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The latest Emergency Management Service (EMS) personnel to succumb to Covid-19 related complications was a multi-skilled fire safety inspector who dedicated over 20 years of his life to the City.
The senior fire safety officer was reported dead earlier this week after testing positive for coronavirus.
According to the MMC for Public Safety, Cllr Mally Mokoena, Joburg’s EMS has a record of about 69 positive cases of Covid-19, with 11 recoveries and two fatalities. The department she leads has a recorded total of five Covid-19 related deaths, both from the EMS and the Johannesburg Metropolitan Police Department (JMPD).
Cllr Mokoena says when the fire safety inspector joined the City he provided medical, fire and rescue expertise within the operations unit. He later moved to the fire safety code enforcement unit, where he was charged with building compliance, registrations of service stations and the assessment of flammable liquid plans, servicing residents of Soweto and surrounding areas.
“This is truly a great loss to the department. We wish to extend our condolences to the families, friends and colleagues of the deceased. May they find healing as they face this difficult time. The officer’s years of excellent service to the City and its residents will forever be remembered,” says Cllr Mokoena.
She notes that the senior official was a diligent fire safety officer, who bridged the skills gap between stations, various districts and regions within the City.
The family of the deceased and colleagues from the Fire Safety Unit are receiving the necessary support from the department, says the MMC, adding that the City will continue to ensure the necessary precautionary measures pertaining to Covid-19 are observed at all times.
