FIA annual report highlights progress in fire safety and professionalism in 2024

FIA’s focus on advancing fire safety in the UK

The Fire Industry Association (FIA) has published its Annual Report for 2024, detailing advancements in fire safety and professionalism across the industry.

The FIA highlighted key achievements, including efforts to influence fire safety policy, enhanced training programmes, and increased membership.

The FIA’s ongoing response to findings from the Grenfell Tower Inquiry has been a significant driver behind its push for stricter fire safety standards and greater accountability within the sector.

The report also mentioned the opening of a Northern hub in Northwich, Cheshire, which includes a state-of-the-art training and event centre.

This new facility has strengthened the FIA’s capacity to deliver training and showcase industry innovations, further supporting its mission to raise standards.

International expansion through FIA Cyprus

In October 2023, the FIA expanded internationally with the establishment of FIA Cyprus, launched during a Fire Summit event.

This event brought together 15 FIA member companies from the UK and underscored the FIA’s commitment to promoting best practices beyond British borders.

FIA’s international initiatives aim to elevate global fire safety standards.

The success of the Cyprus expansion is expected to lead to further international endeavours, with the organisation focusing on spreading its influence and knowledge to other regions.

Training programme sees significant growth

The report highlighted the FIA’s achievements in training, with more than 6,000 delegates trained in 2024—a 26.9% increase compared to the previous year.

The Northwich training centre played a pivotal role in this expansion, providing practical, hands-on experience.

New courses, such as Fire Safety Awareness of Lithium-Ion Batteries, were introduced, reflecting the FIA’s responsiveness to emerging safety challenges.

The FIA is also preparing to launch a new Fire Risk Assessment course and further develop its Hampton training facility, ensuring that its educational offerings continue to meet industry needs.

Membership growth and technical leadership

The FIA experienced a 63% growth in membership, with 159 new companies joining in 2024.

The organisation also reported a 92.5% member retention rate, attributing this to the tangible value of membership benefits, including high-quality training and a role in shaping industry standards.

The FIA’s Technical Councils and Working Groups continue to influence the industry, aligning training with updated regulations like BS 5839-1.

These efforts ensure that FIA training remains the benchmark for fire safety professionals across the sector.

Fire Industry Association releases 2024 annual report highlighting fire safety progress and training growth: Summary

The Fire Industry Association (FIA) released its 2024 Annual Report, focusing on the advancement of fire safety and professionalism.

The report highlights the FIA’s response to the Grenfell Tower Inquiry, international expansion through the launch of FIA Cyprus, and the establishment of a Northern training hub in Northwich, Cheshire.

The FIA trained over 6,000 delegates in 2024, a 26.9% increase, and introduced new courses such as Fire Safety Awareness of Lithium-Ion Batteries.

Membership also grew by 63%, with 159 new companies joining.

The FIA remains committed to driving improvements in fire safety through policy advocacy, technical leadership, and high-quality training.