MOSSEL BAY NEWS - Etienne du Toit, the deputy director: Fire and Rescue Services at the Department of Local Government in the Western Cape, visited Mossel Bay Fire, Rescue and Disaster Management Services last week.
In his report on the visit, he lauded Mossel Bay Municipality for the dedication, commitment, and discipline evident among staff.
Du Toit commended fire chief Joseph Johnston on the operational readiness of the fire station.
"Mossel Bay Fire and Rescue Services is, in my opinion, one of the best, if not the best resourced fire service in terms of leadership, skills, institutional ability/willingness, and equipment in the entire geographic area between the City of Cape Town and Nelson Mandela Bay in the Eastern Cape.
"The discipline of both firefighting and administrative staff is of a very high standard. All equipment is well maintained and in compliance with prescripts such as Health and Safety as VUP regulations. For example, one of the major motorised pumping appliances has been used for more than 30 years and is still in immaculate condition."
He recommended that the future Provincial Fire Service Capacity Building Grants to the municipality be allocated to increasing the inland and limited off-shore rescue and firefighting capacity in the area.
"A nine-metre, semi-rigid rubber duck can be used for water rescue, both inland as well as offshore, and serve as a platform for access to marine vessels involved in fire.
"Funding can also support the acquisition of a 32m aerial firefighting appliance and assist with the preparation for Wildland Urban Interface incidents."
It was suggested that longer-term support focus on, among others, municipal infrastructure grant (MIG) support for new fire stations in identified high-risk areas, the establishment of a regional training facility and the placement of an urban search and rescue (USAR) cache for the Garden Route area.
Du Toit's oversight report confirms that teams have been established in high-risk areas and complement service delivery.
"The Provincial Fire Services Budget Comparative Report confirms that per capita spending for fire services is higher than the provincial norm. The service performs exceptionally well within the financial constraints faced by all municipalities," he concluded.
The Mossel Bay Fire, Rescue and Disaster Management Services team.
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