Gerry Dunphy, Event Director of FIREX
What does ‘fire protection’ mean to you?
It means assurance. Knowing that any building I’m in, any transportation I use or any public space I’m attending has a fully engineered, effective fire safety system in place. Whether it’s an automated response mechanism or the fire resilience is in the fabric of an enclosed space, I feel confident that fire safety is guaranteed.
What made you want to work in the industry?
As an event organiser/media representative, it went with the job. Because FIREX is such a market leading show with a strong reputation it was clear that the industry has a connection with everything we do. We must immerse ourselves in every sector we serve as we need to know the issues, dynamics and challenges in order to reflect what’s going on.
If you could talk to your younger self, what would you say?
Always beware of your words and actions and how you’re perceived in certain situations. And watch that temper!
Describe a funny thing that happened to you recently?
We have an 8-month-old dachshund puppy, so every day is amusing. Usually a ‘Fenton!!’ moment where he’s running off into the distance and I’m chasing him.
What three traits define you?
Inquisitive, impatient, aware
What’s the most important trend you see today?
In fire it’s the rise of IoT and connected devices and how the systems will integrate.
If you didn’t work in the fire industry, what would you be doing?
I would probably still be in some sort of media, on the editorial/ writing side
What’s the most interesting thing about you that we wouldn’t learn from your CV?
I’m quite a useful guitarist- and have been since my teenage years
What is one thing you would make compulsory in the office and one thing you would ban?
Flexible working is now proving to be a real positive so that would be compulsory. The one thing I would ban is Christmas jumpers!
Where do you see yourself in 5 years?
Hopefully still working in and around the fire and security industries in a similar capacity. I have picked up lots of knowledge and made some good friends, so it’s become a specialism after 22 years.
To read the full article see our latest issue: December/ January 2022 Single Issue – Fire Buyer International
Media contact
Rebecca Morpeth Spayne,
Editor, International Fire Buyer
Tel: +44 (0) 1622 823 922
Email: editor@firebuyer.com
