Memorandum of Understanding with the Fire Industry Association (FIA)

PRESS RELEASE

The Institution of Fire Engineers (IFE) is delighted to announce the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding with the Fire Industry Association (FIA). The MoU builds on months of work to develop competency assessment and professional recognition for the fire detection and alarm and extinguishing systems industry.

The two organisations have formally committed to move forward, to agree generic job descriptions against professional body criteria for membership and to develop fire modules in conjunction with the sector skills body "Skills for Security".

Both parties recognise that with the increasing complexity of fire detection and alarm systems and extinguishing systems and with the impact of the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005, the need to be able demonstrate competency, structured training and external professional recognition frameworks have never been more important.

The initial outcome will be that generic job descriptions will be cross mapped against the Institution's professional body membership criteria. Followed by the Institution's involvement in the redevelopment of the fire modules within NVQ 1882, "Providing Security, Emergency & Alarm Systems".

Speaking of the MoU, John Judd, Chairman of the IFE's Board of Directors said "we believe that this important initiative is the first of many that could be replicated across the fire sector. The Institution, as the professional body that serves all sectors of the fire profession, is committed to working to develop and raise common standards of professionalism in the whole fire community for a safer society".

FIA Chairman Dr Peter Moore commented "This is a further example of the benefits that can be gained in organisations working together for the common good. The FIA was recently formed by the merger of two long standing fire safety trade associations to create a single voice for the industry and this MoU with IFE on such an important issue is the first in what will be a closer working relationship between like minded organisations".

Note for editors

The IFE is the international qualifying organisation and learned society for fire engineering and fire safety professionals. It is committed to promoting best practice and advancing the discipline for the benefit of society.

The FIA is the newly formed body from the amalgamation of the British Fire Protection Systems Association and the Fire Extinguisher Trades Association with the primary purpose of protecting life, the environment, assets and heritage from the effects and economic costs of fire.

The Institution's International President, Bill Cox and the Chairman of the FIA, Dr Peter Moore, announced the Memorandum of Understanding on 22nd May 2007 at the Fire Awards Dinner held during the International Fire Expo and Conference at the NEC Birmingham.