Welcome to the IFE volunteering hub, a place where you can discover how to get involved with a range of exciting opportunities. Become a volunteer and enhance your skills, contribute to the sector and help illuminate a fire safe future. Volunteering can be self-rewarding and provides an opportunity to contribute to the fire engineering profession and to fire safety.
Download your guide to volunteering with the IFE
We are recruiting!
IFE Ethics committee vacancies
The IFE Ethics committee aims to promote, encourage, and improve the science, practice, and professionalism of fire engineering. The committee is made up of no fewer than twelve volunteers and is established under the delegated authority of the Institution’s Board of Trustee Directors through an approved term of reference, with oversight provided by the Professional Standards committee and supported by Institution staff at headquarters. If you are interested in joining the committee please read the role descriptors then complete this form and a member of the IFE HQ team will be in touch.
Apply to the IFE Ethics committee
How to start your volunteering journey
You can view our range of volunteering roles below and read useful information about volunteering with the IFE in our guide.
To begin your volunteering journey with us, complete this form stating the volunteering area(s) of interest along with your relevant knowledge, skills, and experience. A member of the team will then be in touch with you to discuss your application further.
Make a difference
We have a number of volunteering roles that fall under the various areas of the IFE. Read more about these below.
Trustee Directors of the Institution have an overriding duty to advance the purposes of the IFE and are responsible for its strategic development and management. Volunteering as a Trustee Director is a great way to broaden your skills with hands-on strategy and governance involvement. You will contribute to IFE’s charitable objectives and play a crucial role in delivering the IFE’s strategic vision. Nominations to stand as a Trustee Director and details of the nomination rules are usually open and publicised between May and July each year; nominees are voted on and elected by the Institution's membership, where eligible.
The role descriptions for IFE Trustee Director vacancies can be found here.
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Our branch network consists of over 40 branches worldwide. The branches are licensed by the IFE to carry out activities to support our charitable objectives in making the world a safer place from fire; in doing so, the branches play a primary role in facilitating IFE CPD events which include webinars, conferences, meetings, site visits and workshops, which enable learning and networking opportunities for fire professionals to maintain or develop new skills and competencies.
Supported by International HQ, branches run independently and are governed by a committee of volunteers who are also the Trustees of the branch. The Committee will include a Chair, Secretary, Treasurer, General Assembly Representative (IGA Rep) and other roles as required such as Membership Co-ordinators and Webmasters. Rules for branch governance including the process for elections at the branch AGM are prescribed in the branch constitution.
Getting involved with your branch can mean as much or as little time you can spare. You could help support the administration of the branch, help to organise events or offer your time as a speaker to name a few activities. Volunteering can provide you with valuable development opportunities and help you get the most out of your membership; you will be involved with discussing issues faced by the industry at local, national, and international levels and help to promote a fire safe world by joining a 400 strong volunteering network across the Institution.
Take your first step today by contacting your branch directly; they will discuss current activities and provide you with some information on how you can get involved. We have no doubt you will find it valuable and enjoyable. Find details of our branch network here.
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The IFE is licensed by the Engineering Council to register suitably qualified and experienced fire engineers in accordance with its internationally recognised standards of professional competence (UK-SPEC). IFE's licence currently enables us to register Chartered Engineers, Incorporated Engineers and Engineering Technicians. All volunteers to support these processes must be current registrants themselves. We currently register around 75 new registrants per year and you will join our existing team of around 50 volunteers in supporting the next generation of aspiring candidates who seek professional registration.
To find out more about becoming professionally registered click here.
Peer Reviewer/Interviewer
You will play a crucial role in determining candidate suitability for registration accessing their academic knowledge, understanding and experience against defined criteria.
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Our Ethics committee is a standing committee of the Board of Trustees. It oversees the conduct of members; promoting competency and ethical behaviours and ensuring accountability of the fire profession. The Ethics Committee Is responsible for the Code of Conduct and other ethical guidance and procedures. To volunteer within the ethics committee you must have been a member of the IFE for a minimum of three years and have a minimum of five years of industry experience.
Committee Member
As a committee member, you will undertake independent reviews of the ethical behaviour and conduct of those who hold membership with the IFE. You will promote awareness of the ethical standards expected of our members and provide guidance to ensure our standards remain relevant and robust.
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The IFE is a member of the Fire Risk Assessment Competency Council (FRACC) and was the first UK organisation to establish a register for Fire Risk Assessors and Auditors in response to the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 legislation. The IFE Fire Risk Register Panel are responsible for maintaining admission standards and subsequent ongoing periodic reviews of registrants in order to uphold competency and suitability of those carrying out fire risk assessments for life safety. In order to volunteer with the Panel you must be an IFE registered assessor or auditor yourself plus be registered by the IFE as a Chartered Engineering, Incorporated Engineer or Engineering Technician.
To find out more about our Fire Risk Registers click here.
Peer reviewer
You will play a crucial role in determining candidate suitability for registration assessing their academic knowledge, understanding and experience against defined criteria.
Interviewer
Performing a similar role to reviewers, you will carry out a review of an applicant's written submission and then their performance at interview to make recommendation for a candidate's suitability for registration.
Periodic Reviewer
As a Periodic Reviewer you will use your expertise to review Fire Risk Assessments/Audits and CPD of existing registrants against IFE's requirements to determine the suitability for continuing registration.
Panel Member
Panel Members are responsible for ensuring our standards are maintained in line with current legislation and guidance, keeping pace with changes and contemporary issues within the sector. Panel members ensure that IFE's guidance on the suitability of registration remains accurate and up to date.
