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IN THIS month’s column, I would like to raise the issue of ‘inclusiveness’ in the fire engineering profession. Inclusiveness is part of the vision of the Institution of Fire Engineers; that is, that we should ‘be an international professional body…that is inclusive of all fire professions’.
In this context, inclusiveness is about how we are comprised and how we embrace all fire professionals as part of a whole. Clearly, this is an issue that has many dimensions: geographical, role, experience, etc.
Recent developments, such as the formation of the General Assembly and Board, the Young Professionals’ Network (see p.7), and convening meetings in different branches around the world, have moved some way towards geographical and experience-based inclusiveness. I would like to see these aspects of inclusiveness further improved, particularly by harnessing the potential of new technology.
There is still much to do in other areas; for example, some of our members based in fire and rescue services do not consider what they do to be ‘fire engineering’. This paradox is underlined by job adverts that ask for ‘either fire engineering or fire service experience.’
Are the two not largely synonymous? It is true that some types of fire service experience are not related to fire engineering and, equally, that some types of fire engineering experience lie outside the fire service. However, detailed reading of these adverts indicates that what they are seeking is fire engineering experience from any background – so why not say so? This paradox applies to fire engineers in many other roles and sectors, including insurance, manufacturing and healthcare.
This situation may have occurred, in part, due to the linking of the term ‘fire engineering’ with an analytical form of fire engineering, developed in recent years in the fire safety design community. However, the connotations that ‘fire engineering’ means ‘complex analysis’ is neither valid nor helpful in developing our profession; nor is it reflected in other professional engineering institutions. I believe that fire engineering, in its broadest sense, should be defined as: ‘the application of scientific knowledge in addressing fire-related issues.’
This is a more appropriate definition when considering the development of the Institution. So, having established that what most of us do is fire engineering, the next step is to consider the appropriate role for professional recognition.
A shared understanding of the nature and breadth of fire engineering is crucial to the long-term development of our profession. There are notable exceptions to this paradox, including the Hong Kong Fire Services Division, the Defence Fire and Rescue Services and Hampshire Fire and Rescue Service. In these organisations, the broad nature of fire engineering is embraced and the achievement of professional recognition, including Engineering Council registration, is rewarded.
There are also other barriers to inclusiveness, which we should seek to address through regional activities; special interest groups; other initiatives, such as the integrated personal development system and Women in Science and Engineering (WISE); and greater use of the Internet and other modern communication methods, such as teleconferencing.
To summarise, you could say: ‘There are two types of fire engineer. Those who divide fire engineers into types and the rest of us.’
Fire Australia 2005
A good example of inclusiveness was to be found at Fire Australia 2005, held in Adelaide on 15-17 August. The conference – a joint project between the Fire Protection Association Australia and the Institution of Fire Engineers Australia – was themed, Fire risks in the 21st century: How can systems and technology keep pace?
Over three days, presentations were given by fire engineers on a wide range of issues; from the investigation of the World Trade Center collapse, through preparing communities for bushfires, to low-pressure water mist systems. The event benefited from a large number and variety of sponsors and exhibitors.
Attendees came from parts of Australia and beyond, and from all fire engineering roles, including fire and rescue services, insurers, manufacturers, designers, managers, and civil and military services. The strength and depth of expertise gave real value to the conference, particularly when the resolutions were debated at the end of the event. Australia and New Zealand will continue to be a centre of excellence in fire engineering.
Other events attract a similar breadth and depth of fire engineering expertise, and these can only help us achieve our strategic aim of an international professional body that is inclusive of all fire professionals.
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