MMC for Public Safety Councillor Michael Sun was joined by the outgoing executive mayor Herman Mashaba and the MMC for Group Corporate and Shared Service Councillor Ntombi Khumalo as the City of Johannesburg deliv another five new Emergency Management Services (EMS) fire and rescue vehicles as per the on-going EMS Fleet Renewal Programme.

This is in conjunction with the launch of the new 107 Joburg emergency number.

Two Air trucks, two Level 2 Incident Command Vehicles and one Hazardous Materials (Hazmat) Unit were handed over to the City at the Florida Fire Station in Roodepoort.

The air trucks are used to refill breathing apparatus used by fire fighters. This is vital equipment at the scene of a fire.

This latest delivery brings the total number of new fire vehicles delivered to the City to 20 thus far.

Furthermore, the City is expecting another delivery of six medium pumpers and two industrial pumpers by the end of November.

“Our efforts in fixing the City’s emergency service is beginning to pay off. These much-needed fire vehicles are symbolic of the determination we have as a government to fix what is wrong and continue improving going forward.

“We want to urge the residents to help us protect these important life-saving vehicles. For as long as we work together and take care of our own resources, these fire vehicles will deliver change to our residents. These vehicles will also enable our fire fighters to respond to emergencies faster,” said Sun.

The new 107 emergency number will be the only number Joburg residents need to remember and call in a case of emergency in the future.

The 107 number is currently operational and will be routed to the City’s Public Safety Call Centre for all emergencies.

The 10177 and 011 375 5911 numbers will still function. It is the department’s plan to gradually phase into the 107 number by the end of January 2020.

The Gauteng Provincial Department of Health will continue using the 112 and 10177 emergency numbers to offer assistance to residents in emergencies.

However, the City of Johannesburg will use 107 for both EMS and JMPD related emergencies.

This consolidation project will simplify how residents reach the City in case of emergencies.