A number of attacks have been made against the City of Cape Town’s emergency services over the years, and officials are concerned for their safety.
Since March 2018, about 21 violent accidents targeting Fire and Rescue services have been recorded, reports eNCA.
Emergency Medical Services (EMS) employees have also been attacked while on the job.
On January 20, a paramedic’s eye was left damaged in Ravensmead as their crew was attacked while attempting to transport a patient to Tygerberg Hopsital.
In March 2020, there were four separate reported attacks on the Western Cape Government Health’s (WCGH) EMS in the province in the space of a week.
On July 21, protestors in Khayelitsha attacked firefighters, leaving vehicles broken and in need of repairs. A petrol bomb was hurled at a fire truck in Mfuleni just hours later.
In the most recent attack, two firefighters from the Brackenfell station were assaulted after receiving a hoax call in Wallacedene.
As fire season approaches, the City of Cape Town’s safety and security officials are growing increasingly concerned over the safety of their employees. As they cannot verify whether a call for help is real or not, officers are incredibly wary.
“The next time they go to that community, there might be somebody that’s actually in trouble, and we need to go save that life. It’s the selfish actions of a few, basically, criminals that are preventing us from going to assist somebody that will need our help,” said Chief Fire Officer, Ian Schnetler.
According to eNCA, Fire and Rescue services will now use a police escort when responding to emergencies to protect their staff.
Residents can report illegal activity that is taking place or that has happened or is still to happen. For anonymous tip offs, please call 112 from a cell phone (toll free) and 107 from a landline or 021 480 7700 for emergencies.
Picture: City of Cape Town