Institution of Fire Engineers: Key Initiatives for 2026

With a specific focus on empowering and equipping fire professionals in 2026, in turn actively supporting those in the early stages of their career and championing lifelong professional development, the IFE is dedicated to shaping a safer and stronger future for all.

The IFE’s technical team remains actively involved in consultations and Working Groups shaping reform. Operating alongside Government, regulators and professional bodies, the team is purposefully influencing competence frameworks, regulatory models and standards.

A core focus of the team continues to be the regulation of fire risk assessors driven by concerns about competence, oversight and consistency identified through the Grenfell Tower Inquiry. The Government’s position confirms that reliance on voluntary schemes alone is no longer deemed sufficient. A more formal regulatory framework, supported by defined competence standards and oversight, is now firmly part of the reform programme.

The Government is expected to consult on the phased approach for risk assessor competence in higher-risk buildings in the early stages of this year.

Levels of competence

Alongside all of this, the regulation of fire engineers has moved to the forefront of the team’s workstreams. The recent publication of the Fire Engineers Authoritative Statement represents a significant milestone, setting out as it does a Government-backed view of what fire engineers do, who should undertake the functions and the levels of competence required. This is an important step in clarifying professional boundaries and responsibilities and in distinguishing fire engineers from related technician roles, other disciplines and advisory roles.

While the IFE’s technical team ensures expert input on proposed changes, a strong professional voice depends on broad member participation. Reforms will impact fire engineers and technicians across design, construction, regulation and risk assessment. Members are encouraged to engage in consultations, share experience and join discussions. These are all essential steps for achieving practical and effective regulations.

With our world changing and new challenges constantly emerging, the IFE recognises the need to further support its members. We stand at the forefront of shaping guidance and advancing knowledge across the sector and embrace the responsibility to not only recognise and adapt to progressive change, but also to lead in this area. By influencing standards and driving change, we serve to ensure that fire engineers and technicians remain equipped, empowered and ready to define the future of safety.

We are developing our tools and educational services to better support our members and, indeed, empower professionals worldwide to meet evolving challenges and drive real change. 

New launches and activity

Later this month, the IFE will launch a dedicated monthly Continuing Professional Development (CPD) e-mail for its members. Curated to ensure that members never miss an opportunity to expand their skills and knowledge, it will highlight upcoming events, new and featured content on the CPD Hub and outline useful learning resources. It’s our way of ensuring members are fully informed and empowered in their professional development, making continuous learning easier and more accessible.

In order to empower fire safety professionals worldwide and advance industry knowledge, the IFE has strengthened its qualifications offering with the introduction of digital examinations. We’ve been integrating online examinations over the past two years to ensure greater flexibility and inclusivity, enabling candidates across the globe to complete their qualifications at a time and place that suits them. We’ll continue to expand our digital offering as well as introduce fire risk assessor examinations to our suite.

Developing future talent is key to advancing fire engineering. For the third year running, we will take part in the National Apprenticeship Week campaign to shine a spotlight on the incredible opportunities that apprenticeships bring to the fire engineering profession and delve into how IFE membership has supported those starting out in their career.

We are also excited to celebrate Chartered Week and Careers Week for the first time to promote fire engineering as a career and feature the incredible success stories of our members. Together, we are shaping a safer and smarter future.

Vital expertise

As our environment evolves, the expertise of fire engineers has never been more vital. Their role is not only growing in importance, but also in influence.

At this pivotal moment as a New Year begins, our mission is clear: to lead with vision, set uncompromising standards and inspire confidence across what is now an ever-changing landscape.

Steve Hamm is CEO of the Institution of Fire Engineers (www.ife.org.uk)