Buffalo City has experienced its share of disasters - from floods, fires, storms and strong winds to shipping and aircraft accidents to incidents involving hazardous materials. However, the city has a comprehensive set of plans to deal with a range of emergencies through the Disaster Management Centre.
The centre steps in once a community is affected by an event that it cannot cope with by relying on its own resources. The centre is a division of the Public Safety Department.

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What services does the Disaster Management Centre provide?
The Disaster Management Centre addresses risk and vulnerability assessment, prevention and mitigation, preparedness, response, relief, rehabilitation and reconstruction in Buffalo City.

When is an event a disaster?
When the affected community cannot cope by using its own resources and requires outside assistance.

What do I do if I experience loss from a disaster?
Contact your ward councillor and provide them with the following information:

• the date, time and description of the incident;
• the name and identity number of the head of the household; and
• the names, ages and sex of the other occupants.

The ward councillor will then confirm the information and submit it to the Disaster Management Centre.

How do I report an emergency?
You can do this by reporting the incident to the relevant emergency service:

Traffic Services East London:	(043) 705-9333
Fire East London:	(043) 705-9000
Fire King William's Town:	(043) 604-4600
Ambulance:	10177
Traffic Services KWT:	(043) 662-0451

What information must I supply when reporting an emergency?

• A contact telephone number (to call back for essential information).
• The exact address or locality where the incident has happened.
• The number of people or vehicles or animals or buildings involved.

What if there is no street address?
Provide information on local landmarks, such as the nearest crossroads or community buildings (eg shop, church, clinic or police station).

What if I am reporting a road accident?
It is important to state the position of the accident clearly. On national roads, distance information is provided on boards next to the road at 200m intervals. Other main roads have distance indicators every 10km and markers every 1km.

Does the man in the street have any role to play in disaster management?
Preparedness is the key to effective disaster management. People who are aware of the hazards and risks they face are able to take steps to prevent or reduce the impact of disaster.

What are the legal requirements of the municipality when it comes to disaster management?
The Disaster Management Act 2002 (Act 57 of 2002) sets out the duties and responsibilities of organs of state and municipal entities.