1. Simon Graham Young
Villa 28, Khalifa City A, Abu Dhabi
Tel: +971(0)506436840
Email: simon.g.young@live.co.uk
An enthusiastic, self motivated and diligent fire professional with a proven strategic and operational track record of
improving operational safety, with over 30 years experience in the Fire Service. A Fire Safety Officer of 14 years
with experience in fire prevention and safety, fire training, , fire policy development, fire risk assessment, British
Standards and NFPA standards and instructing. Personally responsible for leading operational teams and
strategically raising performance. A proven motivator, coordinator, with experience of account management and
highly accomplished at delivering excellent customer service.
Key Skills:
Fire Safety Management
My whole career has been dedicated to Fire Safety Management. As a qualified and experienced fire safety officer, I
have worked in numerous environments on both hazardous and challenging projects. I have had the opportunity to
use my skills and knowledge to identify shortfalls in fire safety provision and work both alone and as part of multi-
agency project teams to provide workable solutions to increase fire safety provision. This includes within my current
role at Emirates Response Services, an organisation that had limited fire safety when I arrived 2 years ago. I have
also been keen to sustain my level of Fire Safety competence through keeping myself up to date with current NFPA
and Civil Defence Legislation. My passion for Fire Safety Management has also been utilised and harnessed through
providing training courses for both my own teams and external customers.
Leadership
I have championed numerous projects as part of my leadership roles, including the coaching of staff members,
driving new initiatives and raising compliance. Within my own business, I observed, coached and professionally
developed my colleagues and enhanced the companies offering. In the Royal Air Force (RAF) I obtained the
responsibility to lead numerous project teams including the delivery of a multi-million pound bundled Group Life
Safety Systems Maintenance Contract. Within my current role, as the Fire Safety Manager / Senior Fire Safety
Officer it is essential that my initiatives both enhance the operation and drive continuous improvement. Due to an
Emiratization programme within the UAE, additional challenges have been the transition from Expat to Emirate
Station Managers, which has had to be both strategically and sensitively managed.
Training
As a Fire Officer, I was responsible for training station personnel in fire safety and awareness. During the national
civilian fire strikes I was deployed to Morton on the Marsh Fire School and led a team of fire instructors whom
taught non fire trade servicemen to perform the role of the fire service in the event of a nation fire strike. I have also
taught a variety of health and safety based training courses including fire, first aid, AED and manual handling.
Operations
Operationally, I have a large amount of experience from both my time in the RAF and thereafter. I am always keen
to enhance the operation and I have been actively involved in the continuous improvement of operations at both the
RAF and at Emirates Response Services (ERS) by driving ISO standards across the operation. I have also been able
to streamline the reporting procedure at ERS, to both reduce man hours and risk of human error by introducing
standardisation across all bases by means of a Fire Safety Management System.

2. Management, Instructional & Leadership Course Awards:
Certificate in BAFE Fire Extinguisher Servicing 2007
Fire Marshal/Warden Instructor 2006
AED Instructor 2006
First Aid at Work Instructor 2005
Certificate in Intermediate Management and Leadership 2004
Fork Lift Truck Qualified 2003
Certificate in Fire Prevention (fire Inspector III) 2001
Breathing Apparatus Instructor 1995
First Aid Instructor 1995
Further Training 1 Promotional Course 1994
IT Skills:
I am proficient in Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook and Internet Explorer. I am also proficient in
Computer Aided Design (CAD) programs used for the presentation of building fire safety and evacuation plans.
Employment history:
01/13 – Present Emirates Response Services – Fire Safety Manager / Senior Fire Safety Officer
Emirates Response Services (ERS) provides a fully integrated outsourced turnkey provision for Fire and Rescue
Services across 14 U.A.E Air Force Bases – including the provision of personnel, training, procurement and
management of vehicles, specialist equipment and facilities management.
 As a member of the Senior Leadership Team, key responsibilities include leading and supporting a change
programme to ensure full contract KPI conformity, spearheading strategic fire safety improvements and
implementing fit for purpose processes to drive continuous improvement, based upon a Fix, Build and
Improve Strategy.
