8 Strategic Communities of Practice established as the World Fire Congress 2026 concluded in London
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The World Fire Congress 2026 concluded Wednesday September 9th in London, closing a two‑day gathering that brought together fire‑service leaders, researchers, policymakers, and international organizations from more than 60 nations.
This is an evolving story, and CTIF will publish further photos, reports, and analysis from this event in the coming days and weeks.
The 2026 Congress brought together an exceptionally broad international representation, with delegates from more than 60 nations. Leaders emphasized that the work begun in London will continue through strengthened partnerships, shared research, and coordinated global initiatives—laying groundwork for future Congresses and long‑term resilience efforts.
The event—hosted at the QEII Conference Centre by the UK’s National Fire Chiefs Council (NFCC)—focused on global cooperation, climate‑driven disasters, emerging technologies, and firefighter health & Safety.
CTIF a strategic member of the WFC since the start
CTIF was represented on the World Fire Congress Steering Committee, reinforcing CTIF's longstanding role in international fire-service cooperation. As a Steering Committee member, CTIF contributed to the international coordination framework that guides the Congress between cycles.
This framework—supported by NFPA, IAFC, and UL Research Institutes—aims to preserve institutional knowledge and strengthen global collaboration.
- International collaboration strengthened: Delegates emphasized the need for shared learning and coordinated global strategies as fire‑service challenges grow in scale and complexity. NFCC Chair Phil Garrigan highlighted that “no single country has all the answers,” underscoring the Congress’s role in building resilience across borders.
- Secretariat framework affirmed: The Metropolitan Fire Chiefs Association (Metro Chiefs)—a section of NFPA and IAFC—continued its role as the Congress Secretariat, ensuring long‑term continuity and institutional knowledge between Congress cycles. UL Research Institutes supported research and learning initiatives.
- Focus on climate‑driven and emerging risks: Sessions addressed wildfires, extreme weather, lithium‑ion battery hazards, heritage‑building protection, and major incident preparedness. Delegates also heard directly from affected families through the Voice of Communities session.
- Global participation: Representatives from over 60 countries attended, reflecting the increasingly international nature of fire‑service challenges—from urbanization and infrastructure risks to disaster preparedness.
8 Strategic Communities of Practice established
One of the most significant outcomes of the Congress was the formal establishment of eight strategic "Communities of Practice" (CoPs). These specialized groups are designed to leverage global expertise to tackle the most pressing challenges facing modern fire services. These critical areas include developing responses to Climate-Driven Large-Scale Events, integrating Emerging Technology and Artificial Intelligence, utilizing Data as the Foundation of Evidence-Driven Fire Services, and addressing the unique needs of Fire in Low- and Middle-Income Nations (LMICs). Additionally, CoPs were dedicated to foundational issues like Firefighting: Tactics and Training, Firefighter Health and Safety, and advancing the role of Women in the Fire Service.
Fire and Civil Defence in Conflict and Hostile Environments
A pivotal discussion centered on the eighth newly defined challenge: "Fire and Civil Defence in Conflict and Hostile Environments." The Congress acknowledged that fire and rescue personnel are increasingly first responders to deliberate hostile acts and are, alarmingly, becoming targets themselves. This community of practice will confront the harsh realities of operating under sustained aerial attacks, sabotage, terrorism, and drone incursions, which are conditions that exist regardless of a formal declaration of war. Key goals include establishing doctrine for responder protection against secondary attacks, securing legal protections under civil defence frameworks, and ensuring continuity of service when stations and fleets are compromised. This group, whose proposed co-lead includes Peter Arnevall of Sweden, is also tasked with planning for post-conflict recovery and creating readiness transfer models for nations not currently in conflict.
*CTIF.org will elaborate on these CoPs in future articles.
Dubai Next
According to FireBuyer.com and several other sources, Dubai, United Arab Emirates is scheduled to host the Congress in 2028, adding that proposals are currently being accepted for prospective host nations for 2030.
Brief History: First WFC held 2024 in Washington, DC
The World Fire Congress (WFC) was established as a new international forum for fire and rescue services, with its inaugural meeting held in Washington, D.C., on May 7–8, 2024. Hosted by the United States government, the first Congress brought together government representatives and fire-service professionals from 54 countries, with the aim of strengthening international cooperation around the increasingly complex challenges facing fire and rescue services worldwide. The event was co-chaired by U.S. Fire Administrator Dr. Lori Moore-Merrell and Mark Hardingham, Chair of the UK National Fire Chiefs Council (NFCC). The UK delegation also included Sarah Gawley, Director of Fire and Major Events at the Home Office, and Chief Fire Officer Roger Thomas of Mid and West Wales Fire and Rescue Service.
The World Fire Congress (WFC) was established as a new international forum for fire and rescue services, with its inaugural meeting held in Washington, D.C., on May 7–8, 2024. Hosted by the United States government, the first Congress brought together government representatives and fire-service professionals from 54 countries, with the aim of strengthening international cooperation around the increasingly complex challenges facing fire and rescue services worldwide.
The 2024 event was co-chaired by U.S. Fire Administrator Dr. Lori Moore-Merrell and Mark Hardingham, Chair of the UK National Fire Chiefs Council (NFCC). The UK delegation also included Sarah Gawley, Director of Fire and Major Events at the Home Office, and Chief Fire Officer Roger Thomas of Mid and West Wales Fire and Rescue Service.
Further Reading:
https://nfcc.org.uk/nfcc-brings-global-fire-leadership-to-the-uk-for-world-fire-congress-2026/?
https://nfcc.org.uk/first-ever-world-fire-congress-co-chaired-by-uk-held-in-washington-dc/
