Department helps municipality extinguishes fire by buying fire engines
In order to deal with fire disasters especially those that happen along the N12 road in the Province, the Department of Local Government and Human Settlements in Bokone Bophirima, has spent over for R2.8 million in fire fight engines for Maquassi local municipality.
The three fire engines, i.e. two medium pumpers and a skiet unit can all take between 500 and 3500 litres of water each and they also have rescue equipment’s, i.e. ‘jaws of life’ used during road accidents. As he handed over the engines to Mayor Noni Kgabi, MEC for Local Government and Human Settlements, Collen Maine said the department’s assessment revealed that fire and road accidents in the N12 road were identified as one of the biggest hazards that mainly affect nearby communities, either causing extensive damage, loss of human lives or injuries.
“To address these challenges, the department annually set aside funds to support municipalities to upgrade their fire services in order to render efficient and effective services. This is also done to build capacity of our municipalities to deal with fires and at the same time reduce the risks within our communities. This we do, in the ambit of Setsokotsane which is intended to accelerate services to our communities and to improve the quality of their lives’, said MEC Maine.
Enquiries:
Ben Bole (Departmental Spokesperson)
Cell: 071 566 1399
E-mail: msbole@nwpg.gov.za
