‘Fire does not discriminate, but its impacts do.’

I recently had a few opportunities to speak about the fire and life safety challenges of our times. These issues are not unique to any particular country when looking at them through an international lens, and neither are the solutions we can bring to bear.

Each preventable fire that claims lives and property is a reminder of the gaps in the NFPA Fire & Life Safety Ecosystem™, which is comprised of eight interconnected cogs that must work together to keep people and the places where they live, work, and play safe. The ecosystem includes policymakers setting the right regulatory framework; jurisdictions using the most updated codes and standards; applying all of the standards – including referenced standards; prioritizing safety across the board; promoting the development of skilled workers in design, installation, inspection, and ongoing maintenance; supporting effective code enforcement; providing effective preparedness and response capabilities; and educating the public on the dangers posed by these hazards. Every cog is essential; tragedies can occur when one or more ecosystem elements is missing or ignored.

In an increasingly interconnected and electrifying world, the importance of robust fire, life, and electrical safety codes and standards transcends national borders and is essential to deal with new and persistent complexities.

What is similar in most countries is that many safety codes and fire prevention measures, wherever they exist, often arise from the ashes of tragedy. This is true from the high-rises of London to the informal settlements of Mumbai to the deadly e-bike fires in New York City.

Fire does not discriminate, but its impacts do. Globally, the most vulnerable populations—older adults, children, ethnic minorities, low-income groups, and people with disabilities—are disproportionately affected. Using and enforcing safety codes is difficult in developing countries due to the lack of infrastructure and resources, but it can be valuable in moving safety forward.

The entire global community plays a crucial role, including governments at all levels, international organizations, the building industry, first responders, enforcement officials, and citizens.

This shared responsibility model is critical. As the world looks to new energy sources, the need to ensure their safe use is paramount alongside their enormous societal benefits.

In developing nations, factors such as urbanization and poverty drive higher fire risks. Fire safety is particularly pressing in the context of public housing and informal settlements, where the risks are often magnified. In countries worldwide, national and local governments must invest in protecting lives and property in the structures they build and fostering relationships in informal communities where they have a duty to protect. This builds a culture of fire safety that can grow and strengthen over time. Efforts should also include retrofitting existing public structures with essential fire safety equipment. Studies by organizations like NFPA show significant decreases in fire-related deaths and injuries in buildings with sprinklers and smoke alarms.

In regions prone to wildfires, such as Australia, the Mediterranean, and the western United States, the challenge of fire safety takes on a different dimension. Climate volitility has exacerbated the frequency and intensity of wildfires, making it imperative to rethink building practices and policies. This requires an international coalition of governments, fire services, and communities to embrace policies and construction standards that mitigate fire risks, especially in wildland-urban interface areas.

The global nature of fire safety challenges calls for an equally global response. By embracing fire and life safety codes and standards at all levels—we can significantly address the fire problem that plagues our world. Together, we can turn the tide against the scourge of fire, ensuring safer communities. In this interconnected world, our collective safety and well-being depend on it.

About the IFSJ Influencer

Jim Pauley is the President and Chief Executive Officer of the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA). NFPA is a global, non-profit organization devoted to eliminating death, injury, property and economic loss due to fire, electrical and related hazards. He also serves as chair of the Board of Trustees of the NFPA-affiliated Fire Protection Research Foundation.

This article was originally published in the December 2023 issue of International Fire & Safety Journal. To read your FREE digital copy, click here.