73rd AGM September 2025
The 2025 AGM/Conference took place on the 18th and 19th of September 2025. In this conference, practitioners, and industry leaders from across the globe exchange knowledge, innovations, and best practices in fire protection and safety.
IFE South Africa Awards Presentation:
On the 18th September 2025 the IFE SA Branch held its Annual General Meeting and online conference. The AGM was conducted from 9:00 to 11:00. The SA Branch President, Mr Given Mgiba who was elected for a further two year term, opened the 73rd Annual General Meeting by welcoming all in attendance. After the AGM the IFE SA office used the ‘Zoom’ platform to welcome new members, acknowledge and recognise the membership upgrades, congratulate the continuous memberships awarded and celebrate the academic achievements of the Branch exam students. The IFE SA recognises and appreciates the continued support of its members. 27 members were issued with continuous membership certificates. A special mention was made of Peter Davey GIFireE on reaching an incredible milestone of 60 years as a proud member of the Institution of Fire Engineers. His dedication, commitment, and passion for the fire engineering profession are truly inspiring. This remarkable achievement reflects his lifelong contribution and unwavering support to the field. The Branch thanked him for his outstanding service and for being a shining example to all members. A total of 8 certificates and awards were given to exam candidates from the October 2024 and March 2025 exam sessions. Please find below the awards presentation which was shared during the AGM.
Online Conference – 18th and 19th September 2025
Key Insights from Local & Global, Fire Safety Challenges Online Conference
The online conference took place on 18th and 19th September. The focus of this event was on how global collaboration within the fire industry significantly enhances fire prevention efforts. By sharing knowledge, best practices, and resources, such collaboration leads to improved strategies and technologies for fire safety. It also allows for a more co-ordinated and effective response to large-scale incidents, ultimately reducing fire-related damage and loss of life. During this conference, the aim was to emphasise how we can learn from both our local and international counterparts to enhance the interoperability and effectiveness of fire safety systems.
Paper 1: Fire Investigation – The Key to Fire Safety – Lessons Learned was presented by Russel van Deventer. Russel is a fire services professional with over 30 years’ experience in operational leadership and fire safety. He started as a fire-fighter in 1992 and served as Operational Station Officer (1998–2017). He currently works as a Fire Safety Station Officer in Bloemfontein, South Africa, focusing on inspections and investigations. Russel has taught Fire Technology part-time and holds diplomas and cum laude B.Tech. degrees in Project Management and Business Administration. He is certified as a Fire Service Instructor and Fire Investigator by the South African Emergency Services Institute.
During his presentation, Russel emphasised that fire investigation is crucial for enhancing fire safety and preventing future incidents. Investigators focus on identifying the fire’s origin, the ignition source, and the first material that caught fire — these are key factors in understanding how fires start and develop. In South Africa, various professionals are involved in fire investigations, including police forensic teams, insurance investigators, and fire department personnel. Training varies from informal experience to formal qualifications such as NFPA 1033 and NFPA 921; however, there is no national standard in place. The presentation highlighted how fire investigations influence safety policies and practices, informing risk assessments and public safety campaigns. Key lessons learned, such as evaluating building performance and firefighting techniques, are essential for preventing repeat incidents. Additionally, the presentation stressed the importance of the scientific method in investigations, which aids in drawing reliable conclusions. By showcasing fire investigation as a cornerstone of fire safety, it underscores its vital role in reducing risks and protecting lives and property.
Paper 2: Learning from the History of Fire investigation was presented by Dr David Crowder, who is a Partner at DCCH Experts LLP, UK. David is a fire safety investigator specialising in applying fire science and engineering to fire and building defect investigations. He examines fire development, fire protection system performance, and regulatory compliance, supporting major investigations like Penhallow Hotel and Lakanal House fires. David advises on passive and active fire protection defects in various buildings and is an experienced expert witness in criminal, civil, and coroners’ courts. He has testified in cases under the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 and serious criminal offenses, as well as civil disputes, including High Court and Supreme Court proceedings. David is a Chartered Engineer registered with the Engineering Council UK through the Institution of Fire Engineers.
