‘Leading Fire Safety’, the IFE’s new strategy, was launched earlier this year on 6^th January. With the end of the previous 2020-2024 strategy in sight, the IFE focused much of its 2024 activity on establishing its next instalment. As the global professional body for fire safety, the IFE wanted to seek as much input as it could from the worldwide fire industry and approached the consultation period over two phases to develop a strategy that was fit for purpose, to drive forward change for the sector and support its membership.

A collaborative process

Split over two phases, the strategy consultation process, led by Trustee Directors, gathered feedback from around the world. Phase 1 saw the engagement sessions receive over 500 items of feedback and data external organisations and members representing 25 different worldwide branches. In the analysis process of the phase 2 sessions, nearly 600 items of additional feedback and data were received from IFE members, further increasing the international representation to 32 worldwide branches.

A thorough refinement process then ensued, and a strategy document was developed to encompass as much of the feedback as possible. Four key themes were created to reflect the findings and cement the strategy, which includes: skills, development and innovation; trust and reputation; organisational sustainability and engagement; and global influence and advocacy.

A closer look at our key themes

Cementing our strategy, the four themes outline our long-term vision for fire safety which aims to create a safer world led by well-informed, competent and supported fire professionals.

• Skills, development and innovation – IFE recognises the need to advance education, skills and innovation to lead worldwide fire safety. As the global professional body for fire safety, we will facilitate development opportunities and promote a culture of continuous development to equip the profession with the knowledge they need to succeed.

 

• Trust and reputation – to elevate fire engineering globally we must promote trust and showcase the respect, reputation and diversity of the sector. This is achievable by setting a benchmark of quality through professional standards and ethics. IFE will promote fire engineering, uphold professional standards and ethical behaviours and inspire the next generation of fire professionals.

 

• Organisational sustainability and engagement – to continue growing, an organisation needs strong governance and leadership, and this part of the strategy focuses solely on this area to provide the guidance, support and networks that are required to drive change. IFE will ensure operational efficiency, actively engage with its members and build its capacity by empowering volunteers and staff to create greater resilience and make an impact on the sector.

 

• Global influence and advocacy – the IFE represents fire professionals from all over the world and it is our role to drive forward fire safety internationally. We will continue to push change, influence agendas and empower our sector to make a positive difference and illuminate a fire safe future. Collaboration is key and we will continue to work with policy makers and key stakeholders to achieve this.

Looking ahead

IFE has a strong history of supporting fire professionals through high-standard education and qualifications. This strategy aims to elevate those standards further, advancing professional excellence and expanding our impact across the industry.

The document is not only designed to support our members as they navigate a sector experiencing unprecedented change, but it also ensures their voices are heard and valued. The IFE is committed to bringing its members on this journey and will provide them with the tools to actively shape and drive fire safety on an international scale.

This is an exciting time for the institution and with the strategy set, the IFE will now focus on delivering its aims. A corporate plan is in development which will align the work of our staff, our branches and volunteers, and our members to deliver what we have set out. Regular updates about the various projects that are being formed off the back of the long-term strategy will be provided but in the meantime, I encourage you to visit our website to read the strategy document for yourself. Visit www.ife.org.uk/Home/About for more information.