|
|
Follow us
Tshwane Emergency Services adds new vehicles for district commanders and issues new rank markings and insignia
District commanders (DCs) in the Fire and Rescue Division of the Tshwane Emergency Services Department were issued with five Ford Ranger bakkies at the department’s headquarters situated at the Pieter Delport Centre in Arcadia, Pretoria, on 24 November 2022. The five DC vehicles are placed at Station 1 (Bosman), Station 2 (Rosslyn), Station 3 (Centurion), Station 4 (Silverton) and Station 5 (Wonderboom). During the issuing of the five vehicles, the management of the ESD issued the district commanders and company commander with new rank marking and insignia and addressed them on various matters relating to their daily duties.
The Executive Mayor of the City of Tshwane, Alderman Randall Williams, took time to inspect the new bakkies at the Bosman Fire Station on 23 December 2023, before they were issued to operations. The mayor thanked the management and staff of the Emergency Services Department and thanked them for “ensuring that the department remains one of the best emergency services departments in the country”. The acting chief of Emergency Services Moshema Mosia, divisional chief Dr Tanja Terblanché, divisional chief Dr Robin Charles and acting divisional chief Dr Solomon Khale each addressed the commanders on the following matters: • Complimentary nature of leadership and management- a required condition. • Establishing a culture of professionalism: - Discipline - Punctual attendance - Uniform and dress code - Operating in good faith - Always demonstrating skill - Always acting with care - Ethical conduct - Good governance principles • Establishment of potential Annual Excellence Awards • Implementation of Long Service Medals • Signing of the Pledge • Concerns: - High rate of Loss and damage - Weak administrative processes - Revenue enhancement activities - Poor management of vehicles • Status of the Training Academy A district commander is operationally and functionally responsible for multiple fire stations in a region/geographically designated area of response for fire stations in Tshwane. During fire and rescue incidents, the DC is mostly the most senior fire and rescue officer until he/she hands over the incident to a higher-ranking officer is so required. It is, therefore, very essential that a DC of a region be equipped with a reliable vehicle to cover the designated area of operation, establish and take charge of the incident management system (ICS) to coordinate and effectively manage an incident. The DC vehicle may at certain times be the first arriving vehicle at an incident and as such must be equipped in such a way that he/she can, together with their command aide, conduct a rapid scene assessment and come up with a strategy and tactics to handle the incident in line with the incident management system and standard operating procedures. Some of the equipment in the DC vehicles are include the following equipment to carry out activities as listed above: • Battery operated chain saw • Battery operated carborundum cutter • Breathing apparatus escape set • Normal breathing apparatus set • Water hydrant key • Bolt cutter • Halligan tool • ICS bag • Medical jump bag • Personnel protective equipment (PPE) inside bags The new vehicles will enhance the response capabilities of the Tshwane Emergency Services Department during the festive season and beyond. Source: Charles Mabaso, deputy chief: public information and liaison officer, City of Tshwane Emergency Services |
|
