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Views on qualifications 
ALL UK fire and rescue services are invited to send a representative to Washington Hall, Lancashire, on 26 August 2009, to express their views and share ideas on qualifications for the fire service. Speakers from a range of different fire and rescue services, each with their own specific challenges and perspectives, will share their experiences at the event. An update will be given also on the move to Skills for Justice (the skills and standards-setting body that now covers the fire safety sector) and what this will mean for the sector. Most importantly, the day is about consultation to inform future direction.
I would encourage members within UK fire and rescue services to mention this event to colleagues in training and development, and to encourage representation from their own services.
Our view is that fire service professionals are best placed to determine their own requirements, and that it is up to supporting professional bodies such as the IFE to listen, adapt and meet these needs, while ensuring adherence to benchmark knowledge standards.
This event provides the opportunity for services to make their requirements and views known, and discussion topics will include:
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currency of knowledge – how do we ensure this?
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assessment scheduling – are changes needed to support shift patterns?
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integration of exams – is there a need for developing broader, role-based qualifications?
For more information, please contact Sarah Simpson at IFE head office on e-mail: sarah.simpson@ife.org.uk
Rasbash Medal 2009
This year’s IFE Rasbash Lecture, held on 4 June, brought a range of research perspectives on fire suppression into sharp focus for a broad audience of fire service and industry professionals, fire engineering consultants and academics. The event was organised by Professor Dougal Drysdale and hosted by the Ministry of Defence Fire and Rescue Service (MoD FRS) in Andover, Hampshire.
The Rasbash Lecturer, Dr Craig Beyler, presented A review of fire suppression science and engineering, firepoint theory and beyond, recognising in particular the debt of gratitude owed to Professor David Rasbash (1921-1997) for the lasting legacy of his pioneering work and achievements. Dr Beyler was awarded the 2009 Rasbash Medal, which is presented each year for outstanding contribution to fire engineering research and learning.
An impressive line-up of speakers included Dr Peter Bressington, Professor José Torero (who delivered Dr Ricky Carvel’s presentation in his absence), Dr Jim Marsden, Professor Vasily Novozhilov, Dr Corinne Williams and Dr Niall Ramsden. I would like to thank all involved with the event, and Graham Knight of the MoD FRS in particular for providing such an excellent venue and warm welcome to the IFE and its members.
Election to Board of Directors
Thanks are due to the following members who stood for election to the Institution’s Board of Directors:
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Roy Bishop, London Branch
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Ben Bradford, South Eastern UK Branch
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Mitchell Brown, New Zealand Branch
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Brian Davey, New Zealand Branch
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Grant Lupton, Australia Branch
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H G Tay, Malaysia Branch
It was very good to see such an enthusiastic response to the call for nominations throughout our international network. The names of the two nominees with the highest number of votes were announced at the Annual General Meeting on 1 July in Glasgow and the result of the ballot can be found on the Institution’s website, www.ife.org.uk, together with a full listing of current Board Directors.
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