His presentation emphasised the importance of learning from historical fire incidents through systematic laboratory reconstructions. His approach highlights the necessity of multi-disciplinary collaboration, careful planning, and a commitment to deriving actionable lessons that can enhance fire safety and investigation standards. These reconstructions can serve various purposes, such as conducting tests, experiments, or demonstrations, each designed for specific objectives and audiences, including courts, inquiries, and insurance adjusters. He confirmed that it is vital to leverage information from each incident, especially high-profile or fatal events, to improve future fire safety and investigative practices. Additionally, clear documentation of objectives, methods, and assumptions is essential for maintaining scientific rigor and legal defensibility.
Paper 3: Fast Fires was presented by Dr. Joanne Hall. Dr. Hall is an Associate Research Professor in Geographical Sciences at the University of Maryland, College Park, USA. She holds a Ph.D. in Geographical Sciences (Remote Sensing and GIS) from Maryland, and MSc degrees in Atmospheric and Oceanic Science (Maryland) and Environmental Geoscience (Bristol, UK). With over 10 years of research and teaching experience and 3 years supporting NASA’s Earth Action Wildland Fires Program, her research focuses on satellite mapping of land cover and active fires, including improving global burned area and emission estimates, validating multi-sensor fire products, and optimizing MODIS and VIIRS fire data.
Her paper delved into the intricate role of fire as both a natural disturbance and a crucial ecological process that shapes many ecosystems. Across various regions of the globe, however, a convergence of environmental and anthropogenic factors has led to a worrying trend: fires are occurring with increasing frequency, expanding in scale, accelerating in spread, and ultimately posing greater threats to human communities. This comprehensive study explored the innovative use of Earth Observation data to gain insights into the evolving dynamics of fire regimes. It also proposed strategic solutions aimed at enhancing fire mitigation, effective management practices, and restoration efforts. By fostering these approaches, the paper highlighted pathways to cultivate more resilient communities, ultimately leading to improved fire safety and preparedness for the future.
Paper 4: Challenges and Lessons Learned from a Municipal Fire Service Perspective after George Building Collapse was presented by Santa Sternsdorf GIFireE. Santa began her firefighting career in 2000 as a volunteer with Helderberg Fire Department, gaining 24 years of experience. She became Platoon Commander at the Training Academy in 2013 and is now the Station Commander for Training at George Fire and Disaster Management, Western Cape, South Africa. She holds a Higher Diploma in Fire Technology (2022), and certifications as an AEA, Instructor, Assessor, Moderator, and Drone Pilot. Santa is passionate about training, innovation, and improving fire safety standards.
Her paper powerfully illustrated that in the realm of fire and rescue, when the unimaginable occurs, no textbook can adequately equip responders for the unpredictable chaos that follows a disaster. She outlined a detailed timeline showcasing how rescue workers encountered this harsh reality during an extraordinary crisis: the catastrophic collapse of a five-storey building under construction in the bustling city centre of George, South Africa, on May 6, 2024. This tragic event, now infamously known as the Victoria Street Building Collapse, resulted in the loss of 34 lives and left 28 individuals injured, drawing widespread media attention from around the globe. The incident not only captivated audiences but also profoundly transformed the approach of emergency services toward the search and rescue operations in urban settings, specifically for collapsed structures. It set a groundbreaking precedent for inter-departmental co-operation within local municipalities, fostering an unprecedented level of collaboration between various municipal agencies and other emergency response and humanitarian organizations. This historic event became a catalyst for redefining strategies and protocols, ensuring that future responses are more effective in the face of such unexpected disasters.
Paper 5: Fire Safety & Insurance: Explore How Insurance Companies Assess Fire Risks & Strategies for Mitigation was presented by Stephan Barnard, Risk Engineering Lead, Swiss Re Corporate Solutions, Western Cape South Africa. He is a senior risk engineering professional with over 30 years’ experience in fire protection, operational risk management, and corporate risk engineering across industrial and insurance sectors. Starting in public fire services in 1992, he advanced through leadership roles before moving into premium automotive manufacturing to manage operational risks and HPR status. Since 2012, Stephan has specialised in risk engineering for high-hazard industries with Allianz Global Corporate & Specialty and Swiss Re Corporate Solutions, leading teams in South Africa and internationally. He holds a Postgraduate Diploma in Business Administration and advanced Process Safety Management certification, with extensive experience delivering complex risk programs and client solutions globally.
