The International Association of Fire Chiefs (IAFC) is now accepting nominations for the IAFC Fire Chief of the Year Award through until 9 June.
The award recognises one volunteer and one career fire chief for their leadership, innovation, professional development, integrity, public service and contributions to the fire service. The IAFC presents the Fire Chief of the Year award in proud partnership with Pierce Manufacturing. The program’s media partner is FireRescue1 by Lexipol.
Nomination Process
Nominations will be accepted through the online nomination form from any division, section or member of the IAFC. In addition, nominations will be accepted from members of any state association of fire chiefs and other designated fire service organizations.
A complete list of authorised nominating organisations and other award criteria information can be found at the IAFC’s Fire Chief of the Year webpage. All nominations are reviewed by a committee of IAFC members.
The 2023 nomination period closes June 9 at 11:59 PM ET. Winner and regret notifications will be issued in July. The winners will be announced Monday, August 14, 2023 and honored on Wednesday, August, 16, 2023 at Fire-Rescue International in Kansas City, Missouri.
All of a nominee’s fire service activities and accomplishments will be considered with a special emphasis to be placed on the period from 2020 through 2022. A nominee’s command role at a major emergency incident, while relevant, will not be enough to place that individual into contention for the award.
For the purposes of this program, a volunteer fire chief is defined as one who earns his or her principal livelihood by some means other than serving as a fire chief, even if the position of chief carries some compensation. A career fire chief is defined as one who earns his or her principal livelihood as a fire chief.
Fire safety and security solutions providers Chubb has congratulated its trainee staff member Cameron Mahoney on winning a prestigious Apprentice of the Year award.
Mahoney won the First Year Apprentice of the Year award from New College Lanarkshire (NCL), the provider of fire and security apprenticeships in Scotland, at this year’s Scottish Apprenticeship Week (March 6-13), beating out 61 other students to the Scottish Apprenticeship Awards trophy. He said: “I’m proud to have won the award out of so many people.”
NCL also commended two other Chubb apprentices, Cameron Matthew and Owen Craig, for being in the top 10 during the award ceremony held at the college on 9th March.
Scott Shanks, Fire and Security Assessor at NCL, said: “Cameron has been a fantastic student since he arrived and has excelled at everything we have asked of him.”
John Stewart, General Manager for Chubb in Scotland, said: “The win showed the company’s ongoing commitment to invest in young people and bring them into the industry.”
Chubb also triumphed in the Large Employer of the Year category. The company was recognised for its commitment to working in partnership with New College Lanarkshire over many years to support apprentices through to successful achievement.
Simon Gallacher, Regional Service Manager for Chubb in Scotland, commented: “It was a real pleasure to be present for Cameron’s winning and to accept the prize for Chubb, almost 20 years since winning the apprentice award himself. I’m a great believer in Chubb’s Apprenticeship program. I started as an apprentice with Chubb in 2003 and, like many others, have turned my apprenticeship into an enriching career.
“I have held multiple roles in the past 20 years, and I’m not sure I could have done that anywhere else as Chubb has enabled that progression. I’ve had some very supportive managers who have demonstrated great leadership and have always encouraged me to aim higher. Apprenticeships are challenging, they take much work, and you essentially get back what you put in. The apprentices we have in the team are a testament to that ethos, and they show exactly where a positive attitude and desire to learn can take you.”
New College Lanarkshire, which operates across Lanarkshire and East Dunbartonshire, is the largest apprenticeship training provider in Electronic Fire & Securities Systems in Scotland.
Andy Shenstone has taken up the post of NEBOSH Chief Executive on 20 March.
He brings 23 years’ experience in education, training and consultancy. His early career was as a civil servant in the then HM Customs and Excise. In the following 16 years Shenstone established and grew an education consulting practice, culminating in a position as Group Sales Director for Capita PLC.
In his most recent role, he was a lead executive involved in the creation and development of Advance HE – an internationally active, member-focused UK registered charity dedicated to the development and enhancement of higher education for the benefit of students, staff and society. He was responsible for executive leadership of domestic and international marketing, sales, business development and commercial solutions.
