Our Roots in Emergency Services

SAEMT’s story begins on the frontlines of emergency care. In the early 1990s, Steve Alderson – together with his wife, Sharon – founded Alderson Ambulance Service in East London (Eastern Cape). Over nearly three decades, Steve and his team built the service into a pillar of the community, providing fast, compassionate medical response and saving countless lives.

Alderson Ambulance became one of South Africa’s most respected private ambulance services, known for excellence and pioneering spirit in emergency medical care. Steve himself not only managed operations but also taught first aid to schools, businesses, and community groups, sharing life-saving skills even while being on call around the clock.

By 2000, Alderson Ambulance was officially accredited as a first aid training provider with the Department of Labour, ensuring its courses met national standards. Trainers – all veteran emergency responders and accredited assessors – brought real-world experience into the classroom. This blend of frontline knowledge and a passion for teaching laid the foundation for what would later become SAEMT.

By the 2010s, after decades of intense, hands-on emergency work, the Aldersons felt called to make an even greater impact by dedicating themselves fully to teaching.

A New Chapter in Nelspruit

In 2013, Steve and Sharon sold their ambulance company and relocated to Nelspruit, Mpumalanga, to focus on training. Out of this transition, S. Alderson Emergency Medical Training (SAEMT) was born.

Drawing on decades of real-life emergency expertise, the Aldersons designed courses that are practical, engaging, and truly empowering. “We want to impart relevant and effective life support skills for everyday needs,” Sharon explains, “and give people the confidence to act in an emergency when the need arises.”

SAEMT quickly earned a reputation across Mpumalanga for its high-quality, hands-on training. From the outset, the company was registered with the Department of Labour, followed strict regulatory protocols, and aligned courses with the latest guidelines from the Resuscitation Council of Southern Africa and the American Heart Association.

All instructors are seasoned professionals who have worked on ambulances or in emergency rooms. Their real-world stories bring the lessons to life, making training both memorable and confidence-building.

Today, instead of midnight sirens, the Aldersons’ days are filled with classroom demonstrations, laughter during practical drills, and the reward of watching students gain life-saving skills. SAEMT’s motto, “Emergency medical training with a difference,” is lived out by going the extra mile for every student.

Our Mission and Values

SAEMT’s mission is simple: empower as many people as possible with life-saving skills.

Through affordable, accredited training, the Aldersons aim to prevent incidents, improve safety in workplaces and communities, and ensure ordinary citizens have the confidence to act in emergencies.

Core values remain at the heart of SAEMT’s work:

• Professionalism

• Integrity

• Empathy

• Excellence

• Fun – because learning should be enjoyable as well as effective.

The team also prioritizes continuous improvement, keeping course material current with the latest medical standards and investing in professional development for instructors.

What We Offer

SAEMT provides a wide range of accredited courses tailored for individuals, workplaces, and healthcare professionals:

• Occupational First Aid (Levels 1, 2, 3): Comprehensive courses accredited by the Department of Labour, covering CPR, choking, wound care, and unconsciousness management.

• CPR & Basic Life Support: For both laypersons and healthcare providers, aligned with Resuscitation Council and American Heart Association guidelines. Options include BLS for Healthcare Providers, Family & Friends CPR, and Heartsaver CPR.

• Specialty Training: Focused workshops like Mom’s & Tots First Aid, Domestic Worker First Aid, and simulation days that recreate realistic emergency scenarios.

Courses are taught in a hands-on, practical style with optimal class sizes to ensure personal attention. Certifications are nationally recognized and meet all legal requirements for workplace first aid.

Continuing a Family Legacy

Though Steve and Sharon have shifted from active emergency response to full-time training, their mission of “saving lives” remains unchanged. Today, their daughter Sarah Alderson plays a key role in running and growing SAEMT, carrying forward the family’s passion for empowering others with life-saving skills.

Every student trained is a life potentially saved, and by that measure, the Alderson family’s legacy has multiplied many times over. From the flashing lights of ambulances in East London to classrooms filled with learning in Nelspruit, one thing has never changed: a profound dedication to the greater good.

SAEMT is more than a training company – it’s the embodiment of a lifelong mission to empower people with the skills to act, to care, and to save lives.