NFPA appoints new Regional Sales Manager for MENA

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Romnish Kapoor has joined NFPA as Regional Sales Manager for MENA

The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) has appointed Romnish Kapoor as Regional Sales Manager for MENA, strengthening its presence across the Middle East and North Africa as it continues to promote fire, electrical and life safety throughout the region.

Based in Dubai, Kapoor will lead its business development efforts across MENA, expanding customer relationships and supporting organisations seeking to improve fire and life safety through the association’s internationally recognised codes and standards, training, certifications and related solutions.

The appointment reflects NFPA’s continued investment in the region, where rapid infrastructure growth and increasing regulatory focus are driving demand for fire and life safety expertise.

Mike Brunzell, Vice President of Global Business Development, said: “The Middle East and North Africa remain a strategic priority for NFPA, and we are pleased to welcome Romnish to our regional team.

“His extensive experience working with customers, regulators and industry leaders across the region will help us continue delivering the knowledge, resources and solutions that support safer communities and resilient built environments.”

Kapoor brings more than 20 years of experience in fire and life safety, testing, inspection and certification, regulatory compliance, strategic account management and business development.

Before joining, he held a series of commercial leadership positions with UL Solutions, where he led regional sales and strategic account growth initiatives across the Middle East and Africa. Throughout his career, he has worked closely with manufacturers, contractors, government authorities, regulatory agencies, developers, consultants and other industry stakeholders to advance safety, compliance and market development across emerging markets.

Kapoor said: “I’m excited to join NFPA at a time of tremendous opportunity across the MENA region.

“Governments, regulators and businesses continue to place greater emphasis on fire and life safety, and I look forward to working with our existing and new customers to help them advance their efforts with the world-class resources and solutions that NFPA has to offer.”

NFPA has worked across the Middle East and North Africa for decades, supporting governments and industry through its codes and standards, training and certification programmes, research and public education initiatives aimed at improving fire and life safety and helping to prevent fire-related loss.

SWFRS launches Women’s Network Cymru

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South Wales Fire and Rescue Service is continuing to strengthen its commitment to fairness, inclusion, and organisational culture with the launch of the Women’s Network Cymru.

The network has been established to create a dedicated space for open and honest conversation. At its core, the network provides a psychologically safe space where peers from across the Service, including operational, corporate, and fire control roles, can come together to connect, share experiences, and learn from one another.

Crew Manager and Chair of the Women’s Network Cymru, Clare Amor said “This is an opportunity to leave a lasting legacy by helping to create a more inclusive, supportive and equitable fire service. If one person feels more confident, more supported or more inspired it will have achieved exactly what it’s meant to do. I’m hoping our first event in October will create connections that inspire confidence, courage and change.”

The initiative plays an important role in supporting both personal and professional growth. By encouraging collaboration and shared learning, the network will help build confidence, increase visibility, and create opportunities. It also provides a platform to share insights that can inform decision-making and contribute to the continuous improvement of workplace culture.

Importantly, the Women’s Network Cymru complements existing structures and processes within the Service, enhancing, rather than replacing, formal mechanisms. This new network adds to those already hosted by the Service, including Neurodiversity, Armed Forces, Inclusive Workforce Group and DICE Champions, with more to follow.

Group Manager, Lauren O’Sullivan-Jones said “We’re proud to launch the Women’s Network Cymru a space where women from across our organisation can come together to connect, inspire, and empower one another. Built on collaboration, trust, and inclusion, the network provides a safe and supportive environment to share experiences, learn new skills, and celebrate each other’s successes. Together, we can build meaningful connections, champion personal and professional growth, and create a lasting impact for our colleagues, our organisation, and the future.”

A range of activities will form part of the work, including informal and structured discussions, guest speakers, development sessions, and the sharing of resources and learning. These opportunities will not only support individuals, but also contribute to wider organisational conversations where appropriate, helping to shape how the Service continues to evolve.

Ultimately, the Women’s Network Cymru represents a proactive step forward in building a workplace where people feel valued, supported, and empowered to succeed. By creating space for connection and understanding, the initiative helps to strengthen the Service as a whole, benefiting colleagues and communities.

Pye-Barker Fire & Safety appoints President of Commercial Services

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Pye-Barker Fire & Safety has appointed Peter Robbins as President of Commercial Services, a newly created leadership role that will oversee the company’s acquisition activities, commercial strategy and growth initiatives across the United States.

