South Australian Fire and Emergency Services Commission (SAFECOM)

What South Australian Fire and Emergency Services Commission (SAFECOM) does

The South Australian Fire and Emergency Services Commission (SAFECOM) is a statutory authority of the South Australian Government, established in October 2005 under the Fire and Emergency Services Act 2005. It provides whole-of-government strategic coordination and enabling support for the state's three frontline emergency services: the SA Country Fire Service (CFS), the SA Metropolitan Fire Service (MFS), and the SA State Emergency Service (SES), collectively backed by more than 14,000 volunteers and thousands of career staff. SAFECOM itself operates with a small workforce of approximately 68 employees headquartered in Adelaide, and its role covers strategy, policy, governance, volunteer support, grants administration, and the coordination of major reviews and inquiries (e.g., the Wangary Coronial Inquest, Ministerial Review of Bushfire Management).

SAFECOM's core technology portfolio centers on public emergency warning and information systems, anchored by the Alert SA mobile application (enhanced version released 21 November 2024, supporting up to 10 user-defined Watch Zones), the AusAlert national cell-broadcast messaging system in development, and the Australian Warning System (Advice, Watch and Act, Emergency Warning). Operational supporting capabilities include the State Emergency Information Call Centre Capability (SEICCC) providing 24-hour overflow call handling, and the Logistics Functional Support Group (LFSG) coordinating State Emergency Centre logistics. Programs include the Stronger Together disaster resilience strategy (2019), its 2026-2030 refresh Shape it. Strengthen it., and the Disaster Risk Reduction Grants Program and Disaster Ready Fund Round 4 (2026-27, A$142.477M in Commonwealth funding).

SAFECOM's business model is that of a tax-funded government agency with no end-user fees. Revenue is sourced from the Community Emergency Services Fund, which is capitalised via the Emergency Services Levy applied to all land (collected by RevenueSA) and certain mobile property (via vehicle registration). The agency reports to the Minister for Police, Correctional Services and Emergency Services (currently Minister Rhiannon Pearce MP) and is governed by a Board that includes the three Chief Officers, volunteer association representatives, the United Fire Fighters Union, and independent members. Chief Executive Hannah Wandel OAM commenced in January 2026; SAFECOM directly serves the South Australian community and the 14,000+ volunteer ecosystem coordinated through CFS and SES.

Name

South Australian Fire and Emergency Services Commission (SAFECOM)

Legal name

SA Fire and Emergency Services Commission

Website

https://safecom.sa.gov.au

Company type

Private

Founded year

2005

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

51–100 employees

Short description

SAFECOM is a South Australian Government statutory authority that strategically coordinates the state's fire and emergency services (CFS, MFS, SES) and 14,000+ volunteers, while operating public emergency warning platforms including Alert SA and the developing AusAlert national cell-broadcast system.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Emergency Services Coordination

NAICS

Fire Protection (92216), Fire Protection (922160)

akta.pro primary industry

State/Provincial Public Safety & Emergency Management (Police, Fire, EMS Oversight) (BPAIABAG)

akta.pro secondary industries

Community Safety Administration (Fire/EMS, Emergency Management) (BPAIACAL), Public Safety Support Services (Records, Evidence, Fleet, Logistics) (BPAIAGAK), Security, Sabotage & All-Hazards Preparedness (Including Natural Hazards) (EUAHALAL)

Keywords

• Emergency services coordination
• Disaster resilience strategy
• Fire and emergency services
• Emergency warning systems
• Volunteer support services

Headquarters

HQ city

Adelaide

HQ country

Australia

HQ region

Oceania

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Others

Revenue model

1. Emergency Services Levy (ESL): The ESL funds emergency services in South Australia, applied to all land (collected by RevenueSA) and some mobile property (paid as part of vehicle registration). Money is placed into the Community Emergency Services Fund for exclusive use by emergency services including MFS, CFS, SES, Volunteer Marine Rescue SA, and SAFECOM, as well as rescue components of Surf Life Saving SA, SA Police Rescue, and the State Rescue Helicopter Service.

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

SAFECOM is a South Australian statutory authority that provides strategic leadership, coordination, and corporate support to the state's fire and emergency services sector. It delivers emergency warning systems (Alert SA, AusAlert, Australian Warning System), disaster risk reduction grants, disaster resilience strategy, volunteer support services, State Emergency Information Call Centre capability, and Logistics Functional Support Group coordination for the CFS, MFS, and SES.

