Chronicle Editor
Sukulwenkosi Dube-Matutu, [email protected]
THE Gwanda Municipality has received two state-of-the-art fire trucks from the Government, a development which will improve the local authority’s response to fires and other disasters.
The new trucks which are a major upgrade from the council’s old one, will enable the local authority to attend to huge fire outbreaks. The trucks each have a capacity of 5 000 litres of water, compared to the old truck that has a capacity of 1 000 litres.
Each of the new trucks has 300 litres of foam concentrate, a flood light, a generator and other equipment. They provide convenience to firefighters as they can attack a fire from a distance of about 50 metres, compared to the old fire truck which requires the team to stand at a distance of 20 metres.
The donated trucks also have 10-metre ladders which can hold a weight of up to 300kg. They have manual and automatic tools which will enable the fire team to carry out rescue operations timeously.
The council on Monday unveiled the two trucks at the Gwanda Municipality premises. Various stakeholders attended the event.
Gwanda Municipality Town Clerk, Ms Priscillah Nkala said the local authority had received significant capacitation from the Government which will help to improve service delivery.
“As Gwanda Municipality we have received two fire trucks from the Government which were purchased from Belarus. As a municipality we are excited as now our job will become easier when attending to fire incidences and other rescue operations.
Gwanda is the provincial capital of Matabeleland and there are some local authorities without fire trucks and we sometimes assist them. This will make our job easier and we will be able to extend assistance to other stakeholders.
“In the past, we have been relying on fire engines from well-wishers and some of them were coming as second-hand equipment but this intervention has helped us. We are glad that we have received two brand new fire trucks. Of great importance is that these fire trucks are state-of-the-art and they have the necessary equipment to ensure effective service delivery when we react to stress calls,” she said.
Ms Nkala said the council is grateful for the Government’s intervention. She said the council will continue to engage the Government and other partners to address outstanding key service delivery areas such as ambulances and refuse collection.
Gwanda Municipality fire and ambulance services lead firefighter Mr Danny Sibanda said they have received well-equipped and strong fire trucks. He said the trucks have fire and rescue equipment.
“These trucks are well equipped such that even when we are attending a scene in the bushes we won’t have lighting challenges as the trucks have backup generators. The trucks each carry 5 000 litres of water and 300 litres of foam concentrate. Foam concentrate is mixed with water to put out fires that don’t need a lot of water such as service station fires.
“Each truck requires at least six people to operate efficiently who include the commander, operator or driver and four firefighters. Each truck has breathing apparatus to ensure the safety of the crew. The vehicle also has a ladder and a monitor which can cast water over a distance of about 50 metres. A monitor is ideal in fighting infernos which can be deadly if firefighters move close,” he said.
Mr Sibanda said three members of the crew were trained on how to operate the fire trucks and the three members then trained the rest of the members. He said the training is still ongoing.
Mr Sibanda said the standard of operation has improved as the equipment is automated.
Gwanda Town Mayor Councillor Thulani Moyo said the municipality will ensure that the fire trucks are put to good use to ensure improved service delivery. He said the trucks will come in handy, especially during the festive season when there is usually an increase in fire outbreaks. Clr Moyo said the fire trucks will be useful in attending to veld fires and general protection of properties be it residential or business premises. — @DubeMatutu.
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