 Day to day tasks includes the auditing and inspection of operational bases, providing and monitoring
corrective actions using NFPA and Civil Defence best practice. This includes gap analysis of Fire Safety
Provision against general contractual KPIs and Operational Performance.
 Managing the process of standardising Fire Safety, Health and Safety documentation, reporting and training
across a complex portfolio of stations across 40 bases.
 Lead an expanding team of 20+ Fire Safety Officers, with responsibility for their professional development
and other HR related issues.
 Project led the re-certification of the Organisation’s Integrated Management System (ISO9001) in relation to
Fire Safety.
 Work collaboratively with external agencies to ensure full system compliance and serviceability of new Air
Force Sites. This includes suppression and alarm systems, Building Safety Management and the provision of
extinguishers and signage, in line with current regulations.
 Implemented an inspection and servicing regime in order to maintain current fire alarm systems. Part of this
has been the creation of new reporting procedures to increase the amount of management data available.
 Identified the need and created a database identifying the condition and serviceability of current suppression
systems and undertook a needs analysis for additional life safety systems requirement.
07/07 – 12/12 1st
Aid Fire – Managing Director
1st
Aid Fire provided a bespoke Fire Safety and Training for large organisations. Services included Fire Risk
Assessments, Training including Fire awareness and Fire Marshall. Additional provisions included consultancy and
remedial works.
 As a member of the leadership team, key responsibilities included strategy, budgetary, leadership, planning

3. and co-ordination activities. The objective of the business was to provide quality services to ensure customer
satisfaction and retention.
 Under my leadership, the business expanded with a significant client base of 110 companies, with a 100%
client retention rate.
 Grew company turnover from £6k in Year 1 to over £100k during Year 6.
 Won numerous government contracts including numerous Local Authorities.
 Managed a team of 12 consultants, whom I observed, assessed, coached and professional developed.
 Developed a robust Risk Assessment format, which was recognised by the Local Authority Fire Services and
sold as a commercial offering.
 Spearheaded course design with collaboration from both my team and clients.
 Evaluated company performance to drive Continuous Improvement, by performing trend analysis and liaise
with customers.
 Identifying gaps in the market to obtain competitive advantage, including the introduction of turnkey
provision.
05/04 – 07/07 Royal Air Force (RAF) Odiham – Deputy Fire Chief / Senior Fire Safety Officer
The RAF is the United Kingdom’s aerial warfare force. Formed in 1918, is the oldest independent air force in the
world and its mission is to support the objectives of the British Ministry of Defence.
 Day to day tasks included having sole responsibility for Fire Safety on the base. Accountable facilities
included Hangars, Accommodation, Industrial and Administrative Buildings.
 Implemented and evaluated a servicing schedule due to obsolete nature of existing plan.
 Involved in construction project teams to ensure full compliance with fire and safety regulations.
 Identified any fire safety deficiencies and provided fit for purpose solutions to comply with regulations.
 Spearheaded numerous Health and Safety Initiatives including, Hot Work Permits and Guidance.
 Managed numerous high profile projects including asset replacement.
03/97 – 05/04 Royal Air Force (RAF) Brize Norton – Senior Fire Safety Officer
 Key responsibilities included being employed as the Chief Fire Safety Officer at RAF Brize Norton, the largest
fire safety unit within the RAF, providing fire safety advice, inspections and fire safety management plans for
clients. I also provided advice to siting boards with regards to new builds and extensions to existing premises.
 Accountable for the management, development, discipline and welfare of fire service personnel, writing
annual assessments whilst in the RAF.
 Led and supervised a large and ever growing fire safety team including fire safety officers, fire alarm
engineers and fire extinguisher technicians.
Early Career
Royal Air Force – Career progression from the rank of Fire Fighter to Deputy Station Manager / Senior Fire Officer.
Responsibilities included the leadership of numerous fire crews, incident commanding and training. The roles also
enabled me to understand HR processes including annual reviews, disciplinary procedures and grievances.
External Activities
 Keen sport and fitness enthusiast; swimming, fishing, and kayaking;
 Scuba Diving;
 Enjoy foreign travel and learning about other cultures;
 Organise both company and personal social events.
References for any of the above roles are available upon request.