“Visitors explored the latest fire protection systems, including smart alarms, fire doors, sprinklers, extinguishers, and passive fire prevention materials. The presence of leading local and international fire solution providers made Firexpo a comprehensive destination for risk reduction and regulatory compliance,” says Mark Anderson, portfolio director at Specialised Exhibitions, a division of Montgomery Group.

A centrepiece of the event was the Firexpo Seminar Theatre, where experts shared their knowledge on legislation, best practices, and innovation in the fire safety sector. Complementing this was the highly regarded FPASA InFIReS Seminar, drawing interest from insurance underwriters, safety engineers, and municipal fire service leaders.

“Firexpo 2025 played a vital role in helping professionals understand how to meet fire safety requirements while integrating new technologies into their overall safety strategies,” says Anderson. Visitor and exhibitor feedback

Both new and returning participants praised Firexpo 2025 for its practical relevance and direct value to fire professionals. Exhibitors noted the excellent level of interest and strong potential leads generated.

De Wet Engelbrecht from Fire Ops SA says: “Firexpo can be summed up as innovative, industry leading, and an eye-opener in what’s going on in the industry. Collaboration is a positive factor. We picked up a large contract and four major leads on our first morning. The show exceeded my expectations. You need to adapt to technology in this industry to stay ahead.”

Sizani Valves’ Zuko Hlanekela says: “Wow, what a great show. Firexpo gives us exposure and lets us interact with other fire product and service suppliers. This was really fantastic for our market.”

TNO Holdings’ Khethiwe Dlamini says: “Firexpo and Facilities Management Expo were great, and I loved the valuable networking opportunities available, and the informative nature of the event, coupled with the wide variety of products on display.”

Colin Mokwape from SAICA (South African Institute of Chartered Accountants) says: “I found the stands I visited at Firexpo very informative, and I came away with material that was useful.”

“Firexpo 2025 attracted fire safety professionals and first responders eager to explore the latest solutions and industry trends. Exhibitors reported strong leads and valuable engagement, while visitors appreciated the live demos, expert advice, and practical insights gained throughout the show. Next on the calendar is our 4-shows Cape Town event — taking place from 21 to 23 October at the Cape Town International Conference Centre — and next year’s Johannesburg event, which takes place at Gallagher Convention Centre from 2 to 4 June. Full details of both shows are available on our website at www.firexpo.co.za,” says Anderson.

Organisations wishing to exhibit at Firexpo Cape Town 2025, or Firexpo 2026, can contact the Firexpo team on zelda.jordaan@montgomerygroup.com or johan.vanheerden@montgomerygroup.com to book a space or capitalise on a sponsorship opportunity.

See some of the Firexpo 2025 highlights here.

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Leso Legadima, Media Liaison Officer for Department of Cooperative Governance, Traditional Affairs, and Human Settlements, said the adoption of modern technology is essential in fire safety.

“Investing in next-generation fire-fighting solution is not just about being prepared; it’s about being committed to the protection of life, property, and critical infrastructure. Our focus is to utilize the best tools at our disposal to ensure that our emergency services are future-ready.”

Legadima emphasised that artificial intelligence has been the core of a very new approach to fire detection and response.

“AI algorithms can analyse data from sensors, weather forecasts, and historical fire incidents to predict the possibility of a fire outbreak. That predictive capability will help authorities better allocate their resources and reduce risks before they become fully fledged disasters. AI-powered drones fitted with thermal imaging cameras present first responders with real-time aerial visuals of fire-prone areas. These drones can navigate through thick smoke and rough terrain, offering a bird’s-eye view of the situation to firefighters on the ground,” he added.

He underlined that along with drones and AI, block-chain technology has been researched to secure highly sensitive data regarding fire safety. “The immutable ledger in block-chain will be useful in storing and sharing incident reports, records of inspections, and resource deployment with transparency and accountability in any fire department. It will also pave the way for smooth coordination among all concerned departments like municipal authorities, rescue services, and insurance providers,” he added, noting that fire-fighter training is also becoming very futuristic with the incorporation of AR-based simulations.

“Wearing AR headsets, trainees are exposed to very realistic fire scenarios and learn how to make their way through smoke-filled rooms in search of victims and extinguish flames. This better prepares them for real-life situations and makes them more efficient and competent.”

