MEET THE FORCE BEHIND ASTERIX
19 July 2026 | Meet the Force Behind Asterix.
Behind every emergency call, operational decision, response plan, compliance document and community update stands a dedicated team united by one purpose:
Serving and supporting our community when it matters most.
Asterix The Long Firefighting Dog NPC – Fire & Emergency Support Service is more than a response vehicle, emergency equipment or a name on a uniform.
Our strength comes from the people who give their time, experience, commitment and resilience to keep the organisation operational and ready to respond.
These are the people behind the calls, the decisions, the planning, the paperwork, the equipment and the response.
Different responsibilities. Different strengths. One team. One purpose.
THE PEOPLE BEHIND THE RESPONSE:
When the Asterix emergency line rings, the response vehicle seen on the road represents only one part of the organisation.
Every incident depends on people fulfilling different responsibilities before, during and after an emergency.
These responsibilities include:
Emergency response,
Firefighting and rescue support,
Medical first response,
Operational command,
Dispatch and communications,
Incident coordination,
Administration,
Governance,
Compliance and record keeping,
Equipment readiness,
Community communication,
Public-safety information,
Organisational planning and development.
Some members work directly at emergency scenes.
Others perform essential work behind the scenes that allows those responses to happen.
Every role matters.
JACO RAUTENBACH -
Founder | Managing Director & Fire Chief:
Jaco is the founder and driving force behind Asterix and carries overall responsibility for the organisation's leadership, strategic direction, operational command and emergency-response standards.
With years of firefighting, incident-command and emergency-response experience, he leads Asterix both organisationally and operationally — from planning and organisational development behind the scenes to commanding and responding at emergency incidents.
As Fire Chief, he carries responsibility for the overall direction of emergency operations, operational readiness and continued development of Asterix's fire and emergency-support capability.
His official operational call sign is:
PITBULL.
Direct Contact: 073 074 9716
Email: asterix@asterixfire.org
FRANS LOTTERING -
Director: Operations.
Frans helps oversee operational readiness, response coordination and field activities within Asterix.
His practical involvement supports the organisation's ability to remain prepared, organised and ready to assist during emergencies.
As Director: Operations, Frans plays an important role in connecting management decisions with the practical realities and demands of emergency-response operations.
His responsibilities contribute to maintaining operational readiness and supporting effective coordination during incidents.
Direct Contact: 079 629 9191
Email: frans@asterixfire.org
RUCHELLE RAUTENBACH -
Director: Administration & Compliance:
Ruchelle oversees the administration, governance and compliance responsibilities that help keep Asterix properly structured, accountable and operational.
Her attention to detail, medical-sector experience and commitment to strong organisational standards provide important support to both the management and operational sides of Asterix.
Her responsibilities contribute to ensuring that the systems behind emergency response — including administration, governance, documentation and compliance — remain organised and properly managed.
Although much of this work happens away from the emergency scene, it forms an essential part of keeping the organisation operational.
Direct Contact: 079 143 0056
Email: admin@asterixfire.org
JESSICA LOTTERING -
Administration & Compliance:
Jessica supports Asterix through administration, documentation, internal coordination and compliance processes.
Much of the work required to keep an emergency organisation structured, organised and accountable happens quietly behind the scenes.
Jessica plays an important role in ensuring that documentation, records, administrative processes and internal responsibilities are handled professionally and consistently.
Her contribution supports both the day-to-day administration of the organisation and the broader operational structure behind Asterix.
Direct Contact: 076 255 1110
Email: jessica@asterixfire.org
JENNICA LOTTERING -
Office Administration Intern:
Jennica assists with office administration while gaining practical experience in the systems and responsibilities required to support an active fire and emergency-support organisation.
Through her internship, she assists with routine administrative functions while developing an understanding of the documentation, organisation and behind-the-scenes work required to support emergency operations.
Her willingness to learn, assist and contribute makes her a valued part of the Asterix administrative team.
Email: admin@asterixfire.org
DIFFERENT RESPONSIBILITIES. ONE TEAM.
Every member of Asterix contributes in a different way.
Some responsibilities are highly visible at emergency scenes.
Others involve hours of administration, documentation, planning, communications, compliance, preparation and equipment management that the public may never see.
Together, these roles form the structure behind Asterix.
The organisation depends on people who can work together across very different responsibilities while maintaining the same objective:
To remain ready to assist the community when an emergency occurs.
MORE THAN THE EMERGENCY SCENE:
The public naturally sees Asterix most often when the response vehicle arrives at a fire, motor vehicle accident or other emergency.
But operational readiness begins long before the vehicle leaves.
Behind every response are responsibilities such as:
Receiving emergency calls,
Confirming incident information,
Obtaining accurate locations,
Mobilising available responders,
Maintaining vehicles and equipment,
Checking firefighting resources,
Maintaining medical supplies,
Managing communications,
Preparing operational documentation,
Recording incidents,
Maintaining organisational records,
Managing compliance requirements,
Maintaining responder networks and partnerships,
Publishing emergency and public-safety information,
Planning and preparing for future incidents.
This work allows the visible emergency response to function.
THE RESPONSIBILITY BEHIND THE UNIFORM:
Wearing the Asterix name carries responsibility.
Emergency scenes often involve people experiencing some of the most difficult moments of their lives.
For that reason, the Asterix team strives to approach every response with:
Professionalism,
Respect,
Compassion,
Accountability,
Teamwork,
Commitment.
No emergency-response organisation is built overnight.
Capability develops through experience, training, equipment, procedures, partnerships, communication systems and — most importantly — people willing to continuously improve.
SERVING GREATER TZANEEN & GREATER LETABA:
Asterix provides fire and emergency support across Greater Tzaneen and Greater Letaba, assisting where operational circumstances, available resources and responder capability allow.
Our work includes support during:
Structural fires,
Veld and forest fires,
Vehicle fires,
Motor vehicle accidents,
Rescue incidents,
Medical first-response situations,
Storm and weather-related emergencies,
Fallen-tree and road hazards,
Search and scene-access assistance,
Community fire-safety initiatives,
Other emergencies requiring appropriate scene support.
Asterix works alongside other emergency services, authorities, landowners, businesses, community members and response organisations according to the circumstances of each incident.
THE MEET THE FORCE INITIATIVE:
The Meet the Force initiative was created to introduce the people behind Asterix to the community.
The emergency vehicle and uniforms may be the most visible parts of the organisation, but there are real people behind every aspect of the service.
These are the people behind:
The calls.
The decisions.
The planning.
The paperwork.
The equipment.
The communication.
The response.
Asterix exists because people continue giving their time and effort to keep the organisation moving forward.
ONE PURPOSE:
Whatever role a team member performs, the objective remains the same:
To help build and maintain a capable, responsible and sustainable fire and emergency support service for the communities we serve.
There will always be more to learn.
More capability to build.
More equipment to improve.
More systems to develop.
And more work to do.
But behind every step forward stands a team committed to continuing the journey.
Different responsibilities.
Different strengths.
One team.
One purpose.
One unwavering commitment to our community.
FIRE | RESCUE | MEDICAL -
EMERGENCY REPORTING:
For an emergency, members of the public should not attempt to decide which individual team member to contact.
The primary emergency contact for Asterix is the dedicated 24/7 emergency line:
015 590 8911
Please phone this number first for emergency assistance.
Direct telephone reporting allows Asterix Dispatch to receive the incident information, establish the location and begin the appropriate response process.
The personal contact numbers listed in the team profiles are not intended to replace the dedicated emergency line.
AURA, Namola and iER remain secondary or additional emergency-reporting channels where app-based activation and location sharing may be useful.