Shenstone has stated his intention to continue the charity’s mission for social good: “NEBOSH’s social and charitable purpose is clear: to make the world a healthier and safer place through education. I’m dedicated to continuing the phenomenal work that the organisation does. Just this financial year, more than 100,000 people from over 170 countries have taken a NEBOSH qualification and I’m determined that our impact will continue to grow, reaching new regions, countries and industries with the learning and knowledge they need to keep people and communities safe.
“I want to nurture our existing culture of collaboration, partnering with organisations who share our vision. By working together, we will further increase the opportunities and quality of learning available in occupational health and safety.”
Les Philpott, NEBOSH Chair, added: “I am delighted to welcome Andy Shenstone to NEBOSH. Andy has an excellent track-record in realising the potential of educational and charitable organisations. The NEBOSH Board is confident he will bring a strong sense of purpose and fresh direction to NEBOSH’s activities so that, through our globally recognised qualifications, we can make an even greater contribution to the management of health and safety in workplaces at home and internationally.”
Telgian Fire Safety has announced that Steve Strader has been promoted to Vice President, Business Development. In this position, Strader will be responsible for business development and sales, with a focus on providing fire and life safety inspections, testing and maintenance nationwide.
The services are available for a wide range of business sectors such as commercial real estate, warehousing and distribution, and retail spaces, among others.
Strader brings more than 20 years of industry experience to his new role. Known for providing superior quality customer service, he is an innovative problem solver who excels at troubleshooting needs and resolving issues. Strader is also adept at building trusting relationships with both clients and internal leaders and is able to facilitate discussions all levels.
Previously, a National Account Executive for Telgian Fire Safety, Strader earned a Bachelor of Science degree from Pensacola Christian College. He is a member of the Apartment Association of Tarrant County (AATC), and also sits on the organization’s Education Committee.
Senior Vice President Ryan Smith commented: “Steve has proven to be an outstanding team member for four years and this promotion is well deserved. His strategic and results-oriented approach, combined with an ability to both identify short- and long-term goals make him an incredible asset to the company as we continue to grow.”
The National Fire Chiefs Council (NFCC) has announced that broadcaster and safety campaigner Nick Ross CBE will be its new independent chair of trustees.
Ross, who has a long-standing background in public health and community safety, as well as a celebrated career in journalism, including as presenter of the BBC’s Crimewatch programme, will take up the role of independent chair for NFCC from April.
His role on public health and safety issues began by persuading ministers to adopt road safety targets in the 1980s which helped cut road deaths by more than two-thirds. He also served on several government crime prevention boards, conceived the new discipline of Crime Science and founded the Jill Dando Institute at UCL, and has taken on a range of roles, with public health, wellbeing, and safety at the heart of all his work.
Ross has worked with several chief fire officers in recent years, campaigning long before Grenfell to make sprinklers compulsory in social housing and on updating building regulations.
Since retiring from full-time broadcast journalism career, Ross has devoted much of his time to non-profit and voluntary organisations. He currently serves as chair and trustee for several organisations and has a long-serving role with the UK’s largest NHS hospital trust
Commenting on the news, Nick Ross said: ‘It is a real privilege to be the new NFCC independent chair of trustees and to help lead and support our élite fire and rescue services. I’ve been involved in fire safety campaigns for years and seen close up how they embody some of the best and bravest across the UK. I am also aware there’s a job to do.
“The sector has been humbled by Grenfell, Manchester Arena and by some of the recent disturbing culture issues. Yet firefighters and UK Fire and Rescue Services do an outstanding job and rank near the top on any international comparisons. These are going to be an exciting next few years for the NFCC and I am enthusiastic about joining’.
NFCC Chair Mark Hardingham commented: “I am incredibly pleased to welcome Nick to the role. His outstanding experience and commitment to public health and safety will bring a wealth of experience to NFCC. Nick is a renowned journalist and campaigner and his passion for fire and rescue came across very strongly.
“His knowledge of community and fire safety and the challenges we face was particularly impressive. I am confident Nick will bring valuable strategic experience and insights to the role, helping NFCC to further transform and provide support and leadership across UK fire and rescue services.”
Hardingham also paid tribute to the outgoing independent chair of NFCC trustees Teresa Budworth who has been in the role since 2017 and has played a pivotal role in transforming the organisation.
