Setting the record straight:
An agitator alleged on a previous comment that “not all our fire stations have fire engines, that one a certain fire stations only had a tanker, and that tankers could not put out fires.”
Fact: every fire station has a fire engine (major pump), and our fleet is sooo big, we can put 2 major pumpers in every station. For some of the busy stations, we do! The rest of the spare fire engines we keep in the fleet, to be used by fire stations if their existing major pump needs to go in for maintenance. Or when we send additional resources to help our neighbouring municipalities in times of crisis.
Looking at the LA fires, a big contentious point at the moment is the allegation of fire hydrants unable to supply sufficient water pressure, causing fire engines to run dry.
In South Africa, we have had to contend with our own water crisis. Sometimes with reduced pressure, this makes it difficult in areas of higher altitude. For this reason, we have invested in an additional fleet of water tankers.
Luckily, when we arrived at the Hangberg fire, the fire hydrants had not been vandalised and we were able to keep our fire engines topped up, while we pumped the water up onto the mountainside to the fire line.
But if upon arrival we had discovered otherwise, we already had a 16000l tankers also despatched to each location. Our tankers can readily fill up 2 fire engines within minutes, then leave and go refill elsewhere, before returning. Tankers get despatched along with major pumpers, as per protocol.
And, our tankers CAN also put out fires, if needed. The hose reels and pump fitted at the back of the vehicle is not just for decoration.
Because in Cape Town, we do things differently. Always ready, always willing.
[JPSmith]
The City of Cape Town sets the record straight on firefighting abilities https://t.co/fnQzRYd0gw #ArriveAlive #Firefighting @CityofCT pic.twitter.com/WVyHKF7v7Q
– Arrive Alive (@_ArriveAlive) January 17, 2025
18h25 update: Choppers have stood down, fire has been contained https://t.co/aoOYnH8JEJ #ArriveAlive #HoutBayFire @CityofCT pic.twitter.com/YImbjxjLGz
– Arrive Alive (@_ArriveAlive) January 16, 2025
