IFE sets out education pathway for fire safety professionals
Iain Hoey
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Fire safety and the International Day of Education
The Institution of Fire Engineers (IFE) has published commentary marking the United Nations’ International Day of Education and linking education to the fire engineering profession.
In the article, the IFE notes that the United Nations General Assembly proclaimed 24 January as International Day of Education to recognise the role education plays in fostering peace and sustainable development.
It describes the day as a reminder that education in fire engineering is connected to saving lives.
The IFE writes: “Education is the foundation of fire safety – without knowledge, we cannot design, innovate or plan to protect communities.”
What the IFE says education should cover
The article sets out the IFE’s view that competence and compliance in fire engineering are non-negotiable because decisions can affect public safety, including choices about materials in a school and evacuation planning for a high-rise building.
It adds that continuous learning helps fire engineers keep up with changing risks, regulations and technology.
The IFE also argues that education should start before professional qualifications and should include teaching children about fire safety and introducing fire engineering as a career option.
It says the IFE offers free Student membership to exam candidates and individuals in fire-related studies, giving access to learning resources, networks and opportunities without financial constraints.
How the IFE describes lifelong learning and CPD
The commentary states that learning continues after qualification and describes CPD as central to maintaining competence and adapting to new challenges.
It says the IFE has built a programme of events, qualifications, resources and initiatives, including an online CPD Hub with webinar recordings and global learning resources, plus a new monthly CPD email introduced this year.
The article includes a perspective from Mabel Higgins, Founder and Director of MH Fire Safety (MHFS), who said: “Becoming a member of the Institution of Fire Engineers (IFE) has been invaluable for my professional growth and contribution to the wider fire safety industry.
“It has connected me with a diverse network of experts, enabling the exchange of ideas, technical insights, and best practices across multiple fire engineering disciplines.
“This collaboration has deepened my understanding of emerging challenges and innovations within the built environment.”
It also says the IFE has incorporated digital exams into its educational offering so that fire safety professionals can gain internationally recognised qualifications regardless of location.