The fast field method is applied to acoustic and electromagnetic (EM) propagation problems. A model originally developed for acoustics (SAFARI) is applied to electromagnetism as well, by exploiting close analogies between the properties of acoustic and electromagnetic waves. It is shown that acoustic models can be used unmodified for horizontally polarised EM propagation, and that a minor modification is necessary for vertical polarisation, in order to satisfy the EM boundary conditions at a horizontal boundary. The SAFARI model has been used previously to create acoustic propagation benchmarks. A similar requirement exists for EM problems and it is suggested that SAFARI can also be used for this purpose. Examples are presented, including comparisons with results from the electromagnetic propagation models EEMS and TEMPER. (6 pages)