The Society of Fire Protection Engineers (SFPE) has announced the establishment of a new national organization, SFPE Canada, to support the professional development of fire engineers across the country.
According to SFPE, the new entity will provide localized education, networking, and technical collaboration opportunities. It will follow a structure similar to SFPE Europe, which was launched in 2019.
The initiative was developed to expand access to fire protection engineering resources and to coordinate engagement across Canadian chapters, industry, government, and academic partners.
SFPE explained that SFPE Canada will act as a forum for national coordination of training, advocacy, and standards development in the fire protection field.
The organization stated that it will support chapters and members by organizing regional events and offering credentialing support tailored to the Canadian context.
It will also participate in technical projects and global SFPE initiatives through Canadian representation on committees and leadership bodies.
Chris Jelenewicz, PE, FSFPE, Chief Executive Officer of SFPE, said: “We are thrilled to announce the launch of SFPE Canada as part of our ongoing commitment to strengthen and expand the global fire protection engineering community.
“SFPE Canada will serve as a vital platform for professionals throughout Canada to engage with SFPE’s resources, events, and initiatives, while also addressing regional needs and priorities.”
Shaun Kelly, P.Eng., IntPE, SFPE Director at Large, said: “The creation of SFPE Canada marks a major milestone for fire protection engineering across the country.
“It will offer new opportunities for SFPE Canadian Chapters and fire protection engineers in Canada to connect, collaborate, and contribute to advancing fire protection engineering best practices and educating the fire safety community nationally.
“We are excited to build a vibrant community for fire protection engineers to engage, and build an organisation that will serve as a united voice for fire protection engineers at a national level.”
Kieran Ager, P.Eng, CEng, PMSFPE, Chair of the SFPE Canada Steering Committee, said: “This is an incredibly exciting time for Canada with one unified voice representing Fire Protection Engineers across Canada.
“We can only hope to aspire to the leadership and success exhibited by other established groups (such as SFPE Europe) in advancing fire safety.
“Establishing SFPE Canada could not be timelier with meeting the challenges and opportunities faced within the Canadian built environment.”
SFPE stated that the Canadian branch will facilitate conferences and events targeted at local fire protection engineering issues.
It added that professional development and credentialing support will be adapted to Canadian regulatory and educational contexts.
The organization also plans to increase research output in cooperation with Canadian universities and industry stakeholders.
SFPE noted that SFPE Canada will maintain close links with SFPE headquarters and will contribute to international committees and strategic planning.
SFPE has launched SFPE Canada to support fire protection engineers in Canada.
The new entity will offer localized training, education, and networking.
SFPE Canada will follow the model of SFPE Europe.
Chris Jelenewicz is Chief Executive Officer of SFPE.
Shaun Kelly is SFPE Director at Large.
Kieran Ager is Chair of the SFPE Canada Steering Committee.
SFPE Canada will collaborate with government, academia, and industry.
Activities will include regional events and credentialing programs.
The organization will represent Canada in global SFPE efforts.
More information is available at www.sfpe.org.
