“Unfortunately, criminals exploit moments of opportunity. Incidents such as break-ins, robberies, and home invasions often happen so quickly that homeowners have very little time to react,” said Charnel Hattingh, Group Head of Marketing and Communications at Fidelity Services Group. “A panic button provides immediate access to emergency assistance—especially in moments when reaching for a phone or making a call isn’t possible. It can also be critical in medical emergencies, where every second matters.”

Panic buttons are most effective when integrated into a layered home security system that includes alarms, CCTV, and regular security patrols. These devices offer a direct line to a security provider, ensuring the rapid deployment of armed response units without the need to dial a number during a crisis or when incapacitated.

Hattingh also highlighted that panic buttons aren’t just for crime-related emergencies:
“Many of our call-outs are actually for medical incidents. Having a panic button within reach ensures that help can be summoned quickly—whether due to an intruder, a fall, or a sudden health issue.”

Fidelity Services Group offers the following tips to maximise the value of your panic button:

• Know where they are: Install panic buttons in frequently used areas like bedrooms, kitchens, and living rooms
• Test regularly: Ensure your panic button is functioning correctly through regular tests
• Go mobile: Consider a mobile panic button for use when you’re outdoors or away from home
• Educate your family: Make sure all household members know how and when to use the panic button
• Connect directly: Confirm that your panic button is linked directly to your security provider for the fastest response possible.

“Security is about being proactive,” concluded Hattingh. “A panic button may be a small addition to your home’s security setup, but it can make an enormous difference in an emergency. It’s not just about peace of mind—it’s about knowing that when something goes wrong, help is already on the way. By equipping your home with this simple yet powerful tool, you’re giving yourself and your loved ones the best possible chance to stay safe.”

The post Why every home should have a panic button appeared first on ProtectionWeb.

Wahl Bartmann, CEO of Fidelity Services Group, and John Smit, CEO of SSG Holdings, were hoisted into the air for an unfiltered conversation about leadership, risk, and the future of South Africa’s emergency services. The stunt highlighted the scale of Fidelity SecureFire’s frontline capabilities and the strength of the new partnership between Fidelity and SSG, which is reshaping the risk solution industry, Fidelity said in a statement.

“From up here, you see everything differently, the risks, the possibilities, and the responsibility,” said Bartmann during the aerial interview. “This is more than an investment in equipment; it’s a declaration that we will rise to protect South Africans when it matters most.”

The aerial stunt also honoured the daily courage of first responders who regularly work at great heights to save lives.

The event comes just weeks after Fidelity Services Group acquired a majority shareholding in SSG Holdings in a strategic partnership that is transforming South Africa’s integrated security and emergency services landscape.

The 32-metre hydraulic platform ladder can reach the 10th floor of most buildings. With its 400 kg-capacity rescue basket and advanced reach, it brings global standards of readiness into the private sector, extending Fidelity SecureFire’s ability to respond to high-rise and complex urban fires, making it the country’s most comprehensive private emergency response provider, Fidelity said.

The ladder joins SecureFire’s national fleet of 32 fire engines and water tankers, 34 Rapid Intervention Units, and 600 first responders across 19 regional offices.

“By bringing Fidelity and SSG together, we’ve created South Africa’s most advanced private protection capability,” said Bartmann. “It’s about much more than business; it’s about national readiness.”

Fidelity SecureFire is a full-spectrum fire services solution with offices across Gauteng, KwaZulu-Natal, and the Western Cape. Every Fidelity SecureFire deployment is backed by the Fidelity Fire National Command Centre, a 24/7 operations hub using real-time data, GIS mapping, and fleet analytics to ensure optimal coordination and resource deployment.

The post Fidelity SecureFire officially launches South Africa’s longest fire ladder appeared first on ProtectionWeb.

Fidelity SecureFire, a subscription-based private firefighting service, launched in June in Cape Town. It has been operating in Gauteng since 2023. It’s also active in Durban, East London, Gqeberha and Bloemfontein.

On its website, the company describes itself as “reengineering the future of fire protection in South Africa through scale, technology, and an unwavering obsession with speed, trust, and precision”.

But the City of Cape Town’s chief fire officer, Clinton Manuel, said he wrote to Fidelity in May informing the company that the service was “unregulated”.

The City is opposing the operation of private firefighting services in its jurisdiction, considering it “unlawful and constitutionally impermissible”, said Manuel.

“We have no mandate from our citizens to outsource the fire and emergency function to private entities for their commercial gain and will not be entering into any sort of agreements with Fidelity,” said Manuel.

