- Eight Communities of Practice have been established following World Fire Congress 2026 in London.
- Groups will focus on areas including climate-driven disasters, AI, firefighter health and safety, training and data.
- A new group will examine fire and civil defence challenges in conflict and hostile environments.
The groups were formally established during the two-day Congress, which concluded in London on September 9 and brought together fire service leaders, researchers, policymakers and organisations from more than 60 countries.
According to the International Association of Fire and Rescue Services (CTIF), the Communities of Practice are intended to provide a framework for continued knowledge-sharing and collaboration between Congresses.
The eight priority areas are:
- Climate-driven large-scale events
- Emerging technology and artificial intelligence
- Data-led fire services
- Fire in low- and middle-income countries
- Firefighting tactics and training
- Firefighter health and safety
- Women in the fire service
- Fire and civil defence in conflict and hostile environments
The development is intended to maintain momentum on international initiatives after the Congress, with the groups bringing together expertise from fire and rescue services and related organisations.
The Community of Practice focused on conflict and hostile environments is set to examine the challenges facing fire and civil defence personnel operating during aerial attacks, sabotage, terrorism, drone incursions and other deliberate hostile acts.
Potential areas of collaboration include responder protection, legal safeguards, maintaining emergency services when stations or fleets are compromised, and post-conflict recovery planning.
The Congress was hosted by the UK’s National Fire Chiefs Council (NFCC) at the QEII Conference Centre. CTIF was represented on the World Fire Congress Steering Committee alongside NFPA, the International Association of Fire Chiefs (IAFC) and UL Research Institutes.
NFCC Chair Phil Garrigan told delegates that “no single country has all the answers”, reflecting the Congress’s emphasis on sharing experience and developing international approaches to common fire and rescue challenges.
