Spotlight on a Member - Murray Kidd

Meet Murray Kidd

Murray Kidd is a Fire Risk Management Officer, Specialist Fire Investigator and Fire and Emergency Inspector based in Palmerston North. He’s been in the industry for 40 years and still loves the new challenges that each day brings.

We had a chat to Murray about his career with Fire and Emergency NZ and how his involvement with BOINZ has been invaluable.

What was your first full time job? I was a carpentry apprentice with Richardson & Co in Invercargill.

How did you get into the industry? I was involved in a motor vehicle accident which meant I couldn’t do carpentry anymore, so I went into selling tyres. Didn’t enjoy it that much, so I joined the Invercargill Fire Service in 1970 where I was a a firefighter on the appliances before figuring out I loved the fire safety aspect of the job. I moved into that role in 1977, before moving to Gisborne in 1981 and eventually to Palmserston North in 1985.

You’ve said you love Fire Safety, what’s the most interesting thing about your role? The never-ending change of activity. One minute I’m working with a BCO from a council or an architecht/engineer providing guidance on fire aspects, then next minute I might be advising the public on fire safety issues, then next I can be exploring the aftermath of a fire. It’s the diversity. Every day is a different challenge.

What are the biggest challenges you face? Dealing with contractors who don’t understand the Building Code. Cutting costs for clients doesn’t work when it jeopardises fire safety. It can be a real challenge to educate people to the danger of cutting corners and how it can result in loss of life – something as

simple as ensuring smoke alarms are in each bedroom, not just in the passageway 3m from the bedroom door. A fire in a bedroom can destroy a room before the smoke gets through the gaps in the door into the passageway – by the time you wake up, you’d be dead. *laughs*

Murray Kidd - Fire Risk Management Officer/Specialist Fire Investigator/Fire and Emergency Inspector - Fire and Emergency New Zealand

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What are the biggest changes you’ve seen come into play? The way we do things – like the protection required under the Building Code. It’s been great to see but we are still working towards the ultimate level of protection.

What’s your involvement with BOINZ and how has this impacted your career? I’ve been a member since 2007! I was a Branch Chairperson for Central Branch, and Chair of the Specical Interest Group Fire Safety, I seem to have now been roped in as the rep for Fire and Emergency NZ at BOINZ meetings, but it’s great because it means Building Inspectors from all around the country feel like they can get in touch for advice and guidance. I’m glad I can help them. I really appreciate the cooperation between BCOs and Fire and Emergency NZ. The comradery and working relationships I have built through BOINZ are invaluable.

Murray is incredibly passionate about what he does and the impact he has on public safety. He is a wealth of knowledge when it comes to anything fire safety, risk management and compliance, and it’s knowledge he’s always willing to share. He’s a valued member of the BOINZ community, and the go-to-guy when it comes to guidance and advice.

Note: As a result of this interview, the interviewer has since installed smoke alarms in all bedrooms, in addition to the existing passageway alarms.

KNOW SOMEONE WHO DESERVES THE SPOTLIGHT? If you’re interested in talking to us for future issues or you know of someone who is doing great work within the industry and deserves to have the spotlight on them, please email marketing@boinz.org.nz