Thembisa fire station has a 36% staff shortfall

by Cllr Bongani Nkosi — DA PR Councillor

Date: 30 October 2023

Release: Immediate

Type: Media statement

Tembisa 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 (DA) in council.

According to the South African National Standards (10090 risk category) the minimum number of personnel required at the Tembisa fire station should be 56 however, there are only 36 firefighters resulting in a short fall of 20 firefighters, which makes it 36% of the required number of personnel.

With operational shortfall just above a third, Tembisa firefighters are stretched to capacity and placed under continuous strain.

Across the metro, the City of Ekurhuleni (CoE) is supposed to have at a minimum, 1160 firefighters however there are only 728 fire fighters resulting in a shortfall of 432. It is impossible for the CoE to expect firefighters to provide speedily and reliable services when they are so under-staffed. This has direct impact on the quality of services that are provided to the residents, 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 vacant positions be declared critical and that the City Manager Dr Imogen Mashazi does her job and ensures all our fire stations have the minimum number of firefighters.

Cllr Bongani Nkosi

DA PR Councillor in Ekurhuleni

082 455 3187