Emergency Management Services (EMS) ambulance crew was recently attacked on call to Cosmos City in Johannesburg.
Department of Public Safety MMC Michael Sun said the crew arrived at the scene and tried to provide medical treatment to the injured person.
Sun said the ambulance was confronted by a mob.
“A patient was allegedly injured as a result of mob justice assault. When ambulance crew tried to rescue the suspect, they were attacked by the mob. Ambulance crew was able to retreat from the scene unharmed though they were traumatised. The new City’s umbalance, which was delivered just not so long, was damaged”, he said.
EMS spokesperson confirmed that there was no ambulance service shutdown at Cosmo City due to the incident, but a temporary withdrawal.
“It is incorrect that City has shutdown emergency medical rescue services to Cosmo City residents or anywhere in the city. In light of the attack on the ambulance crew at Cosmo City, we are now screening calls coming from these hotspots. When the call is from the location where there is violent or suspicious situation, we prefer that Johannesburg Metropolitan Police Department (JMPD) or South African Police Service (SAPS) attend the emergency. We want to make sure that residents and EMS members are safe, that is why we will assess calls and level of emergency. EMS crew’s safety will not be put at risk in favour of fake calls and violent situations without police escort”, EMS spokesperson said.
Sun said on different incident, members of Jabulani Fire Situation were attacked in the early hours of 1 July. Criminal record was opened. Many other EMS crew attacks are seen taking place in other areas of the country.
“The department has activated a plan to deal with the attacks on its firefighters, EMT, paramedics and other measures that have already took place. The department installed panic buttons on ambulances, EMS members are provided with self-defense training and pepper spray as preferred device to deter attackers. JMPD to escort ambulances and fire engines to emergency calls from violent areas and hotspots identified. Emergency calls from identified hotspots will be screened to decrease face calls, where there is a suspicion of potential risk. Engagement of community leaders and elders to assist in understanding challenges faced by firefighters, EMT and paramedics. Members of community desist from such attacks”, said Sun.
He added that when EMS crew or emergency vehicles are attacked, it results in service delivery taking a knock.
