Steve Hamm
CEO, Institution of Fire Engineers
Steve Hamm is a Chartered Engineer and CEO of the Institution of Fire Engineers (IFE), where he champions professional standards and global collaboration to improve fire safety. He has a background in engineering and leadership roles in the Fire and Rescue Service –including Assistant Commissioner at London Fire Brigade. Steve’s career shows how engineering can lead to impactful roles in public safety. He holds degrees in engineering and strategic leadership, and began his career in the RAF – demonstrating the diverse pathways an engineering education can open.
Explore the rewarding careers available in fire safety
Fire engineers play a key role in shaping a safer world, developing innovative technology, designing sustainable buildings, tackling climate change, and solving global challenges.
If your students have a passion for problem solving, personal development and teamwork, fire engineering offers an exciting and purposeful career path.
Fire engineering roles are varied and broad. Students could find themselves in roles including, but not limited to:
- Fire and rescue service
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Fire risk assessor
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Fire investigator
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Fire safety designer
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Fire scientist
Fire engineers put out fires, they influence the buildings we live in, the transport we use and the products we buy. They also protect people, property and the environment from the effects of fire. They work closely with many other professions such as architects, designers, lawyers, scientists and other engineers.
Chartered Engineer, Frances Radford, who is now a senior fire engineer says: “I love the element of problem solving and the teamwork that is required in my day today job. Often, we face problems that need the skills of multiple types of engineers to solve. I enjoy bringing my specific knowledge and contributing to the creative solutions we come up with.”
A career in fire safety can start in many ways – through university study, an apprenticeship, or other training routes – with support available at every stage.
What are the routes into fire engineering?
Apprenticeships
Fire and rescue services in the UK offer apprenticeships. These apprenticeships will equip prospective engineers with the skills and knowledge needed to be a firefighter within a fire and rescue service. Once students have completed an apprenticeship, they could be eligible to join the Institution of Fire Engineers (IFE) as a technician member. This demonstrates their professional commitment to working towards the highest level of competency at the start of their career. Scroll down for more about the role of the IFE and how membership can benefit individuals below.
Many fire engineering firms also offer apprenticeships which will enable students to gain first-hand experience alongside their studies. Once they have completed their apprenticeship, students will have gained the skills and knowledge needed to continue their fire engineering career.
University
Universities around the world offer bachelor’s and master’s degrees in a range of fire engineering subjects if you would like to study abroad. New courses become available all the time, so try searching the internet for 'fire engineering degree’ or visit the UCAS website.
Frances says: “My education at Edinburgh was a big part of preparing me for my career. But since I left university, I have always had very supportive bosses that have encouraged me and helped me to overcome any obstacles.
“I loved physics and maths at school, but much preferred the practical applications to the theory. Both my grandfathers were engineers, so I was encouraged to look into the subject, and I liked what I found! I ended up studying civil engineering at the University of Edinburgh. The lecturers who taught us were doing world-class research in fire. They were so inspiring that I chose to change my degree to structural and fire safety engineering. By the end of the course, I knew that I wanted to work as a fire engineer.”
Most fire engineering degree courses require A levels or an equivalent level 3 qualification in maths, physics, chemistry, environmental science, or applied science.
Other careers in fire safety may need learning in subjects like electronics, design, statistics, computing, or psychology. The requirements for studying at university vary, but typically students will need around 96 UCAS points including maths, physics, chemistry, environmental science or applied science at college.
IFE professional qualifications
Another way into fire engineering is through professional qualifications. The IFE offers a suite of internationally recognised qualifications. Our qualifications are regulated by the Office of Qualifications and Examinations Regulation (Ofqual) to suit individuals at various stages throughout their career.
Students can opt to take an IFE qualification to further their knowledge and career. That’s whether they are just starting out or have been working in the sector for a few years.
Our qualifications are open to everyone. Add they range from level 2 to level 4 in specialist fire subject areas such as fire science, fire safety, fire investigation and passive fire protection.
Supporting future careers
The IFE is a global professional body dedicated to promoting excellence in fire engineering. We enable individuals to gain the technical knowledge, practical skills, and ethical grounding essential for protecting people, property, and the environment in the fire sector. We support fire engineers as they progress through their career and as they improve their knowledge.
Our exacting standards of competency and conduct, qualifications, membership grades and access to continuous professional development, are highly respected and sought after by employers across all sectors.
As such, we make our student membership for aspiring fire engineers free. Anyone who is studying towards a fire-related degree or related study can apply for Student membership. They then have access to our online CPD hub, quarterly journal, e-newsletter, and discounts to IFE events to support and further their knowledge in the fire sector.
Through this avenue, students can also network with other professionals and gain real insight and support as they progress their career.
A career in fire engineering is vast with many diverse opportunities available. Fire engineers can come from all diverse backgrounds and their work is extremely rewarding. If you are a student who enjoys problem solving or is looking for a career that will make a difference in the world, fire engineering may be your calling.
Frances says: “I hope more people get into engineering and realise that it is a very broad area that can cover all sorts of jobs. I think the value of the problem solving skills that engineers have will become more important as we face the environmental challenges of the future.”
More information about a career in fire engineering is available from the Institution of Fire Engineers (IFE).
Visit IFE's website to find out moreA career in fire safety can start in many ways – through university study, an apprenticeship, or other training routes – with support available at every stage.
