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Focus Archive

"Mind the Gap" seminar held in London on 19 June 2013 by the Fire Information Group (FIG UK) to celebrate 25 years of fire information cooperation

July 2013

On 19 June 2013 the "Mind the Gap" seminar see www.figuk.org.uk/conferences/2013 was held at the Imperial Hotel, London, UK to celebrate 25 years of fire information cooperation. There were seven speakers covering a range of fire related topics:

• Sheila Pantry OBE explained what FIG UK www.figuk.org.uk does and its wide range of interests and then set the scene with Mind the Gap talk and went on to describe fire and fire related information worldwide. She offered examples of the type of authoritative information available, the current pitfalls and demise of fire collections and some solutions including FIREINF www.fireinf.com
• Kirsty Bosley, Chair of FRSUG - Fire and Rescue Statistics User Group www.frsug.org explained the activities of the Group and the wide range of interests it follows. Over the years many presentations have been given to the group, which also has an annual plan of work and gathers information on other sources of fire statistics.
• A talk on Fire safety information requirements of firefighters was given by Dave Sibert, Fire Brigades Union Fire Safety Advisor and covered a wide range of information that needs to be known to actually do the job.
• The UK All-Party Parliamentary Fire Safety & Rescue Group work, aims and objectives were explained by Secretary Jim Fitzpatrick MP. The work includes many meetings, together with three Parliamentary Seminars held since the last AGM on: 1. Enforcement 2. Fire Safety in the Built Environment and 3. Schools and Arson.
• Fire research into practice, by Dr James Glockling, Technical Director Fire Protection Association explained that research is carried out for a number of reasons with examples including firefighting on unmanned naval ships, high rise buildings, improving FRS intervention times, and MMC building methods. Also explained the Risk Insight, Strategy and Control Authority (RISCAuthority) work.
• Fire investigation and training and information needs by Dr Roger Berrett
  Roger looked at the role of the Fire Investigator covering topics such fire sciences, fuels, ignition sources, flaming and smouldering fires and offered many illustrations to support his presentation.
• Role of the Fire Investigator - What happens after a disaster? By Dr Chris Foster, Burgoynes
  Talk covered: What are the stages - where does information and statistics come in?
  Disasters as a phenomenon; What are the initial stages; Ease of access to information and investigation strategy. Chris used three examples that he was involved in - Kings Cross underground fire in 1987, Mont Blanc Tunnel fire in 1997, Buncefield explosion in 2005.

The Fire Information Group (UK), commonly known as FIG UK, is an information and technological exchange co-operative in the fire, loss prevention and resilience fields. FIG UK was established in 1988. Members help each other in sourcing information and contacts - both UK and internationally.

FIG UK membership comprises information professionals, librarians, researchers, firefighters, fire and rescue services, forensic and fire investigators, fire information publishers and others, from a range of well respected organisations. See the Directory of Members.

Members benefit by being able to identify specific areas of expertise, industry contacts, printed and electronic published information and help in lobbying for better information provision in this important sector. Members also exchange information on all aspects of fire technologies, developments and statistics.

As technologies have developed FIG UK members have taken advantage of the various products and services that have been produced internationally and have been able to recommend to each other new sources as they emerged.

FIG UK's earlier publications such as the Directory, the Newsletter and Minutes were all print based - but for many years now have been available on FIG UK's own website www.figuk.org.uk

Members meet every six months to discuss new developments in members' areas of expertise. More general topics such as copyright issues and electronic forms of information are also discussed. A newsletter and minutes are produced after each meeting.

International Links

FIG UK has links with inFIRE (international network of Fire Information and Reference Exchange) that is based in the USA and has members throughout Europe and also in Canada, Australia and New Zealand.

Over the years there have collaborative international conferences with inFIRE - notably the 1st International Fire Information Conference held at Fire Service College, Moreton-in-Marsh, UK held on the 27 April - 1 May 1992 and the 2nd International Fire Information Conference, held at the Imperial Hotel, London, UK on 27 - 31 May 2002.

Some FIG UK members have also attended inFIRE conferences held elsewhere in the world and report back news and developments.

New members

FIG UK welcomes new members and there is a membership form on the website.

Alternatively please contact: Sheila Pantry OBE | Tel: +44 (0)1909 771024 | sp@sheilapantry.com