University of Johannesburg Unveils Africa's First Advanced Rescue Simulation Centre

Groundbreaking Facility Launched in Johannesburg

The University of Johannesburg (UJ) officially launched Africa's first Advanced Rescue Simulation Centre on October 17, 2025, at its Doornfontein Campus in Johannesburg, South Africa. This state-of-the-art, four-storey, 3,000m² facility is designed to revolutionize emergency and disaster response training across the continent, providing a realistic and safe environment for students and professionals to hone critical life-saving skills.

Redefining Emergency Response Training

The centre, developed by the Department of Emergency Medical Care (EMC) within UJ's Faculty of Health Sciences and supported by the Department of Higher Education and Training, aims to bridge the gap between theoretical knowledge and real-world practice. UJ's Vice-Chancellor and Principal, Professor Letlhokwa George Mpedi, highlighted the centre's strategic importance, stating, 'With this state-of-the-art Rescue Simulation Centre, we are redefining how emergency response training is delivered on the continent. There is no longer a need to travel abroad for world-class rescue training. It is right here at UJ.' He further emphasized that the project focuses on 'accessibility, quality, and national impact.'

Advanced Simulation Capabilities

The facility is equipped with a diverse range of high-fidelity simulation environments to prepare emergency responders for various critical scenarios. Key features include:

• A five-metre-deep survival pool for aquatic and helicopter underwater egress training (HUET).
• A helicopter fuselage suspended 15 metres above the pool, enabling both 'wet' and 'dry' hoist operations.
• A basement-level urban search and rescue area with configurable confined space tunnels, shoring systems, and heavy lifting jigs.
• A 30-seater aircraft fuselage for mass casualty simulations.
• A three-metre-deep trench rescue simulator with advanced environmental systems capable of replicating rain, wind, waves, and darkness.

National and Continental Impact

The launch was attended by dignitaries including the Deputy Minister of Employment and Labour, Judith Nemadzinga-Tshabalala, who praised the facility as a significant step towards enhancing safety in South Africa and strengthening emergency response capacity. Connor Hartnady, a lecturer in UJ's Department of Emergency Medical Care, noted that the centre prepares responders not only for South African conditions but also for challenges across the continent. The centre is envisioned as a national and continental asset, playing a pivotal role in strengthening Africa's resilience to emergencies and elevating the standard of professional rescue education.