FSAI appoints new national president for the term 2018-20

Q. Could you brief us about overall activities of FSAI?

FSAI commitment model is based on knowledge sharing, creating awareness, working hand in hand with enforcement agencies, and building pride and passion amongst industry professionals. We undertake numerous business networking meetings, technology workshops, seminars, awareness programs at education institutes, corporate, Govt. organizations and also among the senior citizens and the remaining public; in order to bring a progressive shift in the safety perception. And, other initiatives and programs like regular event mailers, webinars; FSAI Buzz Bi-Monthly Newsletters also have a great influence in our external communication.

Q. Can you explain the strengths of FSAI as an apex body?

FSAI, Fire & Security Association of India represents a diverse mix of the fire and security industry’s leading manufacturers, distributors, system integrator and service providers in a large extent; considering from small units of innovative start-ups to large multinational corporations. Thus, we are connected with various wings. Doesn’t it speak about our strengths as a non-governmental organization?

Q. And so about Association’s milestones & achievements?

We have many remarkable successes in line with the past. FSAI has signed up with various MOUs; some majors are National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), Underwriters Laboratories (UL), Council of Architecture (COA) and so on. Also, we have set student chapters, to reach out universities and colleges in different geographical areas. FSAI is also responsible in inculcating the safety syllabus in Architecture Colleges.

Q. Which are some of your recent initiatives executed by FSAI for the industry?

We have very prominent personalities from various industries who have joined us to set goals and implement the objectives of FSAI.

For the coming years, I have formed various Chairs, Vice-Chairs, Regional Directors & FSAI staffs to support the missionaries such as Events & Programs, Branding, Media & Press, Government Liasioning, Advocacy & MOU’s implementation, Membership, Energy Efficiency & Building Automation, Student Initiatives, School Program, Policy & Process, Security, Finance, Standard & Codes (Fire & Security), Training & Development (Fire & Security), Women Safety & Security, Auditing & Rating of Buildings, Journals and Advisory Council.

Q. How do you bring the best practices for implementing awareness programs?

Well, it is not me alone who bring the best practices of the association. FSAI office bearers who are our Safety and Security Missionaries are playing very impressive roles to create awareness among our peeps. As we stand to protect lives and properties of our nation, we have brought up 20 Verticals to execute our vision. Though, FSAI’s main agenda is to reach out the end-users and make them aware how important it is to prevent massive disasters by taking care of their daily engagements, but now FSAI is focusing on specialized segments as Hotels, Jewelry Industries, Health Care Institutes, and Warehouses etc. Why we segregated different segments as such is because of the criticality is different among the mentioned divisions. So, it is easy to address the various safety needs and requirements of the pioneer groups, and help them instill the best practices of fire and safety gears.

Negligence is what leads to most of the accidents we witness in our daily life. If we consider the average of such accidents, it is higher in urban areas than the remaining. So, along with focusing on various industries to create awareness, major cities and towns are also considered. For which FSAI has categorized urban areas into Tier 1, Tier 2 and Tier 3 groups, and implemented the awareness programs which are yet to be practiced in the real life scenario. Digital India also helps FSAI to influence people with its improved connectivity to the mass, also through, other means such as print and electronic media. Trainings, public service announcements, webinars, give outs like bi-monthly newsletters, magazines, fliers and such as are FSAI’s channels to create progressive shift

in the perception of our citizens.

Q. Is there any special safety & security awareness programs conducted by FSAI for end-users?

During our Fire Service Week (April 14th – 20th of every year) we conduct public awareness in various parks and malls, incorporating with local fire-safety department.

Q. How do you foresee “India” as a potential market for fire safety & security industry, what are the prospects?

After China, India is the second largest country in the fire and safety sector; if Fire-Life Safety Legislation & Regulations rigorously puts into effect, then India can become the main domain in the sector in coming few years. Our industry will witness a multiple folds of growth, which can be calculated beyond 200-300% in a yearly average.

Q. What are the key technological trends that are driving the integrated fire safety and security industry?

Sustainability challenges are driving fundamental economic changes to provide solutions which are green and do not affect the environment. Technological trends are towards leveraging on renewable resources and innovations to integrate multiple systems on a single platform. Building energy efficiency and ability to protect lives and property from the ever evolving security threats are some of the focus areas in today’s world.

Q. How are you going to grow FSAI (Fire & Security Association of India) under your presidentship?

I am being in the industry for more than three decades. Being a visionary, my personal concern is protecting lives and properties. As the new President of FSAI, I have certain goals set for the Association’s growth. One of the important agenda is to create secretariat for Fire & Security Association of India, and to instill robust administration and best practices of the organization. Certainly the next main area of concern is improving internal communication to motivate existing chapter executives, and regional heads to develop the chapter, and be in constant touch with the members, also update them the progresses that we have made.

Another initiative is to work with the central government very closely; we have already identified dedicated team to work with regulatory bodies, ministries such as HRD (Human Resource Development), Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, NSDC (The National Skill Development Corporation India) and DMO (District Medical Office) offices. We are also in the process of releasing various standards of safety and security. Our ultimate aim is to ensure proper legislation enforced in our citizens to practice safety and security, in a way that will promote the best fire practices at residential, commercial, public and industrial areas. And, also to train our citizenry how to use the safety gears at times of exigency.