Sheldon Russell-Priest MiFSM
Director - Business
Sheldon brings frontline emergency service experience alongside ongoing academic study as a final-year BSc (Hons) Fire & Rescue student. His professional focus centres on the practical application of fire safety principles within occupied buildings, with an emphasis on risk, proportionality and delivering workable compliance in real environments.
As Director at First Response Safety Group, Sheldon is responsible for the overall management and development of the business, including operational oversight, client engagement and the establishment of structured delivery models. He ensures that work is delivered in line with defined standards, clear governance arrangements and the expectations placed on Responsible Persons under current legislation.
His approach is grounded in bridging the gap between fire safety strategy and implementation, supporting clients in maintaining compliant, proportionate and auditable arrangements.
He is committed to raising standards across the sector through strong leadership, consistent delivery and a disciplined approach to fire safety management. He holds a strong belief in acting as a custodian of standards across the fire safety industry and is committed to building a business recognised as a gold-standard employer.
Dugald Donachie
Director - Operations
With more than a decade of service as an operational firefighter, Dougald brings strong frontline experience and a practical understanding of fire risk within occupied residential buildings.
He also has several years of private-sector experience in fire safety and operational roles, including serving as a Regional Site Manager, which has given him a solid understanding of how fire safety is delivered across live sites.
He has held senior roles within the waking watch sector, leading the mobilisation and day-to-day oversight of NFCC-aligned deployments across a range of residential buildings. This has included setting up supervision structures, acting in duty officer roles, managing escalation and ensuring sites are run in line with expected standards.
As Director at First Response Safety Group, Dougald is responsible for the operational side of the business, overseeing mobilisation, staffing and how sites are set up and run. His focus is on ensuring work is delivered properly, with clear supervision, simple escalation routes, and consistent standards across all deployments.
Dougald has a keen interest in interim fire safety and waking watch. He is committed to building an organisation known for being safe, compliant and dependable, and for giving Responsible Persons confidence that their sites are properly managed during complex or high-risk periods.
Adrian Priest
Executive - HR & Business
Adrian brings a strong academic and technical background to First Response Safety Group, alongside practical experience in organisational oversight, project management and business support.
As a Senior Lecturer at the University of Wolverhampton, he has developed expertise across computer science, governance and structured project delivery, with a focus on building systems that support clear, organised and consistent working environments. His experience also includes data protection and information governance, including GDPR and ICO-aligned practices.
Within FRSG, Adrian supports the business across project coordination, governance and internal operations. He plays a key role in structuring and supporting projects, ensuring that work is planned, tracked, and delivered with clear documentation, reporting, and oversight. In addition, he contributes to the development of internal processes, information management systems and organisational frameworks that support the day-to-day running of the business.
Adrian also provides executive-level support across business functions, including HR and organisational development, helping to ensure the company operates in a structured, consistent and well-managed way. His focus is on supporting the wider team by maintaining clear systems, strong oversight and a professional approach to how the business is run, contributing to reliable delivery and continuous improvement across the organisation.
Our Commitment to Excellence
At First Response Safety Group, our team is unified by a shared commitment to safety, compliance, and operational excellence. We deliver professional fire safety solutions, ensuring every engagement meets the highest standards of regulatory integrity and operational reliability in every project we undertake.