Ambassadors & Thought Leadership
Discover in-depth analysis and strategic insights on the challenges facing the Middle East fire sector, delivered by our panel of regular Ambassadors and leading guest experts. This collection of articles covers critical topics from the evolving future of fire and life safety; fire protection for sustainable infrastructure; codes and standards for emergency voice and communication; plus building safety, fire engineering best practice, and how cloud connectivity, AI and data systems are improving comprehensive early warning systems.
Abhishek Chhabra
I am an Assurance Industry expert with nearly 20 years of experience in conformity assessment across consumer electronics, machinery, and hazardous goods. I possess deep knowledge of international compliance standards from North America, Europe, and ISO. A passionate advocate for passive fire protection, I work within Testing, Inspection & Certification bodies to ensure building material compliance. I’m dedicated to educating stakeholders across the fire safety ecosystem, including consultants, contractors, and regulators.
Amer Al Merabi
I am a Canadian Licensed Professional Fire and Life Safety Engineer and Team Leader at Jensen Hughes. My experience spans Canada, the US, and Saudi Arabia, working with organisations like AESG and the Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission. I specialize in performance-based design, code compliance reviews, and fire hazard assessments for complex facilities including nuclear plants. I contribute to ISO, SFPE, and CSA committees and am well-versed in IBC, NFPA, and Canadian Codes.
Paul Holland
I bring over 28 years of senior leadership experience in fire service governance and operational response. I’ve completed all UK fire service qualifications from Firefighter to Strategic Commander, including the Multi-Agency Gold Incident Command course. As a former Head of Training at the UK Fire Service College, I’m a Graduate of the Institution of Fire Engineers (GIFireE). I hold NEBOSH Level 3 and Fire Prevention Association certificates, having commanded complex incidents including hazardous material events and large-scale structural fires.
Faris Alzahrani
I have over 13 years of experience in Safety, Security, and Fire Management. As an NFPA-approved Training Instructor, I hold certifications including CFPS, CFI-I, and ISO Lead Auditor. I’ve led safety transformation initiatives across multiple operational sites and delivered over 1,055 hours of professional training. I hold a Master’s degree with Distinction in Fire Safety Engineering, with research interests in fire prevention technology, safety culture, and risk-based OHS management.
Yaser Mohammed
I am a Fire and Life Safety Design Manager at Diriyah Gate Company with over 11 years of experience in fire protection engineering. I lead FLS design reviews ensuring adherence to Saudi Building Code and NFPA standards. As an NFPA-certified professional and member of the NFPA Certification Advisory Group, I develop internal guidelines, conduct training, and support large-scale developments through proactive design solutions and safety strategies.
Yousif Mohamed
I am a Licensed Professional Engineer (P.E.) in Fire Protection with over 12 years of experience in fire safety engineering and life safety management. As a Fire Prevention Officer at King Fahd International Airport, I lead fire prevention programs and oversee inspection, testing, and maintenance of fire protection systems. I am an NFPA Certified Fire Protection Specialist (CFPS), Certified Fire Inspector (CFI-I), and approved NFPA instructor.
Ghaith Bakir
I am a Senior Regulatory Engineer at UL Solutions with 15+ years of experience advising authorities across the Middle East and Africa on fire and life safety codes. I represent UL in AHJ and code development forums, delivering technical presentations and leading major regulatory projects. Previously, I managed fire protection system portfolios in the UAE and helped build fire safety management frameworks aligned with national and international standards.
Mark Fessenden
I am a globally recognised authority on active fire protection systems with over 30 years of experience. I serve as Managing Director and CEO of the International Fire Suppression Alliance (IFSA). My expertise spans sprinkler, water spray, mist, and special-hazard systems. I hold three U.S. patents and contribute to numerous NFPA technical committees. My awards include the 2024 NFSA Russell P. Fleming Technical Service Award and 2021 SFPE Harold E. Nelson Service Award. I hold a BS in Mechanical Engineering Technology and an MBA.
Bob Rea
I am an emergency response professional with over 40 years of experience, recognised globally for my work in crisis management. Awarded the Queen’s Fire Service Medal (QFSM), I led the implementation of the UK National Urban Search and Rescue capability under the government’s New Dimension project. Throughout my career in the fire and rescue service, I gained extensive expertise across operations, fire safety, and training, operating at Gold/Strategic command levels. My specialist competences include Incident Command, Hazardous Materials, and Risk Management.
David Black
Sawsan Dahham
I am the Founder and CEO of SIENA, a specialist engineering consultancy, with 20 years of experience in fire and life safety, engineering consultancy, and business management. I have led major projects across MENA and Africa and am a recognised global industry influencer known for technical expertise and knowledge sharing. I serve on three NFPA 101 committees and have delivered NFPA training programmes since 2017, alongside authoring publications, speaking at global conferences, and serving on advisory boards and award juries.
Ahmad Al-khawaja
I am a Fire Protection Specialist at Saudi Aramco with over 12 years of experience focusing on fire trucks and hydraulic aerial platforms. I hold a Master’s degree in Risk Management from Tampere University and a Bachelor’s in Mechanical Engineering.
Islam Al Falahat
I am a Lead Fire & Life Safety Engineer at House of Consulting Office with over 10 years of experience designing and reviewing strategies for complex buildings and industrial facilities. I specialise in applying SBC, NFPA, and international codes to mixed-use developments, high-rise projects, and giga-scale programmes.
Lieutenant Colonel Dr. Humaid Al Ali
Ahmed Yousry
Dr. Ahmad Al-Ghamdi
Vinay V. Deshpande
Eng. Salman Al-Buflasa, CFPS®
I am a Captain, Certified Fire Protection Specialist and Fire & Safety Engineer at the General Directorate of Civil Defence, Kingdom of Bahrain, serving as Authority Having Jurisdiction across all occupancy types.
Lana Benny
I am a Senior Fire & Life Safety Engineer at SOCOTEC with over eight years of global experience spanning the Middle East, Africa, and United States. Holding interim Chartered Engineer status and pursuing PE licensure, I specialise in fire modeling, performance-based design, and industrial fire engineering.
Basheer Youssef
I am a Mechanical Engineer specialising in aeronautical engineering from the University of Aleppo, working as a Fire Safety Engineering Consultant across Saudi Arabia, Syria, and the United Kingdom. With over 16 years’ experience, I deliver fire safety solutions for major projects including high-rise buildings, airports, hospitals, and mixed-use developments. I am currently Life Safety Team Lead at Aman International Engineering Consultancy.
