Business View Oceania | May 2021

27 28 BUSINESS VIEW OCEANIA MAY 2021 BUSINESS VIEW OCEANIA MAY 2021 normally use another company for their fire- related services. This makes sense, given that it is technical expertise for which FES is particularly well-known and respected in the industry. COVID-19 had a significant impact on FES and the fire safety management industry in general. Yarnall explains, “Internally, the biggest challenge was migrating all staff to working remotely as safely and efficiently as possible. Naturally, compliance-related obligations regarding fire safety still continued for all clients. Therefore, those services had to continue being provided by FES, albeit with COVID-specific measures in place. The health and safety of our people is paramount, particularly while working in public spaces.” Also, communication and scheduling had to be ramped up with each and every site, given the unusual status quo brought about by the pandemic. For example, a significant issue was that of accessibility, since many of the F I RE EQUI PMENT SERV I CES ( FES) B SHORE Fire Service – Complete Fire Hydrant and Hose Reel Service B SHORE Fire Service is a family-owned business based in Seaford, Victoria. A niche business, we are one among a handful of accredited Independent Fire Inspectors for Hydrants and Hose Reels in the state. Our expertise and knowledge is gained from almost 20 years’ experience in fire systems testing. We provide consulting services, diagnostic testing, routine maintenance testing and independent fire inspections. Our technicians hold AFSPAB and FPAS accreditations. Under recent legislation, the Victorian Building Authority has been charged with regulating and licensing fire protection testers. We felt it important to comply early and quickly. All our technicians have undergone further training and are awaiting registration with the VBA. B SHORE Fire are also active members of key industry players including Fire Protection Association Australia and National Fire Industry Association (Australia). Our commitment to delivering the highest standard of testing and maintenance has made us the preferred fire service testing provider for many businesses across Victoria. B SHORE Fire Service is proud to partner with Fire Equipment Services in testing critical sectors including Government Buildings, Hospitals, Aged Care Facilities, Universities and Schools, Retail, Industrial and Residential properties, to ensure public safety and compliance with Australian Standards and Building Codes. ...... For more information, please visit our website www.bshorefire.com.au organisation has more than 150 staff and contractors, who in turn partner with facilities managers and other clients covering over 30,000 sites across the country. Competition is stiff in the industry, particularly from private sector firms, although being a division of Fire Rescue Victoria gives FES a different profile in the industry. This influences the way FES goes to market. For example, most private fire and emergency consultancies tend to specialise in one area, whereas FES is able to provide a service that is multi-faceted and far more comprehensive in the field of fire safety and emergency management by drawing upon the wide range of specialist operational and corporate knowledge within Fire Rescue Victoria. Advice, consulting assessments, audits and feedback are just a few of the services that FES offers clients. This includes clients who may want a specific service, particularly in terms of legal compliance issues, even though they may Stuart Yarnall, Director and General Manager