South Africa, Tshwane firefighters question Tetra equipment
they refused to attend some emergencies because of the poor quality of their hand-held radios.
Tshwane firefighters on Monday told Eyewitness News they refused to attend some emergencies because of the poor quality of their hand-held radios.
They said the Tetra devices, manufactured in Korea, have intermittent signal and do not meet the necessary safety requirements.
Tshwane metro police have been complaining about the same units since they were introduced, while emergency services management have now ordered firefighters to use them as well.Sources said they were being forced to use inferior equipment that put their lives and those of the public in jeopardy.
They say the Korean-made Unimo two-way radios do not have signal in parts of the city including the Central Business District (CBD).
Despite these concerns, strategic executive director, Joan de Beer still instructed that all firemen use the Tetra radios.
But the firemen subsequently warned that they will not enter a burning building unless they are able to communicate with the command vehicle or their colleagues.
The municipality did not respond to questions surrounding the device.
Source: Eyewitness News
