Please introduce yourself and tell us about your career journey to date.
I am South Australian Metropolitan Fire Services’ (MFS) Lead Fire Safety Engineer, providing specialist fire engineering and technical support to operational staff in the Built Environment Section. This section represents the MFS for fire authority referrals as part of the building approval process in South Australia, from legislated referrals at the design stage to achieve building consent, and functional testing of certain fire safety systems prior to building occupation.
I joined the MFS as a graduate engineer over 20 years ago and have gone from being the only engineer to building a small team of specialist technical team. During this time, I completed a Master’s in Fire Engineering, served on state and national government and industry committees, and lectured university courses.
In my role, I have worked on a wide variety of projects across all building types and major infrastructure projects including road tunnels, advised and assisted other government departments, collaborated with interstate fire services, provided training to operational firefighters on building fire safety systems, and assisted our fire investigation colleagues in understanding the impacts of fire in the built environment post-incident. It is a continually evolving role as the fire service encounters new hazards, technologies and challenges.
What inspired you to pursue a career in fire engineering?
My path into fire engineering really began when I was 15 when I joined my local volunteer brigade as a firefighter, which became a significant part of my formative years.
After school I studied mechanical engineering, initially pursuing a dream of working in Formula 1, with no awareness of fire engineering as a profession. In my final year at university, however, my predecessor began teaching a fire engineering elective, which immediately sparked my interest and I subsequently enrolled. As he was nearing the end of his career, the fire service was looking to employ a graduate he could mentor before retiring.
My plans for an overseas gap year after graduation quickly changed as the opportunity to join a professional fire brigade as an engineer felt like a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. I feel very fortunate that my passion became a career.
What do you find most rewarding about working in this field?
What I find most rewarding is the sense of purpose my job gives me and knowing that I make a real difference to the safety of firefighters and the community, and to enhancing the ability of firefighters to do their job effectively, even if those efforts, for the most part, will go unnoticed.
I also like to feel that we ultimately add broader value to a project through working collaboratively with design teams whilst ensuring the operational needs of the fire service are met through effective design solutions. It has also been especially rewarding to meet former students I taught at university who have since pursued fire-related careers after taking my classes.
What professional achievement are you most proud of, and why?
I have been involved in many varied and high profile projects throughout my career, but I am most proud of my own growth and development as a fire engineer, and of the team I work alongside, and that I have embraced the opportunities that have come my way. The key reasons I have remained with the MFS for so long is the variety of projects we see and the continuous learning environment that brings about, and the passion and dedication of the team I work with to deliver the best possible outcomes for our operational colleagues.
As a fire brigade, we do more than work with the building industry through the approvals process; we also contribute to the policy and advocacy space. It is rewarding to see policies and changes we have driven and implemented locally reflected in national standards, policies, and documents, such as the National Construction Code, and in turn influence the industry more broadly. It’s encouraging, professionally and personally, to know that your ideas and work are valued and recognised.
How has being part of the IFE supported your development or career progression?
I have been a member of the IFE for most of my career. Membership has provided me with regular professional development opportunities, insight into current industry challenges and developments, and access to a broad international network of professionals who have been valuable resources and mentors. Membership benefits my professional growth and assists me in better fulfilling my role.
Do you have any advice for women thinking of starting a career in fire?
As fire engineering is still a relatively young and evolving field within an ever-changing environment, it presents many interesting and contemporary engineering challenges. Take your seat at the table and share your ideas; fire engineering requires new ideas and approaches to solve the challenges we are facing. Your contributions are valuable. Diversity is a powerful catalyst for growth, so the more diversity we have within the industry and in shaping its direction, the better the outcomes will be. Having a different perspective can also create opportunities that may not be visible to others.