SAFEngineers is being organised by a Manchester engineer and other “senior people within the industry”.
It will offer cover for members on an out of hours basis and it is planning to recruit a pool of engineers – including suitable retired people – across the UK to work on all grades of systems.
Membership will be open to “individual engineers only” and is designed to represent “from those new to the industry to those who are retired and still wish to work on occasion.”
Members will have to comply with all relevant standards as laid down by law, be clear of relevant convictions for ten years and hold suitable qualification (C&G or equivalent). If they do not hold qualifications they would have to be willing to be inspected at regular intervals until qualifications are gained.
The organisation is being set up by James Torrance of the Alarm Engineer, Manchester, who said it would be a not-for-profit organisation funded by a small membership subscription base.
“There are so many competent retired people whose experience is wasted,” said Torrance, who wants to set up a database of interested engineers. “There is nothing like this at the moment.”
He said members would carry a photo ID card with their qualifications and any other relevant competency (such as first aid or health and safety) listed.
Said Torrance: “There is a distinction between an installer and an engineer. It is more of a mental outlook rather than a qualification. A C&G shows you have the ability but doesn’t mean to say you’re doing the job right. Large companies would prefer to have installers rather than engineers. They fear that giving them engineer status would give them control.”
He said the group would not be involved with ACPO but would work with the Police Federation and individual police officers or forces.
He said he was aware that some organisations in the security industry would not be keen on the new venture.
The first two members of the board – which would approve or remove membership – were himself and Peter Moss, well known industry trainer. Other members of the board “would be revealed soon,” he said.