THE South African Insurance Association (SAIA) is to conduct a comprehensive national investigation into the effectiveness of fire services following concerns expressed by the short-term insurance industry that fire services are becoming less efficient, contributing to the severity of fire losses. SAIA chief executive Barry Scott said: “SAIA has contacted the minister of constitutional affairs and development, expressed its concerns and offered to fund and conduct the investigation,” Scott said, adding the offer was accepted. He said the department has conducted its own research and concluded that many of the fire services are experiencing difficulties.