SAESI – Southern African Emergency Services Institute

Fire fighting has grown, developing through the years, guided by SAESI into a professional discipline many are proud to call their own. The united voice of SAESI is proud to have, through the years, successfully guided and developed the industry into the giant it has become today.

Our history

With the inception of the Southern African Fire Services Institute (SAFSI) in 1959, many things changed and advanced and, for the first time in South African history of firefighting, the South African firefighter was able to qualify for a diploma in fire engineering by passing the examination of the Institute of Fire Engineers.

Probably the greatest achievement of SAESI to date is the fact that after the founding of the Institute, firemen were viewed as professionals and not seen to be “brawny and not-so-brainy” men involved in skilled labour. A fully qualified technician was seen to be a skilled technician with the knowledge of using modern equipment, applying techniques to undertake the full range of firefighting, road accidents and work on all kinds of emergencies.

Today’s firefighter is expected to carry out duties such as equipment maintenance, ambulance work and civil defense. They must also adhere to the National Building Act of 1977 and prepare a fire safety plan designated building frequented by the public.

Past Presidents

YEAR	NAME	SERVICE	STATUS
2017 – 2018	M Ramlall	eThekwini
2018 – 2019	AF Wehr (Vice President)	Milnerton
2016 – 2017	D Padayachee	Private
2014 – 2016	OS Masibi	Ekurhuleni
2009 – 2013	MP Mosia	Ekurhuleni
2006 – 2009	DN Naidoo	Rural Metro
2005 – 2006	JS Ismail	East London
2003 – 2005	MW Pretorius	Kimberly
2001 – 2003	JL Alberts	Pretoria
1999 – 2001	HJ Fouche	Paarl
1997 – 1999	J Jakobsen	Private
1995 – 1997	AF Cloete	Johannesburg	Deceased
1992 – 1995	NJ Swanepoel	Boksburg	Deceased
1990 – 1992	CLG Nicholis	Port Elizabeth	Deceased
1988 – 1990	RG Cloete	Roodepoort
1986 – 1988	WP du Plessis	Pretoria	Deceased
1984 – 1986	HJ Wentzel	Windhoek	Deceased
1982 – 1984	G Davey	Alberton	Deceased
1980 – 1982	WE Kenny	East London	Deceased
1978 – 1980	N Prinsloo	Worcester	Deceased
1976 – 1978	JA Smit	Germiston	Deceased
1974 – 1976	ESC Barber	Nigel	Deceased
1972 – 1974	PF Davey	Pretoria	Deceased
1970 – 1972	FA Veldhuizen	Cape Town	Deceased
1968 – 1970	LJ Terre-Blanche	Brakpan	Deceased
1965 – 1968	WY Marais	Goodwood	Deceased
1964 – 1965	WS Britton	Pietermartizburg	Deceased
1963 – 1964	AS Botes	Roodepoort	Deceased
1962 – 1963	EA Mason	East London	Deceased
1961 – 1962	CH Haasbroek	Parow	Deceased
1960 – 1961	JA Bryant	Kimberly	Deceased
1959 – 1960	NJL Swanepoel	Krugersdorp	Deceased

Organisational structure of SAESI

The Southern African Emergency Services Institute is structured as follows:

Branches:	Chairperson
	Vice-chairperson
	Councillors
	Secretary
	Treasurer
	Station Representative
Council:	Board of Directors
	Presidency
	EXCO
	Prescribed Officers of Working Groups
	Branches
	Councillors
Working Groups:	Chairpersons
	Vice-Chairpersons
	Secretary
	Members
EXCO:	Presidency
	Working Group
	Branches
Presidency:	President
	Vice-president
	Immediate past president
Board of Directors:	Independent Chairperson
	Deputy Chairperson
	Honorary Treasurer
	Executive Directors/CEO
	Non-executive Directors
Head Office:	CEO
	Administrative Officers

Partnership

SAQA Registration

To constitute a member driven professional organization, to promote safety of the community and aspiration of its members through the promotion of all aspects of emergency services.

SAESI, a professional emergency services organisation dedicated to the protection of life, property and the environment.

SAESI Remembers Joburg Firefighters

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Latest News Articles

SAESI presents at IMATU Mid Term Conference
Mr Melvin Ramlall, President of SAESI presenting to members of IMATU at its Mid Term Conference. SAESI was invited to participate in the conference during the focus sessions on Service delivery failures and moving local government forward. As could be expected, given the recent challenges in the fire and emergency sector the presentation spawned intense discussions and positive engagements.… Read More SAESI presents at IMATU Mid Term Conference
The truth about SAESI and its qualifications
The recent questions and challenges raised within the public domain regards illegal qualifications by a splinter group proclaiming itself a professional council is regrettably creating much uncertainty and confusion within the fire and emergency sector that has triggered representations of SAESI before the South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA), The Council of Higher Education (CHE) and the Quality Council for Trade and Occupancies (QCTO).… Read More The truth about SAESI and its qualifications
Approved Professional Bodies Advertorial
The National Qualifications Framework (NQF) Act requires the South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA) to recognise professional bodies and register their professional designations on the NQF. This only happens if the professional body meets the SAQA Policy and Criteria for recognising professional bodies and registering professional designations.… Read More Approved Professional Bodies Advertorial

SAESI House, 295 Jorrisen Street
Off Voortrekker Road
Monument, Krugersdorp
SOUTH AFRICA

Tel: +27 (0)11 660 7555 or +27 (0)11 660 5672
Fax: +27 (0)86 544 0008 or +27 (0)11 660 1887
Email: info@saesi.com

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