Fire Safety Career Advice

[andys]

This may not be the right place to put this message but I figured I might catch more fire safety types here than in the recruitment bit which seems to be more about becoming a firefighter. I would appreciate any comments or advice on the best way for a new fire safety/fire engineering graduate (without the years of experience that employers seem to want) to make a start on the career ladder. Do fire brigades offer a good development route these days or are risk assessment companies/consultants the best option? Any comments would be greatly appreciated. Thanks.

[AM]

I was employed as a fire engineer in the fire service and stayed there for three years untill I left last year. It became obvious that I was there to do the job of a fire safety officer at a much lower rate of pay than a watch manager that I was doing the same job as, and I was working longer hours. There was also nothing in the way of promotion as all of the slots open in any kind of management role was under grey book conditions (operational employment). I enjoyed the job, but there was no future in it as I could seen myself doing the same job forever. When a similar job in another office was advertised with the same qualifications as I had, they couldn't find anyone, so the job went the admin manager. This was my cue to leave. On the positive side, the training for fire safety was pretty good, the flexi time was great and the pension is better than what most companies can provide.

If you're after a fire engineering job, you'd be better off finding a graduate program with an engineering company - there is simply not enough people around for the work that is out there. We're always looking for new starters, particularly in London, so feel free to PM me if you want more info.

[Pete M]

Andy,

What part of the country are you looking at and where are you currently based? - we have a number of offices in the UK and abroad.

We are generally always on the lookout and would be interested in taking a look at your CV.

Please note that we don't do fire risk assessments as a rule - just fire engineering.  Drop me a line.

Pete

[Karissa]

Hi!

I too will be interested in any comments anyone may have, as next year I will be a graduate Fire Safety person!

[Pete M]

karissat,

Same applies, drop me a mail with your details, current stage at Uni etc and where you are located.

Cheers

[Chris Houston]

There seems to be a national shortage of insurance surveyors.  Not quite fire engineering, but your degree would stand you in excellent stead for such a role.  If surveying buildings from a fire prevetion, security, flood risk analysis point of view sounds interesting, you could consider writing to the big UK insurers.

Let me know if you want more info.

[Peter Wilkinson]

Andy,
We would also be interested in seeing your cv.  

Why not send me an email?

[kurnal]

Hi Andys
I am sorry but unlike other posters I am not in a position to offer you a job but who knows in the future?

What I would suggest - as an alternative view- is that you could do a great deal worse than to seek a job for a few years as an enforcement officer in a local authority fire brigade. It may well not make best use of your skills at first but you will surely get a rounded view of what really goes on in terms of fire safety management, how responsible?? persons constantly undermine the work of fire engineers and architects and abuse buildings and systems. There are plenty of very competent engineers out there who lack this awareness. And your skills will surely come in when evaluating other peoples engineered solutions submitted for consultation- and the service will greatly benefit from this as it is an area that is generally lacking at the moment. Currently many brigades are forced to bring in assistance from places like London at the moment when they need these skills.

Who knows they may even sponsor you on furthering your qualifications?

[slubberdegullion]

There are plenty of very competent engineers out there who lack this awareness.

I can only agree with you kurnal.  But I think the above statement should have said that engineers who lack this awareness might be (otherwise) competent, but are overall incompetent because of this lack of awareness.

This only re-inforces your suggestion.

Stu

[Big A]

Hi Andys
I am sorry but unlike other posters I am not in a position to offer you a job but who knows in the future?

What I would suggest - as an alternative view- is that you could do a great deal worse than to seek a job for a few years as an enforcement officer in a local authority fire brigade. It may well not make best use of your skills at first but you will surely get a rounded view of what really goes on in terms of fire safety management, how responsible?? persons constantly undermine the work of fire engineers and architects and abuse buildings and systems. There are plenty of very competent engineers out there who lack this awareness. And your skills will surely come in when evaluating other peoples engineered solutions submitted for consultation- and the service will greatly benefit from this as it is an area that is generally lacking at the moment. Currently many brigades are forced to bring in assistance from places like London at the moment when they need these skills.

Who knows they may even sponsor you on furthering your qualifications?

My brigade is already running an accelerated promotion scheme and is actively developing a two tier entry scheme aimed at graduates. So in addition to Kurnal's good reasons for joining the Fire Service (i.e. learn to become a gamekeeper before turning to poaching) the fire service may also provide a good career in itself.

[Midland Retty]

Yes Kurnal is right

Lots of Brigades now recruit Civilian Fire Safety Officers these days and its a good grounding

The training is usually very good if not excellent, and will give you the angle that enforcers look for - something which may be of use to you when you decide to perhaps join a fire safety consultancy in the private sector.

Whichever path you take - I wish you the best of luck - fire safety is a fab career in my opinion.