The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) will have a local representative who will oversee the overall regional planning, direction, coordination and support of international development functions in the Middle East and North Africa.
NFPA rep in the Middle East
Anas Alzaid, an electrical engineering consultant with more than 30 years of experience working with facilities management and safety professionals, is charged with assessing local safety concerns, cultivating strong alliances throughout the GCC states (the Cooperation Council for the Arab States of the Gulf), implementing new strategies with existing and new stakeholders, and representing NFPA in regulatory, legislative and technical circles.
NFPA has a long-standing presence in the Middle East. The 124-year old global authority devoted to eliminating death, injury, property and economic loss due to fire, electrical and related hazards has worked with government officials and private entities conducting business in the Gulf region for decades. In 2017, the Association established a Middle East North Africa (MENA) Advisory Committee, with most of the members residing in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). The Advisory Committee works to expand safety and enforcement efforts, and enhance communication between private sector leaders and government authorities.
MENA Advisory Committee association
Alzaid will work closely with the MENA Advisory Committee and others to champion fire protection standards
Alzaid will work closely with the MENA Advisory Committee and others to champion building, life safety and fire protection standards, as well as effective code compliance. The highly accomplished safety professional is committed to translating codes for local use; making training attainable in the region; sharing NFPA’s vast array of resources; and serving as an authoritative representative for the media, government and other decision makers.
Alzaid, a native of Saudi Arabia, started his career in the oil and gas industry; served the defense department in project management and utility engineering; managed the overall safety and security of the government healthcare sector; and spearheaded safety for the Middle East’s largest private telecommunications company. An active member of the Saudi Accreditation body in both standards development and the code compliance process, Alzaid holds a Bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering from King Fahd University of Petroleum and Minerals (KFUPM) and an MBA from King Saudi University (KSU), both in Saudi Arabia.
NFPA Fire & Life Safety Ecosystem
“NFPA is committed to improving fire and life safety throughout the world,” said Jim Pauley, NFPA president and CEO. “Expanding NFPA presence and purpose in MENA countries is an important part of this effort. Anas Alzaid is well-suited to successfully engage with local stakeholders and underscore the importance of The NFPA Fire & Life Safety Ecosystem.”
