02 Aug 2021

The Assistant Minister of Local Government and Rural Development has acknowledged that firefighters share breathing apparatus such as oxygen cylinders and back plates. 

“Safety precautions are therefore always observed to ensure that all breathing apparatus are disinfected at the end of every shift,” Mr Mabuse Pule said in response to a parliamentary question recently

Mr Pule added that there was enough breathing equipment to be used without sharing by the crew at work during any particular shift. 

The assistant minister said it was, however, not true that firefighters shared face masks. 

He also told Parliament that due to budgetary constraints, it had not been possible to purchase enough apparatus (cylinders and back plates) for the whole crew. 

He indicated that the current market price for the breathing apparatus set was around P30 700 per piece of equipment, a cost he said did not include annual maintenance. 

On other issues, the assistant minister indicated that to date, City of Francistown Council has had a total of 13 cases of COVID-19 since 2020, out of a total establishment of 86. 

“From the 13 cases, 12 have recovered while there is one active case,” he said. 

Francistown South MP, Mr Wynter Mmolotsi had asked the minister if he was aware that firefighters shared the breathing apparatus, which he said increased the risk of COVID-19 infections. 

Mr Mmolotsi also wanted to know why it had taken long for the ministry to buy enough breathing apparatus for firefighters countrywide. 

Also, the MP wanted to know how many fire fighters in Francistown had tested positive for COVID-19 since last year. Ends