October 2026

Industrial Fire & Hazard Control launches Blitz Tactical UHP for rapid response

Industrial Fire & Hazard Control has officially introduced the Blitz Tactical UHP to the Southern African market, signalling a paradigm shift in rapid response firefighting. Engineered to mount seamlessly onto any standard single or double cab chassis with a +3,500kg GVW, the Blitz transforms conventional light fleet vehicles into highly potent first-strike suppression assets. Traditional low-pressure deluge systems often operate at a mere 10% to 20% efficiency, with up to 90% of applied water running off the fuel bed. The Blitz Tactical UHP addresses this operational bottleneck by utilising advanced UHP technology to achieve an unprecedented 90% to 95% efficiency.

UK Vizion I Headlamp: Vision you can trust in hazardous environments

In emergency response and industrial operations, lighting is never a convenience—it is a critical safety tool. Every minute counts when crews are working in hazardous, low-visibility environments and equipment failure is simply not an option. The UK Vizion I Headlamp has been engineered specifically for these demanding conditions, delivering reliable, hands-free illumination where safety and performance matter most.

Rural Metro brings world-class Weber Rescue technology to South Africa

Rural Metro Emergency Management Services is strengthening South Africa’s emergency response capabilities as the country’s exclusive agency, supplier and certified service centre for Weber Rescue Systems, a globally recognised manufacturer of advanced rescue equipment. With a reputation for precision engineering, innovation and reliability, Weber Rescue Systems provides specialised equipment designed to support emergency responders in demanding rescue environments. Its extensive product range includes traditional pump-and-hose-driven hydraulic rescue tools and the latest battery-powered hydraulic technology, encompassing cutters, spreaders and extension rams.

Aquila RIV and Skid Units – Built for the fight

When fire conditions are demanding, having the right equipment and vehicle configuration can make all the difference. Aquila Corp manufactures rugged, purpose-built Rapid Intervention Vehicle (RIV) units and firefighting skid systems, designed to provide reliable capability across a wide range of firefighting and rescue applications. Our RIV units can be built for single-cab, extended-cab and double-cab bakkies, as well as ATVs, with each configuration designed around the vehicle and operational requirements. The RIV unit provides valuable, enclosed space for equipment while housing the firefighting skid unit within the vehicle body.

Rosenbauer RFC Battery Extinguishing System: Fast and safe extinguishing of battery fires in electric vehicles

The Rosenbauer Battery extinguishing system enables rapid, resource-saving extinguishing of battery fires in electric vehicles. A pneumatically driven extinguishing spike penetrates the battery housing, delivering extinguishing water directly into the battery’s interior. This precision minimises the use of extinguishing agents and combats the formation and spread of smoke. Furthermore, because the system can be triggered from a safe distance, the time emergency services are present in the vicinity of the danger zone is minimised.

Introducing the new FLIR K95 firefighting thermal imaging camera

The K95 is the first firefighting thermal imaging camera with an ultra-wide 95° field of view, helping firefighters see more of their surroundings with less camera movement. Whether searching for victims, navigating hazardous environments or advancing during fire attack, the K95 provides the visibility crews need to assess conditions quickly.

AECI Specialty Chemicals introduces BosQRet® #1801 Wildfire Retardant for wildfire prevention and protection

As wildfires continue to pose an increasing threat to infrastructure, communities, forestry assets, and critical transport corridors across Africa, AECI Specialty Chemicals is proud to offer BosQRet® #1801, an advanced wildfire retardant developed to reduce vegetation flammability and help prevent the spread of fire. BosQRet® #1801 is a highly effective liquid fire retardant designed for the treatment of dry vegetation. Applied as a preventative measure, the product forms a protective barrier that suppresses ignition and slows or completely inhibits fire propagation.

Thermal imaging suit and thermal imaging hood from Survival Technology

At the heart of all search and rescue operations is the aim to locate the casualty as quickly as possible. Increasingly, technology is used to help locate a victim in poor visibility environments (smoke-filled buildings) or when lost in a large geographical area. Thermal Imaging has an important role to play in speeding up searches and after extensive development and testing, we are excited to offer you two Thermal Imaging Training Solutions. Our new Thermal Imaging Suit was designed to meet the growing demand for a manikin that could be detected on thermal imaging equipment. But instead of creating a manikin that had this capability, we have designed a special suit that goes over the top of your existing manikin to give instant thermal imaging capabilities, with more flexibility.

