Please introduce yourself and tell us about your career to date.
For the past 28 years I have been a member of the Trinidad and Tobago Fire Service. I spent 13 years working in emergency response at various fire stations in and around Trinidad. I then took up a position at the Fire Prevention Section of the Fire Service as Fire Station Officer and for the last 15 years I have been tasked with the responsibility of conducting and overseeing Fire Investigation, Public Education, Fire Risk Assessment Fire Certifications.
Describe your role or position within your current workplace and what a typical working day looks like.
I presently operate in the position of Fire Station Officer at the Fire Prevention Section Central. This unit and the team of officers I have the privilege of supervising, are responsible for the central region of Trinidad, which is one of the four divisions of the Fire Service. This central part of the country has a mixture of downstream industries from the oil and gas sector and is located at the Point Lisas Industrial Estate which is one of the largest industrial estates in the Caribbean. There is also a mix of businesses and domestic housing developments, along with Piarco International Airport.
A typical day will involve scheduling visits to inspect industrial sites and businesses, ensuring that they meet the local requirement for fire certification. I also conduct visits to businesses, schools and other organisations to provide public education talks to help to contribute to a reduction of fire incidents in our jurisdiction. When fires occur, I lead the Fire Investigation Team to determine the cause of the fire as well as the origin of it. This information is then fed back into our public education program to help us better educate our society to achieve the goal of zero fires and deaths caused by fires.
Are there any particular challenges or unusual aspects to your role?
Working in a diverse multicultural environment while engaging with staff and clients of varying backgrounds culturally can sometimes provide a challenge. This is because we must ensure our messages are correctly communicated to enable greater fire safety across our region. Trinidad and Tobago is known as a melting pot of races, culture and diversity where everyone works together so that they can develop and achieve their full potential.
What do you find most enjoyable about your job?
The challenge and joy of working alongside individuals, employers and organisations to understand the importance of fire safety/engineering and its importance to business continuity. When this is achieved and the premises are up to fire safety requirements, this brings me immense satisfaction.
Is there a great professional achievement or high-profile accomplishment that you would like to tell us about in a previous role or your current one?
A few standout areas are;
(a) Successful completion of the Level 4 Diploma from IFE.
(b) Being voted in as the President of the Trinidad and Tobago Branch of IFE and the challenge of working at the local branch to achieve IFE global objective of promoting and encouraging fire engineering.
(c) The privilege of being allowed to lead the team at the Fire Prevention Central Section in the Trinidad and Tobago Fire Service having oversite of one of the most sensitive jurisdictions of our country which is instrumental to our small island economy.
(d) Receiving an award of recognition for my years of volunteer work with the local Trinidad and Tobago IFE Branch at the ceremonial launching of the CASA Branch in Port of Spain in June 2022.
What inspired you to become an engineer or pointed you towards an engineering career?
The strong desire to make a difference across Trinidad whilst ensuring we are all safe and everyone is adhering to the fire engineering and safety principles. I have seen a significant positive change in fire safety in Trinidad and to be part of this continual improvement continues to inspire me.
What contributed to your decision to gain IFE membership / become professionally registered?
IFE qualifications are used in the promotion scheme in Trinidad and Tobago Fire Service enabling me to progress in my career and achieve my professional goals. It also provided me with the opportunity for networking with fellow like-minded fire engineers allowing us to share knowledge and our own learnings with each other. Being an IFE member also adds the credibility of being recognised as an international professional effectively proving my credentials in the field of Fire Investigation, Fire Risk Assessment, and the Inspections Industry.
How have you benefitted from being a member/registrant with the IFE (career, personally)?
Being an IFE member adequately equips and certifies me to perform my day-to-day job role; without it I would not be able to do what I do. Also, the recognition of being seen as an IFE member in the sector has also opened the way for my present and future peers to become members themselves. This has contributed to the improved standards in Trinidad and Tobago and enables us to display a greater level of expertise through our membership.
Are you involved in the IFE in any other capacity (e.g. branch, volunteer, with a SIG)? If you are, could you tell us a bit more about that?
I am the present Branch President of the IFE Trinidad and Tobago Branch and have previously served as the IGA representative. I have also been involved in the Fire Investigation Special Interest Group (SIG).
Would you recommend joining the IFE to others? If so, why?
Certainly, the IFE promotes Continued Professional Development and education for all its members. This allows members to be equipped to cope with today’s challenges and stay ahead of the field with the latest sector developments and learning. Also, the opportunities for networking are plentiful and has allowed me to meet as well as hear from sector-leading voices at the insightful IFE events.
Is there any advice you would pass on to someone considering professional registration / IFE membership?
Don’t delay, the IFE is a family of professionals. When you reach out to your fellow professionals, they are always ready and willing to assist.