He confirmed that Fidelity is not linked to the City’s emergency call centre nor the Fire Service Command and Control Centre.

“They seem to be self-responding, but like any citizen, they have a duty to report fires to the legislative authority as soon as they become aware of an incident,” said Manuel.

The City’s fire service has not been receiving reports of fires from Fidelity, yet Fidelity has at times been first on the scene of a fire or accident, he said.

He said that City incident commanders have been instructed to ask Fidelity staff to leave the scene of a fire or other emergencies as having “unregulated and unauthorised service providers in attendance at fires” would undermine “managing emergency incidents safely and effectively”.

Manuel warned that Law Enforcement would be called to remove them.

He added that no one is permitted to use municipal fire hydrants other than the municipal fire service.

He said the City’s Fire and Rescue Service has agreements in place with district municipalities and the Western Cape government, and a fleet of over 130 firefighting vehicles.

“This, combined with our available staff, proves that we do not need assistance from private, unregulated entities purporting to be professional firefighters,” said Manuel.

Gauteng

Private firefighting services are gaining traction in Gauteng. In 2022, Discovery launched its private fire service in Johannesburg.

However, the City of Tshwane recently initiated court proceedings against private firefighting providers. The City filed papers in order “to enforce compliance with applicable legislation”, it said in a statement.

The City of Tshwane said that private fire services were operating without “legal authority, regulatory approval, or formal agreements with the municipality in direct contravention of national and local legislation governing emergency services”.

The City said the operations present challenges for the City’s command and control structures during emergencies, “compromise incident scene management, draw water from municipal fire hydrants, which violates city bylaws”.

The DA said in a statement following the City’s decision to go to court that “instead of trying to abolish private firefighting services, the City of Tshwane should instead aim for appropriate regulations while addressing its own capacity issues”.

Fidelity responds

Fidelity responded to GroundUp’s questions with a press statement. Wahl Bartmann, CEO of Fidelity Services Group, denied their services were unlawful. He said Fidelity is “confident that no existing laws prohibit or restrict the lawful provision of private firefighting services”.

Bartmann said that Fidelity SecureFire is not a replacement for municipal fire services but is “complementary”.

“We respond only when formally engaged through contractual agreements – similar to how private security firms operate. Our customers choose us voluntarily, seeking enhanced protection tailored to their specific needs,” he said.

He said that Fidelity would continue delivering its fire protection service despite resistance from municipalities.

Fidelity is expanding to Stellenbosch, Paarl, Worcester and Hermanus this July. Within the next few months, it will expand to Polokwane, Pietermaritzburg, Nelspruit, Richards Bay and other areas.

Written by Liezl Human for GroundUp and republished with permission. The original article can be found here.

The post Fidelity fire service is unlawful, says City of Cape Town appeared first on ProtectionWeb.

Caylin Lee Naidoo was travelling on the N2 near Ifafa on the south coast when he was shot in the head as he approached the heist scene.

Fidelity Services Group chief executive officer Wahl Bartmann said personal safety was a priority if ever in the unfortunate position of being caught near a CIT robbery.

He provided these important safety tips:

• When observing a CIT incident, try and put as much distance between your vehicle and the crime scene
• Do not exit your vehicle as you could get caught in the crossfire. Try to vacate the area if possible.
• Never approach perpetrators of a CIT robbery as they are armed and dangerous. Always remember your own personal safety first.
• Do not place yourself in danger which is inevitable. Criminals may react irrationally when seeing you. Avoid any form of eye or physical contact
• If caught in the vicinity of a CIT robbery make sure that you do not switch off your vehicle in case you need to escape the incident. Keep your engine running at all times
• Share videos that you have taken with the authorities rather than posting them on social media. This could assist with the apprehension of the criminals. Posting on your social media channels which get shared broadly, may in fact jeopardise the case.
• Also remember that while videos and photographs from your phone can be useful, they could put you at risk if the suspects see you filming at the time. Our advice is to be very cautious when attempting to film and incident. It could inadvertently make you a target.
• Immediately notify the police. Contact SAPS when you find yourself in a CIT heist but, remember that it is always about your safety first. The SAPS contact number for emergencies is 10111.
• If you are at a shopping centre and witness a cross-pavement heist near an ATM, the same advice applies. If you are not in your car keep as much distance between yourself and the perpetrators as possible. Rather lie flat on the floor to avoid being caught in the crossfire if any shots are fired. Again, notify the authorities or centre management as quickly as possible.

The post Safety precautions to take if you find yourself near a CIT robbery appeared first on ProtectionWeb.