Adapted from the IFE Career Insights Series
Introduction
Hi, I’m Kuram Gwakyaa. I am a consultant here at Kulexar Consulting Limited. I am also an Associate Member of the Institution of Fire Engineers (IFE) and hold interim Chartered Engineer status with them.
When people ask how I arrived at this point in my career, I always tell them that my journey into the fire sector was not a linear one by any chance. It was a path built on curiosity, taking on challenges, and constantly adapting to new environments.
A Non-Linear Journey: From Auditing to Passive Fire Protection
My entry into the fire industry started in a role where I served as a QSHE (Quality, Safety, Health, and Environment) Advisor. That position in itself involved a substantial amount of auditing to various standards and spearheading a wide variety of fire-related initiatives.
Through my work on those initiatives, I was led into a new role that focused specifically on third-party certification auditing. This role was a turning point for me, as it covered passive fire protection. From then on, I have never looked back.
Along the way, I have gained a wealth of relevant experience, specialized expertise, and industry qualifications. Each step of this non-linear path has built upon the last, ultimately leading me to my current consulting role within the fire sector.
A Day in the Life of a Fire Consultant
In my current consulting position, the work is incredibly diverse. On any given day, my responsibilities involve:
- Carrying out comprehensive risk assessments to identify potential hazards;
- Conducting meticulous audit preparations to ensure compliance with standards;
- Performing detailed compartmentation surveys to evaluate how fire can be contained within a building; and
- Providing vital passive fire protection advice to our clients.
What I enjoy most about this role is the profound sense that I am truly making a difference. I am supporting the effort to make buildings safer, and ultimately, as we all say in the fire industry, the end goal is all about protecting life. Having that direct hand in protecting people gives me an immense sense of pride in my daily work.
Furthermore, fire consulting is a highly dynamic area to work in. It offers a tremendous amount of variety in everything you do—no two days are quite the same. It also grants you the privilege of meeting and working with people from a wide range of different backgrounds in all your professional endeavors.
Advice for Aspiring and Early-Career Professionals
For anyone trying to enter the fire industry, or for those who are still early in their careers within the fire sector, I would offer these key pieces of advice:
“Never be afraid to challenge yourself. Keep the challenge there—that in itself will lead you places.”
- Follow your interests: Let your genuine curiosity guide your career steps.
- Stay motivated to learn: Continuous learning is one aspect of this sector that you simply cannot do without. Regulations and technologies are constantly evolving—they keep changing almost every day. If you are able to keep up with your learning in that regard, it will go a very long way in your professional development.
- Keep an open mind: Staying open to new ideas, different perspectives, and unexpected roles is the key to getting the absolute best out of your career.
The Value of IFE Membership
Gaining membership with the Institution of Fire Engineers (IFE) was an incredibly important milestone for me.
Firstly, it offered me that essential professional credibility that most practitioners in our industry seek, especially considering the high status and reputation of the IFE.
Secondly, it has provided me with reliable, high-quality knowledge resources that I can always tap into whenever I need support or guidance.
Finally, there is a powerful networking angle. When I attend IFE events, I am able to network, share ideas, and connect with a large community of peers across the industry. It is an invaluable community that keeps us all connected and moving forward.