Product overview

SAFECOM operates as a government coordination agency rather than a single product company. Its portfolio consists of a platform of interconnected emergency management services and programs, including the Alert SA mobile app for emergency warnings, the developing AusAlert national messaging system, the Australian Warning System, and the Disaster Resilience Strategy. Supporting programs include the Disaster Risk Reduction Grants, Disaster Ready Fund, State Emergency Information Call Centre, Logistics Functional Support Group, volunteer recruitment and services, emergency services awards, and the Disability Access and Inclusion Plan. These services work together under the Fire and Emergency Services Act 2005 to coordinate the CFS, MFS, and SES emergency services agencies and build disaster resilience across South Australia.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Alert SA: A state-owned platform managed by SAFECOM that provides emergency warnings and information to the South Australian community from agencies including the SA Country Fire Service, SA Metropolitan Fire Service and SA State Emergency Service.
• AusAlert

Products and services

• Alert SA Mobile Application A state-owned mobile application managed by SAFECOM that provides emergency warnings and information to the South Australian community from agencies including the SA Country Fire Service, SA Metropolitan Fire Service, and SA State Emergency Service. Users can create up to 10 Watch Zones to receive location-specific information on fires, floods, storms, severe weather, hazardous materials, heatwave warnings, Total Fire Bans, Fire Danger Ratings, and active Relief and Recovery centre locations.
• AusAlert Cell Broadcast Messaging System Australia's new national cell broadcast messaging system being developed to send emergency notifications directly to compatible mobile devices during emergencies and disasters. Once operational, it will help keep people informed and support them to take appropriate action.
• Australian Warning System (AWS) A national approach to information and warnings during emergencies like bushfire, flood, storm, extreme heat, and severe weather. Uses a nationally consistent set of icons and a three-level warning system (Advice, Watch and Act, Emergency Warning) across all Australian jurisdictions.
• Stronger Together - South Australia's Disaster Resilience Strategy A foundational strategy released in 2019 providing direction for resilience building work across four key focus areas (Neighbourhoods and Communities, Small Businesses, Children and Young People, Strategic and Connected Networks) and two cross-cutting themes (Diversity and Inclusion, Health and Wellbeing).
• Disaster Risk Reduction Grants Program A grant program providing funding for disaster risk reduction projects across South Australia, with multiple streams including Aboriginal disaster risk reduction and short-term disaster risk reduction projects.
• State Emergency Information Call Centre Capability (SEICCC) Managed by SAFECOM, provides an overflow call taking function which supports existing emergency services information lines during significant emergency events, staffed by SA government employees on temporary assignment.
• Logistics Functional Support Group (LFSG) Contributes to coordination of the State Emergency Centre by supporting response and recovery operations during emergencies through facilitating logistics support including equipment, food, fuel, water, transport, or accommodation.
• Volunteer Recruitment and Support Services Coordinates volunteer recruitment for CFS and SES with over 14,000 dedicated South Australians. Provides recruitment hotline, website information, and manages various volunteer roles including firefighting, rescue operations, administrative support, and marine rescue. Also provides best practice advice and services in volunteer management including online and telephone enquiries, criminal history checks, non-operational training, cadet program and child protection, data analysis, and legislative and policy advice.
• SA Emergency Services Awards Program Awards program recognizing distinguished service in emergency services, including SA Emergency Services Medal (SAESM), SA Emergency Services Citation, and SA Emergency Services Commendation for career staff and registered volunteers.
• Communications in Emergencies Resources Factsheets and resources developed under the Commonwealth STAND (Strengthening Telecommunications Against Natural Disasters) project outlining limitations of telecommunications in natural disasters and ways people can prepare.
• Emergency Services Sector Coordination Service SAFECOM coordinates the emergency services sector comprising SA Country Fire Service (CFS), SA Metropolitan Fire Service (MFS), and SA State Emergency Service (SES), providing corporate and operational support services under the Fire and Emergency Services Act 2005.
• South Australian Water Safety Committee (SAWSC) Promotes, guides, and provides subject matter advice regarding water safety in South Australia. Membership includes 16 organizations including AustSwim, Boating Industry Association of SA, Surf Life Saving SA, Royal Life Saving Society of SA, SA Police, and YMCA SA.

Quantifiable outcome

• Over 180 disaster resilience initiatives delivered since 2019
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers4 records

Segments6 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature4 records

Partnerships

Eight partnerships are on record, tiered core, major and supporting.