Reporting to CEO Bart Proctor, Robbins will lead efforts to guide Pye-Barker’s acquisition strategy while helping evaluate, integrate and grow acquired businesses. The company has completed more than 200 acquisitions as part of its expansion strategy.

Robbins joins Pye-Barker from Baird, where he served as Managing Director in the Global Technology and Services Investment Banking Group. There, he jointly led the firm’s coverage of Facility, Industrial, Residential & Environmental (FIRE) services and advised on dozens of transactions across the fire and life safety sector.

His experience provides extensive knowledge of the industry’s operators, business models and market dynamics. Robbins is also a long-time advocate of Ownership Works, the non-profit organisation that partnered with Pye-Barker to establish its ALL In ownership programme, which provides employees with opportunities to build wealth through ownership.

Commenting on his appointment, Robbins said: “Pye-Barker is one of the few companies I’ve seen scale this quickly without losing what made it worth scaling in the first place. The operational rigor, the culture, the ownership — what this team has built is truly special, and I look forward to being part of its continued growth.”

Bart Proctor, CEO of Pye-Barker, added: “Peter has sat across the table from us, from our competitors, and from dozens of the businesses we’ve acquired. He understands this industry as well as anyone, but it was his commitment to the people that make this company great that truly stood out to me.

“Our growth, while rapid, is also very intentional. Peter’s growth philosophy matches ours perfectly, and I look forward to seeing what we accomplish together.”

Pye-Barker Fire & Safety is one of the largest providers of fully integrated fire protection, life safety and security services in the US. The company operates more than 250 locations nationwide, employs over 9,000 people and has been recognised as a Great Place to Work Certified organisation. It is also included in the Inc. 5000 list and ranked fourth in the SDM 100

Blackpool Airport fire service appoints new Senior Airport Fire Officer

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Paul Lake brings more than 40 years of aviation firefighting and rescue experience to Blackpool Airport fire service

Blackpool Airport fire service has appointed Paul Lake as Senior Airport Fire Officer. Bringing more than 40 years of aviation firefighting and rescue experience, he joins the airport as it continues to support its long-term growth and operational resilience.

Blackpool Airport has appointed Paul Lake as its new Senior Airport Fire Officer (SAFO), bringing more than four decades of aviation fire and rescue experience gained across military, civilian and international airport operations.

Lake will lead the airport’s fire service, drawing on a career that has spanned operational leadership, firefighter training and international airport fire management in the UK and overseas.

He began his aviation firefighting career at Farnborough Airport before going on to hold senior operational and training roles at Boscombe Down, RAF Leeming, the International Fire Training Centre (IFTC) in Teesside, where he trained aviation firefighters from around the world, the International College of Engineering & Management in Oman and Falck Fire.

Most recently, he served as Chief Fire Officer at King Fahd International Airport in Saudi Arabia, the world’s largest airport by land area, leading a team of 150 firefighters across four fire stations.

Returning to the UK to join Blackpool Airport, Lake said: “After 40 years in the fire service I still love my job and I’m delighted to be back in the UK to take up the position of SAFO at Blackpool Airport.

“It’s an exciting time to join the airport and play a part in its growth masterplan. The team here is fantastic and it was great to see a few familiar faces from my time as an instructor in Teesside.”

Steve Peters, Airport Director, said: “We are very pleased to welcome Paul to Blackpool Airport. His wealth of experience, leadership credentials and international expertise make him an outstanding addition to our team.

“As the airport continues to develop and grow, Paul’s knowledge and commitment will be invaluable in ensuring the highest standards of safety and resilience.”

The appointment reinforces Blackpool Airport’s commitment to maintaining high operational standards while supporting its future growth and development plans.

IFE celebrates women in fire engineering for INWED 2026

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The Institution of Fire Engineers (IFE) has launched a week-long campaign to celebrate women working across the fire engineering profession as part of International Women in Engineering Day (INWED) 2026.

Running from 21-28 June, the campaign highlights female fire engineers from across the IFE’s global membership community, recognising their expertise, leadership and innovation in helping to create a safer built environment.

International Women in Engineering Day, held annually on 23 June, celebrates the achievements of women engineers around the world. The 2026 theme, Engineering Intelligence, focuses on the expertise, judgement and leadership women bring to engineering across every sector.

