Putting fires out of a different kind
SANDTON - Despite protests over plans to turn their rest rooms into offices, Sandton firefighters had their rest areas emptied of their belongings.
The rooms were left in complete disarray, allegedly by Emergency Management Service authorities who want to use the rooms as offices for the Disaster Management unit which is now based at the station.
In the article, Sandton firefighters upset at losing their rest room to disaster team, week ending 17 October, firefighters expressed unhappiness over the move to transform their relaxation rooms into offices, saying that they needed a place to rest.
According to one firefighter who wished to remain anonymous, his colleagues and him are now without a place to leave their belongings or store their uniforms after shifts.
“Contractors just came in yesterday morning and began removing our beds, uniforms and personal belongings in such a careless manner, all because they want to create offices for the disaster team,” he said.
He added that some members complained that their uniforms had gone missing and that no arrangements had been made for them to store their personal items. They also did not have anywhere to change.
“It’s not nice because we work so hard and are dedicated to our work and despite that we are treated so badly,” he said.
Robert Mulaudzi, spokesperson for the Johannesburg Emergency Management Services responded by saying that the rooms were being transformed simply because the firefighters no longer utilised them.
“In the past, the members used to work long shifts of 48-72 hours and needed rooms to rest in between, but that has changed,” he said. “They now only work 12 hour shifts and therefore no longer need the rooms.”
Mulaudzi added that because of this, the emergency services had decided to put the rooms to better use and use them as offices. Furthermore, he said this change was not unique to the Sandton Fire Station as other fire stations had also done the same.
“This change needed to happen as it has at other stations, but the main priority remains to ensure that the job is being done and services are being rendered,” he said.
Mulaudzi encouraged disgruntled members to follow internal processes and lodge their complaints as this would ensure that their protests were heard.
