Institution of Fire EngineersThe IFE's First 90 Years
A.R. Corlett (Manchester 1929);
Arthur Pordage (Edinburgh 1925-26);
Geo. A. Oakes (Liverpool 1927).
SEATED - Henry Neal (Leicester 1919- 1924-1930)
LOOKING FORWARD
FORWARD LOOKING
Introduction
In our discussions about how the Institution should celebrate its 90th anniversary, the Board of Directors felt that the Institution should not only look back on its history, but also to look forward to the centenary in 2018, assessing what the needs of the profession and the society that it serves might be and to consider how best the Institution can work towards supporting the development of the profession over the next ten years.
It has been said that history is the witness that testifies to the passing of time; it illumines reality, vitalizes memory, provides guidance in daily life and brings us tidings of antiquity. (Cicero, Pro Publico Sestio- Roman author, orator, & politician - 106 BC - 43 BC)
A history of the Institution was set down in
1978 to celebrate our Diamond Jubilee.
Dennis Ramsey MBE, the General Secretary, working from records and
minute books, selected developments which seemed to him to represent the
various facets of the Institution's work.
The result is a fascinating document that charts, year by year, the
progress of the Institution.
In 1993, to celebrate the Institution's 75th anniversary, the history was edited and brought up to date, by the inclusion of the years 1978 to 1992 added to by Chris Mackwood and Mr T J Banks, supported by Mr D Williams. The published booklet also contained the congratulations of senior figures in fire engineering and the personal reflections of T A Varley and the impact the Institution had on his long and distinguished career in the UK and New Zealand.
Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it. (George Santayana US [Spanish-born] philosopher (1863 - 1952) Re reading the history of the Institution has been a fascinating exercise, and one which can help shape the future. Ambitions for the organisation and developments for the profession appear through the years, with progress and the occasional temporary setback. Throughout it all however is the theme of progress towards a professional body that is increasingly international, more representative of a wider range of fire professionals working in the discipline of fire engineering, where competence and professional judgement play a greater part in the safety of our societies. The founding fathers of our Institution had a vision for fire engineering and a desire that the Institution should play an important part in achieving that vision. Our history shows we have achieved much; the developments in the world and in our profession demand that we continue to promote and further the science and practice of fire engineering.
Recognising that many members will not have a copy of the two publications that describe our history, I have reproduced below, the original text of the years 1918 -1977 by Dennis Ramsey and the additional years of 1978 -1992 supplied by Chris Mackwood. Some of the terms and titles used have changed, but I have left in the original text. I have also included a number of foot notes with the present position in relation to some matters included by the authors.
History will be kind to me for I intend to write it. (Sir Winston Churchill, British politician and Prime Minister 1874 - 1965)
I have added the years 1993 - 2008, by using the published annual reports, the Journal and other official sources. I have tried to be objective and not to follow Sir Winston's "approach". The Annual reports presented at the Institution's Annual General Meeting and are intended to refer to the events of the preceding year although often contain current updates. As far as possible, the events described in the years 1993 -2008 have been identified in the relevant calendar year, although inevitably there will be some matters that extended over more than one year.
I hope that those that read this history find it illuminating and it inspires us to shape the future of our profession with as much insight and energy as our predecessors.
John Judd QFSM BA FIFireE (Life)
Chairman of the Board of Directors
View the
History of the First 90 Years of The Institution of Fire Engineers