A planned fire drill was successfully conducted on 24 May at the Huis Ougoud home in St Helena.
The exercise was designed to test emergency response times, enhance coordination among emergency medical services (EMS), and ensure the safety and preparedness of the home’s senior residents.
The fire alarm was activated at 13:55 and, in response, the Matjhabeng Fire Department and Hazquip team were alerted. Participating security companies were also notified, and Dirk Kotze, Community Policing Forum (CPF) chairman, was also informed. He, in turn, coordinated further any response.
Elizabeth Nunes, of the CPF, says the EMS chaplaincy trauma support team, led by Gavin Hoole, was on-site to provide trauma support, and staff of the Huis OuGoud quickly deployed with fire extinguishers and first aid kits, working in coordination with the firefighting teams.
“The Matjhabeng Fire Department arrived within minutes, followed closely by active support from neighbourhood watch members. To simulate an emergency, a controlled fire was ignited on tyres in a secure area, well away from residents. This allowed members to practise using fire extinguishers and gain experience handling the fire hose from the Matjhabeng Fire Department,” says Nunes.
The drill lasted 38 minutes and concluded with a debriefing session involving Huis Ou Goud board members and first responders.
Kotze encourages all senior citizens and homecare facilities to participate in similar preparedness activities to ensure the continued safety of all residents.