Smart fire stations are one of the forthcoming innovations, Legadima further revealed.

“The technologically advanced hubs possess intelligent resource management systems where equipment, personnel, and vehicles availability is monitored. Smart fire stations will deploy IoT devices to track health and readiness of fire engines on whether they are ready to respond at any

given moment, hence the real-time monitoring reduces response times by large margins and also ensures that the firemen are well prepared to respond to any emergency.”

The path that will drive South Africa to future-ready firefighting solutions is underpinned by the realisation that traditional methods are not adequate anymore. With climate change making wildfires more frequent and intense, the need for more advanced, data-driven approaches has become increasingly urgent. The country is using innovative technologies in an effort to reduce response times but also to prevent fires in the first place.

Dr. Cosmas Luckyson Zavazava, Director of the International Telecommunication Union’s Telecommunication Development Bureau, underlines the role that technology plays in modern fire management. “ITU is technology neutral. With the evolution of technology comes a new opportunity to save lives. Drones can reach dangerous places or make it possible to monitor the progression of disasters such as fires,” he explained.

He further emphasized that the importance of telecommunications infrastructure provides connectivity with sensors and IoT; therefore, it is needed and indispensable. Dr. Zavazava added emphasis to 5G technology, “5G and IoT are important for disaster preparedness, particularly 5G which has low latency and is ideal for Artificial Intelligence. These technologies are also ideal for early warning and timely disaster response.” He highlighted the need for regulatory frameworks, adding, from our perspective, applicable regulations on the deployment and use of Information and Communication Technologies apply even in tech for fire management. What should stand out are Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs).”

The ITU plays a leading role in enabling these advancements.

“ITU is at the forefront, providing universal connectivity, enhancing capacity building in order to develop skills, policy and regulations, and designing the National Emergency Telecommunication Plans,” noted Dr. Zavazava. “Also, we provide Standard Operating Procedures development support. And finally, ensuring that this infrastructure is resilient, reliable and robust is key to assure connectivity is not disrupted”.

His vision again reassured the ITU’s commitment to using telecommunication for disaster preparedness and emergency response in ways that will help further South Africa’s journey to future-ready firefighting solutions.

Equally, South Africa is going a notch higher in changing this narrative of fire safety through its Disaster Management Centre (DMC). According to Ms Zukiswa Poto of the University of the Free State’s Disaster Management Training and Education Centre for Africa, DiMTEC, the DMC is adopting drones, data analytics, and AI technologies to enhance fire detection and response systems. For example, AI algorithms are used to analyse historical fire data to predict where outbreaks are likely to occur, thus enabling proactive measures. Real-time monitoring by drones with thermal imagery enhances the understanding of fire events by disaster managers and firefighters, thus improving situational awareness and resource allocation.

Besides this, the DMC cooperates with academic institutions and research organisations to drive fire safety innovation. Research projects range from the development of new materials for firefighting equipment to prevention measures and even to novel methods of fire suppression.

Such efforts go a long way in extending the horizon of fire safety technology in South Africa and make firefighting operations more effective and efficient.

New technology is also transforming the way firefighters are trained. The DMC has adopted AR and VR for training purposes. AR simulations allow firefighters to practice their skills in realistic scenarios without the risks associated with live training. This immersive method enhances learning outcomes and prepares the trainees for the challenges they may face in real-world fire situations. Similarly, VR training modules provide practical experience in controlled environments that help build confidence and decision-making under pressure.

Nana Radebe-Kgiba, Spokesperson for City of Johannesburg Emergency Services, has confirmed that while drones are not in use by Johannesburg’s EMS, the department is actively working on training personnel for drone certification.

“EMS has plans to adjust to the usage of smart technology in fire stations. This will include the incorporation of a mobile pad used by all units in storing building plans and inspections done. This will give the responding firefighters more information in regard to a building on fire even before arrival. Budgetary constraints and supply chain challenges are deterrents to the implementation of new technologies, but the City of Johannesburg is determined to continue training its personnel through accredited service providers in the proper deployment of such tools,” she said.

The United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction (UNDRR), represented by Associate Communications Officer Justine Dumas, recognised the transformative potential of new technologies in disaster risk reduction (DRR) efforts. The organization has been very effective in the development and application of technologies like machine learning and artificial intelligence. In collaboration with Google and WFP, the SKAI tool provided critical risk mapping during the 2022 Durban floods. This technology helped analyse infrastructure damage and supported decisions for rescue teams. This tool’s success underlines the role of AI in enhancing DRR and saving lives.

