Who We Are
A trusted partner in emergency preparedness, Vulcan delivers high-impact training courses and consulting for wildfire, incident management, and operational readiness.
Specialists in Emergency Readiness
Who We Are
Vulcan Risk Solutions is a South African-based consultancy and training provider dedicated to improving emergency response capacity across Africa and beyond. We work with individuals, teams, organisations and government partners to strengthen preparedness, reduce risk, and drive operational excellence in high-stakes environments.
At our core, we believe that clarity under pressure saves lives. Our mission is to equip people with the skills, systems, and confidence to lead when it matters most.
Our Story
Built from the Fireline
Vulcan Risk Solutions began in 2014 with a simple but bold idea: that well-trained, well-led wildfire crews could redefine safety and performance on the fireline.
Founded by Patrick Ryan and Ryan Heydenrych, our journey started with South Africa’s first dedicated Type 1 wildfire crew. A pilot project funded by the Western Cape Government, that quickly set new national benchmarks for operational excellence. Our initial proof-of-concept wildfire team quickly became recognised as South Africa’s best – and set the tone for Vulcan’s future.
How We've Grown
From Wildfire to Incident Management Specialists
What began with South Africa’s first specialist wildfire crew has evolved into a trusted provider of integrated wildfire and disaster risk services. Our work spans across industries, from firefighting, petrochemical & maritime safety to local government, and emergency medical services, where we provide both consulting services and accredited, online training.
A key milestone in our growth was launching the Vulcan Online Academy, our online learning platform offering locally adapted, internationally aligned IMS and Wildfire training. Today, we deliver accredited, courses online, helping build professional response capacity across Africa and beyond.
Our Milestones: 10 Years of Vulcan
A decade of impact, innovation, and partnership in risk and readiness – take a look at our key milestones.
What We Do
We offer a wide range of wildfire, incident management training and risk consulting services.
Wildfire Consulting & Community Preparedness
Supporting estates, municipalities, and protected areas with risk assessments, readiness planning, and mitigation strategies.
Vulcan Online Academy
Flexible, accredited online learning designed to meet the growing need for professional Incident Management training and Wildfire Preparedness across diverse sectors and regions.
Accreditation & Recognition:
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SAQA-accredited FP&M SETA training provider
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Endorsed by the South African Incident Command System (SAICS) Working Group
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University-certified courses through a partnership with Nelson Mandela University
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CPD points available for selected courses via membership with the South African Institute of Occupational Safety and Health (SAIOSH)
Incident Management System (IMS) Training & Simulations
Delivering FEMA-aligned IMS/ICS training adapted for African and European contexts, both online and in person (on request).
Our Incident Management training includes:
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Foundational courses: IMS 100 and 200
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Advanced levels: IMS 300 and 400
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Position-specific training for roles such as Division Group Supervisor Public Information Officer, and more.
These programmes are tailored to real-world operational needs and support public and private organisations preparing for high-consequence incidents.
South Africa’s First Fireline Safety Course
Pioneering field safety training for wildfire crews, volunteers, and professionals across the Western Cape.
Our online Wildfire Training includes:
- Fireline Safety
- Basic Wildfire Suppression
- Intermediate Wildfire Suppression
- Crew Leader (Single Resource Leader)
These programmes have been developed according to SAQA FP&M SETA standards.
Incident Analysis & Fire Investigation
- Leading incident analysis such as the 2017 Knysna Fires – now referenced by the UN Office for Disaster Risk Reduction.
- Fire Investigation for various clients from private and public sectors.
- Member of the National Disaster Resilience Roundtable, and Provincial Veldfire and Ground Crew Working Groups.
Meet the Team
The Vulcan Risk Solutions team includes a dynamic mix of emergency professionals, educators, and risk specialists. Together, we combine deep operational experience with instructional design, consulting, and academic expertise – equipping individuals and organisations with the skills, systems, and confidence to lead in high-risk and high-responsibility environments.
Patrick Ryan
Director
Patrick brings over a decade of field leadership experience in wildfire suppression and incident command. He is certified in ICS 100–400, Incident Commander Type 3, Division Group Supervisor, and Public Information Officer. He holds a Level 3 qualification from the Institution of Fire Engineers in Fire Operations & Incident Command and Fire Safety. Patrick is also a qualified Training Facilitator and Assessor. His creative background as a professional photographer and graphic designer enhances Vulcan’s training materials, toolkits, and visual content.
Ryan Heydenrych
Director
Ryan has extensive experience in wildfire suppression and all-hazard incident coordination. He holds certifications in ICS 100–400, serves as a Type 5 Incident Commander, Division Group Supervisor, Operations Section Chief, Public Information Officer, and is certified in First Aid Level 3. Ryan is also an accredited Training Facilitator, Assessor, and Moderator. He has completed the international Beyond Response: Better Preparedness for Environmental Emergencies course through DisasterReady.org, further enriching his approach to training and preparedness.
Rouvanne van den Berg
Fire Investigator | Business Development & Training Support
Rouvanne is a specialist in wildland fire investigations, with a Graduate Certificate in Fire and Explosion Investigation from Charles Sturt University, where he was recognised with an Executive Dean’s Award. As a trainer and assessor at Vulcan, he works across both the Training and Wildfire divisions. He also volunteers as a Single Resource Leader with the Volunteer Wildfire Services and regularly delivers wildfire safety presentations to schools, communities, and landowners, helping people live safer lives in fire-prone environments.
Nikita Munro
Learning Solutions Specialist | Instructional Design & Digital Learning
Nikita leads the design and delivery of Vulcan’s online and blended learning programmes. With a BA and Honours in Humanities and over five years of experience in edtech, higher education, and training design, she focuses on developing learner-centred, outcomes-driven content. Her expertise includes content development and UX-focused instructional design. She plays a key role in transforming complex wildfire and IMS topics into accessible, engaging learning experiences.
Peter Wynne
Consultant & Trainer | Incident Management & Wildfire
Peter is a seasoned trainer and consultant with extensive practical experience in both Incident Management Systems and wildfire operations. He supports Vulcan’s Scenario-Based Exercises (SBEs), workshop training delivery, and IMS course content – particularly in helping learners bridge theory with real-world application across multi-agency environments.
Protect what matters most – explore our wildfire solutions today to reduce risk and improve readiness.
About Us
Wildfire Services
Training Courses
Online Training Academy