Conference SpeakersKeynote SpeakersJohn WoodcockInternational President, Institute of Fire Engineers (UK) John graduated in Mechanical Engineering in 1973 and his first job was as an Acoustics Research engineer with Westland Helicopters in Yeovil. In 1975 he joined Factory Mutual (now FM Global), as a property loss prevention engineer. From 1975 to 1987 John was promoted to increasing senior posts, including account engineer, group manager and senior head office engineer.In 1987 to 2007, John worked for Sedgwick and then Marsh. From starting as Property Technical Manager he moved through a variety of risk consulting roles, becoming a Managing Director and Chief Operating Officer of Risk Consulting in 2004. In 2006, he was appointed Head of European Business Development. During this period he developed, project managed and delivered one of the largest Enterprise Risk Management projects to a major Russian company, which lasted 18 months. John took early retirement from Marsh in November 2007. He is a Board Member and Trustee of the Institution of Fire Engineers, a member of the Institution’s management committee and International President for the year 2010/11. John was first elected as a Divisional Board member of the Institution in 2000 and became Divisional Chairman in 2003. He is also a Board Member of Fire Conferences and Exhibitions Ltd.
John chaired a Research Group for the Insurance Institute of London, which developed a recently published guide to Business Continuity for the Small to Medium Enterprise (SME) sector in the Jo FowlerFire Engineer, East Sussex Fire & Rescue Service (UK) Jo Fowler graduated from
Jo was very proud to be selected as the Bernadette Hartley Memorial Award winner 2009, for her significant contribution made to the increased use of water based fire suppression systems in the
Russ SandersCentral Regional Manager, National Fire Protection Association (USA)Russ Sanders serves as NFPA’s Central Regional Manager, Executive Secretary of the NFPA/IAFC Metropolitan “Metro” Fire Chiefs Association and as the President of the United States Delegation to the International Technical Committee for the Prevention and Extinction of Fire (CTIF), also known as the International Fire and Rescue Services Association. In his role as Central Regional Manager, Russ is responsible for promoting the adoption and use of NFPA codes, standards, education programs, and membership in nineRuss graduated from the University of Louisville with a Bachelor of Arts Degree, a Master of Education Degree, and a Master of Science Degree. In addition, he is a graduate of the National Fire Academy ’s Executive Fire Officer Program and Harvard University ’s Senior Executive in State and Local Government Program. Prior to joining the NFPA staff in 1995, Russ was Chief of the Louisville (KY) Fire Department (LFD). He served 29 years in the LFD, his last nine as Chief of the Department.
SpeakersPhillip CouchDirector,Phillip has been providing building consulting services for the past 6 years specialising in Bushfire Consulting and Sustainable/Energy Efficient Building Design. Phillip is the Director of Newcastle Bushfire Consulting. He has a background in software development with experience in database development and algorithm modelling. He completed the Graduate Diploma in Design for Bushfire Prone Areas at University of Western Sydney and is a Bushfire Planning and Design Consultant for Alternate Solutions (BPAD-A) registered with FPA Australia. Christian Endresscand. PhD, Dipl. Soz-Wiss., University of Witten/Herdecke Christian is researcher and lecturer at the chair for political science, safety/security research & management, University of Witten/Herdecke. His research interest is focused on complex emergencies and risk analysis. The chair is currently working on a Government funded project on “priority setting in disaster management and deficits in the field of civil protection”.
Christian has been working since a couple of years in the field of emergency & crisis management and homeland security. After working in the United Nations Mission in Darin EvansFire Group Leader, Hydra Consulting Mr Evans has over 15 years experience in fire engineering, including design, documentation and construction management of installations ranging from large infrastructure projects, stadiums and special use buildings.
