Bulawayo City Council (BCC) is considering introducing a bonding system for fire and ambulance personnel in a bid to curb high staff turnover that has strained emergency services.
According to the latest council report, councillors raised concern over the growing loss of trained personnel and deteriorating emergency response capacity.
Ward 28 Councillor Ntandoyenkosi Ndlovu questioned the causes of the high staff turnover within the Fire and Ambulance Services department, pressing officials to outline measures being taken to retain staff.
“He sought clarity on whether there were any measures in place to reduce high staff turnover,” read the minutes.
Councilor Ndlovu also highlighted the poor state of ambulances, warning that their condition posed a serious risk to patients.
“He expressed concern on the general conditions of ambulances which had depreciated to unacceptable levels posing a risk of breakdowns while ferrying patients to hospital. Their condition had resulted in the reduced speed,” read the minutes.
Ndlovu noted that the city last procured ambulances in 2007 and stressed the urgent need for fleet renewal.
“New vehicles needed to be purchased. He made reference to a model used by Harare City Council to partner with a private ambulance service provider to improve efficiency and recommended that Council considered a similar arrangement.”
He also called for an ambulance stationed at Cowdray Park as it was very far from the existing ambulance stations.
Adding to the concerns, Ward 25 Councillor Aleck Ndlovu said firefighting capacity was being undermined by inadequate equipment, particularly water tenders.
“He had noted that only 12 out of 17 water tenders were operational and therefore he recommended that vehicles currently in workshops be prioritised for assessment of the required parts and repaired urgently.”
In response, the Principal Legal Officer attributed the high staff turnover to trained personnel leaving council employment in search of better opportunities.
“It was realised that soon after firefighters completed their training, they left Council, a suggestion to bond trainees for a certain period of time may be looked into for Council to benefit from the investment made in the trainees,” read the minutes.
He urged the committee to develop strategies and recommendations for attracting and retaining the trainees.
Meanwhile, the Acting Director of Works revealed that three attempts to procure ambulances last year were unsuccessful due to various challenges.
“Currently Council intended to purchase 6 ambulances through an open tender.”