Stop for a moment and think logically about the fires in Port Elizabeth. Think about how stretched our emergency services are whilst attending to four raging fires across the width and breadth of Port Elizabeth. Not only do the Fire and Emergency Services have to try and put the fires out but the Traffic Police have to provide support services to try and stop rubber necking yobs from placing themselves in danger.
My eyes were opened a little bit today, when I tried to get a little closer to the fire action in order to get some photographs, as PRIVATE citizens were blocking the roads. Of course I had to stop and chat and the recurring thread from all that I spoke to was that they had heard that the emergency services were stretched thin and they thought it their civic duty to help out.
Bloody marvellous I say, bloody marvellous and well done.
What disappointed me no end was the amount of abuse and black looks that our civic minded volunteers took from people who insisted that they had to go through hastily erected roadblocks and against better advice from our civic heroes. Two of the volunteers I spoke to have a background in emergency services – one a retired fireman and the other the owner of a vehicle accident recovery business.
To those drivers who insisted on being abusive and displaying various digits I say; “Shame on you, it is YOU that sucks!”
Chatting to a Traffic Officer I found it most illuminating that most people did obey his directions, BUT one or two actually displayed their distinct lack of a decent upbringing by throwing black looks at my new friend or by just ignoring his directions and trying to weave past – baaastards and biiiiyatches.
Mothers and Fathers, please teach your children to show a little respect and dignity in future.
As a child I also dreamed of becoming a Fireman – this past week they have shown me that they do an extremely dangerous job that demands our gratitude – well done fireguys and firegirls.
Alan Straton
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If council could scrape up some tax money to eliminate alien vegetation which is now out of control,these fires would not be as prolific and vicious.