Lauran Welling GIFireE

Please introduce yourself and tell us about your career to date.

I am Lauran Welling and I joined the metropolitan fire and rescue service of Rotterdam in 2004. I currently serve as a captain at the Nyrstar zink production plant in Budel-Dorplein, Netherlands.

Describe your role or position within your current workplace and describe what a typical working day looks like.

At Nyrstar I work as a health and safety specialist, focusing on machine safety and on coordinating with both public and private emergency services. Alongside this, I also serve as a captain in our industrial fire brigade. In 2026, I will begin exams to progress my career with the aim of becoming an officer within Nyrstar’s fire and rescue service. A typical day at Nyrstar begins with a coffee and a meeting to plan the workload. Some days I focus on reviewing documents and approval processes for newly purchased or designed machinery, while on others I work on developing improved safety programmes in collaboration with the local fire and rescue service.

Are there any particular challenges or unusual aspects to your role?

Considering my fire and rescue work at Nyrstar, every day presents new challenges. My knowledge of the English language, along with a strong understanding of the National Fire Protection Association standards and other regulations that are not widely known within the local fire and rescue service, helps me to perform my role more effectively. It is a daily challenge to ensure that we not only prevent accidents but are also properly prepared for any situations that may arise.

What do you find most enjoyable about your job?

I find my work most rewarding when I can achieve results through collaboration. On some days, this may involve creating budgets and training opportunities for the fire and rescue service; on others, it may mean gaining consensus to implement significant investments in fire and accident prevention.

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?

Through a former employer, I had the opportunity to design a new fire and rescue training site at Maasvlakte, Rotterdam. In addition to this valuable experience, I was also sent abroad to respond to various ship fires – some straightforward, others more challenging. These were incredible opportunities that delivered great results.

What inspired you to become an engineer or pointed you towards an engineering career?

In the training industry, there are many explanations about fire — how to deal with it, the role of human factors, and so on. However, looking at the problem from an engineering perspective provides deeper insight, as the root of many incidents lies in complex matters such as science and psychology.

What contributed to your decision to gain IFE membership / become professionally registered?

IFE provides access through a widely recognised standard, connecting scientists, engineers, and fire and rescue staff in an international context.

How have you benefitted from being a member/registrant with the IFE (career, personally)?

Continuing to study always takes you further, as it broadens your knowledge, skills, and confidence. My connection with the IFE gave me a valuable head start by providing access to recognised standards, professional networks, and opportunities to learn from experts across the fire and engineering sectors.

Would you recommend joining the IFE to others? If so, why?

If you are interested in expanding your knowledge and value learning within an international context, I would strongly recommend joining the IFE. Membership provides opportunities to engage with a global community of fire professionals, access to recognised standards and guidance, and the chance to share knowledge and best practice with experts from across the world.