28 May 2007
In response to the challenges faced by emergency workers, the Northern Cape
Department of Health's Emergency Care Practitioners (ECPs) yesterday (Tuesday,
29 May 2007) turned to paint to make saving lives easier.
In what they dubbed "Operation Numbers," a group of ECPs from the Frances
Baard District took to the streets of Roodepan to paint numbers on
approximately 50 houses in Eagle Street. This is because unmarked or
incorrectly marked houses often result in time delays during emergency calls.
As a result, emergency workers have to drive past every house in the street,
searching for the right number, and many times the number is small, unclear or
even non-existent.
Another challenge is that people residing in shanties sometimes decided to
move location, taking their block category and house number with them, in turn
creating much confusion for emergency personnel.
The ECPs thus painted big, bold numbers in white paint on certain houses,
which will in future serve as landmarks, particularly on dark nights.
People are encouraged to ensure that their houses are well marked and that
their house numbers are not hidden by shrubs or trees, and also that the
numbers are clear and in a colour that can easily be seen during both the day
and night.
Enquiries:
Shelley Fielding
Tel: 053 830 2000
Cell: 083 701 7191
Issued by: Department of Health, Northern Cape Provincial Government
28 May 2007
