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South Wales Fire and Siderise lead the way in collaborative training for safer buildings

Fire safety in buildings relies on close collaboration and knowledge sharing across the fire sector— from the people who create the buildings to first responders. This principle was brought to life through a recent training programme delivered by passive fire protection specialists, Siderise, to South Wales Fire, helping to bridge the gap between product knowledge and real-world application.

The partnership began earlier this year, when the South Wales Fire Service approached Siderise— whose head office is based in Maesteg— for bespoke training materials to support their internal development. Rather than simply supplying resources, Training Manager, Elan Penn, offered to deliver on-site training that was tailored to their needs. The initial visit received positive feedback from the service, and on 17th September 2025, Elan was invited back to deliver two further training sessions to senior members of staff from multiple departments.

The training was designed to give attendees a clear understanding of how high-rise buildings present fire risks and the products that can be used to reduce these risks. Topics covered during the sessions included common façade types, the appropriate passive fire protection measures needed to protect them, and how these measures are designed to work. The training is now being formally integrated into South Wales Fire Service’s competency framework, with attendees receiving a certification of attendance from Siderise and a formal certificate from South Wales Fire Service. This is a significant step forward towards aligning real-world fire scenarios with technical understanding.

Jason Lamport, Group Manager, High-Rise Team, South Wales Fire Service, said:

“We learned so much and really welcomed not only the training but also the hospitality.

The training will be passed on to our crews and commanders and has been invaluable to us as a team.”

Richard Higson, Fire Officer, High-Rise Team, South Wales Fire Service, also added:

“The feedback from our fire service personnel has been excellent, the length of time and quality content was appreciated by all. We are fortunate to have Siderise as a resource within our Service area.”

Elan Penn added:

“When fire services and manufacturers work together, we raise the standard for safety and accountability. We are delighted to support South Wales Fire as it seeks to expand the knowledge and skills of its service workers. We’re not just sharing product knowledge – we’re helping to build competency across the fire sector and the country at a time when education around building safety is needed more than ever.”

Learn more about Siderise’s training offer or enquire about bespoke training for your organisation.