Rachel Spaul reports

"In every country in Europe, the target market for safety training in the workplace is substantial and, due to legislative pressure, unlikely to diminish," reveals FireTraining International Co-Director Simon Bray. "Workplace legislation, which in the EU affects all companies with more than five employees, requires employees to be trained and instructed in fire safety. The aim of such legislation is that staff understand fire precautions and the action to be taken in the event of a fire."

Established in 2003 by experienced directors Simon Bray and Roger Rothwell, the UK-based company has grown three-fold and expanded its operations to include an extinguisher servicing division. "Interest in our fire and safety training services has grown rapidly, as our courses appeal to all sizes and types of businesses," Bray relates. "Demand comes from large organisations with multi-site operations to smaller, family-owned companies. Some clients approach us out of fear of non-compliance with such legislation. Others are interested in minimising their exposure to the very serious threat a fire can pose on their lives and their livelihoods. Although our courses are legislation driven, fire risk is global, which means these courses are appropriate anywhere in the world."

With solid foundations and an established corporate identity, the company plans to extend its reach into other European markets through Master Franchising. "We are creating an international network of people committed to our high standards and ethical approach to safety training," Bray explains. He and Rothwell are looking to form trusting, long-lasting, mutually beneficial relationships with professional and business orientated individuals, experienced in training, dedicated to improving safety in the workplace and conversant with fire legislation, risk assessment, or first aid.

Master Franchisees will adopt a managerial role, employing several trainers, sales personnel and administration staff, and will have the option of sub-franchising. Franchisees will initially offer the 'Fire Safety Manager's Course', 'Fire Safety Marshal's Course', and the 'Fire Awareness Course'. The suite of training opportunities will then be extended to include other areas such as risk assessment training.

Bray goes on to say: "It is our mission to empower people to look out for themselves and their colleagues, to be sufficiently informed to continuously manage their own risks. We believe passionately in what we do - our work is preventative and saves lives. Given the great need and client feedback, this is a service in great demand." All companies need their staff to have an understanding of risk assessment, risk management and crisis behaviour - as Bray points out: "Fire is non-discriminative". FireTraining International's training options are designed to cause minimum disruption to the client's workplace, while enabling clients to greatly improve their fire safety.

Master Franchisees will receive 15 days' initial training, covering all aspects of setting up and running a successful FireTraining franchise, followed by a further five days in-territory. Ongoing support will be provided by a Franchise Director. Bray continues: "Franchisees come from a variety of backgrounds, with their own individual skills, experiences, interests and abilities. Companies on the other hand can become set in their ways and in their thinking processes. The power of the network lies in its potential to enrich the franchised organisation so that it becomes more than the sum of its parts."

The company aims to become the first choice for effective safety advice and training for organisations, whatever their size, and to become a globally renowned network. Bray sums up: "We are aiming for FireTraining International to become known across Europe and internationally as an ethically-minded and highly trusted source of advice, information and training services."