Throughout the week, the IFE will share member stories from women working in different countries, career stages and professional specialisms. The spotlights will explore how females are advancing fire safety, supporting professional standards and inspiring future generations of fire engineers.

The campaign will also examine how IFE membership has supported the development of female fire engineers by providing access to peer networks, learning resources, professional recognition and wider opportunities to contribute to the fire safety community.

The IFE, which represents more than 15,000 members globally, said the campaign reflects its commitment to supporting greater diversity across the fire sector. Women from the United Kingdom, Australia, the United States and South Africa will feature during the campaign.

Professionals are also being encouraged to join the IFE Women’s Networking Group, which provides a supportive community for females across the fire sector to connect, share experiences, develop professionally and help inspire the next generation.

The IFE said the campaign aims to highlight the expertise strengthening fire safety today while encouraging the females who will help shape the sector in the future.

New Korean Fire Protection Association Chief shifts focus from response to prevention

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The newly appointed chairman of the Korean Fire Protection Association, Kim Ki-hwan, has pledged to shift the organisation’s focus from post-accident response to proactive risk management and prevention.

Speaking at his inauguration ceremony on Monday, Kim said: “Our mission is to identify risks before they materialize, prevent accidents and help build a safer society.

“Over the past 53 years, the association has helped shape Korea’s history of risk management and disaster prevention. The expertise, experience and data we have accumulated over these decades are valuable assets that only few organisations can match.”

Kim pointed to growing challenges posed by climate-related disasters, electric vehicles, energy storage systems and data centres, saying rapid technological change is creating new demands for risk management.

The chairman also emphasised the role of artificial intelligence (AI) and data analytics in strengthening disaster prevention capabilities, pledging to transform the association into an AI- and data-driven risk management organisation.

Kim said the association would seek to expand its expertise in risk assessment and prevention, while strengthening cooperation with leading international institutions.

Kim previously served as CEO of KB Insurance and held several senior positions at KB Financial Group and KB Kookmin Bank, including chief risk officer and chief financial officer.

Founded in 1973, the Korean Fire Protection Association conducts fire safety inspections of large-scale commercial and industrial buildings and engages in a wide range of activities, including research into disaster prevention technologies, training programs and fire investigations.

The association has played a key role in advancing fire safety standards and risk management practices in Korea.

New appointment for Siemens fire safety division

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Siemens fire safety division appointment supports push toward connected, intelligent fire protection.

The Siemens fire safety division has been strengthened with the appointment of Nicholas Bryan as Innovation & Consultant Manager.

Bryan joins from Siemens’ Utilities Division, where he spent two years working on system integration for critical national infrastructure, with responsibility spanning fire, security and building management systems (BMS) integration.

Before that, he spent a decade in the facilities management sector, holding roles at major providers including Mitie and Sodexo. In those positions, he focused on business development and supporting blue-chip clients across complex service environments.

His move comes as Siemens fire safety advances its portfolio with the introduction of the Cerberus and Sinteso Nova range, which aims to shift fire detection toward more proactive, connected and cloud-enabled safety solutions.

Bryan said: “I am delighted to be joining the team to engage with specifiers and consultants in demonstrating the potential our fire offering provides in the journey towards autonomous buildings. Through my background I understand the importance of integration so will also be focusing on that message and how Siemens as a business can help with our extensive portfolio of products and systems.”

Acorn Safety Services reveals latest appointments

by People

Acorn Safety Services has revealed its latest appointments, hiring four Fire Risk Assessment Consultants and a Trainee Fire Risk Assessor.

Farai Masawi, Jamie Tysoe, Peter Wilson and Purity Muposhi will join the company as Fire Risk Assessment Consultants at the Moulton Park base, and Simon Clarke as a Trainee Fire Risk Assessor.

The new hires

Masawi, Wilson and Muposhi’s roles involve conducting comprehensive fire risk assessments across a range of premises, identifying potential fire hazards, evaluating risks to occupants and reviewing existing safety measures such as alarms, escape routes and fire protection systems.

The trio assess compliance with relevant fire safety legislation and provide practical recommendations to ensure buildings meet statutory requirements and maintain safe environments for occupants.

“Truly part of the team”

According to the company, Purity Muposhi previously worked as a Fire Risk Assessor specialising in social housing, which gave her strong experience in residential fire safety and regulatory compliance.

