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WITH FIRE engineering continuing to broaden and evolve as a discipline, this edition of Fire Risk Management focuses on career opportunities and professional development in this thriving arena – both in terms of private-sector fire engineering practices and the fire and rescue service.
As we see in this month’s special focus, the cutting-edge nature of fire engineering – driven by advances in both fire science research and technology – offers an appealing mix of professional challenges and international career options for fire engineers working in consultancies.
There are opportunities to develop fire strategies for innovative and complex projects involving all manner of building types and occupancies. Indeed, the engineers we hear from this month outline how they have freedom of thought to develop alternative solutions using a combination of detailed risk analysis and commonsense.
The challenges and the practical experience gained from working with a range of other parties – architects, mechanical and electrical engineers, building control and clients – are all discussed. And so, too, the opportunities for fire engineers to get promotion up the ladder – taking on wider commercial and managerial responsibilities.
What also emerges is the international nature of fire engineering. With performance-based approaches to fire safety design being used in more and more countries, from Europe to the Middle East, jobs are now available worldwide. Moreover, the fire engineer’s skills and expertise – whether gained on a university degree or in the workplace – are totally transferable between countries.
The professional development opportunities in the fire and rescue service also feature this month. It seems there is a growing demand for continuing professional development among fire service personnel. And arguably a growing need for it – particularly as some in the service fear that levels of knowledge and understanding of personnel in risk-critical areas, such as operations and fire safety, may be being eroded.
Here, the Institution of Fire Engineers (IFE) reflects on how examinations, in conjunction with the integrated personal development system, have a key role in the assessment and attainment of competency for fire service personnel. We also see how other options – for instance, IFE membership, registration with the Engineering Council (UK), and training opportunities – bring a further dimension to professional development for all fire engineers, allowing them to demonstrate their competence and commitment to this satisfying and wide-ranging profession.
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