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A professional society is an organisation — typically structured as a Non-Profit Organisation, Trust, or Voluntary Association — that exists to advance, support, and represent a specific professional field.
These societies are formed with the intention of:
✅ Supporting the development and recognition of a particular profession
✅ Representing and advocating for the interests of its members
✅ Promoting the broader public interest through ethical, evidence-based practice
A professional society is more than just an administrative body — it’s a trusted platform for collaboration, professional growth, and systemic improvement within its field.
ECSSA advocates for the advancement of out of hospital emergency care in South Africa and serves as a representative voice for professionals in the field. The Society works to address the real-world needs of the profession by engaging stakeholders at every level — from government to grassroots — across both the public and private sectors.
In addition to advocacy, ECSSA plays a pivotal role in promoting scientific advancement and continuous professional development. Through collaboration with national and international bodies, we help shape evidence-based practices, influence policy, and drive the evolution of emergency medical services.
ECSSA is not just an organisation — it’s a unifying platform where clinical expertise, system development, and professional solidarity come together to improve care outcomes and strengthen the emergency care community across South Africa.
ECSSA is not a trade union created to protect and enforce the employment rights of Emergency Medical Services personnel. Although the Society certainly has an indirect interest in labour law and employment conditions, norms and standards as they apply to this particular profession, the direct objective is not to provide relief or representation in cases where any such rights or norms have been violated.
ECSSA is not a lobby group or committee in pursuit of a single particular objective or cause. The Society has a long-term strategic vision giving effect to a variety of interests having a bearing on out of hospital emergency care.
ECSSA is not a recruitment agency. Although we will in future be advertising career vacancies within the EMS sector, our goal is not to place individuals and serve in the capacity of a recruitment agent.
ECSSA is not a statutory authority like the Health Professions Council of South Africa. The role of the Society is not to enforce law or standards, nor is it to regulate the Profession but rather to advance and represent out of hospital emergency care.
The objectives of ECSSA include:
🔴 To ensure the well-being, safety, and proper medical treatment of the patient.
🔴 To identify, communicate, and promote the general wellness of the patient.
🔴 To uphold the wellness, professional interests, and honour of emergency care providers.
🔴 To collaborate with the medical profession and other professional groups to further emergency care.
🔴 To encourage research in the field of emergency care in South Africa.
🔴 To support standard setting and accreditation of educational programmes in partnership with stakeholders.
🔴 To maintain a secure central registry of competent members across all recognised qualification pathways.
🔴 To contribute to bulletins, newsletters, journals, and a Code of Ethics supporting dialogue and development.
🔴 To promote measures that enhance emergency care standards in the public interest.
🔴 To advocate nationally and internationally for the profession and the Society’s objectives.
The emblem for the Emergency Care Society of South Africa is a Baobab tree with a torch in the background and a star of life. The Baobab tree is a tropical African tree, reaching up to 25 meters tall and known to live for several thousands of years. In the wet months water is stored in its thick, corky and fire-resistant trunk for the dry months ahead. The Baobab symbolises strength, endurance and life. The star of life has a well-known association with pre-hospital emergency care, and the torch represents knowledge and light, bringing all pre-hospital emergency care workers together under one society.
