On Friday June 12, 2015 a call came in over the radio from a Somerset West Neighbourhood Watch (SWNW) patroller enquiring about a fire in the Sir Lowry’s Pass area as he could see and smell smoke.
Just then a call came in from a Neighbourhood Watch Farm Radio in Sir Lowry’s Pass stating a truck was on fire, they required the Fire Service and support from anyone in the vicinity to ensure the fire didn’t spread into the veld.
The SWNW control room instigated a call to the Fire Services after receiving in depth instructions as to the exact whereabouts on the farm and the quickest route through the dirt roads. We all know how quickly fire can spread and every minute wasted could have been vital.
Another Neighbourhood Watch member on a nearby farm responded to the initial call for assistance, grabbed some fire extinguishers, hopped on his quad bike and set off. Whilst en-route to assist, an accident occurred whereby the farmer fell off the bike causing himself serious injuries. Once again the Neighbourhood Watch Radio proved essential in communicating the need for an ambulance via SWNW Control.
ER24, although some distance away, responded immediately whilst requesting further details of the injury. The famer’s leg was badly fractured resulting in an open wound with loss of blood. Advice given to those on scene from the paramedics, was to apply pressure to the wound to stem the loss of blood, till the ambulance arrived.
Back at the scene of the fire the Fire Service had arrived and the blaze was being professionally dealt with, assisted by other local people after having heard the call on the Neighbourhood Watch Radio.
ER24 duly arrived, after driving across multiple farm tracks to the patient who was stabilised and transferred to hospital.
Just a normal day for the Neighbourhood Watch where the skills, support and professionalism were used to considerable effect, all being coordinated through the radio system so widely used throughout the area and being controlled by the only staff Somerset West Neighbourhood Watch employ. The Neighbourhood Watch Control room staff are all salaried by donations from residents.
Source – Somerset West Neighbourhood Watch
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