In May 2009, David was appointed managing director of the FPASA, following the retirement of the previous incumbent. Among the many specialised projects he was involved in were the following: • the FPASA investigation into the state of the fire function of the emergency services throughout South Africa on behalf of the insurance industry – the final report was presented to Parliament in August 1999
• an investigation of the Fire Service of Malaysia
• the implementation and accreditation of the ISO 9002 Quality Management System for FPASA
•
the training of staff, writing of the Quality Manual and listing of ISO 9001 for Benoni Fire and Emergency Services (Pty) Ltd – a first for any fully operational, training and rescue emergency service in the world (this was a contract awarded to the FPASA)
• the implementation of the association’s Workplace Fire Risk Assessment service
Serving on several fire related technical committees of the South African Bureau of Standards, he was also a council member of the then South African Fire Services Institute and of the Institution of Fire Engineers (South Africa Branch).
In addition, David served
on the Local Government and Water Sector Education and Training Quality Task Group, and was a Corporate Member of the Institution of Fire Engineers. He is survived by his wife Christine, his sons Neil, Bradley and Andrew, and his grandson. Jonathan O’Neill, FPA managing director, said: ‘David’s sudden death is a huge loss to both his family and to the FPA; he was one of our most experienced technical assets and a great manager, mentor and friend to staff and associates. Our thoughts and prayers go to his family and to his many friends.’
Dr Jim Glockling, director
of RISCAuthority, added: ‘What David achieved at the South African FPA was incredible. With very little funding behind him, he assembled a dedicated workforce – and the demonstration lab was a thing to behold, absolutely first rate. Most of the equipment donated was I’m sure “because it was David asking” and people liked him – as he was an incredibly decent human being. We will miss him terribly.’
A condolence book has been published on the FPA website, and we invite everyone who knew and respected David to share their memories of him at
www.tolbc. com/DavidPoxon. The FPA will organise a suitable memorial as and when the change in the current COVID-19 situation allows. BAFE also stated: ‘BAFE offers
its sincere condolences to David’s family, friends and colleagues. He was highly respected both for his technical expertise and for his helpful and convivial personality and will be greatly missed.’
www.frmjournal.com JUNE 2020
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