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Nominations for the 2026 FREAs are OPEN!
The FREAs are designed to recognise those who excel in protecting people and other assets from fires, in all types of workplaces and in any sector. These awards are designed to be both independent and inclusive, and they are open to anyone, in any sector operating in the United Kingdom.
The categories and criteria for the FREAs are listed below.
The criteria for the FREAs entries are decided centrally by the FREAs. Please note that it is important that all the entry criteria are covered in the submission, as judges can only provide their scores against the information that is submitted on the entry. External links and attachments are not permitted.
Entries Close at midnight on the 28th January 2026.
The judges are responsible for selecting the finalists and winners of each category. Their decision is final and no correspondence will be entered into. The award organisers also reserve the right to not award a category if circumstances deem it necessary. There is no charge to submit an entry.
Nominees may enter themselves or others more than once in multiple categories.
Please note that nominations are scored on the quality of the answers. Answers that are deemed too short will not be submitted to the judges, and there is no advantage given to nominees who enter multiple times in the same category.
Outstanding Leader
Leadership in the fire sector can operate in different ways, they may work as advisors to the organisation or lead a team or department. Whatever the role – be that (for example), related to some aspect of risk control, facilities management, managing agent – this category recognises those who through fire safety management expertise, business acumen and/or skilful and innovative leadership approaches, have led with distinction. Outstanding performers will be leaders and innovators who are setting examples with tangible outcomes that others will wish to follow.
To enter this category you will be asked to:
- Describe the role of the leader and the ways in which the individual has led change in the organisation including the impacts of any partnership approaches adopted with different stakeholders. (up to 500 words)
- Provide details of the value added by the leader and the impact this individual has had on the work of the department highlighting the specific leadership qualities that generated any benefits noted. (up to 500 words)
The judges will be looking for evidence of outstanding performance in:
- Discussing the ways in which the role has driven performance including detail of tangible outcomes.
- Highlighting the factors that enable the manager/director to excel
- Identifying the ways in which the role has influenced wider business operations
- Providing examples of building effective relationships with key stakeholders
- Demonstrating the improvements made to people and/or process and systems
Outstanding Team
This award recognises outstanding teams engaged in fire safety in the private, public or voluntary sectors – open to contracted teams, those employed direct or a combination. An outstanding team is one that has implemented an approach which has contributed to the overall performance of the organisation. This can include roles, for example, in protecting, assessing, advising the organisation, some or all of which may be innovative or exemplary, as well as showing outstanding performance in enabling the organisation to operate in ways or areas that would not be possible without the contribution of the team.
To enter this category you will be asked to:
- Describe the work of the team and the ways in which it has driven outstanding performance highlighting the key factors that have enabled success. (up to 500 words)
- Describe the impact of the team highlighting the benefits and value it has generated for different stakeholders. (up to 500 words)
The judges will be looking for evidence of outstanding performance in:
- Discussing how the team creates and implements an effective fire and safety management strategy and drives performance
- Highlighting how good fire safety management practice impacts on the wider organisation
- Identifying the factors that enable staff/leadership to excel
- Providing examples of building effective relationships with key stakeholders
- Demonstrating how improvements made to people and/or process and systems
Outstanding Organisation
This award recognises those who are outstanding suppliers of any type across the fire sector, whether that be a commercial company, a public service or a voluntary organisation. Motivating staff, managing resources in an increasingly demanding environment, up-skilling, recognising the distinct importance of front-line leadership, making the most of technologies, forging internal and external partnerships and making them work are just some of the trends that are leading to new approaches and thinking in contracting (but these are just examples). The object of this category is to recognise the outstanding organisations making a positive difference.
To enter this category you will be asked to:
- Describe the services provided, highlighting key distinguishing features. (up to 500 words)
- Describe how the organisation has displayed outstanding performance and deserves to be recognised with this award. (up to 500 words)
The judges will be looking for evidence of outstanding performance in:
- Discussing the key distinguishing strengths the organisation displays
- Highlighting the approach taken, the specific skills and tactics that underpin performance
- Identifying examples of success in initiatives, procedures and policies
- Providing examples of building effective relationships and communications with stakeholders
- Demonstrating how high performance and benefits are sustained
Outstanding Consultant
This award recognises the fire sector consultant – individual, team or company – demonstrating outstanding performance in any aspect of consulting in any area of fire safety work. Consultants often play a key role in offering expertise and insight which can transform the quality of service, product or system that is offered. It recognises the existence of distinct skill sets and crucially the ways these are harnessed and managed to make a difference to fire safety management strategy and/or practice.
