Waldrif, October 16, 2023 - On the afternoon of October 16, 2023, residents of Zircon Avenue in Waldrif were shaken by a loud explosion-like sound as a house caught fire, sparking a wave of concern throughout the community. In a fortunate turn of events, a grandmother and a baby who were inside the house managed to escape unharmed.
However, the shock and dismay grew as community members attempted to seek assistance from the Vereenig Fire Department, only to be told they couldn't offer immediate aid. In response, a fire truck from Evaton had to be dispatched to extinguish the blazing fire, despite facing challenges in locating fire hydrants, a predicament shared with the community members.
Equally distressing, the Vereeniging Police Station was contacted at the time of the incident, yet, as of 18:30, they had not arrived at the scene. Amidst this emergency, the community received a glimmer of hope as Emergency Medical Services (EMS) arrived on the scene and attended to the elderly woman, "Gogo," who was in a state of shock. The incident in Waldrif raises important questions about community preparedness and response in emergencies of this magnitude. The residents are now prompted to consider their role in ensuring the safety and well-being of their neighbors. In light of this, the community came together and hosted a caucus to chart a way forward in addressing emergency response and disaster management.
Some proposed steps included:
*Feeding the family and keeping them hydrated
*Establishing a local working station for emergency incidents.
*Creating a designated donation corner to assist affected families.
*Initiating a fundraising campaign to support families with immediate necessities during crises. *Community members are encouraged to collaborate with local authorities, share their concerns, and collectively take proactive steps to enhance their preparedness for future emergencies.
*Host a prayer session to provide some comfort and compassion *Coordinate a team that will take turns is watching that thugs are not given the opportunity to vandalise the property Accidents happen and you never know the date and time.
So sending a helping hand is a way forward.
