Archives for July 2018

Grenfell Update: Written Statement made 19 July 2018 by James Brokenshire, Secretary of State, Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (HCWS890) in the House of Commons

Please find here the latest statement made yesterday by the Government regarding Grenfell.  As always we try and get any information we receive and we think is relevant to you as soon as possible. The content gives us the latest update on what the Government is doing and thinking in response to Grenfell.

Furthermore, please find below two links for consultation, one focused on ADB and one on Welsh Government banning the use of combustible materials in the external walls of high-rise residential buildings.

In line with our primary objectives and philosophy, The IFSM will be providing input to represent our members via our Technical subgroup. However if you wish to add any comments feel free to use the links below to provide your own comments and thoughts;

ADB consultation: https://www.gov.uk/government/consultations/fire-safety-clarification-of-statutory-guidance-approved-document-b

Welsh Government Consultation: https://beta.gov.wales/banning-use-combustible-materials-external-walls-high-rise-residential-buildings

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Members will recall we are represented in a number of the working groups and heavily involved in competencies for fire risk assessors.  Please see here a copy of the first quarterly report of the IRG Steering Group on Competences for Building a Safer Future, which was submitted to the Secretary of State (copied to Dame Judith Hackitt) on Friday.  As you can see from the report, things are moving very fast but we will try our best to keep you updated and informed as we move along.

There is a fairly ‘stiff’ timetable we are working to and there will be significant outcomes involved, significant for all of us in the fire sector. When the time is right, probably around the first quarter of 2019, we will be holding seminars to update you all on the outcome of these working groups. In the meantime, attending and working on these groups is taking a lot of our chairmans own time and hopefully the report will keep you updated but if you do have a ‘burning question’ on the working groups or anything in the report, please email [email protected] and it will be forward it on to our chairman.

[pdf-embedder url=”https://ifsm.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/Quarterly-Report-FINAL-PDF.pdf” title=”Quarterly Report – FINAL PDF”]

Mr Darren Cook, the Head of Group Compliance at Principal Hotel Company, recently became the 1000th Member to join to The Institute of Fire Safety Managers. The Institute is delighted to welcome Mr Cook and mark this momentous occasion by presenting him with an expense-paid invite to our 2018 AGM and a year’s free membership. Our AGM, which will be held at Eventcity, Manchester on the 9th October 2018 will include a Technical Meeting and a Presentation to celebrate this significant milestone.
Current membership Secretary, Dave White said “this is a fantastic achievement and really reflects the great work and progression that we are making as an Institute”.

The Institute was initially formed 25 years ago in 1993 to provide a professional ‘haven’ for those people who were involved directly with fire safety management in industry and commerce. Initial membership was about 15-20 persons however as more individuals qualified with the CFPA Diploma, so the numbers grew. Gary Whitworth, Stewart Kidd, May Husseyin, Peter Cowland and Ken Day played a major part in the early days.

Around 2002 the membership had reached a critical point. Retirements, people moving on to new horizons, changes in employment and the constant pressure on individuals to try and run the Institute meant a slump in activities followed quickly by a slump in membership. However, there were a few people who did still have a ‘vision’ and on 7th February 2005 a meeting was held in Hatfield, chaired by Bob Docherty to re-establish the Institute and discuss its future development. it was decided that a new and larger team should be formed at which time Dr Bob Docherty, John Williamson, Stuart Cocking, Andy Frankowski and Ken Day came on board and formed a new Council with Stewart Kidd as President.

On January 9th, 2006, Companies House accepted the Institute’s application to be called an Institute as a registered, certified, fully incorporated and limited company with the title of The Institute of Fire Safety Managers. Over the past 13 years we have grown rapidly with a dedicated team on Council whose members represent the Institute on national and international committees and forums. Our input and participation on these is highly valued and respected. It is all part of our goal to raise the standard of fire safety both at a national and local level, to consult with all stakeholders and respond to changes in legislation and to actively encourage a professional approach to fire safety management through education and awareness.

From the initial 15-20 Members who came together in 1993, to the few who shared the vision to re-invigorate the Institute back in 2005, to the 1000 plus Members we welcome in our community today, it has been an incredible ride for the IFSM and no doubt a ride that will continue onwards and upwards to more great things. Here’s to the next 25 years and the next 1000 members!

Professionally printed double sided plastic membership cards for IFSM Members are now available to buy online from our website.  Please click here for further details and to order.