To enter this category you will be asked to:
- Describe the role and objectives of the consultant and the key factors that reflect outstanding performance. (up to 500 words)
- Describe how the consultant has displayed outstanding performance in terms for example, of leadership skills, a focus on the customer, by adding value or otherwise driving excellence. (up to 500 words)
The judges will be looking for evidence of outstanding performance in:
- Discussing the ways in which the consultant has driven superior performance
- Highlighting the key distinguishing strengths of the consultant including leadership skills
- Identifying the ways in which the role has influenced positively wider organisational operations
- Providing examples of building effective relationships with key stakeholders
- Demonstrating how high performance and benefits are sustained
Outstanding Installer/Integrator
This award recognises outstanding performance by installers/integrators, be that individuals or companies. Excelling at installations requires a rounded approach and often skill sets that include specialist expertise, project management and customer care. Although installations are about adding value the precise benefits will vary by type of client and type of installation. This award recognises those who excel at fire installations.
To enter this category you will be asked to:
- Describe the service the installer/integrator provides, the main areas of outstanding performance, and how these were achieved. (up to 500 words)
- Describe the additional value and benefits that were generated for clients and the factors and drivers that enabled the installer to excel. (up to 500 words)
The judges will be looking for evidence of outstanding performance in:
- Discussing the key distinguishing strengths the installer/integrator displays
- Highlighting how new technology and/or innovative techniques have improved performance
- Identifying the factors that enable staff/leadership to excel
- Providing examples of client benefits
- Demonstrating how high performance is sustained
Outstanding Product/Innovation
This award recognises an outstanding new product that has been designed and implemented to improve any area of fire safety practice and has been introduced to the market in the last 18 months. The key point about new products is that they have a marked effect on improving performance; that is that they add value and have clearly identified benefits.
To enter this category you will be asked to:
- Describe the product and its distinguishing features, and any innovative aspects that enable it to be considered as cutting edge. (up to 500 words)
- Evidence how the product is specifically designed to address a market demand, show how the product adds value. (up to 500 words)
The judges will be looking for evidence of outstanding performance in:
- Discussing any creative and innovative aspects of the design process
- Highlighting the distinct features of the product
- Identifying the impact of the product on including any innovative product launch communications
- Providing examples of benefits for customers
- Demonstrating the ways in which the product adds value and challenged existing market products.
Outstanding Partnership/Collaboration
This award recognises a successful fire safety partnership that delivers outstanding performance and/or support. Partnerships are frequently identified as crucial to good practice but often may involve little more than collaboration, a very different thing. What is known is that effective partnerships are most often the result of good planning around identifiable objectives designed to deliver specific benefits and are typically characterised by good management/co-ordination.
To enter this category you will be asked to:
- Describe the partnership and the benefits it provides. (up to 500 words)
- Describe how the partnership demonstrates outstanding performance and why the partnership deserves this award. (up to 500 words)
The judges will be looking for evidence of outstanding performance in:
- Discussing the role and reason of the partnership and the key benefits it provides
- Highlighting the business approach, specific skills and tactics that underpin performance
- Identifying the factors that enable staff/leadership to excel
- Providing examples of outstanding performance for stakeholders
- Demonstrating business benefits and how they are sustained
Outstanding Fire Risk Assessor
This award recognises outstanding performance in fire risk assessment where the key aim is to improve fire safety outcomes and help prevent tragedies from inadequate risk evaluation. The winner of this award will have evidenced abilities to understand the site dynamics; analyse and evaluate fire risks; then recommend appropriate responses; effectively interpreting prior reports and documentation, while exercising sound judgement.
To enter this category you will be asked to:
- Describe the approach or approaches taken to maximise the effectiveness of the fire risk assessment(s). (up to 500 words)
- Describe any innovative approaches or solutions you have developed to enhance the understanding of customer risks and to foster better engagement. (up to 500 words)
The judges will be looking for evidence of outstanding performance in:
- Discussing the key distinguishing strengths of the approach
- Highlighting the ways in which the approach has driven improved fire safety outcomes
- Identifying the ways in which the approach taken is distinct
- Providing examples of the added value to clients
- Demonstrating how high performance and benefits are sustained
Outstanding Female Professional
This award recognises an outstanding individual who identifies as female working at any level of an organisation, who has consistently shown outstanding performance over an extended period of time and has had a substantial impact upon defining and driving standards in the fire, safety and resilience sectors.
To enter this category you will be asked to:
- Describe the role of the female professional, including key moments and prominent achievements throughout the individual’s career. (up to 500 words)
- Describe how the individual has sustained outstanding performance; encouraged others to perform outstandingly; and has contributed to raising performance standards throughout the fire, safety and resilience sectors. (up to 500 words)
The judges will be looking for evidence of outstanding performance in:
- Discussing the ways in which the individual has driven high performance
- Highlighting the factors that enable the individual to excel
- Identifying the ways in which the individual has influenced fire, safety and resilience sectors and/or client operations
- Providing examples of building effective relationships with key stakeholders
- Demonstrating the overall value added by the individual’s contribution