Public Information, Education and Relations (PIER)

Public Information, Education and Relations (PIER)
Rather than wait for disasters to strike, PIER focuses on pre-incident training and preparedness geared towards training the public to avoid all types of emergencies and disasters, and cope with them when they happen. The division also aims to minimise the amount of risk factors and situations to which people may be exposed by creating safer living and working environments. PIER is also responsible for keeping the City informed of the EMS’s activities. It has established strategically placed BESAFE Centres to enable communities to get and receive the information they need. Proactive Services Directorate (Investigations, Code Application and Code Enforcement) The directorate focuses on fire safety, looking at code application, code enforcement and events management, among others. Its core business is being the custodian of safety standards to ensure that fire risks are managed proactively when hazmat (hazardous material) is transported, events are hosted, buildings are erected or renovated and flammable liquids are stored. It ensures that buildings comply with the National Building Regulations set out in the SABS 0400 1987. It also informs and advises occupants about safety precautions and storing flammable liquids and gas. It deals with both business and private premises. Where necessary punitive measures are taken if there is a gross non-compliance or repeat non-compliance. Working with other City departments, this directorate plays a critical role in Joburg’s inner city initiatives. Joburg’s rapid expansion has led to an increase in the number of fire-related emergencies because of poor adherence to fire safety precautions and fire code applications by the building industry. This has led to increased fire risks - and, as a result, the EMS has set up preventative fire safety programmes. Its functions include: The application and enforcement of municipal by-laws and other safety legislation relating to fire by means of the routine inspection of buildings and fire plans; Ensuring the implementation of sound fire engineering principles and practices by liaising with the public, consultants, architects and a wide range of technical committees and professional bodies; The prevention of uncontrolled fires through lectures and film shows to the public; In the event of a fire, ensuring its intensity and duration is limited by empowering the public to handle such an emergency; Determining the cause of a fire and using the information gathered to inform awareness campaigns, including legislative compliance; and Management of fire works storage, transportation and display in public places.
Public Information, Education and Relations (PIER)

Rather than wait for disasters to strike, PIER focuses on pre-incident training and preparedness geared towards training the public to avoid all types of emergencies and disasters, and cope with them when they happen.

The division also aims to minimise the amount of risk factors and situations to which people may be exposed by creating safer living and working environments. PIER is also responsible for keeping the City informed of the EMS’s activities. It has established strategically placed BESAFE Centres to enable communities to get and receive the information they need.

Proactive Services Directorate (Investigations, Code Application and Code Enforcement)

The directorate focuses on fire safety, looking at code application, code enforcement and events management, among others. Its core business is being the custodian of safety standards to ensure that fire risks are managed proactively when hazmat (hazardous material) is transported, events are hosted, buildings are erected or renovated and flammable liquids are stored.

It ensures that buildings comply with the National Building Regulations set out in the SABS 0400 1987. It also informs and advises occupants about safety precautions and storing flammable liquids and gas. It deals with both business and private premises. Where necessary punitive measures are taken if there is a gross non-compliance or repeat non-compliance. Working with other City departments, this directorate plays a critical role in Joburg’s inner city initiatives.

Joburg’s rapid expansion has led to an increase in the number of fire-related emergencies because of poor adherence to fire safety precautions and fire code applications by the building industry. This has led to increased fire risks - and, as a result, the EMS has set up preventative fire safety programmes.

Its functions include:

The application and enforcement of municipal by-laws and other safety legislation relating to fire by means of the routine inspection of buildings and fire plans;

Ensuring the implementation of sound fire engineering principles and practices by liaising with the public, consultants, architects and a wide range of technical committees and professional bodies;

The prevention of uncontrolled fires through lectures and film shows to the public;

In the event of a fire, ensuring its intensity and duration is limited by empowering the public to handle such an emergency;

Determining the cause of a fire and using the information gathered to inform awareness campaigns, including legislative compliance; and Management of fire works storage, transportation and display in public places.

Public Information, Education and Relations (PIER)