He demonstrated that in today’s fast-paced and ever-evolving risk landscape — shaped by the impacts of climate change, rapid technological advancements, intricate global supply chains, and emerging hazards such as lithium-ion batteries — the discipline of Risk Engineering has become indispensable. This vital field equips organizations with a proactive and technically sophisticated approach to effectively identify, assess, and mitigate a wide array of risks that often extend far beyond mere compliance with regulatory demands or standard insurance policies. Risk Engineering serves as the backbone of modern risk management, offering comprehensive strategies for loss prevention while actively supporting business continuity. It also aligns with sustainability objectives, ensuring that organizations can navigate the challenges of an increasingly complex environment. In an era marked by unprecedented change, Risk Engineering is not just beneficial; it is essential for organizations aiming to thrive and safeguard their futures.
Paper 6: Our Changing Fire Regime was presented by Prof. Jennifer Balch, Professor in Geography, Director of Environmental Data Science Innovation & Inclusion Lab (ESIIL), University of Colorado, Boulder, Canada. Her 20+ years of fire ecology research focuses on how people alter fire regimes and ecosystem recovery, using big data from satellites to social media. Her team’s recent work includes studying global night-time fires, U.S. housing exposure to hazards, and faster fires in the Western U.S. She leads large teams to produce impactful fire science supporting sustainable wildfire co-existence.
Her research compellingly illustrated that three essential ingredients are required for fire to ignite and spread: a combustible fuel source, hot and arid conditions, and a reliable ignition spark. Unfortunately, human activities are significantly altering all three of these critical factors. Over the past several decades, western U.S. forests have witnessed a staggering surge in the frequency of wildfires, the extent of land consumed by flames, and the rapidity with which these infernos advance. In recent years alone, we have experienced some of the most financially devastating wildfire seasons in U.S. history, with firefighting efforts costing over $16 billion. She underscored the necessity of re-evaluating our relationship with fire, emphasising that we must learn to coexist with it once again. The pressing question remains: how do we achieve this? Ultimately, the answer lies in our ability to implement more effective fire management strategies and to construct our communities in a way that is more resilient to the threat of fire.
Paper 7: Lithium Ion Battery Crisis Currently Impacting the City as well as the Response to Other New Energy Technology Challenges was presented by Daniel Murray, Retired Deputy Chief, New York City Fire Department, USA – Commander of HAZMAT Operations. He is a retired Battalion Chief who notably served as the Chief in Charge of Haz Mat Operations at the FDNY. He has extensive experience in hazardous materials response and fire operations within FDNY. After retiring, he has been involved as a senior consultant with the Energy Safety Response Group and has shared his expertise publicly, including giving advice to newly promoted FDNY officers. He has also participated in public events and discussions related to firefighting and 9/11 memorials, reflecting his ongoing engagement with the firefighting community even after retirement. His educational background includes studies at the University at Buffalo, Columbia University’s Fire Officers’ Management Institute, and the Naval Postgraduate School in Radiological Emergency Preparedness.
In his paper, he illuminated the pressing crisis of lithium-ion battery fires that have been surging in New York City. This alarming trend, largely fuelled by the increasing popularity of e-bikes, e-scooters, and innovative energy storage systems, has imposed extraordinary challenges on first responders and public safety officials. The Fire Department of New York (FDNY) is also evolving to address the broader risks associated with these emerging energy technologies. Daniel provided a comprehensive overview of the proactive measures being taken by FDNY HazMat Operations in response to the ongoing lithium-ion battery crisis affecting the city. He discussed not only the specific actions being implemented for these fire incidents but also the wider implications presented by new energy technologies. His presentation detailed the meticulous development of procedures for FDNY operations when confronting such fires, which includes critical measures for mitigation, the safe overpacking of damaged batteries, and the final removal of these hazardous items to ensure public safety.