Siemens has invested in its training programme for the Cerberus PRO fire alarm system with the appointment of Justin Leeks as a new trainer.
Based out of the Siemens central training facility in Manchester, Leeks will bring a wealth of experience to the role having worked in the fire industry since 2006, including positions with a number of Siemens partners, most recently GBE Converge, a third Party (LPCB and BAFE) accredited designer, installer, commissioner and maintainer of fire protection systems.
His new title is Fire Product Trainer Cerberus PRO, drawing on his extensive experience of installing Cerberus PRO since 2011 which will be invaluable in training others on the Siemens open protocol, EN54-13 approved fire alarm system.
Telgian Fire Safety has announced that David Jensen has been promoted to Vice President, Business Development. In this position, Jensen will be responsible for implementing business development strategies and initiatives, while building strategic customer partnerships.
In his new role, Jensen will focus on providing nationwide fire and life safety inspections, testing and maintenance for an array of business sectors including multi-family housing, warehousing / distribution, retail, and commercial properties,
Jensen brings over 16 years of fire and life safety industry experience to his new position. He earned a Bachelor of Science degree in business with a concentration in finance from Virginia Commonwealth University. Dedicated to positive change in the industry, he is a member of the ConnexFM (formerly the Professional Retail Store Maintenance Association – PRSM), the International Facility Managers Association (IFMA) and the International Association of Assessing Officers (IAAO).
Senior Vice President Ryan Smith commented: “David has been an exceptional team member since 2019, and this promotion to Vice President is well deserved.
“David’s consistent high performance is evidenced by his recent receipt of the company highest sales honor, the annual Top Gun award. His ability to not only achieve, but to exceed professional goals, make him invaluable to the company as it continues to expand into diverse, new verticals.”
Firefighting is the most dangerous job in the UK, with the highest injury rate
However, on average, Brits overestimate firefighters’ salaries by £7,000 a year
Construction work is the deadliest industry overall, although none of the individual jobs rank in the top 10
Police officer and warehouse workers rank second and third on the dangerous jobs index
Chefs and care workers are among the most hazardous jobs – filling out the top five
Most dangerous jobs typically only pay between £20-£30,000k
Over a third (35%) of those with a dangerous jobs don’t have life insurance
A new study by Forbes Advisor finds being a firefighter is the most dangerous job of all, with over 47,000 injuries over the past five years.
Using government data, experts at Forbes Advisor have compiled a list of the most dangerous jobs in the UK based on the number of deaths and injuries over five years in each profession.
Forbes Advisor also conducted a survey of 2,000 UK adults to ask Brits what they thought the most dangerous jobs were, as well as what they pay.
The median salary for a firefighter in the UK is £28,000, but, on average, most respondents thought a firefighter made £35,000 annually, overestimating their salary by £7,000.
Following firefighters, the study shows that the second and third dangerous jobs are police officer and storage worker, followed by chefs and care workers in fourth and fifth position.
Source: Forbes Advisor
Forbes Advisor’s study looked through data from the Health and Safety Executive and the Home Office to determine which job is the most dangerous, giving the highest weighting to deaths, followed by injuries and injury rate, between 2015 and 2020.
With regards to dangerous industries, construction heads the list, although specific professions within the sector do not feature in the top 10 dangerous jobs table, as each one separately scores less than jobs in other areas.
The three most dangerous jobs in the construction industry are tradespeople, builders, and civil engineers, totaling 181 deaths between 2015 and 2020.
While most Brits agree that people in dangerous professions should be paid more, most of the jobs that are considered dangerous do not pay above £30,000 a year, sometimes under £20,000, and lower than the national median wage of £33,000.
This is confirmed by Forbes Advisor’s survey, which asked respondents what their yearly salary was, and whether or not they considered their jobs to be dangerous.
The most common wage response (35%), for those who consider their jobs to be dangerous, was between £20,000 and £40,000 a year. Of those who made over £100,000 a year, 6% said they had a dangerous job, in contrast to 10% who said their line of work was not dangerous.
When asked what salary they would demand in order to accept a job where they have a one in four chance of getting seriously hurt or injured, the average Brit would not accept an offer under £94,000 a year, with nearly one in four (24%) saying they would not take such a risk in the first place.