He has been involved with the design, peer review and independent verification of fire safety systems in Trevor EveleighAssociate, NBRS + PartnersTrevor has a career spanning over 25 years in architecture and has developed an extensive understanding in the areas of building construction techniques, building codes regulations and standards, fire safety engineering and environmentally sustainable design (ESD) practices. Trevor rejoined NBRS +Partners in 2009 after spending 3 years as a Fire Engineer with Arup Fire in Sydney, during which time he developed strategies for fire safety upgrades of significant heritage buildings, including numerous projects in the Sydney Opera House, Parramatta Town Hall and Australian Museum.Trevor’s role at NBRS+P is to provide in-house advice during the design process on building regulation compliance issues, ESD and fire engineering. Geoff FlowerEngineering Services Manager, Walker Fire Protection Walker Fire Protection are a leading specialist Fire Protection Installation contractor. Geoff holds a degree in electrical engineering from Monash University along with a post graduate certificate in performance based building and fire codes from Victoria University and a diploma in fire safety and risk engineering, also from Victoria University. Having commences his career in the fire protection industry with national installation contractors, FFE, Geoff spent 9 years working in the consulting engineering sector both with Norman Disney & Young and Warrington Fire ResearchIt is this breadth and depth of experience that enables Geoff to derive practical solutions to complex technical fire protection and fire safety problems. Richard LauTechnical Director, Hyder ConsultingA Chartered Mechanical and Electrical Engineer, with a Masters Degree in Project Management. Mr Lau has over 30 years of experience in electrical & mechanical works, including maintenance and construction of installations ranging from large plants in power stations to building services. He has been involved with Australian and international infrastructure projects including railways and road tunnels as well as building services projects and energy projects inHe has been involved in nearly all road tunnels constructed in recent years, in various capacities on tunnel electrical and mechanical systems, and fire and smoke control systems. Dr Marianne FoleyPrincipal, Arup Fire
Dr Marianne Foley is a Fire Safety Engineer and Principal with Arup in Marianne is a member of the Fire Access and Services Advisory Panel to the Heritage Council of NSW and has worked on fire safety upgrades for several heritage listed buildings including Sydney Opera House, 39 Hunter St, Transport House, and David Jones Sydney Stores. Felix GamonSenior Associate, Arup Fire
Felix Gamon leads Arup’s fire engineering team in
His most significant heritage project has been a reinvigoration of the planetarium building at the Royal Observatory, Chris GildersleevePrincipal, Arup FireChris Gildersleeve is a Principal of Arup resident in Brisbane. He has over 30 years design experience in building and infrastructure projects in Australasia, Europe and East Asia combining structural and civil engineering design experience with specialist skills in fire engineering of structures. He is a registered fire safety engineer and a registered civil engineer on both the Australian national register (NPER) and the Queensland register (RPEQ).Currently Chris is leading the Fire and Life Safety Team responsible for undertaking the engineering assessment of fire resistance of the tunnel structures on Brisbane’s Airport Link project. Terry HayesExecutive Manager Fire Planning Systems, CFATerry has a number of senior roles in public and private enterprise. In his current role he has been instrumental in establishing CFA’s 2009-10 Bushfire Preparedness Program. Ben Hughes-BrownSenior Engineer, NSW Fire Brigades
Benjamin is the senior engineer for the NSW Fire Brigades, Chartered Professional Engineer with Engineers Australia and Member of the Institution of Fire Engineers. Benjamin is registered with the National Professional Engineers Registry and has completed a Masters of Fire Safety Engineering, Bachelor of Engineering Mechanical and two Diplomas of Engineering. Benjamin joined the NSWFB two years ago and with the support of the structural engineer, surveyor and Fire Safety Officers has made several improvements in the communication between the NSWFB and industry. In the past two years Benjamin has contributed to reducing the NSWFB Alternative Solution review backlog to manageable levels. With over five years of private practise in Fire Safety Engineering Benjamin is focused on improving fire safety for Persons, Property and the Environment within NSW and Peter JohnsonPrincipal, Arup FirePeter is a Fellow and a Director of the Global Consulting Sector board at Arup, an international firm of engineering and business consultants. Peter leads Arup’s international fire engineering business and has particular interests in fire safety engineering, risk assessment, corporate risk management, and regulatory reform. Ray ManserFire Safety Engineer, Ray Manser Fire EngineeringRay Manser is a fire engineering consultant with expertise in fire safety design, fire investigation and post fire analysis. He has had extensive training and experience in management of fire service operations, including emergency response and risk management. He has also carried out investigations into the origin, cause, development and spread of fires in a wide variety of settings. He has experience in preparing expert reports and giving evidence on fire safety engineering and fire investigation matters in a range of legal and advisory settings. He is a registered expert witness for UNSW Global Pty Ltd Expert Opinion Services and on numerous occasions has provided reports and opinions within a legal context for litigation and criminal matters.
He has been heavily involved with the Institution of Fire Engineers Australia for many years and in the forefront of introducing a professional engineering approach to the Fire Service view of fire safety engineering. He is a Chartered Fire Engineer and a Fellow of the Shan RaffelActing Inspector, CAFS Evacuation Project During his 27 year career in the Fire Service, Shan Raffel has maintained a strong operational focus and a dedication to improving operational efficiency and safety. He has conducted a number of international study tours and was instrumental in introducing 3D Water-fog techniques toShan has been a member of the Institution of Fire Engineers since 1983, and has held a number of executive positions on the Australian Board. He is currently holds the position of Acting Inspector, Major Infrastructure Development with the Queensland Fire and Rescue Service in Brisbane. Debbie ScottFire Engineer, OnFire Consulting
Debbie Scott graduated with a Masters of Fire Engineering with distinction in 2000 from
William StewartFire Chief,
Chief Stewart is a thirty-seven year Fire Service veteran having served in the former City of
Bill is a graduate of the
Lisa SturzeneggerDirector Community Safety, CFA
Lisa’s international background brought her to David SwinsonBuilding Surveyor, Integrated Fire ServicesThe understanding of regulatory requirements and their application will be presented by David Swinson a consulting building surveyor passionate about measuring compliance and smart solutions for the construction industry. David directs Fire Safety Consulting, FM Building Approvals and BDC Design Compliance Pty Ltd specialising in fire safety. Paul VerheijdenPrincipal Fire Engineer, Integrated Fire Services Audiences will greatly benefit from what Paul has learnt after 25 years in fire services and fire safety design. Paul Verheijden is a about providing engineering excellence in fire consulting. He is a Chartered Professional Engineer and Principal Fire Engineer for Integrated Fire Services.
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