CAPE TOWN, South Africa — Officials are concerned about the recent attacks on emergency services staff, saying they will not allow personnel to be at risk while trying to save the lives of others.
The Post reported that EMS staff has been told to leave “high risk areas” by health department officials and there have even been instances where staff had to be escorted by police during gang violence. However, police officers are often committed elsewhere and are not always on call to help paramedics, according to the report.
“Unfortunately certain incidents occur randomly and it is a case of the ambulance crew being in the wrong place at the wrong time with no forewarning,” Department of Health official Angelique Jordaan said.
“Responses to calls in gang-affected areas could be delayed as police escorts are not readily available. The gang violence has impacted staff psychologically and emotionally, as they are also caught up in the crossfire at times.”
Jordann said that if violence against EMS personnel continues, the department would consider declaring specific regions as a “no-go-area” for their staff, according to the report.
Department of Health official Theuns Botha said the department has entered into discussions with its emergency services staff about the possible options to reduce their risk, according to the report.
“We will not allow a situation that will continue to put our staff at risk. There have been discussions with SAPS as well. As a government, we need to work closely with Community Safety and community structures to ensure the safety of EMS (emergency management services) staff. This close working relationship is always relevant in a volatile situation where people’s lives are at stake,” Botha said.