Mark Buckingham joins daa International at King Abdulaziz Airport

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Mark Buckingham joins daa International’s Jeddah operations

Mark Buckingham, an experienced resilience professional, has joined daa International at King Abdulaziz Airport in Jeddah.

Buckingham brings a wealth of experience in fire, rescue, crisis management, emergency planning, and business continuity management to the team.

His career has seen him manage fire and emergency response functions at major projects worldwide, particularly in high hazard industries and airports.

Buckingham has implemented various business continuity and crisis management systems, leading technical teams of varying sizes.

Notably, he was heavily involved in the UK’s aviation response to COVID-19 while at Birmingham Airport and played a significant role in the repatriation of Afghan refugees in 2022.

Buckingham’s recent achievements

In recent years, Buckingham led the Emergency Planning team responsible for the opening of Terminal A at Zayed International Airport in Abu Dhabi.

His role there highlighted his expertise in managing complex operations in challenging environments.

His experience and leadership in crisis management have been acknowledged as crucial to the successful launch of the new terminal, showcasing his ability to navigate the complexities of international airport operations.

Buckingham’s perspective on joining daa International

Buckingham expressed enthusiasm for his new role with daa International, stating: “Joining was not a difficult decision, a forward-thinking company with a great reputation in our industry, I am proud to be part of a team of such high pedigree and honoured to work along so many great people from different cultures.”

daa International welcomes Buckingham

daa International has welcomed Buckingham to the team, recognising his extensive experience and the value he brings to their operations at King Abdulaziz Airport.

His role is expected to strengthen the company’s resilience and emergency management capabilities, further enhancing the safety and operational efficiency of the airport.

The company expressed its gratitude for Buckingham’s decision to join and anticipates his contributions to its ongoing projects.

Mark Buckingham joins daa International at King Abdulaziz Airport: Summary

Mark Buckingham, a seasoned professional in fire, rescue, crisis management, and business continuity, has joined daa International’s team at King Abdulaziz Airport in Jeddah.

With a background in managing emergency response at major projects worldwide, Buckingham’s experience includes significant contributions to the UK’s COVID-19 aviation response and the repatriation of Afghan refugees.

Most recently, he led the Emergency Planning team at Abu Dhabi’s Zayed International Airport.

Buckingham has expressed his enthusiasm for joining daa International, highlighting the company’s strong reputation in the industry.

Siemens AG expands Managing Board with new appointments and contract extensions

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Supervisory Board of Siemens AG expands Managing Board

The Supervisory Board of Siemens AG has announced several key leadership changes as it aims to strengthen its management team and continue driving growth as a leading technology company.

As reported by Siemens AG, Cedrik Neike, a current member of the Managing Board and CEO of Digital Industries, has been granted a five-year contract extension effective from June 1, 2025.

Neike is expected to continue leading the industrial automation and software business while advancing the transition to a software-as-a-service model.

Appointment of Peter Koerte and Veronika Bienert

The Managing Board will see the addition of two new members.

Peter Koerte, who has held various leadership roles within Siemens and Siemens Healthineers, will assume the role of Chief Technology and Chief Strategy Officer starting October 1, 2024.

Koerte will also be responsible for Siemens Xcelerator and Siemens Advanta.

Veronika Bienert, who has had a 30-year career at Siemens with significant international experience, has been appointed as CEO of Siemens Financial Services and will join the Managing Board on October 1, 2024.

Bienert will oversee the service portfolio of Siemens Real Estate and Global Business Services.

Jim Hagemann Snabe’s term as Chairman extended

The Supervisory Board has also proposed extending the role of Jim Hagemann Snabe as Chairman for an additional two years, starting in February 2025.

Snabe has expressed his gratitude to his colleagues on the Supervisory Board for their continued trust and support.

In addition to these changes, Siemens AG’s President and CEO, Roland Busch, welcomed the new appointments, highlighting the combined experience of the board members in finance, strategy, and technology.

Busch emphasised the importance of these leadership changes in furthering Siemens’ digital and sustainability transformations.

Siemens AG expands managing board with new appointments and contract extensions: Summary

Siemens AG has announced key leadership appointments to its Managing Board, including a five-year contract extension for Cedrik Neike, the appointment of Peter Koerte as Chief Technology and Chief Strategy Officer, and Veronika Bienert as CEO of Siemens Financial Services.

