Site updated 26 July 2010
COMMITTEES  |  EDUCATION COMMITTEE  |  Introduction
The Southern African Emergency Services Institute, previously know as "South African Fire Services Institute" has been involved with fire fighting training since its establishment in 1959.

Many changes have taken place since 1959 which are briefly described here under. Currently the programs offered on the Degree Assembly of the Southern African Emergency Services Institute are based on self study and distance learning which is run under the auspices of the Education Committee.

Two examination sessions are conducted per academic year and take place during April and October every year.

Institute's Education Committee's History
The South African Fire Service Institute was formed in March 1959 by Mr. LJ Terre-Blanche, ESC Barber & NJL Swanepoel. The Institute is a totally member driven organization and all members serve on committee's on a voluntary basis after been elected by the members during the Annual Institute Council Meeting.

Before 1959, fire fighting qualifications could only be obtained through the Institution of Fire Engineers in the UK. One of the main goals when this Institute was established was to provide the fire fighting training in "afrikaans" to its members and therefore the Institute embarked on the route of translating study material from “english” to “afrikaans”.

This task was done by the Translating Committee of the Institute and Mr. LJ Terre-Blanche was the Chairman of this committee. The first book saw the light in 1967 and the second in 1968 where after more books and revised editions followed.

The Institute have provided qualifications through “self study” and “distance learning” since the early 60's and the qualification levels at that time were:
  • Junior Fireman Certificate
  • Fireman Certificate
  • Senior Fireman Certificate
  • Graduate Diploma
  • Associate Diploma
Since then the above mentioned qualifications underwent the following names changes:

1959
1988
1996
Junior Fireman Certificate Preliminary Certificate in Fire Technology Fire Fighter One
Fireman Certificate Certificate in Fire Technology Fire Fighter Two
Senior Fireman Certificate Higher Certificate in Fire Technology Higher Certificate in Fire Technology
Graduate Diploma Graduate Diploma in Fire Technology Diploma in Fire Technology
Associate Diploma Associate Diploma in Fire Technology Higher Diploma in Fire Technology

The above mentioned qualifications were the only recognized fire qualifications accepted by Local Authorities.

The Institute presented and administrated these examinations until 1994 when it was taken over by the then "Success College". This initiative did not prove to be the right option and the examination process was moved back to the Institute in 2002 after Success College cancelled the contract. During this process the Institute also decided to apply for registration with the Council of Higher Education as a private tertiary training provider.

The Institute is registered with IFSAC on both the Certificate and Degree Assembly. The Institute provides the following programs (qualifications) on the Degree Assembly: Higher Certificate, Diploma and Higher Diploma in Fire Technology, which is run by the Education Committee. The Certificate Assembly provides the following qualifications: Fire Fighter One & Two, Hazmat Awareness & Operational which is run under the auspices of the Accreditation Committee.

The Southern African Emergency Services Institute's programs (qualifications) are registered with the South African Qualifications Authority and the International Fire Service Accreditation Congress (IFSAC) based in the United States of America.

Contact Information
The current Chairperson of the Education Committee is Mr. Petrus Brits. He can be contacted at:
Telephone: +27 (0) 11 744-3704/5/6
Facsimile: +27 (0) 11 744-3607
Email: petrusb@ekurhuleni.com

The Head Office of the Institute is in Krugersdorp, Gauteng, South Africa and can be contacted at:
Telephone: +27 (0) 660-5672
Facsimile: +27 (0) 660-1887
Postal address: P.O. Box 613, Krugersdorp, 1740, Gauteng, South Africa
Email: Head Office: saesi@mweb.co.za
Secretary: saesijl@mweb.co.za

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