Continuing Professional Development

Assembly Member/CPD Officer
Brian Bourke, MSc, FIFireE, CFPA, MIRM

Fire Engineering is a rapidly developing profession, operating in a society which itself is subject to change. New attitudes towards education, training and methods of learning are being developed to deal with organisational and technological change. The acceptance of the need for life-long learning by professions is increasing and most professional bodies are developing schemes which will help keep their members up to date.

Principles of CPD

The Institution supports the concept and practice of Continuing Professional Development (CPD), believing it to be essential to effective performance as a professional fire engineer.

The Institution believes it has a duty to ensure the highest standards of performance in fire engineering. CPD creates an ethos in which competence and professional behaviour is expected from its members. The Institution defines CPD as "The systematic maintenance, improvement and broadening of knowledge and skills and the development of personal qualities necessary for the execution of professional and technical duties throughout the practitioner's working life".

There are three fundamental reasons for carrying out CPD:

• to demonstrate that existing knowledge and skills are being regularly refreshed, in order to maintain existing competency
• to acquire new knowledge and develop more skills necessary in order to keep up with developments in fire engineering
• to acquire new underpinning knowledge and skills that may be necessary for career development.

The Institution recommends that all members undertake CPD in accordance with the current advice and guidance. The Institution will examine ways in which CPD may become an obligation of membership and, in any future review of grades of membership, will seek to establish CPD as a necessary component of advancement through the grades. The Institution will keep CPD policy under review, seeking to develop the highest standards of practice and to aid recognition of activity between institutions.

Organisations wishing to apply for IFE approval of CPD

Organisations can apply for IFE approval of CPD. Successful applicants will receive an IFE CPD logo for use on publicity material, delegate certificates, etc. Assuming time allows, events will also be publicised in the events section of the IFE website.