EHS International is recruiting at new fire, rescue training facility

Environmental, health and safety firm EHS International is recruiting for its new €5m fire and rescue training facility in Cork

EHS International advises clients to help them enhance their EHS skills to combat battery fires; e.g. in electric vehicles. The training firm provides education on lithium-ion battery fire safety, the science behind these batteries, causes of battery fires and effective prevention and response measures. Picture: iStock

EHS International, a specialist in Environmental, Health and Safety (EHS) services, is due to open a 1.5-acre state-of-the-art fire and rescue training facility, which is being developed in Little Island, Co Cork.

Having recently launched an investment of €5 million, the company currently has a team of 20 and is poised to create at least another 80 new jobs in Ireland and overseas within the next 12 months.  EHS International advises clients nationally and internationally to help them enhance their EHS skills, working with products that are utilised to combat battery fires; e.g. in electric vehicles.

EHS International provides education on lithium-ion battery fire safety through a comprehensive guide that delves into the science behind these batteries, common causes of battery fires, and effective prevention and response measures.

Chris Mee is the founder and CEO of EHS International. He brings more than 30 years' experience in EHS services. Beginning his career as a senior marine engineer and later as a senior safety engineer in Intel, Chris went on to establish the Chris Mee Group (CMG) in 1996, a specialist safety consultancy firm. Chris sold CMG in 2021.

Here he answers questions about his latest venture, EHS International, the amalgamation of five companies — Ferndale Lane Investments Ltd (Dublin), Ferndale Fire Ltd (Cork and Belfast), Foley Safety Solutions (Dublin and Cork), Carbon TRACC (London) and Emergency Fire & Safety (Belfast).

The company has assembled a strong senior team with managers in the following areas — finance; EHS operations; mergers and acquisitions; EHS-related projects; technology strategies; food safety, recruitment and fire-related solutions.

EHS International is currently on a recruitment drive for senior specialists and graduates in safety, environment and related management areas.  

Chris Mee, CEO of EHS International, the Cork-based environmental, health and safety (EHS) company investing €5m and creating  100 jobs over the next year. Picture: Michael O'Sullivan

What are the main health and safety skills gaps that companies need to consider, and how does EHS International help its clients identify and protect against risks?

At EHS International, we collaborate closely with our clients to pinpoint their specific skills gaps and hazards. Drawing on 30 years of experience, we've noticed a shift from physical to soft skills gaps — like critical thinking, problem-solving and attention to detail — intensified by hybrid and remote work setups.

To safeguard our clients and their workforce, we conduct comprehensive work-life balance training and ergonomic risk assessments tailored to individual employees, whether at home or in their workplaces. We prioritise providing essential information, task training, procedural instructions, and competent supervision to minimise exposure to the skills gaps and hazards identified in the workplace.

We cultivate a robust safety culture through coaching and organisational development. Our services include emergency response planning, occupational health services, customised safety training programmes, data management solutions, EHS technology integration, and support for sustainability and environmental management.

Furthermore, we specialise in incident investigation consultancy and training, enhancing incident response and fostering safer and more compliant workplaces for our clients.

Can you outline the range of services covered by the training EHS International delivers? Will EHS be recruiting across all of these sectors in the coming years?

Many years ago, when I was appointed as the safety manager in a large local multinational pharmaceutical company, the first challenge I faced was the necessity to pre-qualify numerous service providers. I spent over half my time engaged in this pre-qualification process instead of carrying out safety management duties. Based on such experiences I saw a gap in the market for a single-source EHS services provider.

Hence, I set up EHS International, to offer a comprehensive range of Environmental, Health, and Safety (EHS) services, which include: 

• Consultancy: We provide expert EHS consultancy services, which can include risk assessments, safety audits, compliance reviews, and more.
• Training: We offer a comprehensive suite of continuously expanding training services, helping clients train their employees in various EHS-related areas. This includes courses on safety, environmental management, and health-related topics.
• Recruitment: EHS International provides recruitment services, to assist in finding and placing qualified professionals in EHS and related roles for their clients.
• Carbon and climate change services: These services focus on helping clients manage their environmental impact and adapt to changes related to climate and sustainability. 
• Fire training and stand-by services: This includes training in fire safety and emergency response, as well as providing standby services during events where fire safety is crucial. 
• Food sSafety: We offer services related to food safety, which can be especially important in the food industry. 
• Occupational health services: This includes a full range of services related to the health and well-being of employees in the workplace.
• Projects: EHS International has an international projects group that works on innovative engineering and process solutions for safety-related companies. 
• Investment and acquisition: The company has an investment wing that focuses on investing in or acquiring EHS companies that complement their services. 
• Technology solutions: EHS International leverages technology to provide cutting-edge solutions that give clients a competitive advantage in their respective sectors.

We aim to expand our portfolio by acquiring more companies and increasing our services. EHS International has a vision to make a significant impact on safety and EHS services in Ireland and internationally.

What areas of EHS skills and training will the new Fire and Rescue training facility in Little Island deliver, and how are these services evolving; e.g. in relation to battery fires in EV cars?

The new fire and rescue training facility in Little Island provides a broad range of EHS skills and training. This encompasses comprehensive training in fire safety, covering rescue strategies, proper use of personal protective equipment (PPE), and handling hazardous materials, including electrical and chemical fires.

The centre will also cover crucial training in emergency response procedures. This includes the ability to assess and manage emergency scenes, perform search and rescue operations, and provide medical assistance when needed.

There will also be training in hazardous materials, rescue and/or extraction techniques; electrical safety; incident command and management; rescue tools and equipment; emergency medical response; and environmental considerations.

We are also providing training on battery fires in electric vehicles, which is a specialised skill set. This training should cover the identification of EV-specific risks, the use of appropriate firefighting agents, and safety precautions for responding to EV incidents.

In terms of how these services are evolving, advancements in technology, regulatory changes, and emerging hazards, like battery fires in electric vehicles, necessitate ongoing training updates for fire and rescue personnel.

These include: 

• Specialised training to address the unique challenges posed by electric vehicles, such as the safe handling of battery fires and high-voltage systems.
• The integration of technology for real-time data sharing and communication during emergency responses, enhancing situational awareness and coordination.
• A growing focus on environmental sustainability, leading to more eco-friendly firefighting practices and equipment.
• Investments in public awareness and education campaigns to inform the public about safety measures during emergencies.
• Increased collaboration with other emergency services and agencies to effectively respond to complex incidents, such as natural disasters and large-scale accidents.

It's essential for fire and rescue services to remain up-to-date with the latest developments in EHS and emergency response to effectively address evolving challenges and ensure the safety of the public and their personnel.

Are further partnerships and acquisitions likely to be part of EHS International's plans for future growth?

Absolutely, at EHS International, we're actively pursuing both organic growth and acquisitions. Our strategy involves collaborating with like-minded founders and CEOs of complementary EHS companies.

Our vision is to expand our service portfolio through partnerships and acquisitions, with the aim of broadening our offerings in EHS. We understand that partnerships and acquisitions are established methods for achieving successful growth. These initiatives allow us to diversify our services, explore new markets, and strengthen our presence in existing ones.

By engaging in these activities, we're working to solidify our position as a leading single-source EHS service provider, nationally and internationally. 

www.ehsinternational.com