Fire officers receive international certification

(CMR) Home Affairs Minister Hon. Bernie Bush presented 13 firefighters with their certificates from the Institution of Fire Engineers (IFE) at Central Fire Station last week.

The officers earned their certificates earlier this year by successfully completing a three-hour, 120 question examination for their IFE Level 2 Certificate in Fire Science, Operations, and Safety in March 2021. The brief ceremony marked another step on the Cayman Islands Fire Service’s continuous journey of self-improvement and professional development.

Speaking at the event, Bush remarked, “I am so pleased to present these professional fire and rescue certificates to these young Caymanians. Internationally recognized professional qualifications reinforce the capabilities and professionalism of our frontline firefighters who work tirelessly to keep residents, businesses, and visitors safe across our three Islands.”

Chief Fire Officer (CFO) Paul Walker, QFSM, said, “This is amazing news, and I offer my congratulations to my Cayman Islands Fire Service colleagues that were successful on this occasion. I encourage you all to continue your professional studies and go on to attain IFE Level 3 Certificates.”

“We hope to continue this trend, increasing the number of participants as well as the level of qualifications being achieved through the tiered examination program with the IFE.”

In 2020 the Cayman Islands Fire Service became corporate members of IFE, an international body that examines the knowledge and professional experience of fire and rescue personnel across the globe.

Membership grades are awarded from Student to Fellow, providing an internationally recognized fire engineering professional framework.

Chief Walker says CIFS has ambitions to establish a Cayman Islands IFE Branch where fire and rescue colleagues are joined as members by industry partners, such as architects, structural engineers, planners, fire risk assessors, and general engineers.

All IFE members have the opportunity to gain further professional qualifications through the IFE, and subject to previous experience and accredited prior learning, can seek Registered Chartered Engineer status.

Any person from industry partner companies or agencies that is interested in working with CIFS to establish a Cayman Islands IFE branch should provide their contact details to any of the five community fire stations.