Meet The Founder

---

Simon Ruel brings over 24 years of frontline fire service experience to Protoedge Solutions. Having served as a Firefighter, Crew Manager, and Watch Manager with both Devon & Somerset Fire & Rescue Service and Wiltshire Fire & Rescue Service, Simon has led operational crews, managed complex incidents, carried out fire safety inspections and trained teams across a wide range of disciplines.

His deep knowledge of firefighting operations, coupled with his first-hand understanding of the risks faced by crews and businesses, inspired him to develop Hold Fire, a groundbreaking device designed to deliver firefighting media safely into a fire compartment from outside the building.

Simon has seen first-hand how reduced crew numbers, stretched resources, and rural response times can delay the critical first minutes of tackling a fire. These delays increase risk to people, property, and firefighters themselves.

With Hold Fire, Simon’s vision is clear:

• Give firefighters and trained staff a rapid, safe way to begin tackling a blaze before crews can enter.
• Help businesses mitigate risk, limit damage, and reduce downtime after a fire.
• Support insurers and property owners by reducing overall costs and losses.