Asila Al Busaidi is one of Oman’s top women leaders making a profound impact in the specialized field of fire and life safety engineering. Serving as a Senior Fire Engineer and Project Manager at Tenable Fire Engineering Consultancy, Asila has dedicated over 11 years to advancing fire safety standards within Oman and internationally. Icons Oman proudly honors her journey of leadership, technical expertise, and commitment to creating safer built environments for communities across the region.​

The Path to Fire Engineering: Passion Meets Purpose

Asila’s journey into fire engineering began with a strategic and passionate choice to enroll at the first college in the Middle East offering a specialized program in Fire Engineering and Life Safety. Recognizing the growing demand for qualified fire safety professionals in Oman, she found fire engineering to be an ideal career path that combined her interest in engineering with her desire to protect people and communities. Her academic foundation includes a Bachelor’s degree in Fire and Safety Engineering from the University of Central Lancashire (Grade: 3.5) and a Higher Diploma in Fire and Safety Engineering from the International College of Engineering and Management (Grade: 3.8). This year, in August 2025, she achieved the prestigious Certified Fire Plan Examiner (CFPE) certification, a globally recognized credential based on NFPA 1031 standards that validates her expertise in reviewing and approving fire protection plans to ensure compliance with critical safety codes like NFPA 1, 13, 72, and 101.​

Growth and Leadership at Tenable Fire Engineering Consultancy

Since joining Tenable FEC in June 2014 as a Fire Engineer, Asila has progressed remarkably through the ranks, becoming Team Leader Manager in May 2018 and Senior Fire Engineer (Project Manager) in May 2021. Her 11+ years with the firm have been marked by her pivotal role in expanding Tenable’s presence in Oman, mentoring junior engineers, and delivering high-impact projects across diverse sectors. She manages complex fire safety initiatives, coordinates multidisciplinary teams, and solves technical challenges under tight deadlines, all while upholding the highest standards of integrity and collaboration.​

Asila reflects that every project has uniquely shaped her growth, building her confidence and deepening her passion for fire and life safety. The supportive culture at Tenable, led by directors and founder Sultan Al Maskri, has been instrumental in her development, enabling her to embrace leadership at a young age and contribute meaningfully to the team’s success.​

Breaking Barriers and Pioneering Female Leadership

Asila holds the distinction of being the first female fire engineer in Oman to work closely with the Civil Defence and Ambulance Authority (CDAA), breaking barriers in a traditionally male-dominated field. Her achievements have earned her recognition on International Women’s Day and features highlighting her as a role model for women in engineering. Mentored by industry leaders like Sultan Al Maskri, Mazin Al Yaarubi, Sam Alcock, and Elangovan Panneerselvam, she has gained a global perspective through projects in Oman, UAE, KSA, USA, and Kenya, inspiring young women to pursue STEM careers.​

Embracing Future Technologies and Challenges

Looking ahead, Asila envisions fire engineering evolving with advanced technologies like artificial intelligence, real-time monitoring, and automated response systems. These innovations present opportunities to assess and manage risks more proactively, though they require addressing implementation and standardization challenges. Her forward-thinking approach positions her to lead Oman’s fire safety sector into a smarter, more resilient future.​

A Message of Inspiration and Vision

To her younger self and aspiring professionals, Asila advises: trust yourself, embrace challenges as growth opportunities, stay open to feedback, and commit to lifelong learning through strong relationships. She describes herself as a “firefighter at heart,” driven by a genuine dedication to protecting lives and creating safer environments.​

Icons Oman Honors a Leader of Safety and Excellence

Asila Al Busaidi’s decade-plus of professional excellence, recent CFPE certification, and pioneering leadership exemplify Oman Vision 2040’s focus on skilled human capital and innovation in strategic sectors. Icons Oman celebrates her contributions to safer communities and her role in elevating Omani expertise on the global stage.