A Decade of Dedication: Asila Al Busaidi Reflects on Ten Years with Tenable FEC

At Tenable Fire Engineering Consultancy (FEC), the strength of our success lies in the passion and commitment of our people. Today, we honour Asila Al Busaidi, Senior Fire Engineer, as she celebrates ten years of professional growth, leadership and technical excellence. From playing a key role in advancing Tenable’s presence in Oman to mentoring junior engineers and delivering high-impact projects, Asila’s journey reflects her dedication to both her craft and the team around her. As she reaches this important milestone, she reflects on the experiences that have shaped her and shares her vision for the future of fire and life safety engineering.

The path to fire engineering

My journey into fire engineering began with a strategic decision. I enrolled at the first college in the Middle East to offer a specialised programme in Fire Engineering and Life Safety. At the time, Oman was experiencing a growing demand for qualified fire safety and health professionals. Fire engineering offered not only strong career prospects but also an opportunity to make a positive impact by creating safer environments for communities. It was the right choice for my future and the values I believed in.

Life at Tenable

Being part of Tenable FEC over the past ten years has shaped both my technical skills and leadership abilities. I was given the opportunity to take on a leadership role at a relatively young age, which helped me grow professionally and contribute more meaningfully to the team. The consistent support from our directors and founder has been an important part of my development and has motivated me to keep striving for excellence. Working in a culture that values collaboration, integrity and continuous improvement has been incredibly rewarding.

Growth through every project

When I think about the past ten years, there is not one single project that stands out above the rest. Each one has contributed in a different way. Whether it involved solving a complex technical challenge, coordinating with a multidisciplinary team or delivering under tight deadlines, every project has taught me something new. These experiences have built my confidence, shaped my approach and strengthened my passion for fire and life safety engineering.

Turning challenges into opportunities

Working at Tenable FEC has provided an environment where challenges are seen as learning opportunities. I have always felt supported and this support has encouraged me to tackle obstacles with resilience and a willingness to grow. Whether technical or leadership-related, every challenge has been a chance to develop and improve.

Meaningful mentorship

Throughout my career at Tenable FEC, I have been fortunate to receive guidance from inspiring mentors. Sultan Al Maskri and Mazin Al Yaarubi have played an important role in my development, especially in building my confidence as a leader. More recently, I have had the chance to work closely with Sam Alcock and Elangovan Panneerselvam. Their insights have helped broaden my technical knowledge and shaped my thinking from a global perspective.

A message to my younger self

If I could give advice to my younger self, I would say this. Trust yourself. Embrace every challenge as a chance to grow. Stay open to feedback and always seek out opportunities to learn from others. Building strong relationships and remaining committed to lifelong learning have been key to my journey. Looking back now, I feel proud to say that I truly found my calling. I feel like a firefighter at heart, dedicated to protecting lives and helping create safer environments for others.

Looking ahead

In the coming years, I believe fire engineering will continue to evolve with the integration of advanced technologies. Artificial intelligence, real-time monitoring and automated response systems will reshape how we assess and manage risk. These changes will bring new challenges, especially in terms of implementation and standardisation, but they also present exciting opportunities to improve fire safety in smarter and more proactive ways.

Asila’s ten-year milestone is a reflection of her commitment, resilience and growth as both an engineer and a leader. Her contribution to Tenable FEC, the team and the industry continues to inspire those around her. We congratulate Asila on this important achievement and look forward to all that lies ahead in the next chapter of her career.