Question NW3457 to the Minister of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs

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19 October 2015 - NW3457

Profile picture: Mileham, Mr K

Mileham, Mr K to ask the Minister of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs

(1)    Whether the driver of the Buffalo City fire vehicle which was involved in a serious accident on Thursday, 27 August 2015, had a driver’s licence of any type; if not, (a) why was the driver controlling a multimillion rand vehicle which had just been returned to service, (b) who authorised that the driver utilise the vehicle and (c) what disciplinary action will follow in this regard; if so, (i) what was the code of the relevant driver’s licence, (ii) when was the licence issued and (iii) when does it expire; (2) Whether there are minimum standards in place for the control, driving and operation of specialised fire vehicles; if not, why not; if so, what are the standards?

Reply:

Below is the response provided by the Buffalo City Metropolitan Municipality, attached as Annexure A, as received from the Eastern Cape Provincial Department of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs:

ANNEXURE A

Number

Questions

Response

1.

Whether the driver of the Buffalo City Fire vehicle which was involved in a serious accident on Thursday, 27 August 2015, had a driver’s license of any type; if not,

The driver at the time was in possession of a Code 03 learner’s license which permits the driving of the heavy vehicle whilst accompanied by a licensed driver. The learner driver was inter alia accompanied by the Divisional Officer: Training who is in possession of a Code EC driving license

 

a) why was the driver controlling a multimillion rand vehicle which had just been returned to service, and

a) The driver was controlling the vehicle as she was on a Pump Operator/Driver course. The duration of which was 11 August 2015 to 04 September 2015

 

b) Who authorised that the driver utilise the vehicle, and

b) The Divisional Officer: Training authorised the driver to utilise the vehicle. Note – in terms of Buffalo City Metropolitan Municipality (BCMM) fleet Management Policy Fire Fighting Vehicles may only be used in the case of inspection of fire equipment or installation and training purposes

 

c) What disciplinary action will follow in this regard; if so,

c) Disciplinary action is to be decided on once a comprehensive investigation has been completed

 

(i) What was the code of the relevant driver’s license

  1. Code 3 learners license
 

(ii)When was the license issued and;

  1. Code 3 learners license issued on

11 August 2015 and

 

(iii) When does it expire

(iii) It expires on 11 February 2017

2

Whether there are minimum standards in place for the control, driving and operation of specialised fire vehicles; if not, why    not; if so, what are the standards

There are minimum standards in place, Fire fighters with a vast experience on driving heavy duty vehicles are selected to attend the Pump Operator/Driver Course. On the course people are trained on how to operate the vehicle and engage the pumps. There are tests and a practical evaluation that must be passed by each student. The competent fire fighters are issued with the relevant internal certificate. These are the only people who are authorised to drive the Aerial Appliances even during emergencies.

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