Richards Bay firefighters see red
According to a fireman, only five percent of the safety equipment they use is in proper working order.
FIREMEN employed by Indiza Airport Management say they have had enough of inadequate and unsafe operational conditions at the airport.
They claim they are ill equipped, fire engines are damaged and most safety equipment are not in good working order.
A fireman who spoke to the Zululand Observer on condition of anonymity said only about five percent of the safety equipment they use are in proper working order.
‘The fire engines have worn-out tyres, cracked windscreens, no wipers and damaged Jaws of Life equipment, Apart from that some of the runway’s lighting is out of order, at times not enough fuel is available for aircraft – all things posing a serious safety hazard to passengers,’ the employee said.
‘We are not only raising these complaints because of poor salaries, but our main concern is the safety of the passengers who use Richards Bay Airport,’ said another.
They allege they have submitted a long list of complaints to the Department of Labour highlighting their concerns, but to date nothing has come of it.
Indiza Airport Management Manager Heila Trollip said it was an internal matter.
‘We are well aware of all the complaints from some of the firemen, but we are in the process of sorting everything out.’
The firemen further allege both their immediate superiors have no firefighting qualification.
I feel the employees concern, Its easy to say now that “its in the process of sorting everything out” now that the complaints is published!!!!!!. I would just like to know how long has it been in process of sorting out?. If the fire trucks windscreen is been cracked for 2 years and nothing was done, wonder how long other things in PROCESS is going to take to get repaired?, I’m just relief you guys are using the word “PROCESS” and not the polices term “investigate”.
I agree with the employee, and I think it is just a lame excuse from management to say “we are in the process of fixing everything”, does the word “process” means years?, because if the fire trucks windscreen has been cracked for two years and nothing has been done, will the current employees who complaint, still be alive when everything that is now in “process” is fixed?. At least Im happy you guys use the term “process” as a excuse and not “investigate” like our police.