Institution of Fire EngineersAGM & International Conference - 6th & 7th July 2011
The Institution's 88th AGM & International Conference was held this year in the modern and contemporary Mercure Holland House Hotel & Spa, Cardiff, UK.The conference and exhibition was a great success with over 130 delegates in attendance over the two days, a large percentage of the delegates travelling to the UK from abroad.
The theme of the conference this year was "Green fire engineering solutions to preserve the built environment". The key speakers at the conference delivered strong presentations on this theme which stimulated debate amongst our delegates. These ranged from the International President's year attending fire and sustainability workshops jointly presented by John Woodcock and Martin Shipp, going green - new Fire & Rescue Service strategies by Dennis Davis and greening the Fire Service in a sunburned country by Grant Lupton.
Please see below the conference programme of presenters with links to these presentations:
1. 
Findings from the International President's year of fire and sustainability workshops - jointly presented by John Woodcock BSc(Eng) CEng FIFireE and Martin Shipp BSc(Physics) CEng FIFireE CPhys MInstP, Technical Development Director, BRE Global Limited.
2. 
Building America green: many voices, little consensus - presented by James Borman MIFireE, Chief Fire Officer and President of the IFE USA Branch.
3. Sustainable emergency response and management systems for Taiwan nuclear power plant: local government's perspective - presented by Tsung-Chi KAO Deputy Battalion Chief, 1st Fire Battalion, New Taipei City Government, Taiwan
4. Going green - new Fire & Rescue Service strategies - presented by Dennis Davis CBE QFSM MPhil CEng FIFireE CCMI, First Firecall.
5. Green and safe materials: compatibility of conflict - presented by Professor JoséTorero PhD MSc MEng BRE/RAEng, Professor of Fire Safety Engineering, University of Edinburgh.
6. The impact of fire on the environment and building sustainability - presented by Dr. Corinne Williams PhD CPhys MInst, Principal Consultant, BRE Global Limited.
7. Sustainable fire engineering is the future: a safe and sustainable built environment in the 21st Century - presented by C.J. Walsh B Arch FRIAI MIBCI MIFS MIFireE, Architect, Fire Engineer & Technical Controller, FireOx International.
8. Fire safety considerations for a green and sustainable future - presented by Larry Cody, Senior Product & Services Development Consultant, Rockwool UK Limited.
9. Keeping fire safety on the sustainable agenda - presented by Martin Shipp BSc(Physics) CEng FIFireE CPhys MInstP, Technical Development Director, BRE Global Limited.
10. Factoring natural disaster in sustainability of built environment for the future: case study Christchurch, New Zealand - presented by Brian Davey FIFireE, National Manager Operational Standards, New Zealand Fire Service.
11. Greening the Fire Service in a sunburned country - presented by Grant Lupton AFSM B.GS MIFireE CPMgr FAIM, Chief Fire Officer & CEO, South Australian Metropolitan Fire Service.
The Cardiff venue provided amazing conferencing facilities which were enjoyed by all who attended and the excellent feedback received from both delegates and exhibitors bodes well for 2012.
On the Tuesday evening a welcome drinks reception for our exhibitors, sponsors and International General Assembly was held in the main Balmoral reception of the Mercure Holland House Hotel. This was hosted by the Board of Directors and was attended by The Right Honorable The Lord Mayor of Cardiff, Delma Bowen who welcomed all guests to this wonderful venue and the stunning city of Cardiff. The evening was a light hearted and very entertaining event and was enjoyed by all of the guests.
One of the main features of the conference was the informal networking evening on the Wednesday evening where old acquaintances were renewed and new relationships established. This was held in the Balmoral conference suite at the Mercure Holland House Hotel, with an informal three course dinner and drinks reception.
To round the week's events off the International President's dinner hosted by Mr. Hao-giang Tay from Malaysia, newly inaugurated to the post of International President, was held on the Thursday evening again in the Balmoral conference suite. All attendees were amazed during the dinner with the magnificent performance of the "Welsh Male Voice Choir" and our thanks again go to Belimo Automation UK Limited for their generous sponsorship of this evening. The dinner was rounded off by a charity raffle draw in aid of the Children's Burns Trust, which raised nearly £900.00 for this worthwhile cause.
Thank you to all our sponsors, exhibitors, delegates, speakers, members of the Board of Directors & the International General Assembly and staff for making this year's AGM one of the best yet. We are very much looking forward to 2012. Further details will be available on the IFE website in due course.
Result of the 2011 Ballot for the Board of Directors
Four nominations for the Board of Directors were received for three vacancies. The results were announced at the AGM on the 6th July 2011. The successful nominees were Mr. Andrew Goves, Mr. Grant Lupton and Mr. William Stewart.
Leader & Vice Leader of the International General Assembly announced
We are delighted to announce that Mr. Mark Reilly has been elected Leader of the IGA and Mr. Simon Hawkes has been elected Vice Leader of the IGA.
Congratulations to all successful applicants and thank you to all nominees for their commitment to the Institution and to all those that took the time to vote in the ballot.
Photographs
Please click here to view all the proceedings at the 2011 AGM & International Conference, including the welcome reception evening on the Tuesday, the informal networking supper on the Wednesday and the International Presidents dinner on the Thursday.
Annual Report 2010
Please click on the link below to go to the Annual Report for 2010.
Minutes of the 88th AGM
Please click on the link below to go to the draft minutes of the 88th Annual General Meeting.