BETHESDA, MD – September 25, 2012 – To assist the fire service administrator with the process of recruiting and employing fire protection engineers, the Society of Fire Protection Engineers (SFPE) Fire Service Committee has created a model job description for fire service fire protection engineers.
This job description lists the full range of possible duties that a fire protection engineer can provide for a fire service organization. At the same time, it is designed as a flexible document that organization’s can tailor the job description by first determining which duties to include, and then establishing the corresponding knowledge, abilities, qualifications, and certifications to adequately fulfill the fire protection engineer’s role within the organization. In this manner, organizations can match their needs with candidates’ capabilities.
“Modern firefighting and fire protection technologies are expanding at a rapid pace,” says Chris Jelenewicz, Engineering Program Manager at SFPE. “Because fire protection engineers have unique skills and abilities that focus on using science and technology to protect people, property and the environment from fire, many fire chiefs are successfully employing fire protection engineers on their staff. More and more, we are seeing fire protection engineers assist fire service organizations by incorporating the principles of fire dynamics and fire modeling into building codes and standards, fire-fighting practices and post-fire analysis.”
To view the Fire Service Fire Protection Engineer Job Description go to http://www.sfpe.org/Portals/sfpepub/Prof%20Prac/FPE%20Fire%20Service%20Job%20Description%20--%20Final.pdf.
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What is a Fire Protection Engineer?
According to the Society of Fire Protection Engineers, a fire protection engineer applies science and engineering principles to protect people, homes, workplaces, the economy and the environment from the devastating effects of fires. Fire protection engineers analyze how buildings are used, how fires start and grow, and how fires affect people and property. They use the latest technologies to design systems to control fires, alert people to danger, and provide means for escape. Fire protection engineers also work closely with other professionals, including engineers of other disciplines, architects, state and local building officials, and local fire departments to build fire safe communities. Fire protection engineers are in high demand. The number of available jobs far exceeds the supply.
About the SFPE Fire Service Committee
Organized in 1950, the Society of Fire Protection Engineers (SFPE) is the professional organization that represents engineers engaged in fire protection worldwide. Through its membership of over 5,000 professionals and 65 international chapters, SFPE advances the science and practice of fire protection engineering while maintaining a high ethical standard. The SFPE Fire Service Committee is made up of a diverse group of SFPE members that all have an interest in the Committee's mission, which is to "advance cooperation and communication between the Fire Service and the Fire Protection Engineering Profession." The Committee has three goals: 1.) Translate FPE related research and current trends in FPE design for Fire Service, 2.) Increase Design Community’s awareness of firefighters tasks, tactics, and strategies, and 3.) Promote and Encourage fire departments to hire FPEs. To find out more go to http://www.sfpe.org/AboutUs/CommitteesTaskGroups/FireServiceCommittee.aspx.
