Fire safety leadership in focus: Who’s shaping the discussion at IFSJ Leaders 2025
Iain Hoey
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Introducing the Partners and Advisory Panel for IFSJ Leaders in Fire & Safety Conference 2025
The IFSJ Leaders in Fire & Safety Conference 2025, held in partnership with Britannia Fire, returns to Dubai on 8 May 2025 at the Grosvenor House Hotel, Dubai Marina.
Recognised as the leading event for senior fire and safety professionals, this conference continues to grow, uniting decision-makers, technical specialists and industry leaders to address the most pressing challenges and innovations in fire safety.
This year’s event will deliver a comprehensive programme focused on real-world solutions, supported by a distinguished group of partners and an esteemed advisory panel.
Our platinum partner
At the forefront of this year’s event is Britannia Fire, our Platinum Partner.
Established in 1970, Britannia Fire has remained a driving force in fire suppression technology, recognised for its development of the PFAS-free P50 composite extinguisher.
By eliminating harmful chemicals and reducing servicing requirements, the P50 sets a new standard in sustainability and performance.
Britannia Fire’s commitment to advancing fire safety solutions aligns with the conference’s mission to drive meaningful discussions on innovation, risk management and regulatory developments.
After participating in last year’s event andy Spence, Joint Managing Director of Britannia Fire, saw first-hand the value of industry-wide collaboration and increased the company’s involvement by leading as Platinum Partner in 2025.
Intellectual partners
The IFSJ Leaders in Fire & Safety Conference is once again supported by Dubai Civil Defense (DCD) and the Institution of Fire Engineers (IFE), both returning as intellectual partners.
Dubai Civil Defense continues to play a critical role in fire safety regulation, technological advancement and emergency response.
As a key governmental authority in the UAE, DCD provides invaluable insight into regional challenges, AI-driven detection systems and the implementation of fire safety policies that set benchmarks worldwide.
The Institution of Fire Engineers remains instrumental in furthering professional knowledge in fire engineering, ensuring that industry discussions are rooted in scientific research, technical expertise and international standards.
With a global network of fire safety professionals, researchers and policymakers, the IFE remains a cornerstone of the conference’s advisory and intellectual guidance.
New to this year’s event, the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) joins as an intellectual partner, further enhancing the global outlook of the conference.
As one of the most recognised authorities in fire safety codes, regulations and compliance, the NFPA will provide crucial insights into best practices, risk mitigation strategies and emerging trends in fire safety management.
Industry-leading partnerships
The IFSJ Leaders in Fire & Safety Conference 2025 is supported by a strong network of industry-leading partners, each contributing to the event’s focus on technological advancements, risk management and sustainable solutions.
Ateis / VELOX returns as Gold Partner, bringing its expertise in fire alarm and emergency communication systems, ensuring cutting-edge solutions for public safety.
MSA Safety and RelyOn Nutec join as Silver Partners, with MSA delivering high-performance PPE to enhance firefighter protection and RelyOn Nutec offering specialist safety training to mitigate risks in high-hazard environments.
Performance Advantage Company (PAC) supports the event as Food & Beverage Partner, enhancing the networking experience.
Paradigm, makers of DryFlo, Global HSE Group, and Fischer join as Partners, with Paradigm championing sustainable fire suppression, Global HSE Group ensuring fire safety remains integral to workplace compliance and Fischer bringing expertise in passive fire protection.
Fellow Partners Fire Lion Global and FireDos bring expertise in fire suppression and foam proportioning.
Completing the lineup of partners, Apollo and VdS join the IFSJ Leaders in Fire & Safety Conference 2025, further strengthening the event’s commitment to advancing fire safety standards and technological excellence.
A distinguished panel
An exceptional advisory panel ensures that the conference remains focused on the industry’s most relevant and urgent topics.
These leaders bring a wealth of expertise, covering fire engineering, regulatory compliance, operational safety and technological innovation.
Returning as Conference Chair, Terry Johnson, President of IFE GCC/UAE Branch, will oversee the discussions, guiding the programme towards practical solutions and strategic insights.
Among the returning panellists are Engineer Salma Al Ali, Head of Engineering Section at Dubai Civil Defense and Steve Apter, Independent Fire & Life Safety Consultant, both of whom have been instrumental in shaping past conference discussions.
David Campbell, General Manager of Emirates Safety Laboratory, will contribute his expertise in fire testing and regulatory compliance, while Mark Buckingham, General Manager of Fire Rescue and Emergency Planning at King Abdulaziz Airport, brings insight into large-scale emergency response operations.
Paul Calderwood, Deputy Chief (Retired) of Everett Fire Department, joins once again, offering a North American perspective on firefighting strategy, crisis management and operational leadership.
Dana Kamal, Director of International Development (MENA) at NFPA, will provide essential insights into compliance, risk reduction and the role of international fire safety standards in regional applications.
The panel also includes Robert Davies, Operations Director at WSP in the Middle East and Sawsan Dahham, CEO of SIENA, both recognised for their expertise in fire risk assessment, consultancy and regulatory compliance.
New to this year’s advisory panel are Mohammed Saeefan, Fire Protection Engineering Specialist at Saudi Aramco and Chief Operations Officer of the World Firefighters Games 2026 and Dr.
Reginald D.
Freeman, Executive Director – Fire & EMS for NEOM.
Saeefan brings over 20 years of experience in fire protection engineering, firefighting and compliance, whilst Dr.
Freeman, brings his expertise as an internationally recognised fire service leader, specialising in leadership, professional development and organisational effectiveness.
The panel is further strengthened by the addition of Lieutenant Colonel Dr Humaid Al Ali, Deputy Director of Fire Affairs at the UAE General Command of Civil Defense and Lieutenant Colonel Dr Essa Almutawa, Chief Artificial Intelligence Officer at Dubai Civil Defense.
Their expertise in fire prevention policy, AI-driven response systems and operational strategy will be central to the conference’s exploration of emerging technologies and risk mitigation methods.
Driving industry progress
The IFSJ Leaders in Fire & Safety Conference 2025 is set to deliver critical discussions and practical outcomes.
By bringing together global leaders, policymakers and technical specialists, the conference remains an essential platform for those seeking to influence fire safety regulations, enhance operational resilience and adopt forward-thinking safety solutions.
As Britannia Fire leads as Platinum Partner, alongside key intellectual partners DCD, IFE and NFPA and with the guidance of an exceptional advisory panel, the conference promises to provide invaluable insights and strategies that will shape the future of fire and emergency management.