These changes are aimed at bolstering the company’s leadership as it continues its focus on digital and sustainability transformations.

The Supervisory Board also proposed extending Jim Hagemann Snabe’s role as Chairman for two more years, a move supported by President and CEO Roland Busch.

Tamworth students complete NSW Rural Fire Service cadet program

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Tamworth students graduate from RFS cadet program

As reported by the NSW Rural Fire Service (RFS), students from Calrossy Anglican High School have completed the Secondary School Cadet Program in the Tamworth District.

Fourteen Year 9 and 10 students graduated from the program, which aims to educate young people about fire safety and the role of emergency services.

RFS District Manager, Superintendent Bron Waters, congratulated the students on their achievement.

She highlighted the program’s focus on fire behaviour, safety techniques, and the contribution of volunteer firefighters.

Superintendent Waters said: “As well as examining fire behaviour, the participants have learned essential fire safety techniques and gained an appreciation of the work emergency services do every day across the state.”

Encouraging future firefighting efforts

Superintendent Waters emphasised the importance of the cadet program in preparing the next generation of firefighters.

She encouraged graduates to consider joining their local brigades and completing further training to become bush firefighters.

The program has been running for two decades, with thousands of students across NSW graduating.

Communities across New South Wales rely on RFS volunteers to protect them and their property.

Programs like this one help to ensure that there will be skilled volunteers ready to step in when needed.

Superintendent Waters expressed gratitude to the school staff for their support, saying: “It is fantastic to see such enthusiasm for this program from students and educators, and I would like to thank School Principal David Smith and Career Advisor Charles Impey for their support in making this course available to their students.”

Building essential skills and values

The RFS cadet program not only equips students with firefighting skills but also instils values such as teamwork, leadership, and confidence.

Delivered by local RFS volunteers, the course provides practical knowledge and an understanding of the significant role that volunteer firefighters play in their communities.

Superintendent Waters noted the enthusiasm of the participants and the importance of fostering a new generation of volunteers.

Firesafe names Mark Firth as Managing Director

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Mark Firth appointed as Managing Director of Firesafe

Channel Islands passive fire protection contractor, Firesafe, has promoted Mark Firth to the role of managing director, as reported by Channel Eye.

Firth joined Firesafe after relocating to Guernsey in 2020, following his tenure at companies such as McNicholas Construction and Siemens.

He initially joined Rihoy & Son as MEP (mechanical, electrical, and plumbing) manager, later helping to establish Firesafe.

This promotion coincides with Firesafe achieving updated FIRAS certification in various areas, including cavity barriers, penetration sealing, fire door maintenance, dry lined partition systems, and fire door installation.

Firesafe now holds the most third-party accreditations for passive fire protection in the Channel Islands.

Expansion and achievements

As managing director, Firth will oversee the development and delivery of passive fire protection systems for a diverse range of clients across the Channel Islands.

His extensive qualifications will ensure Firesafe’s continued leadership in the industry.

The recent certifications further solidify Firesafe’s reputation as a top-tier provider of passive fire protection.

Dan Taylor, managing director of Rihoy & Son and director of Firesafe, commented: “Mark’s industry expertise and energy has developed Firesafe from a start-up business to a leading specialist contractor on the island, and his new role sets the foundation to further grow Firesafe within Guernsey and the Channel Islands.”

Future prospects for Firesafe

The promotion of Firth is seen as a strategic move to enhance Firesafe’s service offerings and client base.

His leadership is expected to drive growth and innovation within the company, aligning with the evolving needs of fire protection in the Channel Islands.

Firth’s role will be crucial in navigating the company through the complexities of passive fire protection, ensuring compliance with the latest standards and certifications.

This strategic leadership aims to reinforce Firesafe’s commitment to quality and safety in fire protection solutions.

Firesafe’s role in the Channel Islands

Firesafe’s recent achievements in obtaining multiple FIRAS certifications highlight its commitment to maintaining high standards in fire safety.

The company’s focus on quality and compliance positions it as a trusted provider in the Channel Islands, dedicated to protecting properties and ensuring safety through advanced fire protection systems.

