‘Training Will Save Lives’
As emergency services attended an East London tower block fire early on Bank Holiday Monday, FDM Ltd’s Nicola John says adequate training is at the core of keeping the public safe.
Seven years on from the Grenfell tragedy, in which 72 people lost their lives, and less than 10 days before Phase 2 of its inquiry is published – more than 200 firefighters were tackling a blaze at a Dagenham tower block. News reports state that more than 80 people were evacuated, all occupants were accounted for, and there were no deaths. But, there have also been reports of known safety issues at the building, said to be wrapped in flammable cladding.
Nicola John has more than two decades in the fire safety and security sector and is at the helm of Fire Door Maintenance (FDM), a purpose-built, 3,000ft² Training Academy in Bury, Greater Manchester early in 2024. The centre combines classroom and hands-on experience for installers, inspectors, specifiers, and fire safety specialists and professionals; across 22 different types of fire door and component rooms. FDM’s provide a practical hands-on training experience alongside theoretical assessment to improve knowledge, skills and behaviours across the sector, and a 3rd party-accredited, on-site inspection team.
Following the fire in Dagenham, Nicola commented: “Non-compliant building materials cause destruction and devastation, and the industry needs to take action to prevent further tragedy.
“All buildings need a digitised, easily accessible ‘golden thread’ of information about their design, construction, and management. This allows materials that pose safety risks to be swiftly identified and removed or not used.
“At FDM by UAP Ltd, we’re the only company in the country to train fire industry workers practically and holistically about the building lifecycle, so they understand completely how fire doors are designed, engineered, installed, and inspected. It’s training that the industry urgently needs, and it’s training that will save lives.”
