Tshwane firefighters question Tetra equipment

Tshwane firefighters on Monday told Eyewitness News they refused to attend some emergencies because of the poor quality of their hand-held radios.

They said the Tetra devices, manufactured in Korea, have intermittent signal and do not meet the necessary safety requirements.

Tshwane metro police have been complaining about the same units since they were introduced, while emergency services management have now ordered firefighters to use them as well.

Sources said they were being forced to use inferior equipment that put their lives and those of the public in jeopardy.

They say the Korean-made Unimo two-way radios do not have signal in parts of the city including the Central Business District (CBD).

Despite these concerns, strategic executive director, Joan de Beer still instructed that all firemen use the Tetra radios.

But the firemen subsequently warned that they will not enter a burning building unless they are able to communicate with the command vehicle or their colleagues.

The municipality did not respond to questions surrounding the device.

- EWN

SAWDOS: Now this could become a real problem. Communications is one of the most important aspects of the emergency services. They cannot afford to work with any inferior equipment. They deserve the best of the best. Unfortunately some local authorities think that they can save by buying cheaper emergency equipment.


There is a saying in afrikaans: "Goedkoop koop is duur koop!!"


I personally feel for these fire fighters and if I was in their shoes I would also be very unhappy and concerned. It is not only their lives that are at stake but also the lives of the public.