DMISA Disaster Risk Reduction Conference 2026: 21-22 October 2026
Theme: “Resilience starts with us – Building sustainable communities and advancing the SDGS for a safer future”

The annual Disaster Management Institute of Southern Africa (DMISA) Conference is the largest annual Disaster Management Conference in Africa. The conference provides opportunity for a diverse range of stakeholders in disaster management from across Southern Africa and the world to gather and share skills, knowledge and experience in order to promote disaster risk reduction in Southern Africa and beyond. The 2026 DMISA Conference will be held at the Southern Sun Hotel in Pretoria, City of Tshwane in the Gauteng Province, South Africa.

Fifth International Congress on Fire in the Earth System: Humans and Nature
4 – 6 November 2026: From Registration to the Kruger experience

The Fifth International Congress on Fire in the Earth System (fEs2026) offers a participant-focused experience, from registration to presenting your work in one of Africa’s most iconic landscapes. Taking place 4 to 6 November 2026 in Skukuza, Kruger National Park, this event brings together scientists, fire managers and practitioners to address fires in a changing world. Registration is open through the fEs official website, where participants can select attendance options including South African rates. Once registered, you can submit an abstract for an oral or poster presentation. Technical and applied contributions are encouraged, reflecting the strong link between science and practice. Browse the session descriptions to find one that aligns with your work, then submit to the session conveners. Submissions are reviewed by a scientific committee, with feedback on session placement provided.

Fire and Rescue International magazine: Interactive research and technical information at your fingertips!

Fire and Rescue International’s bi-monthly magazine has been providing the fire, rescue and EMS services in South Africa, Africa and internationally with technical and practical know-how articles researched and written by many experienced specialists from around the world since 2011. The contributors share their knowledge, experience and expertise with our readers on a pro bono basis with the view of growing leaders and enhancing skill levels on all platforms. Fire and Rescue International also publishes the magazine as an open source so that everybody has access to it free of charge in order to grow expertise within the industry. The interactive magazine means that you are able to navigate through the magazine with a click of a mouse. All adverts are hyperlinked to their websites and the information we share are also hyperlinked should there be email addresses, websites or PDF downloads in the articles. Information at the click of a button! We welcome you to share your knowledge, expertise and experience with us and our readers, so drop me an email on lee@fireandrescue.co or call me on mobile: +27 (0) 82 371 0190 or office: +27 (0) 11 452 3135.

Call for papers for the edition of the Disaster Management Journal (DMJ), official journal of DMISA

We are finalising the next edition of the Disaster Management Journal in time for the DMISA 2026 Conference. Contact us to submit your research paper for this special edition! The journal enhances DMISA’s role in advocating international disaster management best practice, nurturing a culture of disaster risk reduction and fostering national and international communication networks and relationships. DMJ also serves as a valuable resource for information and knowledge dissemination, education and training to not only proactively reduce disaster risks but also the efficacious management of disasters. The magazine also promotes the Institute: national and regional DMISA news and all disaster management related topics, events, conferences and disaster risk reduction initiatives. Deadline for the next edition is this Friday, 9 October 2026.

Reach over 11 000 decision makers in the fire, rescue and EMS fraternity!

Fire and Rescue International offers you cost-effective digital advertising platform through FRI Product News. Reach over 10 000 subscribers in southern Africa (and beyond) with the added advantage of hyperlinks to your website and a video! The FRI Product News is released on the first work day of the month with the next newsletter going out on Monday, 2 November 2026. Deadline for submissions is Monday, 26 October 2026 at 12h00. The cost of the write up in the FRI Product Newsletter is just R2 975 excluding VAT per insertion and includes a hotlink to your website/landing page of your choice and a YouTube video link. Our African distribution includes: South Africa, Algeria, Angola, Australia, Botswana, Canada, Chad, Congo, Côte d’Ivoire, DRC, Egypt, Ethiopia, Europe, Gabon, Gambia, Ghana, Kenya, Kingdom of eSwatini, Lesotho, Liberia, Malawi, Mali, Morocco, Mozambique, Namibia, Niger, Nigeria, Rwanda, Scandinavia, Senegal, Somalia, St Helena, Sudan, Tanzania, Tunisia, Uganda, UK, USA, Zambia and Zimbabwe as well as an international subscriber base. A very cost-effective marketing tool to reach your target audience with links to your website! As an added bonus, all articles are also shared to our Facebook page with over 55 500 followers/likes and our Twitter and LinkedIn pages.