RELATED LINKS: About Emergency Management Services Johannesburg's traditional "fire department" has come a long way since the days when its primary function was fighting fires Read more The mayor's delegates visit the people of Diepsloot The wailing sirens of escort vehicles from the traffic department break the stillness of the evening as the mayoral delegation descends on Diepsloot, a sprawling, densely populated informal settlement just outside Midrand. Headlights from the bus carrying the councillors light up the area normally enveloped by darkness Read more City moves to ease tensions in Diepsloot Councillors from the City of Johannesburg made a spirited attempt to defuse tension to the troubled township of Diepsloot on Tuesday, where residents have been engaged in running battles with the police since Monday. [July 2004] Read more

Diepsloot's wait may soon be over LACK of funds is the only obstacle to cutting the long delays Diepsloot residents suffer when they call an ambulance. The City has a plan to set up pickup points where patients can receive some assistance, while the ambulances race straight over. March 4, 2005 By Bafana Nzimande THE LONG wait for an ambulance in Diepsloot may soon be history: the City's Emergency Management Services (EMS) is embarking on a mission to establish 12 ambulance pickup points around the sprawling township. The EMS aims to speed up its emergency response time in the area, north of Johannesburg, by erecting steel shipping containers in easily accessible spots around this heavily populated settlement. However, none of the planned EMS pickup points have been set up yet, because of a lack of funds. "Due to many contributing obstacles, it often becomes difficult for emergency vehicles to provide rapid response to emergency cases in Diepsloot, hence we have decided to embark on this project, which we hope will help us improve our service delivery," said Malcolm Midgley, the EMS media liaison officer. Compromising mostly cramped shacks, this sprawling settlement of formal and informal houses is home to more than 85 000 people, most of whom have relocated from Alexandra. It is one of many settlements the City has targeted for social development. Midgley cited under-developed roads, low visibility of street names and cramped shacks as the reasons why there is slow emergency response. He said, "These are some of the elements that often make it difficult for emergency vehicles to gain quicker access to the area." "We have not established any spots yet, as we are still trying to secure enough funds for the project," Midgley added. "We invite anyone willing to assist us with funds [to help] because this project is mainly meant to benefit the public." The pickup points will house emergency patients for a short period before they are transported to hospital for further medical assistance. Midgley said, "This practice will help to save many patients from suffering unnecessary pain while waiting for emergency vehicles to transport them to hospital, because all emergency vehicles will know which areas need urgent attention." People wanting to assist with funds or wanting more information, can contact Malcolm Midgley on 082 780 0213. Permission to use web site material Publishers may use material from this site free of charge, as long as: Credit is given to either the "City of Johannesburg website (www.joburg.org.za)" or to "Johannesburg News Agency (www.joburg.org.za)"; If the article is used online, a link is provided to the original article on this website; The name of the article's author is acknowledged; The webmaster is informed of how and where the material is used (fill in this brief online form). Johannesburg News Agency is operated by BIG Media at 011-484-1400 Print this Page Send an online postcard E-mail this article to a friend Help using Joburg.org.za