UNDRR is also closely involved with on-going South African work regarding EWS, an integral part of disaster preparedness. Being a leader in the SADC region, it is envisioned that South Africa will contribute to regional collaboration and sharing best practices for DRR, especially towards emerging wildfire risks and extreme heat scenarios.

Jaco Keet, a technical sales engineer with Cobra Projects, which manufactures and supplies fire and rescue vehicles, shed light on the challenges faced by South Africa’s fire brigades.

“In general, the fire brigade service throughout SA, with a few exceptions, is not in a good place. They are under-equipped and under-staffed, with budgets that cannot address their requirements. They need to focus on acquiring basic equipment before they can invest in new technologies like drones, AI, and AR.” While he acknowledges the potential benefits of these technologies, Keet emphasised the need to first address the backlog in fire service readiness.

Another tool gaining traction in this sphere of fire safety management is Geographic Information Systems (or GIS) technology. According to Lauren Sweidan, Marketing Manager at Esri South Africa, GIS provides an important function in that it enables more effective fire safety planning

and response. Esri SA tools are created to support the generation of fire risk maps, through the identification of areas vulnerable to both urban and wildfires based on vegetation, topography, and human activities. She further said that GIS is also used in integrating remote sensing data from satellites and drones, enhancing the accuracy of these maps, hence helping authorities’ better plan mitigation and response strategies.

Another agency that has embraced technology in its fire management operations is the South African National Parks. JP Louw, Head of Communication and Spokesperson for SANParks, noted that the implementation of the Incident Command System (ICS) has enabled better coordination among various agencies involved in wildfire management. The use of drones in SANParks has revolutionised fire management, particularly in remote areas. Drones provide invaluable data before, during, and after fires, from monitoring vegetation moisture content to pinpointing hotspots and assessing post-fire recovery. SANParks also leverages real-time data analytics to improve fire predictions and resource deployment.

Meanwhile, there is a standout innovation spearheaded by Lumkani – a South African company focused on fire detection and prevention in informal settlements. According to their website, they have implemented one of the most impactful innovations; Lumkani’s Internet of Things-enabled heat sensors which detect rapid temperature changes, enabling early fire detection. The system is integrated into a community-wide alert network, ensuring that fires are contained before they spread. With over 40,000 homes equipped with these devices, Lumkani’s work has been instrumental in reducing fire spread by as much as 71%. Additionally, Lumkani offers micro-insurance coverage in collaboration with Hollard Insurance, providing both fire detection and financial protection for vulnerable communities. This model has gained global recognition and has been awarded for its innovative approach to emergency response.

These contributions reflect South Africa’s commitment to modernising its fire safety strategies through technology. The country is building a resilient firefighting system, ready to protect lives, properties, and natural resources amidst the growing threat of fires, through integrating emerging tools and leveraging international collaborations. These divergent efforts at the government, academia, private industry, and international organization levels are testament to the collaborative drive toward a future-ready firefighting ecosystem.

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The incident occurred in the early hours of Wednesday morning, prompting immediate response from PRASA Protection Services.

“[The] City of Johannesburg Emergency Management Services was dispatched to the scene, but despite their efforts, the fire persisted, necessitating swift action from PRASA Rail. Train crew members at home were promptly activated to move the locomotives and coaches to a safe location to prevent exposure to the fire.

“While the exact cause of the fire has not been confirmed, preliminary reports suggest that the fire may have originated from an underground tunnel housing cables belonging to City Power. The City Emergency Management Services have confirmed that the fire is now under control, with firefighting operations ongoing,” PRASA said.

No major damage has been reported on the coaches and locomotives, except minimal damage to the paint of a few locomotives and coaches due to heat exposure.

We will continue assessing the entire fleet that was relocated.

“At PRASA Rail, we acknowledge the seriousness of this incident, and we are taking every possible measure to ensure the ongoing safety and protection of our personnel and assets.

“We will continue to collaborate closely with the City’s Emergency Management Service throughout this process. Our team is actively monitoring the situation, and we will provide further updates as necessary,” the agency said.

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