07/03/2023
Recently the FPAA sent out a link to all its members advising they are hosting a "What's with Women & Fire" seminar in conjunction with International Women's Day, which got me thinking about my own path within the fire industry.
I'd previously had a career in the financial sector with roles based in Sydney's CBD. Being a new mum, it became difficult to commit to traveling from North Western Sydney to the CBD 5 days a week. So my story begins in August 2013, when I successfully secured my first role in the NSW fire industry with Extreme Fire Solutions.
Starting as an Admin Assistant to the Service & Maintenance Coordinator, I quickly realised how old-fashioned things were within the industry and how it heavily relied on outdated analog protocols when digital options were readily available. For example, having to scan log book test results into the Extreme Fire data system.
Even more alarming is the fact that to this day there are still some fire companies that continue to operate like this.
Extreme Fire Solutions realised early how important it was for its clients to have reliable fire safety reporting readily accessible and quickly invested in the development of its own technologies, like digital barcode capture, its own software, and apps to support an online testing system and hi-value Client Data Portal.
These technologies were developed to promote continuous improvement for both our business partners and our own team through complete visibility and transparency.
The number one reason this industry exists is to maintain a high focus on life safety. It's all about setting building up to be able to get your loved ones out, in the event of a fire.
I am proud to have the opportunity to continue to be a part of an organisation that holds this value above all else and to continue to directly contribute to our teams & systems' ongoing improvement and to offer personalised service to our valued clients.
Now celebrating nearly 10 years in the industry, having seen and been involved with so many changes, including our own team, technology, and especially the changes to NSW Legislation, one thing that has stuck in my mind is how some companies out there continue to sign off on building fire safety without checking absolutely everything correctly.
Given that a building owner has the responsibility to choose a fire contractor they believe is suitably qualified to do the job to their fullest, these fire companies, or individuals, are simply not upholding their responsibilities to life safety.
So building owners, property, asset, and facility managers, I ask you...
Do you own or live in an apartment complex? Work in a high-rise building?
Is your building safe? Is your building being tested correctly?
I challenge you next time you walk past a fire extinguisher check the yellow maintenance tag. See if it has been stamped for late 2022 or even 2023, if not, ask questions. Or even contact me!!
I can proudly say that being part of the development team at Extreme Fire Solutions has really helped me gain an appreciation of fire systems and equipment, how they function, and how they must comply to uphold Life Safety.
I'd like to thank Jody Aldag for his ongoing support, more importantly, thanks to the amazing and crew both on the road and in the office.
