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​Fast moving cars whizz past and the blare of hooting taxis wrecks the quietness of the neighbourhood as locals in their boots and gloves, as well as school children in uniform, blazers and beanies brave the cold to get to their destinations.

Nearby, a group of bystanders, one wheelchair bound, raise their index fingers to signal to a passing minibus taxi to stop and ferry them to the Johannesburg city centre.

This early morning hubbub occurs just across the vinyl-coated wire fencing of the Protea Glen Fire Station, which carries its name in bold inscriptions in red text, emblazoned next to the emblem at the top of the building.

The ultramodern fire station in extension 13 is located near the Protea Glen High School and is an embodiment of the Public Safety Department’s commitment to creating a safer Johannesburg.

Nana Radebe, Media Liaison Officer for EMS, asserts that the Protea Glen Fire Station is premised on the City’s strategic goal to increase the accessibility of emergency services in Soweto.

Radebe notes that the City is responsible for saving the lives and property of all residents of Johannesburg.

“The municipality cannot take the risk of gambling with people’s lives. We, therefore, promise to adhere to one of our foremost regulations that intertwine with our mandate, which is to save lives and property,” she adds.

The Protea Glen fire station building design has similarities with those in upmarket areas such as Lonehill in Sandton. The firehouse boasts firefighting machinery that includes the Jaws of Life, large-scale water hoses for extinguishing fires, drones that monitor fire incidents, push-to-talk electronic devices, a CCTV nerve centre for monitoring emergencies, as well as an investment in new and advanced technology, such as face and car registration recognition tools.

It also has a swimming pool used in conjunction with EMS’s partners, Swim SA, to teach school children about water safety and how to respond to water-related incidents. There is also a fitness centre that firefighters use to maintain their health and wellness when there aren’t emergencies to deal with.

About 50 highly skilled firefighters have been deployed to the station, which is one of 10 BE-SAFE Centres that serve as an educational tool used by the Public Information, Education, and Relations (PIER) team to teach community members about EMS safety programmes in the City of Johannesburg.

Spotting signature red, yellow, and white fire helmets, navy blue and highlighted turnout pants and jackets, self-contained breathing apparatus, white gloves, yellow boots, and personal alert safety systems, firefighters, men and women, are always on standby to render emergency services to residents of Soweto.

Rosalyn also known as “Sis Rose” Mpambane, a resident of Protea Glen, says the fire station has come in very handy.

“This project means a lot to us as it does not only focus on helping those in accidents, but it also educates young children about EMS safety programmes. Above all, this is what we have always wanted and thanks to the City for responding to our cries,” Mpambane adds.

Radebe says the Protea Glen fire station has improved emergency service response times for fire incidents in the community, with the current emergency calls within Protea and neighbouring suburbs estimated at 9, 000 per annum.

“The recent set up of this fire station has improved the City’s response times and shortened the distance travelled when responding to incidents in and around the community.”

The need for a fire station in Soweto is undisputed as the Soweto suburbs of Protea Glen, Tladi, Naledi, and Emdeni have experienced fire problems. Until now, these areas had to depend on the Jabulani fire station, which is on the outskirts of where they live.

“At last, we are happy with what the City of Johannesburg has built for us because, at first, it was an inconvenience to use the resources and services of other fire stations like Jabulani. Now that we have our fire station, life is much easier for us in cases of fire emergencies. We don’t pray for events like fires or accidents, but if such happen, we know we are safe,” says Tshimologo Ratau, a resident of Protea Glen.

Radebe says the EMS continues to provide public safety services to all Joburgers. Residents can call the EMS hotline on 011 37 55 911 for any fire-related and other emergencies.