I’m Paul Dennett, and my route into fire safety wasn’t a traditional one. I originally worked in retail but made a career change over 20 years ago when I joined 1st Attendance Ltd.
I started out as a fire extinguisher engineer, learning the job from the ground up. I was fortunate that the company owner at the time, Barry Hurkett, strongly believed in continuous personal development. He actively encouraged me to study alongside the role and supported me in achieving a number of work-based qualifications, including NEBOSH. I am so grateful for the support and encouragement that Barry gave me from the very beginning.
That mix of practical, hands-on experience and formal training shaped how I view fire safety to this day. I now lead the business as Owner and Managing Director, but my focus remains the same — making sure training is grounded in real environments, real risks, and real decision-making, not just theory or compliance.
