As South Africans find themselves slowly resuming their daily routines and returning to work, there are those who have not stopped working since the implementation of the lockdown.
These are men and women who form part of the essential services team. They are individuals who dedicate their lives to safeguarding their respective communities.
As part of essential services, traffic officers and firefighters are often most visible on local roads. Yet, too often, they receive the most flak and the least praise.
Playing a pivotal role within the community, how has the fire services evolved with the pandemic and lockdown?
Stephanus Botha, Divisional Commander Operations at Newcastle Municipality’s Fire Department, explains that every inch of the community service department is sanitised and cleaned on a daily basis.
“We are still operating as per usual, as the community’s safety, is our priority. Our staff are supplied with PPE. Furthermore, whenever they return to the station, they need to thoroughly clean the equipment, vehicles and sanitise themselves.”
While focusing on protecting themselves from COVID-19, Botha explains that the fire department is prepping themselves for the fire season.
“We are now in the fire season. This will see us focusing on grass fires in town, as well as preparing for fire breaks on the town’s borders,” says Botha.
Furthermore, Botha explains the fire department is also preparing for structural fires which are caused by people making fires at home, as to warm themselves during the winter season.
“The rising number of households and agricultural lands ravaged by fires every winter concerns the Newcastle Fire Service,” states Botha.
While, fires can never be truly prevented, Botha says we can prevent fires from damaging items and areas of value. Therefore, it is instrumental the community plays its role in ensuring fire damage is kept at a minimum.
The fire department has the following safety tips to follow:
- Fires need oxygen, something to light it and something to burn. By removing any of these three elements, you can help extinguish a fire.
- Keep your property free of over-grown and dry vegetation.
- Avoid unnecessary open flames.
- Make firebreaks around your farm.
- Do not take any chances with an open flame on a windy day,
- Keep matches and fuels away from children.
- Make sure you extinguish the fire after a braai,
- If you see a fire, irrespective of size, report it to the fire services.
- Switch off all heaters and your stove when going to bed, or leaving the house.
- Do not place your heaters close to combustible material. This includes curtains and bed linen.
- Do not overload electrical plug sockets.
- Do not leave children alone in the house with either the stove or a heater on.
Botha encourages the community to report fires by contacting 034 312 1222.
With the fire services working towards fire safety, traffic officers are working just as hard to safeguard Newcastle Roads.
Chief Traffic Officer, Ashok Anandhaw, explains that since the implementation of the lockdown, local traffic officers are dedicating themselves to adhering to the ever-changing laws.
“Traffic officers are doing their utmost to maintain the laws and regulations, and any other changes.”
With certain members of the public attempting to take advantage of the regulations, Chief Anandhaw says traffic officers perform regular roadblocks in and out of Newcastle, as well as ad-hoc roadblocks in Madadeni.
“We also look at issues such as social distancing and overloading of vehicles. But, in order for this to be a success, law enforcement has to rely on the public for compliance as well.”
Therefore, Anandhaw encourages the community to comply with the regulations and report any wrongdoing.
He further encourages the community to abide by the traffic laws. “Hospitals have a lot on their hands at the moment, focusing on the COVID-19 pandemic and other health issues. They do not need to be flooded with injuries from roadside collisions and fatalities as well. We are pleading with the community to work together and show patience during this difficult time.”
With local traffic officers and firefighters working together to help protect the community, be sure to play your role.