Apollo Fire Detectors announces Nicola Tebble as new marketing director

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Appointment of Nicola Tebble as marketing director

Apollo Fire Detectors Ltd has announced the appointment of Nicola Tebble as its new Marketing Director.

Nicola brings over 20 years of global experience in marketing and product management to the company.

She has a proven track record in building and developing global teams that deliver a strong product pipeline and compelling communications, as reported by Apollo Fire Detectors.

Nicola joins Apollo from Vaarst, a robotic and AI technology company, where she served as Director of Product and Marketing.

Her previous experience includes a 14-year tenure at Dyson, where she progressed from an Account Director to the Global Head of Category within the B2B space.

Managing director’s perspective on the new appointment

Rob Barcik, Apollo’s Managing Director, expressed his enthusiasm for Nicola’s arrival, saying: “I am very excited to have Nicola join Apollo and she will improve our ability to communicate with our customers and partners.

“Her strength in utilising market insights to differentiate product roadmaps will build on our strong technical and NPD processes.

“This will allow us to identify new product opportunities and bring exciting solutions to the market.”

Apollo’s Board of Directors are confident that Nicola’s approach to the role will further elevate the company’s position within the fire industry.

They believe her skills and experience will be instrumental in advancing the company’s strategic goals.

Background and expertise of Nicola Tebble

Nicola’s career spans various high-profile roles in marketing and product management.

At Vaarst, she led initiatives that integrated robotic and AI technology into their product strategies.

Her extensive experience at Dyson included overseeing multiple product categories and driving growth in the B2B sector.

Her ability to harness market insights and translate them into effective product strategies is seen as a valuable asset for Apollo Fire Detectors.

Her new role at Apollo will focus on enhancing communication strategies with customers and partners, leveraging her expertise to strengthen the company’s market position and identify new opportunities for innovation.

New chief fire officer appointed for South Wales Fire and Rescue Service

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Air Vice-Marshal Fin Monahan takes on new leadership role in South Wales

As reported by South Wales Fire and Rescue, Air Vice-Marshal Fin Monahan OBE DFC PhD has been appointed as the new Chief Fire Officer for South Wales Fire and Rescue Service (SWFRS).

Commissioner Carl Foulkes, chair of the appointment panel, stated that the recruitment process was thorough and aimed at finding a leader capable of guiding the Service through upcoming changes.

The search, extending beyond the fire and rescue sector, attracted diverse applicants from across the UK.

Foulkes commented on the process: “Throughout this recruitment process, the Commissioners were acutely aware of the importance of finding an exceptional leader to guide the Service through the cultural and organisational changes it faces.”

Monahan’s distinguished career and qualifications

Air Vice-Marshal Monahan joins SWFRS from a highly decorated career in the Royal Air Force (RAF) and the Ministry of Defence (MOD).

He has extensive experience in leadership roles, including operational tours overseas and various command positions within the UK.

He holds Masters degrees from the University of Nottingham and the University of Madras and earned a Doctorate PhD in Organisational Culture from the University of Birmingham in 2018.

Monahan has researched extensively on culture and cohesion in uniformed organisations and is a published writer.

Monahan expressed his gratitude upon his appointment: “I am honoured to be entrusted with this important role, and I’m grateful to the staff, unions, stakeholders, and Commissioners for their confidence in me.”

Transition and future plans

Air Vice-Marshal Monahan will assume his role after the completion of necessary background and security checks.

In the interim, Stuart Millington will continue as interim Chief Fire Officer to ensure a smooth handover.

The Commissioners and Monahan will collaborate closely to establish a permanent Executive Leadership Team for SWFRS.

This new team will support Monahan in his efforts to foster an inclusive and supportive environment for all staff members.

Monahan’s vision for the Service is clear: “I look forward to joining the South Wales Fire and Rescue Service team.

“I would like every staff member, regardless of their role or location, to feel proud of their work, and to join me and the leadership team to rebuild the Service into an organisation where everyone feels welcome, supported, and safe.”

Martin Hargreaves joins Alpine Fire Engineers as CFO amid growth

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Alpine Fire Engineers appoints new CFO

Alpine Fire Engineers, a specialist in fire suppression systems, has announced the appointment of Martin Hargreaves as its Chief Financial Officer.

