13 Feb Premier helps with construction of new fire station in Robertson

Premier Alan Winde recently helped to open a new fire station in Roberston, in the Langeberg Local Municipality.

Previously, the municipality operated a satellite fire station based in Ashton to service five towns and neighbouring farms, however, the new station provides significantly improved response times.

Premier Winde said: “This is a significant investment in saving lives and property and will further bolster our province’s overall efforts to respond more effectively to disasters.

“With natural disasters becoming more frequent due to climate change, we must continuously build on our disaster management system.”

With the inclusion of a reception lobby, a watch room, offices, a boardroom, a lecture room, ablution facilities, kitchen facilities, a gymnasium, and sleeping quarters, the new station is a welcome addition.

The machine bay can also accommodate six fire engines.

He added: “We have a world-class disaster management network in the Western Cape, adept at responding to all manner of incidents. This facility is proof of our ongoing efforts to keep improving this network, with the safety of our residents top of our mind. The current summer fire season has shown us the importance of this, as well as the need to strengthen partnerships. With the impact of climate change evident all around us, improved collaboration is essential. We are reminded of this with the mass power outage that hit the Central Karoo, Garden Route district, and Overberg. Were it not for partnerships and a shared sense of urgency, we would not have been able to mitigate the impact of this disaster.”