MEDIA STATEMENTS
FIRE OPS SA CLARIFIES POSITION REGARDING EKURHULENI EMERGENCY SERVICES
03 October 2025, Johannesburg.
Fire Operations (Pty) Ltd (“Fire Ops SA”), an independent private emergency fire and rescue service, wishes to clarify its operational standing with the City of Ekurhuleni. Fire Ops SA does not hold any current engagement, partnership, or agreement with the City of Ekurhuleni and does not operate under its authority.
Fire Ops SA believes in the importance of collaboration between public and private emergency services. The company is committed to building a cooperative approach and remains open to engaging in constructive dialogue with municipal authorities.
“Fire Ops SA welcomes the opportunity to explore ways in which a collaborative platform can be established to enhance fire and rescue services, ultimately benefiting all communities,” said De Wet Engelbrecht, CEO.
Through shared efforts between public and private sectors, Fire Ops SA aims to contribute meaningfully to the safety and well-being of communities across the region.
About Fire Ops SA
Fire Ops SA is an independent private emergency fire and rescue service, providing rapid response and expert intervention in fire and rescue incidents. The company operates with a commitment to excellence, safety, and community support.
Media Enquiries:
Monique Bronner – Head of Marketing & Brand
Phone: 011 100 5195
Email: monique@fireopssa.co.za
Website: www.fireopssa.co.za
FIRE OPS SA PARTNERS WITH MATRIX VEHICLE TRACKING TO STRENGTHEN SOUTH AFRICA’S FIRE RESPONSE NETWORK
08 September 2025, Johannesburg.
Fire Operations Proprietary Limited (“Fire Ops SA”), South Africa’s leading private fire and rescue service, is proud to announce its partnership with Matrix Vehicle Tracking in the launch of Fire Stop. This collaboration provides Matrix and Beame clients with direct access to a dedicated professional private fire service.
South Africa’s urban centres continue to face mounting fire risks due to resource shortages, infrastructure challenges, rapid urbanisation, and the impact of climate change. Fire Ops SA, with its highly trained crews and tactical firefighting expertise, is stepping in to bridge this gap alongside Matrix.
“For many South Africans, access to reliable firefighting support has not always been guaranteed,” said De Wet Engelbrecht, CEO of
Fire Ops SA. “Our partnership with Matrix means that more clients can count on rapid, professional response when it matters most. It’s an important step in making dedicated private fire services more widely accessible and trusted across the country.”
Through this partnership, FireStop gives clients direct access to Fire Ops SA’s private firefighting services across Gauteng, the Free State, and KwaZulu-Natal. With specialised tactical crews on standby around the clock, Fire Ops SA can dispatch teams within 60 to 90 seconds – delivering rapid, decisive response when fire emergencies occur.
The launch of FireStop underscores Fire Ops SA’s mission to innovate within the fire and rescue sector and to strengthen safety solutions for South Africans nationwide through strategic partnerships.
About Fire Ops SA
Fire Ops SA is a private fire and rescue company committed to protecting lives, businesses, and communities through rapid, tactical response. With an expanding national footprint and proven expertise, Fire Ops SA partners with insurers, corporates, and the security sector to deliver reliable, effective fire services where and when they are needed most.
Media Enquiries:
Monique Bronner – Head of Marketing & Brand
monique@fireopssa.co.za
011 100 5195
FIRE OPS SA – OFFICIAL NON-AFFILIATION STATEMENT
23 July 2025
Fire Operations Proprietary Limited (“Fire Ops SA”) is an independent private emergency fire and rescue service. It does not hold any current engagement, partnership or agreement with the City of Tshwane and does not operate under its authority.
Fire Ops SA firmly believes in the value of collaboration between public and private emergency services. We are committed to building a cooperative approach and remain open to engaging in constructive dialogue. We welcome the opportunity to explore ways in which a working platform can be established to enhance fire and rescue services for the benefit of all communities.
Issued by:
FIRE OPS SA CEO – De Wet Engelbrecht
dewet@fireopssa.co.za
For media or press enquiries contact the Marketing Office
Tel. 011 100 5195
Email: monique@fireopssa.co.za
NEWSLETTERS
FIRE OPS SA RESTATES ITS DEDICATION TO ETHICAL, LAWFUL AND LIFE-SAVING FIRE SERVICES
4 July 2025
Fire Operations Proprietary Limited (“Fire Ops SA”) has noted recent media statements issued by certain municipalities which reference the operations of private fire service providers, including Fire Ops SA. These statements were issued without prior consultation or citation and contain broad and, in some cases, misleading characterisations of the role of private emergency response providers.
Fire Ops SA acknowledges the important role of municipalities as the primary custodians of fire services in South Africa, as outlined in legislation. However, the practical realities of emergency response in today’s environment often demand greater capacity, faster reaction times, and broader coverage than the public sector alone can consistently provide. In that context, Fire Ops SA has for years acted in support of public services. Our operations are guided by legal counsel, internal compliance frameworks, and a deep commitment to lawful, professional conduct.
Fire Ops SA operates transparently, in consultation with legal experts, and in response to clear public need. We have proactively sought to engage with public stakeholders at all levels to find workable models of collaboration – so far, with limited reciprocation. We remain open and willing to work constructively with all parties to find solutions in the best interests of the public.
OUR IDENTITY AND CORE PRINCIPLES
Fire Ops SA operates as a private fire and rescue service with professionally trained personnel, dedicated to saving lives, protecting property, and offering peace of mind to South African communities, businesses, and institutions. Our skilled emergency response teams are known for their rapid, disciplined, and focused approach to crisis situations – frequently reaching incident sites ahead of municipal services and routinely working in challenging, high-risk, or resource constrained areas.
Established eight years ago, the company was founded to address a genuine gap in emergency response – it was clear that a reliable, expertly trained, and operationally flexible partner was essential. In that time, we have responded to more than 5,000 structural fires and currently service over 553,000 clients across Gauteng, Bloemfontein, and Durban. During our busy season, we attend to 5-6 fires per day, with an additional 4-5 solar and lithium-related fires per week, reflecting the evolving nature of emergency response challenges.
Service excellence, professionalism, and community welfare have always formed the foundation of our organizational values and although we operate as a fee-based private service, we consistently extend our response capabilities beyond our contracted client areas, frequently absorbing these costs ourselves without seeking reimbursement – simply because protecting human life remains our priority.
Our clients entrust us with their safety because of our proven track record, integrity, ethical standards, and our absolute commitment to accountability.
THE ROAD AHEAD
Fire Ops SA maintains its dedication to providing services that are both legally compliant and ethically sound, while positioning ourselves as contributors to positive solutions. We continue our around-the-clock readiness to respond to emergencies, provide assistance where needed, and work cooperatively with all relevant parties.
Issued by:
FIRE OPS SA CEO – De Wet Engelbrecht
dewet@fireopssa.co.za
For media or press enquiries contact the Marketing Office
Tel. 011 100 5195
Email: monique@fireopssa.co.za