She said: “This new role has pushed me beyond my comfort zone and broadened my experience into more complex commercial environments and diverse building types.

“I have found the team to be welcoming, supportive and approachable. Despite not seeing colleagues every day, I feel included and valued.

“The collaborative culture and willingness of others to offer guidance have made the adjustment to the new role much smoother and I now feel that I am truly part of the team.

“I also value the team-oriented culture within the company. New ideas are welcomed and considered openly, and if they add value to the team’s performance, they are embraced.

“Being part of an environment where collaboration and innovation are encouraged is something I genuinely appreciate,” she concluded.

“Interesting and engaging”

Jamie Tysoe joins Acorn Safety as a Fire Risk Assessor and Remedials Consultant, following a stint as a fire and security manager for a team of service engineers.

He said: “I felt very welcomed and supported from the start as we have a great team here at Acorn.

“Helping Acorn clients understand their duties and responsibilities and guiding them through the complexities of fire safety legislation, is very rewarding.

“The interaction with our clients is probably the part I enjoy the most. Every assessment is unique, which keeps the role interesting and engaging.

“I particularly enjoy sharing the knowledge I’ve built up through years of experience and continuous professional development,” he concluded.

“Very welcoming and supportive”

Farai Masawi, who brings previous fire risk assessment experience having ensured compliance with health and safety regulations across supported living environments, said: “Everyone has been very welcoming and supportive, which has made the transition smooth.

“I’m really enjoying the variety the role offers and the opportunity to work across different environments, supporting organisations to improve their fire safety and compliance standards.

“It’s particularly rewarding to know that the work I do helps protect people and creates safer living and working spaces. I’ve also enjoyed working with a supportive team and continuing to develop my knowledge and expertise in the field,” he concluded.

“Making the world a safer place”

Peter Wilson, the newest of the five recruits has been in fire safety for the past 26 years and has been delighted by the warm welcome from the Acorn Safety team.

He said: “I’m enjoying meeting new colleagues and clients which is always challenging and fun and I love making the world a safer place.”

“There’s lots of learning”

Clarke, who previously worked in IT as an account manager before joining Acorn, is enjoying adding to his skillset. He commented: “I always enjoy learning new skills, particularly when it means keeping people and buildings safe and there’s lots of learning!”

“I spend a lot of time on the road visiting customer sites, shadowing and learning with other Fire Risk Assessors, and there is always somebody available at the end of the phone when needed too.”

“A great fit”

Zeynep Guzelkasap, Operations Director, Acorn Safety Services said: “This fantastic fivesome are a brilliant addition to our Fire Safety team, joining the wealth of knowledge we already had in situ.

“The growth of our team is always strategic.

“New recruits must be skilled and willing to learn but also fit into our warm and welcoming culture. It looks as though Purity, Jamie, Peter, Simon and Farai will be a great fit,” he added.

Navy Shore Enterprise announces 2025 Fire and Emergency Services Award winners

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Commander, Navy Installations Command has announced the Calendar Year 2025 Navy Fire and Emergency Services (F&ES) Award winners, recognising fire and emergency personnel across the Navy Shore Enterprise for operational excellence and mission support.

The awards highlight teams and individuals responsible for emergency response across U.S. Navy installations worldwide, including structural fire suppression, aircraft rescue, hazardous materials containment and emergency medical response. According to the command, these capabilities are central to maintaining readiness across shore installations and supporting fleet operations.

By carrying out life-saving medical interventions and rapid emergency response operations, Navy F&ES teams help ensure that bases remain operational so that naval forces can train, deploy and conduct missions.

“Our personnel are the cornerstone of base resilience,” said CAPT Bill Lane, deputy director of CNIC operations. “Protecting our people and our tactical assets is essential for projecting power from the Shore Enterprise. These winners represent the best of the best in ensuring our mission remains uninterrupted.”

From this year’s recipients, three Navy representatives advanced to top honours in broader military competition at the Department of War (DoW) level: Naval Support Activity Annapolis; Katsuhiro Watanabe of Commander Fleet Activities Yokosuka; and Metro San Diego, a regional fire and emergency services organisation covering Naval Base San Diego, Naval Base Coronado, Naval Base Point Loma, and Naval Air Station North Island.

The awards span multiple categories recognising performance across different installation sizes and specialties.

