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23 January 2026
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Western Cape Government strengthens international collaboration in fire and disaster management at Intersec 2026, Dubai
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The Western Cape Government, represented by the Department of Local Government: Chief Directorate – Disaster Management and Fire Rescue Services, participated in the Intersec Security and Safety Exhibition 2026 and the Strategic Alliance on Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Robotics in Fire and Safety, held in Dubai from 12 to 14 January 2026.
The delegation was represented by Deputy Directors Mr Etienne du Toit and Ms Amanda Willett, following an official invitation from the General Command of Dubai Civil Defence.
Intersec is recognised as the world’s leading global exhibition for security, safety, fire protection and emergency response. The 2026 exhibition hosted more than 1 200 exhibitors from over 60 countries and attracted in excess of 50 000 visitors, underscoring its status as a premier international platform for innovation, collaboration and best practice in safety and emergency management.
The visit coincided with the World Safety Summit 2026, organised by the General Command of Dubai Civil Defence under the patronage and in the presence of His Highness Sheikh Mansour bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum. The Summit brought together representatives from 64 countries and 31 specialised international organisations, including senior leadership from security and governmental agencies across the United Arab Emirates.
A key focus of the Summit was the global “Billion Readiness” initiative, launched by Dubai in 2025. Within its first year, the initiative has reached more than 500 million people through over 250 million digital interactions across 64 countries and 25 languages. Reported outcomes include an 18% reduction in fire incidents, a 24% improvement in emergency response times, and a 25% reduction in human casualties, contributing to an estimated 45 000 lives saved annually worldwide.
The Western Cape Government’s participation builds on the Memorandum of Understanding signed in 2025 between the Western Cape and Dubai Civil Defence, which promotes cooperation in the field of fire and rescue services. Engagements at Intersec 2026 further reinforced this partnership, particularly in the areas of fire risk prevention, emergency management, and the application of artificial intelligence and smart technologies to enhance decision-making, forecasting, automation and operational efficiency within fire services.
The event also highlighted the identification of AI and smart technology ambassadors from participating countries, aimed at strengthening public fire safety systems and advancing innovation in fire and emergency response globally.
On behalf of the Western Cape Government, the Department of Local Government extends its sincere appreciation to the General Command of Dubai Civil Defence for the invitation and for affording the Western Cape the opportunity to participate in Intersec 2026 and the Billion Readiness initiative. The Western Cape Government looks forward to further strengthening this strategic partnership in pursuit of safer, more resilient communities.
Source: Western Cape Government
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The delegation was represented by Deputy Directors Mr Etienne du Toit and Ms Amanda Willett, following an official invitation from the General Command of Dubai Civil Defence.
Intersec is recognised as the world’s leading global exhibition for security, safety, fire protection and emergency response. The 2026 exhibition hosted more than 1 200 exhibitors from over 60 countries and attracted in excess of 50 000 visitors, underscoring its status as a premier international platform for innovation, collaboration and best practice in safety and emergency management.
The visit coincided with the World Safety Summit 2026, organised by the General Command of Dubai Civil Defence under the patronage and in the presence of His Highness Sheikh Mansour bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum. The Summit brought together representatives from 64 countries and 31 specialised international organisations, including senior leadership from security and governmental agencies across the United Arab Emirates.
A key focus of the Summit was the global “Billion Readiness” initiative, launched by Dubai in 2025. Within its first year, the initiative has reached more than 500 million people through over 250 million digital interactions across 64 countries and 25 languages. Reported outcomes include an 18% reduction in fire incidents, a 24% improvement in emergency response times, and a 25% reduction in human casualties, contributing to an estimated 45 000 lives saved annually worldwide.
The Western Cape Government’s participation builds on the Memorandum of Understanding signed in 2025 between the Western Cape and Dubai Civil Defence, which promotes cooperation in the field of fire and rescue services. Engagements at Intersec 2026 further reinforced this partnership, particularly in the areas of fire risk prevention, emergency management, and the application of artificial intelligence and smart technologies to enhance decision-making, forecasting, automation and operational efficiency within fire services.
The event also highlighted the identification of AI and smart technology ambassadors from participating countries, aimed at strengthening public fire safety systems and advancing innovation in fire and emergency response globally.
On behalf of the Western Cape Government, the Department of Local Government extends its sincere appreciation to the General Command of Dubai Civil Defence for the invitation and for affording the Western Cape the opportunity to participate in Intersec 2026 and the Billion Readiness initiative. The Western Cape Government looks forward to further strengthening this strategic partnership in pursuit of safer, more resilient communities.
Source: Western Cape Government
Quotes of the week
“The ability to learn is the most important quality a leader can have.” ~ Sheryl Sandberg, Former COO of Meta
Fire and Rescue International is your magazine.
Read it, use it and share it!
Read the latest FRI magazine: https://www.frimedia.org/fri-vol-8-no-3.html
Read the latest Disaster Management Journal: https://www.frimedia.org/dmj-vol-7-no-1.html
FRI magazine archive: https://www.frimedia.org/fri-archives.html
DMJ magazine archive: https://www.frimedia.org/dmj-magazine.html
Enjoy the read!
Lee Raath-Brownie
Managing director
Cell: 082 371 0190
Contact us
Tel: 011 452 3135 or Email: [email protected]
Websites
www.fireandrescue.co
www.frimedia.org
www.facebook.com/FireandRescueInternational
www.twitter.com/FRI_magazine
http://www.linkedin.com/in/lee-raath-brownie-16668065/