For those with jobs where one might get seriously hurt or die while on the job, a life insurance policy is a good idea to make sure one’s family receives support after they die. However, more than a third (35%) of those who said their job was dangerous admitted not having life insurance.
Kevin Pratt, personal finance expert at Forbes Advisor, said: “Anyone with dependants should have life insurance, and it makes particular sense for those with high-risk occupations, whether that is a firefighter, someone on a building site, or a chef in a hectic kitchen.
“If you die without life insurance in place, your family will likely struggle with the burden of the rent or mortgage and all the other bills and expenses that families encounter. But the proceeds of a life insurance policy can make up for the loss of your income, providing a financial safety net at a time of deep distress.
“No-one likes to think of their own death, but those in high-risk occupations are reminded every day of the dangers they face. Arranging insurance cover is straightforward and relatively inexpensive – premiums reflect your age and occupation, starting at around £20 a month.
“Whatever your line of work, and even if you don’t have a traditional job beyond looking after the home and family, you should ask yourself a question: Am I guaranteed not to die before everyone who depends on me is financially self-sufficient? The answer, of course, is no. That is why life insurance is a good idea for everyone.”
Esther Gitau, Testing Technician at Emirates Safety Lab, looks at notable and accomplished scientists and engineers in fire sciences and fire safety engineering.
Fire sciences and fire safety engineering are crucial fields of study and practice, as they aim to understand fire behaviour, prevent and mitigate its negative impacts, and and ensure the safety of people and protection of property. Over the years, many scientists and engineers have made significant contributions to these fields, bringing innovative ideas, critical thinking, and diverse perspectives.
In this article, Dubai Civil Defense’s Emirates Safety Laboratory highlights some of the notable and accomplished women working in the fire sciences and fire safety engineering fields.
Dr Susan Lamont
Dr Susan Lamont is a renowned fire safety engineer and fire scientist, Fellow of the Society of Fire Protection Engineers and Fellow of Arup, a global engineering and consulting firm where she has spent her career.
Throughout her career, Dr Lamont has made significant contributions to the field of fire safety engineering and fire sciences, earning her recognition as one of the leading experts in these areas. Her work has focused on delivering holistic fire safety solutions for Arup clients across a range of new and existing assets in the Middle East, Africa and further afield.
Dr Susan Lamont is a highly respected fire safety engineer and fire scientist who has conducted extensive research over 20 years into the behaviour of fires and the effects of fire on building materials and structures. She has developed new risk assessment methods for fire spread across existing building envelopes.
Her research has helped to inform the development of more effective fire safety strategies and has contributed to the advancement of fire sciences as a discipline. Fire safety associated with sustainable forms of construction including emerging technologies and repurposing of existing assets is a focus of her current work.
Engineer Salma Humaid Saeed AlAli
Engineer Salma Humaid Saeed AlAli is a dedicated and accomplished fire safety engineer working for Dubai Civil Defence. Her extensive knowledge and experience in fire safety engineering and fire sciences have made her an invaluable asset to the organisation.
Eng. Salma’s work has played a critical role in ensuring that buildings and structures in Dubai are equipped with the latest fire safety systems and technologies. She works tirelessly to ensure that her team assists “major projects” and construction across the Emirate of Dubai and satisfies the UAE Fire and Life Safety Code.
One of her significant contributions has been implementing fire safety regulations and codes in Dubai, which have helped reduce the number of fires and the severity of their consequences. Eng Salma has worked closely with architects, contractors, and engineers to ensure that all new buildings meet the highest fire safety standards and are fitted with the latest technologies.
In addition to her professional contributions, she is also highly committed to education and training in fire safety. She has delivered numerous presentations and lectures at various industry conferences and exhibitions, helping to raise awareness about the importance of fire safety for protecting life, properties and the environment.
Eng. Salma has been recognised as a leader in her field on numerous occasions and commended for her dedication and commitment to the fire safety of the Dubai community.
Engineer Salma Humaid Saeed AlAli is a genuine fire safety hero. Her work has helped make Dubai safer and more secure for residents, and her contributions to the field of fire science and engineering will continue to have a lasting impact for years to come.