• South Australian Water Safety Committee (SAWSC)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 February 2009The SAWSC was formalised in 2006 and carriage transferred to SAFECOM from the Office for Recreation and Sport in February 2009. SAWSC promotes, guides, and provides subject matter advice regarding water safety. Membership includes 16 organizations including AustSwim, Boating Industry Association of SA, Department for Education, Department of Infrastructure and Transport, Kidsafe SA Inc, Life Saving SA, Multicultural Communities Council SA, Office for Recreation Sport and Racing, Royal Life Saving Society of SA, SA Police, Surf Life Saving SA, Swimming Pool and Spa Association, Swimming SA, Volunteer Marine Rescue, and YMCA SA.
• Australian Red CrossmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in multiple disaster risk reduction grants including Community-Led Disaster Resilience, Youth in Emergencies Development Program, and People at Risk in Emergencies Framework review.
• Flinders University (Torrens Resilience Initiative)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaborated on Building partnerships for DRR in the Grape Wine Sector and Understanding the Difficulty of Disaster Preparation Tasks project.
• Department for Environment and WatercoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in disaster risk reduction including flash flood forecasting capability, riverine flood forecasting, and sea flood mapping projects.
• Artlab AustraliasupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in disaster resilience training for SA community museums and strengthening disaster resilience in public library heritage collections.
• Fire to Flourish, Monash Sustainable Development InstitutemajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in enhancing relationships between Aboriginal communities and emergency services in South Australia project ($299,620 grant).
• Australian Institute for Disaster Resilience (AIDR)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSAFECOM coordinates the South Australian component of the Resilient Australia Awards administered by AIDR.
• National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFederal partner for disaster risk reduction funding through Disaster Ready Fund and National Disaster Risk Reduction Framework alignment.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves8 records

Expansion highlights7 records

Regional players

• ACT Emergency Services Agency (ACT ESA): Coordinates fire, rescue, and emergency management in the Australian Capital Territory. A peer state/territory-level emergency coordination body with a similar integrated mandate to SAFECOM, though operating at a smaller jurisdictional scale.
• Country Fire Authority (CFA): Victoria's volunteer-based fire and emergency service. Comparable to SAFECOM's coordination of CFS in South Australia, with the same model of large volunteer base supporting rural and regional fire response; operates in a different state jurisdiction.
• Fire Rescue Victoria (FRV): Victoria's metropolitan fire and rescue service, structurally analogous to South Australia's MFS. Comparable urban firefighting scope, command structure, and integration with state-level emergency coordination bodies.
• Queensland Fire and Emergency Services (QFES): Queensland's combined fire and emergency services agency. Most directly comparable in scope to SAFECOM's overall coordination mandate, integrating fire, rescue, and emergency management functions within a single state framework.
• Department of Fire and Emergency Services (DFES) Western Australia: Western Australia's lead agency for fire and emergency management. Comparable in its integrated responsibility for fire, rescue, and emergency management across metropolitan, regional, and remote areas, mirroring SAFECOM's coordination across CFS, MFS, and SES.
• NSW State Emergency Service (NSW SES): New South Wales' lead agency for flood, storm, and rescue response. Functionally equivalent to South Australia's SES, which SAFECOM coordinates; both are volunteer-supported state emergency services with similar mandate and operational profile.
• Tasmania Fire Service (TFS): Tasmania's primary fire and emergency service, with strong volunteer base analogous to SAFECOM-coordinated CFS. Operates in a high bushfire-risk jurisdiction with similar climate-driven emergency profiles to South Australia.

Others

• AFAC (Australasian Fire and Emergency Service Authorities Council): Peak body representing fire, emergency service, and land management agencies across Australia and New Zealand. SAFECOM and its coordinated agencies (CFS, MFS, SES) are members; provides a coordination and knowledge-sharing layer relevant to SAFECOM's whole-of-sector role.
• Australian Institute for Disaster Resilience (AIDR): Australia's national center of excellence for disaster resilience knowledge, with which SAFECOM partners on the Resilient Australia Awards and knowledge dissemination. Comparable as a knowledge and standards body supporting SAFECOM's strategic and community resilience functions.

Broad incumbents

• National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA): Australia's federal emergency management agency. Oversees national disaster preparedness, response, and recovery frameworks and is a key funding and policy partner for SAFECOM. Comparable in disaster resilience scope but at a national rather than state level.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/SA_SES
• YouTubeyoutube.com/+SesSaGovAu
• Facebookfacebook.com/SAStateEmergencyService
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/south-australian-fire-and-emergency-services-commission-safecom
• Instagraminstagram.com/sa_ses

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles11 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about South Australian Fire and Emergency Services Commission (SAFECOM)