FireNet Community
FIRE SERVICE AND GENERAL FIRE SAFETY TOPICS => Fire Safety => Topic started by: colin todd on April 28, 2017, 06:08:17 PM
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It is with deep regret that the Webmaster, Colin Simpson, and I have to inform the forum that Alan Kurnatowski (Kurnal) passed away on the 17th April.
Alan and I had been chums for a good number of years. Aside from his role in FireNet, he served for some years on the Fire Risk Assessment Council of the Fire Industry Association, which I chair. His contribution was very much valued because of his experience in fire safety, his integrity and his pragmatic approach. When it became necessary for member fire risk assessment companies of the FIA to sign up to a declaration of intent to seek third party certification, Alan did the honourable thing and resigned as he did not intend to apply for third part certification. I very much missed his support and wise words.
Most users of the forum will be aware of Alan's passion for fire safety. He was one of the old school in the most positive sense of that term, but, equally, embraced the modern approach to fire safety. He was always willing to chat at length about fire safety issues well outside normal working hours. When the FIA were preparing comments on BS 9999, he and I worked together with a couple of others at FIA headquarters until very late at night.
Alan has been a great supporter of the FireNet forum since he joined in 2005 and has made quite a few thousand posts in that time covering a wide subject area and assisting others on the forum. Everyone knows the enthusiasm he showed towards not only his role as moderator but in helping those with less experience. He was very reluctant to relinquish the reigns of moderator, but it was clear that the work was becoming too much in the light of his illness, which he faced with the same dignity as demonstrated in his working life. Only when I promised him that Brian could be trusted to take on the role did he eventually agree to hand over to Brian.
Alan passed away with his wife Susan and children at his side, but before leaving he left a list of things that needed to be done, in which letting Colin and myself know about his death was close to the top, along with a touching personal message for me.
I know that Alan will be missed by the forum members, many of whom have benefitted from his kindness, willingness to help and generosity of his time over the years. It is sad to log in and not see his name on the list of others logged in.
Our thoughts and prayers go out to Susan and Alan?s children at this sad time. Colin and I are hoping to attend the funeral, and the FIA will, quite properly, be represented. If any of his many friends wish to attend, Susan has indicated that they will be very welcome.
Funeral service to be held at St. Mary's Church, South Darley on Thursday 4th May 2017 at 3.00pm, followed by cremation at Amber Valley Memorial Park and Crematorium, Swanwick. Family flowers only please. Donations in memory of Alan for the NGS Macmillan Unit at Chesterfield Royal (cheques payable to Macmillan Cancer Support) may be sent to Thomas Greatorex & Sons Ltd.
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A very sad day indeed. Alan and I spoke at times on the phone and he was always a wise and willing provider of advice and information. He certainly will be missed as a friend despite us never meeting and my thoughts are with his family at this time.
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Such a shame to hear this news, Alan was always willing to help others both on and off the forum and we were of mutual assistance several times over the years, he will be missed.
RIP Kurnal
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Very sad. There'll be a few minutes' silence in the Banter Bar.
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His contribution will to this forum will sadly be missed.
RIP Kurnal
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Very sad. There'll be a few minutes' silence in the Banter Bar.
Just a few minutes Owain as K would have never have approved of a missed sale.
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Deeply sorry to hear this news. Whenever I asked a question, I would always look forward to and valued Kurnal's opinion.
God bless you Alan. Rest in Peace.
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I am so sorry to hear this awful news and my thoughts go to his family.
Alan was extremely generous with his time, assistance and advice when I was setting up as a sole trader after years in a LA fire service. I had many telephone conversations and email exchanges in addition to receiving advice on this site
CT has got it spot on when reffering to the mix of Alan's experience and knowledge in the 'old ways of working' with the brave new world of fire safety post the FPA's demise. But it was his pragmatism that I appreciated. No code hugging for him, just a common sense approach that you could depend on
Many thanks Kurnal.
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So sad ....... A top, top man.
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Sad to hear, he was a really kind man. I echo others thoughts on the time he had for others and the passion he shared.
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Alan did some RAs for me, lasting six weeks over three years. As others have stated, he was very helpful in making me more enlightened as to the ways of contractors, architects etc!
The lunches on my bosses exes where he sought out pies on the menu (!)
For some strange reason he once or twice hinted I might like to join him, but my LA retirement/pension loomed.
A good man in every sense.........
RIP
davo
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My thoughts are with his family at this sad time RIP Kurnal
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Sad times indeed. RIP Kurnal. My thoughts are with his family and friends.
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Considering the knowledge he had he was very humble, which is a rare trait. I gathered this from the 2 occasions I spoke to him on the phone, once when I was seeking advice and the other when he wanted to know how to deal with a fire safety issue at a mosque. Top man.
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I can?t say that I knew Alan well, but I had the pleasure of serving on the FIA risk assessment council with him for a short while, and we also had the occasional correspondence. The breadth and depth of his fire safety knowledge was truly remarkable, as was his generosity of spirit. He will be greatly missed, and fondly remembered by all who had the benefit of his council.
