The service has officially taken delivery of six new fire trucks, taking its overall tally of ground and aerial firefighting and rescue appliances to 191.

The fire trucks are the first batch in a new design by Marcé Fire Fighting Technologies.

They were acquired at a cost of R6,5 million each, and will be stationed at Bellville, Goodwood, Belhar, Epping, Brooklyn and Mitchells Plain fire stations.

‘Our city is constantly growing and evolving, and as a responsible and caring local government, we have a duty to ensure the safety of our residents by constantly evaluating our level of preparedness. These new acquisitions are testament to that duty and commitment to public safety by investing in training, resources and technology. The bigger your fleet, the more nimble your response when it really counts. But also, the incremental improvements that these new vehicles bring, could shave crucial minutes off active firefighting efforts, which means less damage to property, and more importantly, lives saved,’ said the City’s Mayoral Committee Member for Safety and Security, Alderman JP Smith.

A key feature of the new vehicles is the cabin, which is far more spacious than anything else currently in the fleet.

All seats, except the driver’s seat, are fitted with a breathing apparatus kit, allowing quick access and fitment of BAs when a crew is on route to a scene.

In addition, the trucks also come with improved water cannons that allow firefighting to happen from the vehicle, particularly in instances of warehouse or multi-storey fires.

The vehicles are also fitted with LED lights along the sides and back, to illuminate the immediate surroundings and assist firefighters in executing their duties.

‘It’s a proud moment for our Fire Service, especially as the vehicles were assembled in Blackheath, so there is a local manufacturing component and job creation right here in Cape Town, for Cape Town. I hope that our residents too will share this sense of pride. We have, in recent years, seen sustained attacks on our firefighters and other emergency and enforcement staff. A fire engine that has had its windows smashed through stoning, or hoses cut, is out of commission for weeks, if not longer, which means one fewer fire engine to respond to an emergency. A fire crew that has to wait to enter an area until an enforcement escort arrives, means a slower response time to your emergency, and increases the risk of lives or property lost.

‘So as we appreciate these fine new firefighting appliances that the City is proud to add to its fleet, let’s also take a moment as a society to reflect on our duty and responsibility to the many uniformed staff who sacrifice their time and risk their lives for us on a daily basis,’ added Alderman Smith.

Source: City Of Cape Town