Tshwane under fire from its paramedics & firefighters

Tshwane under fire from its paramedics & firefighters

23 June 2011

published by www.eyewitnessnews.co.za  


South Africa — Tshwane paramedics have told Eyewitness News of the dismal conditions they are working under, saying they are even forced to buy their own dish-washing liquid to clean ambulances because there is no money for disinfectant.

Municipal emergency workers and their colleagues in the fire service have revealed poor working conditions and mismanagement in the city.

The revelations mirror the damning claims made by their counterparts in Johannesburg following the suspension of Emergency Services Head Audrey Gule.

A source said Tshwane employs only one advanced life support paramedic but she is currently on maternity leave. He said the municipal emergency services have only four working ECG machines.

But the expertise and equipment would only be useful if the paramedics can get to emergencies. They say vehicles are often standing in garages waiting to be serviced but there is no money for this to happen.

Firefighters are in the same boat. At the height of the dry season, almost half of the specialised veld-fire fighting vehicles are in the shop.

The municipality failed to respond to questions. It is understood senior managers are at a Lekgotla.


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