Jennifer O’Connell
Jennifer O’Connell is a well-respected professional in the field of fire protection engineering, specialising in regulatory compliance. She currently works as the Director of Regulatory Compliance and Fire Protection Engineer at Vanguard Resources, Inc.
She has significantly impacted the fire industry with her 20 years of experience with fire protection and life safety within healthcare facilities, new building & construction, renovations, general code consulting, code analysis, standards development, and code compliance.
Her research has been critical in developing building codes and standards for fire protection and safety. Jennifer is a member of several professional organisations, including the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA).
Amna Akram
Amna Akram is prominent in the region’s fire and life safety industry, achieving accreditation from leading international professional organisations. With an all-encompassing educational background, including an MBA and BEng, MIFireE, and CFPS, she contributes to the fire and life safety sector with her extensive experience and expertise.
Eng Amna was the first woman certified as a Fire Protection Specialist in Pakistan. By achieving this, she has set an example for other female engineers to enter the fire sciences and fire protection engineering field. She was also the first female member of the Institution of Fire Engineers, Pakistan branch, a respected international organisation promoting excellence in fire engineering and fire safety.
In addition to her local accomplishments, Akram is a member of the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) and the Society of Fire Protection Engineers (SFPE), two other leading international organisations that develop industry standards and guide fire and life safety globally.
Eng Akram works as the Engineering Manager for Fire Protection at CDC | Consulting & Design Consortium (Pvt) Ltd, one of Pakistan’s leading engineering firms. She is also a registered member of the Pakistan Engineering Council, the regulatory body for engineering professionals in the country.
Her continued Fire Protection Association Pakistan membership and contribution demonstrate her commitment to fire safety advocacy and standards. Her contributions to the fire and life safety industry demonstrate her passion, determination, and drive to succeed in promoting fire safety across Pakistan and around the world.
Cristina Perez Domper
Cristina Perez Domper MSc. is a prominent fire safety professional with a degree in Civil Engineering and an MSc. Structural Engineering. Cristina has made significant contributions to the field of fire sciences and the Testing, Certification and Inspection (TIC) industry both in Spain and the Middle East. With over a decade of experience in the TIC industry, she has a wealth of knowledge and expertise in this area.
Cristina’s work in fire safety engineering started with her role as a researcher and engineer at The Spanish Association for the Promotion of Research and Fire Safety Technology (AFITI). During her time at AFITI, she was involved in numerous positions and was notable for recommissioning a fire test laboratory to be an accredited and commercially operating facility. In her current role as the MEA Regional Manager at Intertek Testing Services (ITS) based out of Dubai, Cristina continues to make a significant impact in the field of fire sciences.
As part of her role at ITS, she provides fire safety testing and certification services to clients across the UAE, ensuring that buildings and structures meet international fire safety standards. Her expertise in TIC and fire safety engineering helps clients to achieve safer fire safety products and systems for the wider community. She has been a frequent speaker at industry conferences and events, sharing her insights and experiences with others in the field.
Lori Greene
Lori Greene is a professional in the field of doors and hardware codes and resources. With over 35 years of experience in the fire industry, she has developed a wealth of knowledge about the various code requirements that pertain to the design, construction, and installation of doors and hardware to ensure that the codes and standards that develop are accurate, up-to-date, and relevant to the industry. Through her efforts, Lori has become a well-respected and trusted resource in the fire protection industry.
One of Lori’s most notable achievements in her career was the creation of iDigHardware.com in 2009. This website was created as a resource for industry professionals to access information about doors and hardware codes and the functionality to ask technical questions and share information with others in the fire industry. Over the years, iDigHardware.com has become a popular resource for those in the industry and has helped to provide access to the information and support that people need to get their projects done right.
Engineer Tamara Arafat
Engineer Tamara Arafat is a seasoned professional in the specialisation of product certification, factory production control auditing, fire safety engineering and fire sciences. With over 25 years of experience in the manufacturing, consulting, and TIC industry. She has made significant contributions to the TIC industry, especially working with fire safety products and systems, earning her a reputation as an expert in the area.
