The Recreation and Parks Department has been kept busy in the midst of back to back severe weather episodes, responding to nearly 100 incidents over a three-day period.
The City’s Recreation and Parks Department has been kept busy over the past few days, dealing with tree obstructions caused by adverse weather conditions.
Between Friday, 10 July 2020 and Monday, 13 July 2020, the department’s Horticultural after-hours standby team has responded to 93 fallen trees or trees with broken branches that were causing obstructions to roadways or posed serious safety hazards.
Areas most affected were Constantia, Rondebosch, Wynberg, Bellville and surrounds.
The trees that fell over on Kloof Road in Clifton was the largest incident responded to, and took the longest time to clear.
‘Uprooted trees or fallen branches are some of the most visible impacts of the severe winds and storms, and have the potential to cause significant damage. Our teams are on standby to respond to reports as they come in, so that the work can be completed as speedily as possible, to reduce the risk to lives and property.
‘The teams put themselves at risk by working in extremely difficult weather conditions. They are also required to work at any time of day or night; on uneven terrain; at heights and among snakes, spiders and bees. However, due to years of experience, good supervision and protective clothing provided to each worker, almost no injuries have been recorded while teams are out on call-outs,’ said the City’s Mayoral Committee Member for Community Services and Health, Councillor Zahid Badroodien.
During normal working hours, the Recreation and Parks Department performs routine maintenance on trees, courtesy of horticultural staff working at various depots across the city.
The after-hours standby teams are responsible for horticultural-related emergencies occurring on City land, outside of normal operating hours. They are also called upon to assist in emergencies resulting from extreme weather, like the conditions experienced over the past few days.
The teams are highly skilled in using machinery to cut up dead trunks and branches into portions that can be loaded and carried away. They are well-equipped with chain saws, pole saws, grab trucks, cherry pickers and various hand operated tools.
All workers are issued protective overalls, safety boots, gloves, earmuffs, hardhats and waterproof pants and jackets. Recently face masks have been included in their Personal Protective Equipment due to COVID-19.
‘I had occasion to watch one of the teams at work in less than ideal weather conditions and the ease with which they completed the task was proof of their experience and expertise. The City and its residents are indeed fortunate to have such skills and dedication at our disposal, and we owe a debt of gratitude to these teams and other workers who literally step out when the storms come, to keep us safe,’ added Councillor Badroodien.