Please introduce yourself and tell us about your career to date.
I’m Kelly Geraghty. I’ve been part of the IFE community for nearly 20 years, starting with the UK and Ireland branches, and now in my third year volunteering with the Canada branch. My career has focused on fire safety engineering, and I’ve always been passionate about creating safer environments through collaboration, mentorship, and innovation.
From the beginning of my fire engineering career, I’ve been fortunate to work on iconic projects in the UK, such as the City of Westminster College and Café Royal. Since moving to Canada, I’ve worked on major healthcare projects like Humber River Hospital, Princess Margaret Hospital, and Presentation Manor, as well as several pandemic response units. More recently, my work has expanded to include national defence projects and nuclear facilities, which has been both exciting and interesting.
Please explain your volunteer role and what it involves.
I volunteer as a branch council member and I'm on the Continued Professional Development (CPD) committee. As a council, we meet monthly to discuss branch activities. The CPD team also meets regularly to plan and deliver professional development events. Behind the scenes, that means organising speakers, selecting topics, and managing the logistics to make sure each event runs smoothly and provides real value to our members. It’s a mix of planning, coordination, and teamwork to create meaningful learning opportunities.
What inspired you to become an IFE volunteer?
I’ve benefited so much from IFE over the years — networking, learning, and growing in my career, especially early on. I wanted to help others experience the same. Volunteering felt like a natural way to pay it forward to the community that supported me and to help strengthen both the fire safety and building industries.
What do you find most enjoyable about being an IFE volunteer?
Giving back to the community and being part of an organisation that promotes fire safety and lifelong learning is incredibly rewarding. On top of that, I’ve met an amazing group of passionate, like-minded professionals on the council. Making connections has been one of the best parts of volunteering.
What is the most challenging part of your volunteer role?
Managing logistics and making sure everything runs smoothly takes real effort. For me personally, hosting events has been the biggest challenge because I’m naturally more of a behind-the-scenes person, but it’s been a great opportunity to grow.
How have you benefitted from being an IFE volunteer (career, personally)?
The benefits have been significant. I’ve met so many great people and built a strong network, and it’s given me the confidence to talk about what IFE offers. Hosting events has pushed me to improve my public speaking and leadership skills — still a work in progress, but that’s part of the process: continuous growth, both personally and professionally. Volunteering really gets you out of your comfort zone and opens doors you might not expect.
Is there any work that your branch/group has done that you are most proud of?
We’ve got an exciting project launching in 2026 that’s been in the works for a while. I can’t share too much yet, as there are some decisions that need to be finalised, but it’s something that will give members and the public new ways to engage and show their commitment to fire safety. It’s been a long time coming, and I’m proud of the effort behind it and I can’t wait to share more soon. Watch this space!
Can you share any examples of good practice where the branch/group has been supporting members?
Our focus on CPD is a great example. We’re committed to providing learning opportunities that keep members current and connected. Every event is designed to help members share knowledge, collaborate, and stay ahead in the field, which is at the heart of what we do.
Would you recommend joining the IFE as a volunteer to others? If so, why?
Absolutely! It’s rewarding to know you’re contributing to fire safety and helping colleagues grow. Plus, you build connections, learn new skills, and become part of a fantastic community of professionals who care about making a difference.
What advice would you offer people who are thinking about becoming an IFE volunteer?
Just go for it! Whether you’re new or seasoned, everyone has something valuable to offer – your ideas, your experience, your voice, your contributions can make a big impact. Start by reaching out to myself or any council member to share your thoughts and see where you can contribute. We’re always open to new perspectives and welcome anyone who wants to make a difference.