The Fire Protection Association of Southern Africa (FPASA) is one of 26 fire protection associations operating world-wide, who are members of the Confederation of Fire Protection Associations International.

The FPASA is particularly active in the provision of training courses and specialized technical services to facilitate better fire safety and the reduction of the loss of life and damage to property caused by fires.

The Association was established in 1973 by funding from the short-term insurance industry in South Africa, and while the Association still enjoys the active support of this group (which consists of all short-term insurers, re-insurers and Lloyds of London), income-generating technical and training activities (particularly fire risk assessments, fire investigations and training courses), ensures additional income.

One particularly important aspect of the FPASA's work is the collation and publication of the national fire statistics. To obtain this information, all fire brigades throughout the country send statistics to the Association on a monthly basis, from which the cause of the fires and the number of fatalities which occur through fire, are recorded.

The Association also participates on the South African Bureau of Standards technical committees concerned with the drafting and adoption of standards related to fire safety.

Membership of the Association is by subscription and includes representatives of government departments, industry, commerce and local government, healthcare and educational establishments.

Recently, an increasing number of African fire departments, particularly from Southern African Development Community (SADC) countries, have approached the Association for training of their personnel, and for assistance in gaining ISO certification - Benoni Fire and Emergency Services being the first fire brigade in Africa to be privatized and to obtain this certification as a result.

While many countries previously sent staff to the United Kingdom for training, cost factors have made this increasingly difficult and many are now realising that the fire safety training offered by the FPASA is excellent value for money. At present, South Africa is the only country in sub-Saharan Africa to have an association that enjoys national and international recognition. (What about Egypt).

Training by the FPASA is provided through a wide range of courses given by the Association's Fire College, which is "dedicated to reducing fire losses through fire safety education and training". The courses and training programmes offered by the College are acknowledged for their quality and professionalism and are listed by the LGSETA.

While all training activities of the FPASA are covered by the registration to SABS ISO 9001:2000, the Fire Investigation Course is also accredited by the International Association of Arson Investigators. (What about IFE recognition). The aviation modules of the courses are accredited by the Civil Aviation Authority. Each year, approximately 1 800 learners attend these courses.

The Fire Investigation Course is particularly interesting. At a time when the cost of a fire in a large building can run into hundreds of millions of rand, it is essential for investigators to be able to ascertain the cause of a fire as speedily and accurately as possible. Knowing the exact cause of a fire lessens the chance of a similar type of fire happening again. All members of the SA Police Services' forensic fire investigation team are required to complete this course.

Besides the fire investigation service and the wide range of courses offered (which range from a one-day introductory course on fire-fighting, to an intensive nine-day specialized training course for fire prevention staff), the FPASA offers a wide range of services that includes fire investigations, fire risk assessments, classification of fire brigades, and advisory fire safety projects, as well as research.

While all the courses are provided at the FPASA premises, courses can also be offered (on-site at clients premises where suitable facilities are available. Programmes are tailored to suit the client's particular needs) at sites suitable to particular clients.

The main benefit obtained from implementing SABS ISO 9001:2000 is that the Association, still the only dedicated fire training facility in Africa to achieve this status, has a system in place to continuously improve the quality of the service provided.

This is a clear message to clients that the Association has an effective quality management system in place and will constantly strive to improve customer service.