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Sad news indeed! I only knew Kurnal via these pages but his contributions will be missed. RIP
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I attended Big Al's funeral yesterday in a lovely church just outside Matlock in Derbyshire. The church was virtually full. Alan's two children, and then his two sisters, presented a beautiful celebration of his life, right back to his prosecution by the then GPO for running a pirate radio station!! It was so nice to hear a down to earth vicar, who was actually able to speak of Alan from first hand knowledge, rather than, as so often happens, things he has been told about the person. Alan had done a lot for the church.
It will be no surprise to any of you, but it was delightful to hear adjectives that resonated exactly with those used by everyone of you who paid their tributes on this thread:
generous with his time, kind, committed to everything he did and helpful. But it will also be no surprise that he ably demonstrated these qualities in his personal and family life, as well as his professional life. The closeness and mutual love he shared with his family came through as strong as the signal from his wee radio station.
The subsequent committal at the crematorium also majored on his dignity until the end and the concept that, although his passing occurred at much too young an age (he never let me forget that he was younger than me), it was the manner in which he had enriched the lives of those who knew him that took precedence to the sadness of his passing.
Goodbye Old Pal. Maybe see you again one day.
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I attended Big Al's funeral yesterday in a lovely church just outside Matlock in Derbyshire. The church was virtually full. Alan's two children, and then his two sisters, presented a beautiful celebration of his life, right back to his prosecution by the then GPO for running a pirate radio station!! It was so nice to hear a down to earth vicar, who was actually able to speak of Alan from first hand knowledge, rather than, as so often happens, things he has been told about the person. Alan had done a lot for the church.
It will be no surprise to any of you, but it was delightful to hear adjectives that resonated exactly with those used by everyone of you who paid their tributes on this thread:
generous with his time, kind, committed to everything he did and helpful. But it will also be no surprise that he ably demonstrated these qualities in his personal and family life, as well as his professional life. The closeness and mutual love he shared with his family came through as strong as the signal from his wee radio station.
The subsequent committal at the crematorium also majored on his dignity until the end and the concept that, although his passing occurred at much too young an age (he never let me forget that he was younger than me), it was the manner in which he had enriched the lives of those who knew him that took precedence to the sadness of his passing.
Goodbye Old Pal. Maybe see you again one day.
A wonderful report back on the day Dot. A man never to be replaced.
Ps will you do my obit if you're still around in 30 years?
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Just logged on and seen the news.
Very sad to hear, I had nothing but respect for Mr K.
RIP my friend x :'(
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Almost, let me do it for you now, so it is, as it were, readily available:
Almost has snuffed it. Drinks at Pats if he is not out testing. Manuals of Firemanship for sale-one careful owner, rarely used.
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Manuals of Firemanship for sale-one careful owner, rarely used.
I've got some of them in the garage. Mine have been used, helped me pass the Station Officers exam back in the day.
Got them on a PDF now.
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Almost, let me do it for you now, so it is, as it were, readily available:
Almost has snuffed it. Drinks at Pats if he is not out testing. Manuals of Firemanship for sale-one careful owner, rarely used.
Small amandment Dot. Never used. Dropped once. Just like an Italian rifle.
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Manuals of Firemanship for sale-one careful owner, rarely used.
I've got some of them in the garage. Mine have been used, helped me pass the Station Officers exam back in the day.
Got them on a PDF now.
As my auld granma used to say, ye cannae wedge a shoogly table wi a pfd.
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I never met him nor spoke to him. But from his posts he seemed helpful and knowledgeable. Rest in peace.
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I am stunned and saddened to read of the passing of Prof. K.
I rarely visit this site these days and was no longer in touch with the Prof. as much as I had been a few years ago.
There was a time when I enjoyed regular banter, exchanges of opinion and received great advice from someone I considered a great internet/telephone friend. I never met Alan in the flesh and I regret I can now never put a face to my memories of a great person. Alan had no arrogance or pretentiousness and I valued his opinion and advice above almost anyone else in the fire alarm industry.
RIP Professor K. You will not be forgotten.
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So sorry to hear this news. Kurnal as he was known to me did provide me with constructive comment on issues I have raised in the past. As a relatively new member to the forum it was both encouraging and nice for me to note that a Hero member of the forum had taken the time and interest in someone new, like myself, to give their viewpoint on my question. God bless Kurnal.
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To all those who never met him, you missed atreat............ :'(
davo
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I miss him.
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As an infrequent visitor these days, I'm sorry to be late to add my regrets. rest well alan.
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Only logged on today after quite a while. Sad news, Helped me out of a hole quite a while ago with some old standard documents. RIP Kurnal.
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Like many I've not logged on for sometime, but did just to check on how Alan was getting on, so very sad to hear he has passed away he did a lot for us here on these forums and helped educate and inform on all aspects of fire safety.Rest in peace Alan.
And wonderful words from Colin Todd
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RIP. Sad news.