The City of Cape Town will employ 440 extra safety and security staff as part of its extensive safety and security plan for the 2010 FIFA World Cup™.

The extra staff will augment the municipality’s current capabilities during the month-long tournament.

“The City’s safety and security resources – personnel, vehicles and facilities – have been greatly enlarged to the benefit of all Capetonians and visitors to the soccer tournament,” said Councillor JP Smith, Mayoral Committee Member for Safety and Security.

“These resources will be used for combating crime, reducing vehicle accidents, ensuring the free-flow of traffic, improving responses to medical and fire fighting emergencies and enforcing by-laws and other relevant legislation,” he said.

Strategy

The City has worked with the South African Police Services (SAPS) and Emergency Medical Services (EMS) to develop a strategy that complies with FIFA and the South African 2010 Organising Committee’s requirements.

The strategy’s key elements emphasise the necessity of being people-friendly, having a seamless approach, featuring proven risk management principles, meticulous planning and timing and providing training programmes and resources.
“The operational plan will be tested at different events in the run-up to the final draw for next year’s tournament at the Cape Town International Convention Centre (CTICC) on December 4. Prior to the World Cup there will be three test events at the new stadium to ensure that all safety and security aspects have been thoroughly tested before the June kick-off,” Smith said.

New equipment

Fire and Rescue Services has received seven new fire engines and is awaiting a new Hazmat vehicle and a hydraulic platform. In addition, 122 firefighters have been appointed.

The Disaster Risk Management team has acquired a new mobile Incident Command Vehicle for on-site emergencies. It is large enough to house representatives from all the relevant emergency services.

City Traffic Services has appointed 35 trained Traffic Officers and another 70 will be appointed soon. It has also acquired five Golf GTi patrol cars, 10 bicycles, protective clothing and equipment and is awaiting delivery of 40 motorcycles.

Metro Police received 16 new Chev Optra sedans plus horse-box trailers for its equestrian unit.

Law Enforcement is to receive 19 bicycles, four mini-buses, four Chev Optra sedans, five Segways and a light delivery vehicle. Altogether 180 temporary Law Enforcement Officers will be appointed to assist with the enforcement of municipal by-laws.

“Behind the scenes, the City has augmented its 24-hour 107 emergency call centre by employing 35 emergency operators and professional officers. The PABX telephone system, server and voice logger have also been upgraded.

2010 logo on vehicles

“The Disaster Risk Management Centre, which co-ordinates all emergency operations under the City’s jurisdiction, has had various structural additions and modifications made to its buildings; audio-visual and other special operational equipment installed, plus 30 additional staff members appointed.

“To ensure public awareness of the City’s safety approach to the World Cup, we will display the official Host City/2010 FIFA World Cup™ logos on all the vehicles specially acquired for the tournament,” said Smith.