Registration is open for the US Fire Administration summit, set to address key challenges and innovations in the field of fire prevention and control

On October 10, 2023, the US Fire Administration will welcome national and federal leaders to its summit hosted at the National Emergency Training Center in Emmitsburg, Maryland.

This exclusive event will provide participants with an opportunity to engage with leading decision makers within the fire service industry.

A virtual audience of up to 2,500 fire service professionals is also anticipated.

Engaging agenda highlights pressing fire service topics

The day kicks off with a roundtable listening session from 9:00 to 10:30 am, featuring an array of esteemed speakers.

Chief Donna Black of the International Association of Fire Chiefs from Duck Fire Department, North Carolina, will be focusing her discourse on the topic of wildfires.

Meanwhile, Deputy Chief Kevin Quinn (Ret.) from the National Volunteer Fire Council and Union Fire District, Rhode Island, will take the stage to share insights on recruitment and retention.

Firefighter cancer, a pressing concern in the fire service community, will be addressed by Ed Kelly, the General President of the International Association of Fire Fighters (IAFF).

Jim Pauley, the President & CEO of the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), is slated to delve into the nuances of codes and standards, an integral component of fire prevention.

The morning session will also see participation from Chief Ernie Mitchell (Ret.), the former US Fire Administrator and Assistant Director of Disaster Emergency Services for the City of Pasadena, California Fire Department, who will touch upon behavioural health.

Moving into the afternoon, a series of sessions will tackle a range of pressing issues.

Among them, the ‘State of Science’ segment will delve into the implications of emerging fire technologies.

Moderated by Commissioner Laura Kavanagh from the FDNY, this discussion will bring to light the human effects of structure fire trends, fire’s impact on displacement and homelessness, and the challenges posed by energy transitions such as the use of lithium-ion in structures.

A particularly anticipated segment is the session on climate change, where the expected impacts on the US will be discussed by Stephen Baxter, the Climate Services Program Manager from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) and National Weather Service (NWS).

This session also promises a global perspective, with inputs from Marcus Vilhelmsson, Head of Fire and Rescue at MSB, Swedish Civil Contingencies Agency.

The day will conclude with Dr. Lori Moore-Merrell, US Fire Administrator, delivering the closing remarks.

How to attend

To register for the summit, visit the official website for the event by clicking here.

Further details can be found within the registration process, with the primary contact being Victor Stagnaro, CEO, accessible via [email protected].

IFSJ Comment

The US Fire Administration’s upcoming summit, set for October 2023, promises to bring together the brightest minds in fire safety and prevention.

It’s an opportunity to exchange ideas, gain insights into the challenges faced by the fire service industry, and discuss pioneering solutions.

Such collaboration is vital, particularly when addressing issues like climate change, technological innovations, and firefighter health.

The gathering of so many experts and leaders in one place, combined with the commitment to tackle pressing issues, makes this event a key moment in the fire service calendar.