From the editor - June 2019

In April, we had the latest instalment of the Fire Safety Event and the inaugural Security Event, which both took place at NEC Birmingham and attracted 11,773 delegates across the three days. It was fantastic to see so many people attending and the seminar session were standing room only. You can see reports from the seminars from both events online at www.fsmatters.com

It's been a pretty busy few weeks in both the fire and security sectors with some big stories breaking since the last issue of FSM. Perhaps the biggest news is the government's decision to allocate £200 million of funding to remove and replace unsafe aluminium composite material cladding from around 170 privately owned high-rise buildings. This step has been taken after private building owners failed to take action and tried to offload costs onto leaseholders. Meanwhile, the Scottish Government has launched a consultation on how to simplify the guidance available to everyone who lives in high-rise flats or is responsible for fire safety in high-rise flats.

The Deputy Mayor for Fire and Resilience in London, Fiona Twycross, and the London Fire Commissioner, Dany Cotton, have also called on the government to tighten up building regulations to prioritise the need for sprinklers and address the shortage of skilled fire engineers. You can read about all of these stories on our fire news pages.

In the security world there's been some high profile prosecutions, some major acquisitions and clarity from the government on it's position on cyber security and homeland security. The Home Secretary Sajid Javid, has provided an update on the UK’s approach to counter-terrorism and safeguarding national security. Mr Javid, who is now in the race to become our next prime minister, reasserted the UK’s leading international role in countering terrorism and keeping people safe from emerging threats.

The Home Secretary Sajid Javid, has provided an update on the UK’s approach to counter-terrorism and safeguarding national security. Mr Javid, who is now in the race to become our next prime minister, reasserted the UK’s leading international role in countering terrorism and keeping people safe from emerging threats.

In terms of prosecutions, perhaps nothing is more emotive than the news that the former Sheffield Wednesday club Secretary has been sentenced to a fine of £6,500 and costs of £5,000 for his role in the Hillsborough disaster 30 years ago. We also have news on how a South Wales man has been ordered to pay £300,000 at Cardiff Crown Court for continuing to work as a security director despite having lost his Security Industry Authority (SIA) licence.

Our security news pages also share information on Schneider Electric entering exclusive negotiations with Transom Capital Group, a U.S.-based private equity firm, regarding the sale of its Pelco business unit.

We also recently revealed the winner of the Security Innovation of the Year and Fire Innovation of the Year at the Safety and Health Excellence Awards. On 11 April, 545 people attended the awards presentation at the Vox, NEC Birmingham, which was hosted by Comedian Sean Lock. The winner of this year’s security category was IDIS 12MP Super Fisheye and the winner of the fire category was Kentec’s Taktis 16L. Congratulations to all who were shortlisted and to the two winners. You can see the full list of winners at www.she-awards.co.uk

FSM will return in September with a preview of Fire Safety North, which emanates from EventCity Manchester on 8-9 October 2019. The event is co-located with Health and Safety North and will have more than 20 hours of free CPD accredited content and 120+ exhibitors. You can register to attend for FREE at www.firesafetyevents.com

Our next issue of FSM will also feature articles on disaster planning, offshore oil and gas, door entry and integrated security. I hope you all have a fantastic summer, which with a bit of luck will see good weather and the England cricket team winning the World Cup!