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The IGA supports the corporate strategy of the Institution, provides a forum to share experiences and development and provides a sounding board for new initiatives. The International General Assembly is made up of branch and SIG representatives. To volunteer to support the IGA, you must be elected by your branch or SIG through a formal democratic process. Please refer to your branch/SIG for more information.
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Our Membership Application Assessment Panel (MAAP) Is responsible for providing independent reviews of applications for graded membership of the IFE, maintaining public trust and confidence of the fire engineering profession by upholding the admission criteria expected of prospective members. All volunteers to support this process must have obtained a Fellow grade membership themselves. The MAAP reviews approximately 100 applications each month.
Peer Reviewer
Playing an integral part of the journey for someone to become a member of the IFE, you will review the applications that are submitted by prospective members or current members who are seeking to re-grade their membership. You will assess candidate's knowledge and experience and make recommendation to be awarded membership; ensuring competence and confidence In the applicant’s declaration.
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More than 6,500 examinations are taken around the world across two examination sittings each year. IFE is a recognised awarding organisation regulated by Ofqual. Volunteers support the efficient running of the examinations upholding the integrity and parity of standards across the qualifications and across examination sessions.
Examiners (Question Setter and/or Marker)
Within your field of specialism you assist in question setting, ensuring the variety and level of difficulty is consistent with the syllabus related to the qualification. As a marker you will use your specialist knowledge to accurately assess scripts submitted by candidates in accordance with detailed marking instructions. Please note these are currently UK based roles only.
Exam Centre Managers
You play a key role in enabling candidates to access IFE examinations around the globe, following detailed guidance to ensure that the centre arrangements maintain the integrity of the examinations and that the conditions provide an equitable experience for all candidates. You will have regular contact with International HQ throughout the period to enable a smooth and secure examination session.
Examination Centre Inspectors
You will conduct centre visits to ensure that the requirements for managing the examination sessions are being observed as prescribed.
Invigilators
Invigilators are responsible for the conduct of the examination session, ensuring all regulatory requirements are adhered to. This will include ensuring appropriate seating arrangements, checking identity documents, making sure examinations run to time and under exam conditions and providing clear instructions to candidates etc.
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Following the application process and deemed suitability, IFE awards formal recognition of training courses, training providers and educational programmes of study. Volunteers are selected to review courses and providers depending upon their subject matter expertise, qualifications and/or relevant employment experience.
Click here to find out more about our recognition programme.
Peer Reviewer
As a Recognitions Reviewer you will undertake the initial assessment of courses/training providers, conduct visits to assess the appropriateness and quality of the course content and the training provider to deliver the course and assist with the ongoing quality assurance checks via the programme of triennial review.
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SIGs are a significant component of the IFE offering a forum for collaboration and knowledge development.
Our Special Interest Groups (SIGs) are led by like-minded volunteers sharing a common interest and expertise in a specific field of fire engineering who come together from practice, consultancy and academia to produce guides, codes of practice, seminars, contribute to consultations and provide a space to network and share ideas.
All IFE members can join any number of IFE SIGs as ‘Contributors’, although some SIGs limit the number of contributors to ensure those in attendance can actively contribute. SIG workplans and activities are updated regularly; some of which can be accessed by logging into MyIFE.
Current SIGs include:
- Façades
- Fire Investigation
- Fire Modelling
- Fixed Firefighting Systems
- Heritage Buildings
- Industrial Fire and Risk
- Transport
Every SIG is led by a volunteer committee comprising of a Chair, Secretary and other committee members as required, with oversight provided by the IFE’s Technical Committee and supported by IFE’s Volunteering team at HQ. SIGs are governed by an approved terms of reference and their activities and objectives are set and agreed annually.
The role description for each of the SIG committee member roles can be found here:
Vacancies for SIG committee member roles will be listed on this page from time to time with details of how to apply.
If you have an interest in forming a new SIG, are a non-member but would like to get involved or have any general questions, please contact us at volunteering@ife.org.uk.
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The IFE's networking groups are supported and driven by committees of member volunteers. These groups bring together people with a shared interest to network, support and exchange information.
The IFE Women's Networking Group launched back in June 2021 to connect like-minded experts who wish to promote and support females within the fire engineering profession. The group is a useful platform for discussion, debate and for raising awareness of issues affecting women in fire engineering.
We are also in the process of establishing an Early Careers Networking Group which aims to offer inspiration, support and professional development to the next generation of fire engineering talent.
To get involved with these groups, seek further information using the vacancy links at the top of this page or if you have general questions please contact the team.
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The Technical Committee serves as the steward and guiding influence for the Institution on all technical matters. The views and comments received from Technical Committee members and contributors are invaluable as they help to ensure that IFE’s strategic technical direction, responses and influences reflect the views of the membership and are informed by member’s practical experiences and expertise.
The Technical Committee includes a steering group lead and is represented by each SIG, external committee representatives and subject matter experts. The committee coordinates the activities of SIGs, peer reviews technical articles, contributes to guides, consultations, codes of practices, draft legislation, post Grenfell working groups in the UK and internationally and reports directly to the Board and the Institution’s Technical Director.
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We have spoken to a number of our fantastic volunteers who all play a crucial role in benefiting our members and the wider sector. You can meet some of them below; simply click on their image to learn more about their role and how volunteering has benefitted them.
Meet some of our volunteers