Fire engineering has become a vast subject since the inception of the IFE in 1918 and everyone you speak to in the industry will probably offer a different definition of what a fire engineer is. There are core characteristics that make up an engineer. It involves combining knowledge and understanding, experience and knowhow in practice and ethical and professional conduct in a way that solves problems and builds trust.
It is easy to see how fire engineering has evolved into a complex field, but fundamentally, every single role within the fire sector involves a deep understanding of how fires start, how they behave in different scenarios and how they can be dealt with.
These principles apply regardless of role whether you are designing buildings, fire protection systems, commissioning and specifying fire safety systems, signing off on procedures, carrying out inspections and audits, maintaining equipment, assessing risk, planning emergency responses, investigating the causes of fires, creating new standards and codes of practice, training and drilling workforces or communities, or at the frontline tackling fires. They also apply whether you are dealing with fires in the built or natural environment.
"In all cases, it is vital that all roles overlap with those of others, and none should operate in isolation. The more joined up approaches are, the more efficient and effective is our ability to prevent and contain fires and reduce harm."
The truth is, there is still a lot we don’t know about fire. We cannot be complacent particularly when it comes to emerging technologies. For example, the unique challenges presented to first responders when tackling lithium-ion battery fires in vehicles or properties, or even during manufacture and transport, are only just being investigated and understood as more incidents occur. The same applies to fires in renewable energy power stations, or in buildings using novel sustainable materials that improve environmental performance. In fact, what constitutes ‘state-of-the-art’ in a range of scenarios is changing all the time.
Our world is changing at a faster pace than ever before, driven by climate change and sustainability. Now, more than ever, we need to be willing to learn and adapt to new scenarios, come up with fresh thinking for both new and old challenges and create sustainable opportunities to learn and develop in our careers.
In a world that’s changing fast, knowledge, expertise and accountability will give all those working in the industry the tools to make the right decisions and continue to build long-term trust and confidence in the communities they serve.
New special interest groups, training opportunities, qualifications and a new online knowledge centre are just some of the ways we are supporting members as they step up to new challenges in fire engineering.