Page 144 - Archived Back Issues

CITY “FIRE” LECTURE
The Worshipful Company of Firefighters held its third annual City “Fire” lecture at the Insurance Hall on the 23rd April. It was sponsored by Capita plc and had the title “Safe as Houses” and was a debate about the benefits and costs of fitting domestic sprinklers in new homes.
James Shannon, President of the NFPA, based in USA, spoke for the introduction of sprinklers into new homes and Jonathan O'Neill, head of the FPA in UK, spoke against this automatic fitting of sprinklers for domestic buildings. The debate was chaired by James Landale, Deputy Political Editor of BBC News.
It was an intense debate with many questions and absorbed the many people from the City and fire industry who attended.
Master Michael Harper welcomed some 155 people to the Insurance Hall; Sheriff Nigel Pullman made an opening address and was presented with a cheque for The Lord Mayor's Appeal 2013.
Bruce Hoad, then Under Warden-in-Waiting, introduced the guests, closing with comments about the work of the LFB's Community Fire Cadet Scheme. The Master presented a Company shield to each of eight Fire Cadets who attended to assist with preparations for the lecture.
Jim Shannon's presentation about domestic sprinklers from the American perspective was enlightening and informative; and to a degree what the audience expected. Jonathon O'Neil, with the more difficult task in opposition, surprised the audience with a well-balanced argument, not against domestic sprinklers as such, but supportive and favouring a more pragmatic approach to their installation in domestic buildings.
The Fire Minister, Brandon Lewis MP, made a closing address and gifts were presented to the sponsors and participants, culminating with a special presentation to Sir Ken Knight by the Master on behalf of the Company. The gift was a book entitled “Masters' Badges of the City of London Livery Companies” to wish him well in retirement.
Through its City “Fire” Lecture, the WCoFF is becoming an important contributor to key issues in the fire protection world.
PM Alan Wells
Chairman, Fire Lecture Working Group
FIREX
The WCoFF was present at this year's International Firex exhibition held at the NEC in Birmingham in May. Past Master Viv Jones along with a number of Company members including John Worboys, Peter Moore, Colin Simpson and Past Master Peter Cowland manned the stand and gave out information on the Company.
The event is one of the largest Fire Industry event in the calendar and it is a good opportunity to advertise the Company to the fire trade (and interest them in the Fire Industry Ball). The organisers, UBM (who also regularly sponsor the Fire Industry Ball), generously donated the stand and also donated some of the takings from dinner and quiz social events to our charitable activities.
The next International Firex event will be held in London.
Colin Simpson and Past master Viv Jones with the bottle of champagne prize for the raffle.
4