Emergency Management Services (EMS) replaced old and damaged fleet of ambulance by procuring 42 brand new ones at Ivory Park Fire station, in Johannesburg.
City of Johannesburg Mayor Herman Mashaba said this was part of Fleet Replacement Programme and the newly received ambulances will assist EMS to effectively respond to Johannesburg residents.
Acting Head of Emergency Management Services Nomathemba Mtshali said the ambulances will be handed over and distributed at different fire stations across Johannesburg.
“The ambulances will assist with reducing the strain to the current overstretched resources. By replacing broken down and ageing fleet, this brings one hundred ambulances servicing Johannesburg residents. Each of 30 stations will receive one ambulance and some will receive two, based on the call volume on the region”, she said.
Mtshali added that the deployment of these ambulances will be directed to some of the poorest communities experiencing some of the highest volumes.
“Emergency Command Centre receives over 30 000 emergency calls per month. This ranges from medical, rescue, fire and incidents. Johannesburg’s EMS as one of the largest of its kind in Africa and plays a critical role in making sure of residents safety. The fleet will also enable paramedics to deliver quality services faster. Performance of EMS on responding to priority one, which is medical calls ranges at 85% within 15 minutes”, said Mtshali.
Mtshali said she has been informed that Gauteng Provincial Government is intending to take over City of Johannesburg ambulance service. Mtshali added that she is concerned that the safety of residents is at risk of being compromised, should this take place.
“It concerns stem from the tragic Life Esidimeni, when Gauteng Department of Health removed patients from private care. This led to deaths of 143 people. The province has rights to run its own ambulance service. The transfer of City ambulances to the province will hamper service delivery. City will continuously engaging with the Province, therefore to safe the interest of the residents. Resides should take pride in the new fleet and make sure that paramedics are protected, while they respond to emergencies”, said Mtshali.
Department of Public Safety Councillor Michael Sun made efforts in procuring these ambulances and assisting other to bring better emergency services to residents.
“When calling the ambulance, resident should contact the control centre on 10177 or 112, when using cellphone. Try to remain calm, identify the emergency, give your name and contact details and state the nature of the accident. Tell the number of people involved, physical address and nearest corner or landmark. Remain on the line as long as possible to answer the operator’s questions”, said Sun.
