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Russ Porteous - CEO, Firewize

Russ is the CEO of Firewize with over 30 years of broad industry experience Russ is sought after for his technical abilities, on subjects including fire safety, reducing false alarms and the built environment.

Contact
Title: CEO, Firewize
Location: Melbourne, Australia
Professional Summary
Scan the QR Code for the Business Card for Russ Porteous

Russ Porteous is the founder and CEO of Firewize an innovative fire safety design, installation and maintenance consultancy located in Melbourne, Australia.

With over 30 years of broad industry experience and an avid geek Russ has successfully blended the two to grow and leverage his business investments to cover trade and building services, property investment, e-commerce, online learning and software development.

Capitalizing on his knowledge and understanding of technology, Russ has developed a customer lead generating pipeline that operates without him, generating hundreds of qualified leads per (mostly based on work he did over 9 years ago).

Russ works with his wife of 25+ years and high-school sweetheart alongside his highly capable son who both help oversee their family business interests. In his spare time, Russ is found working with guys in his local community to help them find purpose and connection.

Experience & Recognition

In 2019, Russ was recognised for his 30+ years of industry experience by his peers within the fire protection industry, receiving the prestigious “Meritorious Service Award”.

FPA Australia, Meritorious Service Award 2018 - Russ Porteous
  • 2023- Elected Director, Fire Protection Association Australia (3rd term)
  • 2019-2022 Elected Director, Fire Protection Association Australia (2nd term)
  • 2018+ Member of Standards Australia Committee LG007, Emergency Escape Lighting in Buildings
  • 2017 - FPA Australia, Finalist - Fire Protection Project of the Year
  • 2009-2012 - Member of Standards Australia Committee FP001, Routine Servicing of Fire Protection Systems & Equipment
  • 2009-2012 Elected Director, Fire Protection Association Australia (1st term)
  • 2006+ Founder of the Special Interest Group (SIG) for the maintenance of fire protection systems and equipment within Fire Protection Association Australia. This group later became the Technical Advisory Committee (TAC-001) for the maintenance of fire protection systems and equipment.
  • 2012 - Presenter at Fire Australia - Environmental Cost of Maintenance
  • 2010 - Presenter at the Real Estate Institute of Victoria - Legislative Requirements of Maintenance
  • 2010 - Presenter at the Aged Care Association - Essential Safety Measures Compliance in Healthcare Facilities
Latest Articles
  1. Annual Essential Safety Measure Reports in Class 2 Apartment Buildings
    Part 15 of an Annual Essential Safety Measures Report (AESMR) covers Class 1b, 2, 3, 5, 6, 7, 8 or 9 building; and Class 4 part of a building; and a place of public entertainment. The AESMR is for the does not apply to a smoke alarm installed in a sole-occupancy unit in a Class 1b or 2 building or a Class 4 part of a building.
  2. Is your fire sprinkler head subject to a product recall?
    This article outlines crucial steps for fire contractors in Australia to identify and address vulnerabilities in automatic fire sprinkler heads, ensuring compliance with AS 1851 and leveraging international recall information to enhance fire safety. The information in this article may also be used in other countries for the basis of identifying sprinkler heads that are subject to a mandatory or voluntary product recall.
  3. Fire Suppression (Extinguishing Agent) Fire Systems
    A Fire Suppression (Extinguishing Agent) Fire System for new installations in Australia requires compliance with the Australian Standard AS 4214 series of Standards, ensuring proper design, installation, and commissioning. In this article, we cover details about the features of an Extinguishing Agent Fire System, as well as considerations for selecting appropriate extinguishing agents, system components, and integration with existing fire safety measures.
  4. Protect Your Farm: Fire Extinguishers on Farm Vehicles
    Discover why carrying a small fire extinguisher on your farm vehicles is crucial for preventing small fires from escalating. Learn about the best types of extinguishers, how to mount them, and how Firewize can help you stay safe on the farm.
  5. Foam Fire Extinguisher
    In Australia, a foam fire extinguisher marked with a horizontal blue band is ideal for suppressing fires involving flammable liquids and solids. The extinguisher releases foam that blankets the fire, cutting off the oxygen supply and cooling the fuel. This dual action effectively prevents the fire from spreading and reduces the likelihood of re-ignition.