Page 4 - January 2020

THE SALAMANDER | JANUARY 2020
The St Florian Collection
Finds a new home with the Institution of Fire Engineers
The collection, a library of more than 600 titles about fire and related topics, collected by Patrick Sheen during his lifetime, was bequeathed to the Worshipful Company of Firefighters to form the basis of a national library of fire when Patrick died in 2006.
Patrick Sheen, known as Paddy, was a highly acclaimed and respected international forensic and consulting engineer, he held the position of International President of the IFE from 1991- 1992, served ten years as a firefighter with Peterborough Volunteer Fire Brigade, while also being Principal of Peterborough Regional College and was one of the very first members of the Worshipful Company of Firefighters. Alongside this Paddy was recognised as a highly experienced forensic science investigator, who specialised in fires of electrical origin. Throughout his life and experiences Paddy collected a large number of books and publications about fire and related topics – a collection that amounted to about 600 titles.
The collection has been housed in various places including the London Fire Brigade Museum at Winchester House, before moving to what is hopefully its final resting place at IFE House where it can continue to provide an educational resource for fire engineers and researchers.
Roy Bishop, CEO of the IFE said: “We’re so pleased to have given this well preserved and educational collection a permanent home.”
On Thursday 14th November 2019 Frances Blois, Master, and Bruce Varner, International President for the IFE, 2019-2020, gathered at IFE House, Stratford-upon- Avon with other IFE employees, Worshipful Company of Firefighters
members and Henry Jerwood, Chaplain at Warwickshire Fire and Rescue Service, to witness the momentous occasion and welcome the prestigious St Florian Collection into its new home.
The St Florian Collection
Past Master Alan Wells
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