Kempton Park Fire Department understaffed

by Cllr Jaco Terblanche — DA Spokesperson for Community Safety

Date: 30 October 2023

Release: Immediate

Type: Media statement

Kempton Park fire station is buckling from chronic understaffing and need their own emergency rescue — this was revealed in reply to questions asked by the Democratic Alliance.

According to the South African National Standards (10090 risk category) the minimum number of personnel required at the Kempton Park fire station should be 56 however there are only 38 firefighters resulting in a short fall of 18 firefighters or 32% shortfall.

With operational shortfall just above a third, Kempton Park fire fighters are stretched to capacity and placed under continuous strain.

Across the metro, the City of Ekurhuleni (CoE) is supposed to have, as a minimum, 1160 fire fighters however there are only 728 fire fighters resulting in a short fall of 432 or 37,24%

How does the CoE expect fire fighters to provide a consistent and reliable service when they are so under-staffed. This under-staffing has a direct impact on the quality of service that can be provided, where every second is crucial to saving lives.

Given the recent disasters that have, unfortunately, happened within the CoE, one would have expected some form of urgency in ensuring that we at least meet minimum standards.

Our firefighters cannot continue operating under these conditions and as such the DA will be tabling a motion in Council which will insist that all 432 positions be declared critical and that the City Manager xxxxx does her job and ensures all our fire stations have the minimum number of fire fighters.

Cllr Jaco Terblanche

DA Spokesperson for Community Safety

083 413 2420