EThekwini Fire and Emergency Services officials visited George Hill and Lacey Road Informal Settlements to educate residents on the dangers of fire and how to prevent it.
The fire prevention awareness held on Sunday, 18 September was attended by residents, ward 31 councillor Remona McKenzie and firefighter and training officer Rodgers Vilakazi.
Vilakazi said that the mandate of fire and emergency services is to save lives, property and the environment. He said they have a programme aimed at educating people where they give them basic training on fire prevention.
“We have programme called Public Information Education and Relations (PIER). Through this initiative, we educate residents about the dangers of fire, how to minimise them, emergency numbers and techniques to move in smoke. This programme targets mainly disadvantage communities where the likelihood of fire spread is great,” said Vilakazi.
Remona McKenzie, ward 31 councillor said that she is grateful to the fire department for bringing the awareness campaign to communities. She said residents were happy to learn more about fire prevention.
“Residents noted the emergency numbers, so that they would contact the fire department immediately should they find themselves in fire. I advised Mr Vilakazi that most of the residents in the informal settlements and in the area cannot afford a basic fire prevention training course. I asked if the department can offer this. He has agreed to give basic training to 20 residents.
McKenzie added that they have requested two fire hydrants, one on each side of the informal settlement as this is one of the requirements.
Sifiso Mthethwa, a resident at Lacey Road Informal Settlement said he was happy to see fire officials visiting them as he is now equipped with basic fire prevention measures.
“As residents in the informal settlement, we appreciate the efforts by the fire department and the councillor in making sure that we are informed about the dangers of fire and how we can protect our shacks against fire and save our lives,” said Mthethwa.
