NFFF to showcase firefighter safety programmes at Fire-Rescue International 2026
Lewis Tyler
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The National Fallen Firefighters Foundation (NFFF) will host a leadership workshop and co-host the Fire-Rescue International 5K Run/Walk during this year’s conference in Kansas City
The National Fallen Firefighters Foundation (NFFF) will highlight its firefighter health, safety and resilience initiatives at Fire-Rescue International (FRI) 2026, with an educational workshop and community events taking place throughout the week in Kansas City, Missouri.
Hosted by the International Association of Fire Chiefs (IAFC), Fire-Rescue International will bring together fire and emergency service leaders from around the world from August 12–14 to exchange knowledge, strengthen professional relationships and explore the latest developments in the industry.
Ahead of the main conference, the NFFF will host a full-day workshop, Honoring the Fallen by Serving the Living, on August 10. The ticketed event will provide fire service leaders with an overview of the Foundation’s programmes, national initiatives and resources designed to improve firefighter safety, leadership and behavioural health.
The Foundation will also co-host the Fire-Rescue International 5K Run/Walk on August 13, encouraging attendees to support firefighter health and honour those who have died in the line of duty.
Victor Stagnaro, CEO of the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation, said: “Being part of Fire-Rescue International allows us to connect directly with the firefighters, officers and department leaders who are working every day to keep their communities safe.
“Whether through our educational workshop, conversations at the conference, or community events like the 5K Run/Walk, we are proud to share resources that support firefighter health, safety and resilience.”
Donna M. Black, CEO and Executive Director of the International Association of Fire Chiefs, said: “This year’s theme for Fire-Rescue International is Stronger Together, and our partnership with the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation is a powerful example of our theme in action.
“Together, we are advancing firefighter health, safety and resilience through education, collaboration and shared purpose. I encourage attendees to learn more about NFFF’s mission and to join us at our 5K Run/Walk in support of this important work.”
During the Honoring the Fallen by Serving the Living workshop, attendees will examine firefighter line-of-duty death cases and national reports to better understand how lessons learned from past incidents can help prevent future tragedies.
The programme will also highlight the Foundation’s updated Until Everyone Goes Home® initiative, which is based on the revised 12 Firefighter Life Safety Initiatives framework aimed at reducing firefighter injuries and fatalities.
Workshop sessions will explore leadership development, department support, behavioural health, community risk reduction and practical safety strategies that fire service leaders can implement within their own organisations.
The workshop will be led by Matt Hoppel, Fire Chief of the Billings Fire Department, Terri L. Reid, ESM Captain and Shift Commander at the Baltimore County Fire Department, Chuck Altvater, Community Risk Reduction and Education Branch Chief for the Colorado Division of Fire Prevention & Control and Clint H. Smith, Fire Chief of the Draper City Fire Department.