FIA reflects on first Fire Safety Summit in Gibraltar

Industry leaders gather for FIA’s first Fire Safety Summit Gibraltar

The Fire Industry Association has reported that fire safety professionals convened for the first Fire Safety Summit Gibraltar on 15 May 2025.

The event took place on the Sunborn Gibraltar Hotel and was hosted by the FIA.

According to the FIA, the summit included expert talks, panel discussions and exhibitions designed to support professional development and knowledge sharing in the sector.

Ian Moore OBE, Chief Executive Officer of the FIA, opened the event by welcoming attendees and stating the Association’s aim to strengthen competency and cooperation in the sector.

Speakers included Colin Ramirez, Chief Fire Officer at Gibraltar Fire and Rescue, and Sir Ken Knight, former Government Chief Fire Adviser for England.

Sessions covered a range of issues including local fire risk management, European standards updates and learning from incidents such as Grenfell.

Panel discussion focuses on Gibraltar’s unique fire safety context

The Fire Industry Association reported that a panel session was held during the summit to discuss specific challenges related to Gibraltar’s fire sector.

According to the FIA, the session featured input from government representatives, private sector experts and technical professionals.

It noted that participants addressed issues including the geographical constraints of Gibraltar, regulatory expectations and coordination between agencies.

The organisation stated that delegates shared operational experiences and discussed how international developments could inform local improvements.

Speakers also highlighted how fire safety competencies can be strengthened across all parts of the fire industry, regardless of jurisdiction.

Exhibitors demonstrate products and services to attendees

The Fire Industry Association confirmed that the Fire Safety Summit included a dedicated exhibition space featuring companies from the fire sector.

According to the FIA, exhibitors included Aico, AJ Sheriff Electrical, Britannia Fire, C-TEC, The Fire Door Inspectors and Hyfire.

These companies presented their latest products and services to attendees.

The FIA said this part of the event allowed delegates to ask questions, explore current technologies and better understand the application of new fire safety tools.

It explained that exhibitors were available throughout the day to provide live demonstrations and technical support.

FIA thanks contributors and reflects on future opportunities

The Fire Industry Association thanked everyone involved in organising and contributing to the summit.

The FIA named its guest speakers as Ian Moore OBE, Sir Ken Knight, Colin Ramirez, Andy Spence, Alan Elder, Alan Wheal and Simon Sheldon.

The organisation stated that attendees contributed meaningfully through questions, discussions and shared experiences.

It said the summit demonstrated the value of in-person events for the fire industry and supported future knowledge exchange.

The FIA confirmed that it intends to build on this first summit to continue raising standards and supporting professional development.

Fire Safety Summit Gibraltar 2025 reviewed by FIA: Summary

The Fire Industry Association hosted the first Fire Safety Summit Gibraltar on 15 May 2025.

The event took place on board the Sunborn Gibraltar Hotel.

It included keynote speeches, a panel discussion and an exhibition.

Speakers included Ian Moore OBE, Colin Ramirez and Sir Ken Knight.

The summit addressed local and international fire safety topics.

It featured companies including Aico, Britannia Fire and Hyfire.

Delegates explored regulatory changes, incident responses and emerging technologies.

The FIA confirmed the event’s aim was to support learning and competence.

It thanked attendees and speakers for their participation.

The organisation stated it will build on the event’s momentum in future.

Deadline for Fire Brigades Union pay offer ballot approaches

As reported by the Fire Brigades Union (FBU), the ballot on the latest pay offer from employers remains open until 2pm on Friday, 17 May.

The pay offer includes a 4% increase, a new baseline of 26-week full pay maternity leave, and an increase in the top rate retainer fee from 10% to 15%.

The FBU Executive Council has recommended that members vote to accept the offer.

All eligible members will receive a ballot paper via email and home address.

If members haven’t received their ballot paper, they are advised to check their junk email or contact membership services at membershipservices@fbu.org.uk with their name, membership number, email address, and home address to request a new one.

Key elements of the pay offer

The pay offer from the fire service employers includes a 4% increase on all NJC rates of pay, including Continuous Professional Development (CPD).

Additionally, the new system for the retainer for firefighters working the Retained Duty System (RDS) proposes to increase the full cover rate from 10% to 15% of the basic pay.

Maternity pay is set to increase to 26 weeks full pay and 13 weeks of Statutory Maternity Pay.

The employers have also committed to continuing discussions on other pay concerns raised by the FBU.

This offer aims to address immediate pay issues, although the FBU acknowledges the need for long-term improvements.

Executive Council’s assessment and recommendation

The FBU Executive Council has assessed the offer and, despite recognising it does not fully address years of pay concerns, recommends members accept it.

The Executive Council noted that the pay offer would represent a real increase above inflation.

They also highlighted that the increase in the full cover retaining fee is a significant rise, marking the first such increase in decades.

The proposed increase in maternity pay represents a doubling of the provisions in the Grey Book.

The Executive Council has agreed to conduct a ballot of members, which will be held in both postal and online formats.

Letter from Matt Wrack to union members

In a letter to union members, Matt Wrack, General Secretary of the FBU, detailed the key elements of the pay offer.

He stated: “The fire service employers have written to us with an offer on pay for 2024.

“One key aim of the FBU has been to seek an offer for this year which could be implemented in time for the settlement date in July.

“The timing of this offer allows this to be achieved.”

Wrack emphasised the importance of the proposed increases and the need for continued campaigning for long-term improvements.

The Executive Council has unanimously recommended that members vote to accept the offer.

CTIF and FEU renew Memorandum of Understanding

The International Association of Fire and Rescue Services (CTIF) and the Federation of European Fire Officers (FEU) have renewed their Memorandum of Understanding in Madrid on Friday November 4th.

Signing officers during the signing event were Stephan Wevers, President of FEU, and Milan Dubravac, President of CTIF. 

The FEU (Federation of European Fire Officers)  is a network of (European) fire officer associations or state fire services united by a (common) profile of shared beliefs, interests, and mutual trust. The FEU aims to be a strong voice for fire and rescue services, promoting and facilitating the sharing of knowledge, exchanging of best practices and collaboration between fire services within Europe.

Accordingly, the FEU and CTIF, operating under this Memorandum of Understanding (MOU), agree to, whenever possible, cooperate on strategic themes that are important for both organizations in the future. Once a year, the parties will coordinate on the themes and act together in this regard.

Whenever possible, the respective presidents and executive directors/secretaries attend and actively participate in each organisation’s conferences and meetings to cooperatively advance the goals and objectives of each organization through jointly agreed upon projects and programs.

To support these cooperative endeavours, the participating parties to the Memorandum will provide complimentary registrations for the respective presidents and/or executive directors/secretaries to attend the respective organization’s annual conference/annual general assembly.