As reported by Alpine Fire Engineers, this move follows a period of significant growth, with the company now servicing over 1,000 sites nationwide.

Martin Hargreaves brings over 30 years of industry experience to the role.

His responsibilities will include providing financial analysis and solutions to support the company’s commercial business decisions.

Hargreaves will work closely with stakeholders to foster both organic and inorganic growth.

Extensive experience across sectors

Martin Hargreaves has held several notable positions throughout his career.

He spent seven years as Chief Financial Officer at the UK’s largest online bathroom retailer and served as Finance Director at a prominent schoolwear and sportswear distributor for four years.

Additionally, Hargreaves has nearly five years of experience as an Audit Supervisor at Deloitte.

Commenting on his appointment, Martin Hargreaves said: “It feels like the perfect time to join Alpine Fire Engineers to utilise the skills and experience I have acquired during my career to provide the financial insights that will help continue the company’s upward trajectory.

“I’m also proud to be joining an organisation that places people and the planet in such high regard, and I look forward to seeing the positive impact it will continue to make right across the industry through its sustainability endeavours.”

Leadership at a crucial moment

Steven Nanda, CEO of Alpine Fire Engineers, expressed enthusiasm about Hargreaves joining the team.

Nanda stated: “I am delighted that Martin has joined Alpine, at a landmark moment in our journey.

“Martin brings a wealth of experience which will be pivotal in the next phase of Alpine’s growth, and the fact he has worked across a range of sectors will undoubtedly prove invaluable.”

Alpine Fire Engineers, headquartered in Bury, operates nationally with a network of service engineers across the UK.

The company focuses on the design, project management, and maintenance of fire suppression systems.

Vox Ignis MD Anthony Smith confirmed as chair of BSI FSH/12/5 committee

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Anthony Smith to lead BSI committee on voice alarm systems

Anthony Smith, managing director of Vox Ignis, has been appointed Chair of the BSI FSH/12/5 committee.

This committee oversees the codes of practice for the design, installation, servicing, and maintenance of voice alarm evacuation systems and emergency communication systems in buildings.

As Chair, Smith will also participate in FSH/12, which co-ordinates the UK’s involvement in the BS EN 54 series of standards.

Smith’s extensive experience in audio technology and legislation spans over 30 years, during which he has contributed significantly to standards development within CEN and CENELEC.

Background and experience

Smith’s appointment follows years of active involvement in developing both British and international standards.

He has been a member of the FSH/12/5 committee for over 15 years and has served as a UK expert on the CEN/TC 72 Working Group, focusing on voice alarms, loudspeakers, sounders, and beacons.

Additionally, Smith has held roles such as President of the Institute of Sound & Communications Engineers and membership in the Audio Engineering Society.

He was the Convenor of the EPL/100 drafting panel responsible for BS 6259 and CLC/BTTF 133-1, which developed EN 50849 sound systems for emergency purposes.

Smith’s perspective on his new role

Smith expressed his enthusiasm for his new role: “I’m delighted to be continuing to contribute to the important work of FSH/12/5 and honoured to have been confirmed by BSI as Committee Chair.

“Voice communications are increasingly recognised as the best way to manage people in an emergency, and the standards and codes of practice regimes around voice alarm, emergency voice communications, and assistance alarms are changing relatively quickly as our built environment and the systems protecting it become more complicated.”

He also acknowledged the contributions of his predecessor: “I would like to thank the former chair Andy Scott for his work as chair over many years.”

Support from BSI

Christopher Smith-Wong, Lead Standards Development Manager within BSI’s Built Environment sector, praised Smith’s appointment: “British Standards are globally respected because of the expert input of stakeholders from across the field.

“Tony has been a vocal and important member of FSH/12/5 for many years, and with his long experience across the field, his work on other standards, codes, and practice and industry bodies, he is an excellent choice to chair the committee.

“I congratulate him and look forward to working with him.”

FLAIM Systems announces team expansion and leadership transition

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FLAIM Systems expands product delivery team

FLAIM Systems has announced updates regarding the company’s development efforts aimed at combining physical and virtual training systems for high-risk scenarios, as reported by FLAIM.