Navy Shore Enterprise awards in full

In the Small Fire Department of the Year category, Naval Support Activity Annapolis received the DoW-level award, with Naval Submarine Base Kings Bay named runner-up. For Medium Fire Department of the Year, Naval Station Mayport was selected as winner, followed by Joint Region Marianas.

Metro San Diego FES earned the Large Fire Department of the Year award, with Navy Region Northwest as runner-up. Joint Region Marianas was also recognised for Fire Prevention Program of the Year, alongside Navy Region Mid-Atlantic District 3, Naval Air Station Oceana, and Joint Expeditionary Base Little Creek–Fort Story as runners-up.

Individual awards highlighted firefighters, officers, instructors and emergency medical personnel across the fleet. ABH2(AW) Kiara Robin of Naval Station Rota was named Military Firefighter of the Year runner-up, while ABH2(AW/SW) Joshua Acuna of Metro San Diego was also recognised. Civilian Firefighter of the Year went to Katsuhiro Watanabe of Commander Fleet Activities Yokosuka (DoW winner), with Ahmed Dakail of Naval Support Activity Bahrain named runner-up.

Other honours included ABH1(AW/SW) Leaundre Johnson of Naval Support Activity Naples as Military Fire Officer of the Year winner, and Eric Boggess of Naval Station Mayport as Civilian Fire Officer of the Year winner. Additional categories recognised training, inspection, EMS provision, and fire prevention leadership across multiple installations.

The Navy also recognised legacy contributors to the Fire and Emergency Services community through Hall of Fame inductions. Inductees included retired fire chiefs and senior leaders such as Ruben Perez, Edward Stillwell, David Inman, William Casey, Kenneth Snyder, and Jack Woodard (deceased), reflecting long-term service across multiple regions.

Lifetime Achievement Awards were also presented to senior leaders including Rodolfo Gonzales, William Killen, Christopher Connelly, and Daniel Gaumont, acknowledging decades of service within Navy fire and emergency operations.

Commander, Navy Installations Command oversees global Navy shore installation management, including infrastructure development, sustainment and quality of life programmes. The organisation manages 10 Navy regions and more than 70 installations, employing over 48,600 personnel focused on readiness, training and support for fleet operations.

According to the command, Navy installations function as operational platforms essential to supporting global naval missions and maintaining overall fleet readiness.

NFCC launches eLearning module to support fire and rescue staff

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The National Fire Chiefs Council (NFCC) has launched a new eLearning module aimed at supporting fire and rescue staff and volunteers across the UK who work with children and young people in prevention, education and community engagement roles.

Released to coincide with National Children’s Day on May 10, the Introduction to Working with Children and Young People module is designed to provide nationally consistent guidance for staff and volunteers engaging with young people in settings such as schools, youth groups, Fire Cadets and other youth-focused programmes.

Available through NFCC’s Organisational Learning Materials Library, the resource covers safeguarding responsibilities, professional boundaries and appropriate conduct when working with children and young people.

NFCC said the module is intended as both an introductory resource for those new to youth engagement roles and a refresher for experienced staff.

Fire and rescue staff to cover ‘wide range of settings’

Chair of NFCC’s Children & Young People Board, Mark Baxter, said: “Fire and rescue staff and volunteers engage with children and young people in a wide range of settings, from prevention and education to youth programmes such as Fire Cadets.

“It is vital that they are supported with consistent, high quality learning to help them carry out this work safely, confidently and professionally. This eLearning provides an important foundation, supporting good practice and helping services deliver positive outcomes for children and young people in their communities.

“Launching the eLearning to coincide with National Children’s Day on 10 May reinforces the importance of ensuring staff and volunteers understand their responsibilities, maintain clear professional boundaries, and know how to act on concerns to keep children and young people safe.”

The module introduces key principles intended to help learners understand the needs and experiences of children and young people, recognise appropriate professional behaviour and respond to safeguarding concerns.

NFCC said the eLearning forms part of its wider programme to support fire and rescue services working with young people, alongside the Level 2 Award in Fire & Rescue Service – Introduction to Working with Children and Young People, developed in collaboration with Skills for Justice Awards.

The organisation said the learning resource is available to NFCC members through its website and can be integrated into local learning management systems to support induction, refresher training and pre-course preparation.

NFCC is an independent membership association and charity representing the UK Fire and Rescue Service. The organisation supports fire and rescue services across the country in prevention, protection and operational activities aimed at improving community safety.