Under the theme, Professionalising Fire Risk Assessments, the conference will bring together stakeholders from the fire protection and insurance sectors to promote industry standards, enhance skills and accreditation, and encourage greater collaboration in addressing fire-related risks.

Beyond discussions of national fire trends, the conference aims to highlight the critical importance of professional fire risk assessments in reducing losses, improving preparedness, and strengthening risk management practices across industries. The event will also encourage greater alignment on standards and best practices across the sector.

SAIA’s sponsorship reflects its ongoing strategic partnership with the Fire Protection Association of Southern Africa (FPASA), underpinned by a shared commitment to reducing fire-related losses and promoting resilience. Fire and localised flooding remain key strategic priorities for SAIA and the insurance industry, particularly as emerging risks, such as solar-related fires and lithium-ion battery incidents, continue to evolve. Through partnerships with organisations such as the South African Local Government Association (SALGA) and the National Disaster Management Centre (NDMC), SAIA continues to engage government and industry stakeholders on proactive risk mitigation and disaster resilience initiatives.

Ahead of the conference, SAIA emphasises the importance of ensuring that every workplace understands the risks posed by fire, not only direct damage, but also production interruptions and broader operational losses. Where risks are identified, appropriate risk treatment and mitigation plans can be developed to reduce exposure and improve safety outcomes.