NFPA expands fire safety framework in Saudi Arabia to support Vision 2030 goals

The National Fire Protection Association® (NFPA®), a global leader in fire and life safety with over 130 years of expertise, is playing a pivotal role in enhancing safety standards across Saudi Arabia- In this exclusive interview, Mike Brunzell, Vice President of Global Business Development at NFPA, discusses the organization’s contributions to the Kingdom’s infrastructure development, its alignment with Saudi Vision 2030, and the innovative technologies shaping the future of fire protection in the region.

1- Could you share how the NFPA is contributing to the strengthening of fire and life safety standards in Saudi Arabia?

NFPA is a global leader in fire and life safety protection, with a history that spans 130 years- Headquartered in Massachusetts, our mission is to eliminate the loss of life and property caused by electrical and fire hazards.

As we collaborate with our counterparts in Saudi Arabia, the rapid pace of urbanization and infrastructure development has created an even greater need for fire safety- To meet this demand, we are working with many entities across the Kingdom to deliver our codes, standards, training, and certifications- These efforts directly support national priorities such as Saudi Vision 2030 and other key initiatives in the country.

2- How does NFPA’s work in the Kingdom support the broader goals of Saudi Vision 2030, particularly in developing safer cities and resilient infrastructure?

The NFPA Fire & Life Safety Ecosystem™ provides a holistic approach to safety that aligns with the Vision’s emphasis on sustainability, innovation, and human capability development- Key components of this ecosystem, such as robust code enforcement, workforce training, and the creation of advanced safety tools - help ensure that infrastructure projects across the Kingdom are not only modern but also built to the highest safety standards.

3- What are the biggest challenges Saudi Arabia faces today in terms of fire protection and life safety, and how is NFPA working with local authorities to address them?

With the rapid growth in investment and urbanization comes an increased need for both understanding and enforcement- Codes are only effective if they are applied at the field level- That is why we work closely with authorities having jurisdiction to educate their staff and stakeholders on code enforcement, while also training the personnel who can bring these codes to life in the field.

4- NFPA is well-known for its training and educational programs- What initiatives are currently underway in the Kingdom to build capacity among engineers, firefighters, and safety professionals?

On several fronts, we have recently launched the NFPA Authorized Education Network (AEN), which leverages local training centers and local experts to deliver NFPA-certified training and education directly to the field- In addition, we run programs in partnership with Civil Defence and first responders, offering training in areas such as sustainable business, emergency response, and disaster management.

Through these initiatives, we are working with responders at every level across the nation to help advance fire and life safety.

5- With smart cities and digital transformation being a priority in Saudi Arabia, how is NFPA integrating new technologies, such as digital tools and data-driven solutions, into fire safety frameworks?

Our largest initiative in this area is the NFPA LiNK® platform, where we are leveraging AI to deliver live content from our extensive database of codes and standards- The platform not only provides access to the most current codes and standards but also includes every previous version spanning 130 years within the AI tool.

This enables users to gain a long-term perspective on the evolution of codes and how they have adapted over time- As we move toward digital workflows and digital cities, this data will remain readily accessible through the platform, empowering different stakeholders in the field with the knowledge they need.

6- Looking ahead, what are NFPA’s main priorities in the Saudi market, and how do you envision the organization’s role evolving in the next five years?

Our vision is to grow within NFPA as the Kingdom itself grows- In 2024, we established our Riyadh office, which now serves as our central hub for the MENA region- We have built a local presence in Saudi Arabia with staff on the ground and are committed to further expanding our resources in the region.

As training, certification, and code adoption increase across the various organizations we work with in the Kingdom, we will continue to provide consistent support, working closely with government and non-governmental entities to promote fire and life safety.