The city of Cape Town is embroiled in a heated battle over the legality of a private firefighting service launched by Fidelity ADT. The City’s Fire and Rescue Service has deemed the service “unlawful
” and emphasized that there is no formal agreement permitting its operation within Cape Town.
Fidelity SecureFire, the subscription-based private firefighting service, made its debut in June in Cape Town, expanding from its operations in Gauteng since 2023. With a presence in cities like Durban, East London, Gqeberha, and Bloemfontein, Fidelity aims to revolutionize fire protection through technological advancements and a focus on speed and precision.
City officials have raised concerns about the unregulated nature of private firefighting services within their jurisdiction. Clinton Manuel, the chief fire officer of Cape Town, expressed the city’s stance on outsourcing essential emergency functions to commercial entities for profit. He stated unequivocally that no agreements would be forged with Fidelity due to constitutional constraints.
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We have no mandate from our citizens to outsource the fire and emergency function to private entities for their commercial gain,
” Manuel affirmed. The city’s firm opposition stems from its commitment to upholding safety standards and ensuring effective emergency response protocols are maintained.
Despite operating independently of the city’s emergency services infrastructure, Fidelity has been proactive in responding to fire incidents. Manuel highlighted instances where Fidelity personnel arrived at scenes before official reports were received. However, he stressed the importance of adherence to regulatory frameworks for coordinated emergency management.
According to Manuel, allowing unregulated service providers like Fidelity at incident sites could jeopardize safety measures designed for managing emergencies effectively. He underscored that law enforcement intervention might be necessary if unauthorized personnel refuse to comply with directives.
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Our priority is ensuring that emergency incidents are managed safely without compromising public welfare,
” Manuel asserted. The city boasts a robust fleet of over 130 firefighting vehicles and established agreements with local municipalities and government bodies to bolster its emergency response capabilities.
In neighboring Gauteng, private firefighting services have gained traction following initiatives by companies like Discovery launching similar services in Johannesburg. However, legal challenges have arisen regarding compliance with national and local legislation governing emergency services.
The City of Tshwane recently initiated legal proceedings against private firefighting providers for operating without requisite approvals or formal agreements. Concerns were raised about potential disruptions to command structures during emergencies and violations related to municipal bylaws regulating water access from hydrants.
Fidelity Services Group CEO Wahl Bartmann responded defiantly amid mounting criticism towards their operations. Bartmann refuted claims of unlawfulness surrounding their services and emphasized that existing laws do not prohibit or restrict offering private firefighting solutions parallel to municipal services.
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We respond only when formally engaged through contractual agreements – similar to how private security firms operate,” Bartmann clarified. Despite resistance from municipalities, Fidelity remains resolute in delivering tailored protection solutions sought voluntarily by clients looking for enhanced safety measures customized to their needs.
As debates continue over the role of private firefighting services alongside municipal agencies nationwide, questions persist around regulatory frameworks balancing innovation with compliance while safeguarding public interests.
