Riyaz Patel
The Gauteng Human Settlements MEC, Lebogang Maile, has launched the Smoke Detectors Installation Pilot Project in Alexandra Township, Johannesburg.
Maile said the groundbreaking, early detection scheme is aimed at reducing the number of deaths and amount of damage to property caused by fires within informal settlements across the province.
The project is an initiative of the Provincial Disaster Management Centre’s (PDMC) Fire and Rescue Services Directorate in conjunction with Santam and Red Cross Crescent.
The Setjwetla informal settlement in Alexandra was selected as a pilot site for the large-scale test of smoke alarm technology, following a successful community-based risk assessment undertaken by the PDMC.
About 1000 Smoke detectors will be installed.