New Canadian organisation to support engineering community
The Society of Fire Protection Engineers (SFPE) has announced the launch of a new national body dedicated to supporting fire protection engineers in Canada.
According to SFPE, the new entity – SFPE Canada/Association des ingénieurs en protection incendie Canada – will focus on advancing professional development, collaboration, and technical standards tailored to the Canadian fire safety context.
SFPE explained that SFPE Canada will operate in a manner similar to SFPE Europe, serving as a national forum for fire protection engineering in Canada and facilitating engagement with SFPE’s wider international programmes.
Professional development and collaboration are core priorities
The organisation said that SFPE Canada will focus on a range of activities including regional events, tailored training, and research collaboration.
Chris Jelenewicz, Chief Executive Officer of SFPE, said: “We are thrilled to announce the launch of SFPE Canada as part of our ongoing commitment to strengthen and expand the global fire protection engineering community.
“SFPE Canada will serve as a vital platform for professionals throughout Canada to engage with SFPE’s resources, events, and initiatives, while also addressing regional needs and priorities.”
The society added that SFPE Canada will provide structured opportunities for local chapters and practitioners to contribute to national efforts in education and best practice.
SFPE Canada to support national representation
SFPE stated that the new body will also represent the interests of fire protection engineers at a national level.
Shaun Kelly, SFPE Director at Large, said: “The creation of SFPE Canada marks a major milestone for fire protection engineering across the country.
“It will offer new opportunities for SFPE Canadian Chapters and fire protection engineers in Canada to connect, collaborate, and contribute to advancing fire protection engineering best practices and educating the fire safety community nationally.
“We are excited to build a vibrant community for fire protection engineers to engage, and build an organisation that will serve as a united voice for fire protection engineers at a national level.”
According to the organisation, SFPE Canada will work alongside government agencies, industry bodies and academia to advocate for the discipline.
Launch comes amid growing demand for technical leadership
The SFPE said that the timing of SFPE Canada aligns with current needs within Canada’s built environment and fire engineering sector.
Kieran Ager, Chair of the SFPE Canada Steering Committee, said: “This is an incredibly exciting time for Canada with one unified voice representing Fire Protection Engineers across Canada.
“We can only hope to aspire to the leadership and success exhibited by other established groups (such as SFPE Europe) in advancing fire safety.
“Establishing SFPE Canada could not be timelier with meeting the challenges and opportunities faced within the Canadian built environment.”
The SFPE noted that the creation of SFPE Canada follows the 2019 formation of SFPE Europe, which the organisation credited with building a strong regional platform for its members across Europe.
Fire Protection Engineers establish Canadian national body: Summary
The Society of Fire Protection Engineers has launched SFPE Canada.
The new body is formally titled SFPE Canada/Association des ingénieurs en protection incendie Canada.
The SFPE reported that the organisation will promote training, technical development, and regional collaboration.
SFPE Canada will operate similarly to SFPE Europe, which was formed in 2019.
Chris Jelenewicz is the Chief Executive Officer of SFPE.
Shaun Kelly is the SFPE Director at Large.
Kieran Ager is the Chair of the SFPE Canada Steering Committee.
The SFPE said SFPE Canada will work with local chapters and stakeholders across government, industry, and academia.
Activities will include regional events, professional training, and research collaboration.
SFPE Canada aims to strengthen national representation of Canadian fire protection engineers.
More details on programmes and leadership will be announced in the coming months.
All information in this article is sourced from the Society of Fire Protection Engineers.
For more information, visit www.sfpe.org.