EMS staff who risk their lives to save people. Show that you are In Support of Life, by adding your name, and telling EMS staff that they are valued and that you will help them continue to save lives. Make your pledge at https://www.westerncape.gov.za/ems-pledge