SESSIONS

Playing with Fire: Bridging the Gap Between Ideology and Reality in Fire Protection

Let’s be honest—we all know the drill. Governments set the rules, designers and builders bring them to life, and someone else is left to “maintain” it. Even at this basic level, cracks appear. Dive deeper, and it’s no surprise that construction—and fire protection in particular—gets a bad rap.

Playing with Fire rips off the band-aid to spark real conversations about closing the disconnects between government and real-world practicality.

PRESENTER(S)

Anita Kingdom

General Manager, Total Concept Industries

I love puzzles, challenges, and innovation—which is why I’ve spent nearly 15 years asking, “but why?” in the fire protection industry and as General Manager of Total Concept Industries.

A strong communicator and solutions-driven leader, I’m committed to shaping how fire protection supports our communities now and into the future as technology and lifestyles evolve. I currently chair the FPAA NSW State Committee, contribute to National Fire Protection Month, and recently joined the NSW Building Commission’s Fire Safety Industry Reference Group (FSIRG).

Drawing from leadership, marketing, architecture, and beyond, I challenge outdated practices, foster collaboration, and mentor high-performing teams. Whether exchanging insights, debating ideas, or driving industry-wide change, I’m always looking to push fire protection forward.