Could you please start by telling us a bit about yourself?
I am Elphine Chew. I am an architect. I first heard about the IFE when reading about fire safety in buildings during the early years of my career.
Please explain your volunteer role and what it involves.
I have volunteered in various capacities for IFE Malaysia branch producing design work, being a master of ceremonies and photographer at events and being a trainer.
What is your favourite part of volunteering?
It’s rewarding to see my work used to promote fire safety for the community and the institution.
What is the most challenging part of your volunteer role?
Working beyond my comfort zone. As volunteers, we sacrifice a lot of our personal time. For example, to organise events we meet after office hours or during weekends. The same goes for designing promotional materials for the branch. It can be very demanding; one needs the ideas, skills in relevant software (sometimes learning as I go along), plenty of research and fine tuning to make the final design perfect. I am very fortunate to work with HG Tay, IFE Malaysia branch vice president, who guides me as to what the institution needs, providing advice and feedback.
How has volunteering benefitted you and your career?
As well as being involved with the branch I was drafted into the IFE Malaysia Young Professional Networks in 2009. This provided opportunities to learn, share my
experiences and broaden my outlook. I was able to network with fire professionals in the construction industry. I believe integration amongst architects, engineers,
manufacturers, suppliers and contractors is crucial for fire safety design. I also learnt a lot about organising events, and I was exposed to fire safety in various forms
which has made me a more rounded person in my career.
Does your branch have any exciting projects or events coming up this year?
This year, IFE Malaysia is going all out to promote our accredited 5-days Fire Risk Assessment course which HG Tay spearheaded and established after four years of meeting with industry stakeholders. It has attracted many industry players and corporate senior management participants. We are also collaborating with local universities to introduce fire safety knowledge into institutions of higher learnings and we are a strategic partner for the Malaysia BuildXpo conference and exhibition which takes place in November in conjunction with International Construction Week 2023.
Is there any work that your branch has done that you are most proud of?
I am most proud of the activeness of the branch; the variety of activities that it has carried out for its members, the breath of involvement with various international, governmental and non-governmental bodies, institutions of higher learning and the general public to promote fire safety. Our branch has also been working and networking with construction industry stakeholders to promote IFE as well as fire safety knowledge.
Thanks to HG Tay, our branch is well promoted, and he is regularly invited to represent us and present to the Malaysian Institute of Architects, the Construction Industry Development Board, Fire and Rescue Service Malaysia, Institution of Engineers Malaysia, institutions of higher learning and other professional bodies.
Albeit a while ago now, I am incredibly proud of the IFE Malaysia International Climbathon event which the branch planned and held in 2018 as part of the IFE’s global centenary celebrations. This event took more than a year to prepare and was held on Malaysia’s tallest mountain, Mount Kinabalu. Mount Kinabalu was selected as the venue because as well as being the tallest mountain in Malaysia, the first recorded ascent was made by British colonial administrator Hugh Low back in March 1851. A lot of work was put into this event by the branch including training as committee members were required to climb with participants! Personally, I undertook a lot of the design work including the IFE centennial t-shirt, pewter medal and a huge bannercontaining all of the IFE’s branches national flags. This banner was displayed at the top of Mount Kinabalu with Low’s Peak in the background.
Can you share any examples of good practice where the branch has been supporting members?
IFE Malaysia branch regularly organises CPD activities that are open not only to members but potential members and the public. The branch assist with membership queries and keeps members informed of any changes in regulations, codes and standards as well as updates from the Malaysian Fire and Rescue Department. We also promote IFE membership to professional institutions, institution of higher learnings, associations, government agencies and corporates.
What would you say is the benefit of having branches across the globe?
It allows each branch to localise their own activities but also have the opportunity to come together internationally to share knowledge, experience and ideas. Collective sharing makes it possible for all branches to improve faster.
What advice would you offer people who are thinking about becoming an IFE volunteer?
It is a rewarding path that you will not regret. It is an excellent professional institution to be a part of to establish your network, build professional recognition and gain access to fire safety knowledge through activities.