In her previous assignment as Certification Support Manager at Warringtonfire Testing and Certification, she was responsible for overseeing the certification process and factory auditing for key clients across the Middle East, North Africa and Indian Sub-continent regions of fire safety products and ensuring that these factories and production met international standards and best practice. During her time at Warringtonfire, Tamara demonstrated extensive knowledge and experience in fire safety engineering, and she quickly became renowned for her expertise.
In her current role as Certification Business Manager at Emirates Safety Laboratory (ESL), Tamara continues to positively impact the field of fire safety engineering and the TIC industry. Tamara’s work has profoundly influenced the Middle East’s fire safety industry and has been recognised for her contributions.
Engineer Tamara Arafat’s contributions to the Middle Eastern regions’ fire safety engineering, fire sciences and TIC sector cannot be overstated. Her work has helped advance the understanding of product certification and improved the safety of buildings and those who occupy them. Tamara’s dedication and commitment to her work have earned her the respect of the community and industry peers, and she continues to significantly influence the fire safety industry in the area of conformity assessment.
Conclusion
These scientists and engineers have significantly contributed to the fire sciences, fire safety engineering, fire testing, conformity assessment activities and codes and standards development. Their innovative ideas, critical thinking, and diversity of perspectives have brought new insights and approaches to the field and have significantly impacted fire protection as a whole. Their work has advanced fire protection engineering, fire testing, understanding material science and fire behaviour, its impact on people, property, and the environment, product certification and the development of fire safety practices and standards.
About the Author
Esther Gitau is a Testing Technician at Emirates Safety Laboratory (ESL). She has a background in Mechanical Engineering, having earned her Bachelor’s in 2018. She worked at Kengen, Kipevu ( power production) in Kenya before joining ESL.
Blackline Safety Corp. has announced several key promotions and changes to its executive leadership team.
Chief Growth Officer Sean Stinsonhas been promoted to the additional role of President. With this appointment, Stinson will assume the leadership of software and professional service offerings, including Blackline Vision custom analytics. He will continue to lead all revenue generating activities, including sales, customer success and channel management.
Stinson joined Blackline in 2013 and has held progressively senior roles at the Company, including sales, product, data services, user experience, client success and customer care. Prior to Blackline, Stinson held leadership roles in engineering and project management at BW Technologies and Honeywell.
Chief Marketing Officer Christine Gillies will expand her responsibilities to include Product Management in the newly expanded role of Chief Product & Marketing Officer. Having joined Blackline two years ago, Gillies has successfully led global marketing initiatives including brand, product marketing, demand generation and corporate communications.
Vice President of People Services Meaghan Whitneyhas been promoted to the role of Chief People Officer. In her new role, Whitney will be responsible for all aspects of human resources, including health and safety, talent acquisition, employee engagement, benefits, and learning and development. She will work closely with the Executive team to develop and implement strategic initiatives to support the Company’s growth and culture.
Finally, Co-founder, Brendon Cook, will take on the new role of Chief Information Officer. He will oversee information, computing and systems technologies across the company, with a focus on improving processes and efficiencies through technology. Working with compliance, security and privacy teams, Brendon will also support teams who focus on certifications and quality standards.
In addition to executive promotions, Blackline’s Chief Technology Officer (CTO) Brian Sweeney has departed the Company, effective February 23, 2023. With Sweeney’s departure, his duties and teams have been re-aligned within the new leadership structure.
CEO and Chair Cody Slater is taking direct oversight of the firmware and hardware teams, areas where Slater has more than 30 years of experience. The Company expects to incur modest one-time exit costs in the fiscal second quarter, with longer-term cost savings thereafter with the consolidation of the CTO role.
“I am delighted to announce the well-deserved promotions of Sean, Christine, Meaghan, and Brendon,” said Slater. “As accomplished high-impact leaders in their respective fields with proven track records at Blackline, they bring a complementary combination of strategy, technological expertise and leadership skills. These promotions reflect our culture of rewarding and growing talent at Blackline and I look forward to their continued contributions to the Company.”
Slater added: “In addition, I’d like to thank Brian for his contribution to Blackline over the last two years. We will continue to leverage the processes and discipline that Brian brought to the technology teams, while realigning the technology functions that Brian lead within our existing leadership team, including myself. We have a deep and strong culture of technological innovation and expect to continue our industry leadership in connected safety solutions as we progress on our focused path towards profitability.”