The company began expanding its product delivery team in late 2023, adding roles in software, hardware, and learning and data analysis functions to meet the needs of its growing customer base.

In conjunction with this expansion, the duties of FLAIM’s Chief Technology Officer, Dr James Mullins AM, have been transitioned to the delivery and continual development team.

This transition, completed over the past several months, coincides with Dr Mullins’ appointment to lead the Defence and Security Strategic Partnerships team at Deakin University.

Dr James Mullins takes on new role at Deakin University

Dr Mullins will continue to support FLAIM in a mentoring capacity, aiding future technology improvements and innovation.

The company considers the disaggregation of the CTO’s responsibilities as a positive strategy for risk mitigation and an opportunity to accelerate the development of human capital.

Dr Mullins, who began his association with FLAIM as a Founding Researcher in 2018, has played a crucial role in transferring technology and intellectual property from Deakin University to FLAIM.

His contributions have been instrumental in developing firefighter training products that have been deployed to over 400 customers in 45 countries.

Continued collaboration with Deakin University

Since its spin-out from Deakin University, FLAIM has collaborated with the institution to commercialise university research and innovation.

This collaboration includes the delivery of a firefighter training project for the Royal Australian Navy.

Dr Mullins’ new role will focus on leading the Defence and Security Strategic Partnerships team, which is vital for Deakin University’s strategic initiatives both nationally and internationally.

Simon Miller, FLAIM CEO, said: “James’s energy, talent, passion and commitment have been instrumental in FLAIM’s success to date.

“Knowing that he will remain part of our DNA, albeit not in a day-to-day capacity, is important to FLAIM and we are delighted to see James have this opportunity to develop into broader fields.

“We wish James the very best of success for this new challenge.”

Dr James Mullins AM stated: “I’ve been working on FLAIM technology for around a decade now and it will always be something I’m passionate about.

My new role at Deakin allows me to support the next generation of commercialisation.

“I’ve been a part of Deakin for over half my life now and I see so many exciting technologies which need expert help to get out of the lab, so I am looking forward to getting back in the Deakin research ecosystem and supporting the development of the next generation of engineers.”

Baby born in back of car reunited with firefighters in Cornwall

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“They were amazing”: Couple praises firefighters who helped deliver baby in back of car

A baby born in the back of a car was reunited with the firefighters who helped deliver her.

Falmouth couple Alice Hearle and Josh Beardmore recounted the dramatic arrival of their second child, Olive.

Alice’s waters broke a few days before her due date.

After being checked at Royal Cornwall Hospital, the couple returned home.

The next morning, Alice began experiencing mild contractions.

Rapid labour progression

The couple remained relaxed, thinking they knew what to expect with their second child.

Josh said: “We chilled out, went for a walk along the seafront and got a grilled cheese.”

However, Alice’s labour progressed rapidly shortly after contacting the midwives.

Alice said: “Five minutes after I got off the phone with her, I had this secondary water break. I was getting contractions every minute.”

Realising they wouldn’t make it to the hospital in time, Josh, an RNLI lifeboat volunteer, quickly thought of a plan B.

Firefighters step in

Josh recalled a nearby fire scene where he knew firefighters would be present.

He decided to head there for assistance.

Josh said: “I waved over at the guys and said ‘I think I need a bit of a hand here, my Mrs is having a baby’.”

“They were amazing,” Josh said.

“The dropped everything. The two girls were straight in the car and said ‘you look after Alice and we’ll deal with the baby’.”

Falmouth Blue Watch and Fire Investigation teams sprang into action.

Firefighters Katie Hoskins and Rosie Tonkin took charge, with Katie handling the delivery and Rosie communicating with the ambulance service.

Alice said: “They were so comforting and took control of the situation. I didn’t have time to be worried.”

Baby Olive was born safely at 2.36pm on Thursday, May 16.

Reuniting with the crew

A few weeks later, Josh and Alice returned to thank the firefighters with their newborn and two-year-old son, Teddy.

Alice said: “It was nice to go back and say thank you and talk about it. One of the guys even noted the exact time that she was born.”

Kath Billing, Chief Fire Officer at Cornwall Fire and Rescue Service, said: “I am so pleased that Olive arrived safely and I am immensely proud of the crews that helped with her delivery. They are a testament to the service and their profession.”