Welcome to the IFE Yorkshire & Humberside Branch
At the Y&H Branch we are committed to upholding professional ethics in fire engineering and furthering the fire sector in all that we do
Meet Our Committee
The Yorkshire & Humberside Branch of the Institution of Fire Engineers was re-established late 2024. In 2025, we are rolling out a diverse programme of public engagement, from technical webinars to in-person events. Our efforts will focus on three key areas:
- Showcasing the outstanding work being done across the Yorkshire and Humberside region,
- Supporting the growth of early-career fire professionals across the UK,
- Providing our audience with timely, high-quality fire safety content.
We, as a branch, exist for our members and we are here to support you. Our objectives are to provide training, development and recruitment opportunities for those working in, or transitioning into, the fire sector.
Below we introduce ourselves, and look forward to getting to know you too.
Branch Leadership
Branch President - Joe Hart
Branch Vice-President - Katherine Burgum
Branch Vice-President - Katherine Burgum
Joe Hart is Founder and CEO of the Delta Innovation Group. He is an experienced engineer and academic and is an established leader in the fire sector. Joe has extensive experience in developing fire strategies for buildings across the UK and specialises in the development of performance-based design solutions. Between 2021 - 2024 he held
Joe Hart is Founder and CEO of the Delta Innovation Group. He is an experienced engineer and academic and is an established leader in the fire sector. Joe has extensive experience in developing fire strategies for buildings across the UK and specialises in the development of performance-based design solutions. Between 2021 - 2024 he held a part-time lecturer position at the University of Central Lancashire before establishing the Delta Training Academy, where he is now Head of Curriculum Development. Within the Delta Innovation Group Joe is responsible for all day-to-day Operations, and leads the Y&H Branch of the Institution of Fire Engineers.
Branch Vice-President - Katherine Burgum
Branch Vice-President - Katherine Burgum
Branch Vice-President - Katherine Burgum
Katherine Burgum is a Fire Engineer at Delta Fire Engineering Ltd. Katherine has recently graduated the University of Central Lancashire with an MEng in Fire Engineering. For her undergraduate and postgraduate dissertations, Katherine focused on an experimental study into wildfire mitigation strategies to be used in the UK. Katherine pres
Katherine Burgum is a Fire Engineer at Delta Fire Engineering Ltd. Katherine has recently graduated the University of Central Lancashire with an MEng in Fire Engineering. For her undergraduate and postgraduate dissertations, Katherine focused on an experimental study into wildfire mitigation strategies to be used in the UK. Katherine presented her poster ‘An experimental study into the use of fuel breaks as a mitigation method for wildfires in the UK’ at the 14th International Symposium on Fire Safety Science in Tsukuba, Japan in 2023 and has a strong interest in the behaviour of wildfires and the effect they can have on people, property, and the environment.
Branch Committee
Early Careers Representative - Jack Smith
Early Careers Representative - Jack Smith
Early Careers Representative - Jack Smith
Early Careers Mentor - Tia Lewis
Early Careers Representative - Jack Smith
Early Careers Representative - Jack Smith
Branch Treasurer - Kirsty Hart
Early Careers Representative - Jack Smith
Branch Treasurer - Kirsty Hart
Branch Secretary - Limara Day
WE ARE HIRING!
Events Coordinator
Social Media and Website Coordinator - Basit Shiqlaf
Social Media and Website Coordinator - Basit Shiqlaf
Basit Shiqlaf is a Fire Safety Engineer with a passion for using creative ideas to simplify complex fire safety theories and make them more visual and accessible. He is dedicated to exploring and applying advanced technologies and AI tools to drive positive change within the fire safety industry.
Basit holds a BEng (Hons) in Fire Engin
Basit Shiqlaf is a Fire Safety Engineer with a passion for using creative ideas to simplify complex fire safety theories and make them more visual and accessible. He is dedicated to exploring and applying advanced technologies and AI tools to drive positive change within the fire safety industry.
Basit holds a BEng (Hons) in Fire Engineering and Oil and Gas Safety from the University of Central Lancashire. During his studies, he developed a strong interest in creating innovative fire safety strategies, including performance-based solutions for heritage buildings and emergency evacuation plans for high-risk scenarios.
With professional experience spanning roles such as Safety Instructor at the Petroleum Training and Qualifying Institute and HSE Advisor at National Oil Wells Drilling and Workover, Basit has conducted risk assessments, and designed emergency evacuation procedures for multiple oil rig crews.