About IFE

The IFE is a registered charity working for societal benefit. Founded in 1918, the IFE assesses knowledge of fire and professional experience, awarding internationally recognised membership grades and fire-related qualifications.

Through its Engineering Council licence as a Professional Engineering Institution (PEI), the IFE registers suitably qualified IFE members as Chartered Engineers (CEng), Incorporated Engineers (IEng) and Engineering Technicians (Eng Tech). Learning opportunities are worldwide within the IFE fire community and the IFE delivers over 7,300 fire-related exams each year which are required by many Fire and Rescue Services for promotion both within the UK and internationally.

The IFE works within its Memorandum, Articles and Bylaws and is governed by a Board of Directors. Board trustees work in a voluntary capacity and are appointed for a term of three years. A number of professional panels, committees and technical working groups underpin the work of the IFE and the IFE’s Charitable Educational Foundation supports international projects aimed at improving knowledge of fire safety for those suffering economic disadvantage.

Each IFE Branch is represented on the International General Assembly which meets twice each year to proactively share learning and to provide an important link between overseas members, the Board of Directors and IFE Head Office staff.

Located in Stratford Upon Avon, UK the IFE’s Head Office staff coordinate IFE activities and regulatory compliance.

Membership or affiliation is open to all, regardless of role or geography, and is inclusive of those working in emergency response, fire safety, active and passive fire protection, fire engineering consultancy and fire risk assessment and enforcement.

IFE’s 1st registered office was at Central Fire Station

In the early years, officers of the Singapore Fire Brigade (SFB) relied on IFE examinations for promotions. By the 1970s, there were enough qualified IFE members to form a Singapore Branch, addressing the need for professional qualifications within the SFB.

With the establishment of this branch, the administration of IFE examinations could be handled locally. Additionally, the branch retained half of the members’ annual subscriptions, using these funds for local administration.

In 1974, a pro-tem committee was formed, holding its first meeting at 191B Goldhill Plaza, Thomson Road, with administrative support from IFE (UK) member Mr. Chan Thai Ho. The pro-tem committee consisted of the following pioneer members:

G Dayaram – Pro-tem President
Loh Kah Loon – Pro-tem Vice President
Sim Thian Heng – Pro-tem Secretary
Tan Jin Thong – Pro-tem Treasurer
Han Jin Phong – Pro-tem Member
Tan Soon Huat – Pro-tem Member
Foo Chuna Pow – Pro-tem Member

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On 28th December 1974, during the first meeting, the committee unanimously decided to form the IFE Singapore Branch without delay. IFE (UK) was informed, and the IFE (UK) Singapore Branch was registered with the Registrar of Societies, Singapore, and approved on 7th April 1975.

Mr. E.H. Whitaker, the President of IFE (UK), inaugurated the Singapore Branch during his visit to Singapore on 10th April 1975 at the Imperial Oberoi Hotel, 1 Jalan Rumbia, Singapore 9.

Today, although fire officers are no longer required to sit for IFE examinations for promotions, the local branch of IFE (UK) has attracted many fire professionals, including fire consultants, fire protection engineers, fire safety engineers, fire safety managers, fire systems suppliers and installers, and crisis managers.