Sharjah Civil Defence partners with NFPA on codes standards and training

by Associations and OrganisationsFeatured NewsMENA - Featured NewsMiddle East - Featured News Archives
L-R_Jim Pauley, NFPA President & CEO and His Excellency Brigadier Yousif Obaid Al Shamsi, Director General of Sharjah Civil Defence Authority

Intersec Dubai 2026 hosts Sharjah and NFPA MoU signing

Sharjah Civil Defence Authority (SCDA) and the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding to form a strategic alliance aimed at improving fire and life safety in the Emirate of Sharjah.

The the MoU was signed during an official ceremony held at Intersec Dubai 2026.

The agreement was signed by His Excellency Brigadier Yousif Obaid Al Shamsi, Director General of Sharjah Civil Defence Authority, and Jim Pauley, president and CEO at the NFPA.

The alliance is intended to prioritise education and training programmes for fire and life safety professionals across the Emirate.

The collaboration will draw on the NFPA’s training resources and certification programmes, its more than 300 fire codes and standards, and the NFPA Fire and Life Safety Ecosystem.

These elements are expected to support the creation and refinement of safety standards tailored to Sharjah’s requirements.

Training programmes and high rise building risk

Al Shamsi said: “At Sharjah Civil Defence Authority, fire and life safety are paramount, and we remain committed to safeguarding the well-being of our people.

“By collaborating with NFPA, we aim to leverage their 130 years of expertise in managing fire and electrical risks, ensuring that fire safety professionals across Sharjah are equipped with the latest knowledge and tools in line with global standards.

“This alliance reflects our dedication to continuous improvement and proactive measures to protect lives and property,”

Pauley said: “In the urban landscape, fire presents a constant threat, and with ongoing development across Sharjah, including numerous high-rise buildings, it is essential that robust fire and life safety systems are in place to protect the public.

“At NFPA, we look forward to working alongside the Sharjah Civil Defence Authority to enhance the training and education of fire and life safety professionals across the Emirate.

“Our aim is to strengthen awareness and implementation of relevant codes, standards, and regulations, supporting Sharjah’s efforts to align safety practices with global benchmarks.”

The announcement follows efforts in Sharjah focused on fire safety risks in high-rise buildings.

In 2024, under the directive of His Highness Dr. Sheikh Sultan bin Mohammed Al Qasimi, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Sharjah, the Emirate launched an initiative to replace hazardous cladding materials with fire-resistant alternatives, funded by the government and valued at AED 100 million.

The organisations said the alliance is intended to complement such initiatives through technical expertise and global best practices.

The MoU sets out the collaboration as focused on training, education, and the use of codes, standards, and regulations to support fire and life safety.

Jim Pauley announces NFPA LiNK 3.0 update during Intersec NFPA Day

by Associations and OrganisationsFeatured NewsSafetyTraining

NFPA LiNK 3.0 announced at Intersec Dubai 2026

NFPA LiNK 3.0 was announced at Intersec Dubai 2026 in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, on 13 January 2026.

The update was confirmed by the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) following its participation in the event, where it hosted an NFPA Day programme for government and industry representatives.

The announcement was made by NFPA President and CEO Jim Pauley as part of the programme, which focused on fire, life and electrical safety issues in the region.

The updated version of NFPA LiNK is positioned as a new generation of the organisation’s digital platform for delivering its codes, standards and related resources.

The platform is designed to support faster decision-making when applying NFPA’s library of more than 300 codes and standards.

Pauley said: “We couldn’t be prouder to launch the new AI-powered enhancements in NFPA LiNK with CASI here at Intersec Dubai during NFPA Day.

“This new version is a game-changer that takes NFPA LiNK from being a reference tool to a career companion for professionals across the world.

“It brings intelligence, accessibility, and speed to finding the latest codes and standards, helping people apply safety more effectively wherever they are.

“And with the inclusion of CASI, our new AI-powered assistant, users can trust the information they are getting, because it’s grounded in official NFPA information and resources that define safety.

“Our participation in Intersec Dubai 2026 and the launch of this new version of NFPA LiNK bolsters our dedication to helping raise the bar for fire, life, and electrical safety across the region,” Pauley said.

What NFPA LiNK 3.0 includes

NFPA LiNK is a subscription-based platform that provides access to more than 300 NFPA codes and standards.

The latest version introduces new digital tools intended to support more structured and collaborative ways of working.

Key additions include an AI-powered assistant called CASI (Codes and Standards Intelligence), interactive and customisable notebooks and a redesigned dashboard.

CASI enables users to hold interactive conversations, receive summarised responses, access citations from NFPA content and retain complete chat histories while reviewing the relevant material.

The notebook function allows users to import images, insert code references, add text, create checklists and manage project-related work within the platform.

Eng. Dana Kamal, NFPA MENA director of International Business Development, said: “The introduction of the latest version of NFPA LiNK at Intersec Dubai reflects our commitment to delivering innovation where it matters most – directly to practitioners in the environments where they operate, whether on job sites, in control rooms, or training facilities, and throughout the lifecycle of complex projects.

“This region is setting the pace for safety and technology, especially when it comes to integrating AI.

“With tools like NFPA LiNK’s interactive notebooks, and CASI, we’re delivering what our colleagues around the world have asked for; smarter workflows, faster answers, and content that they can trust, delivered where and when they need it,” Kamal added.

NFPA Day sessions and regional engagement

NFPA’s presence at Intersec Dubai 2026 included sessions examining AI in inspection practices, fire protection approaches for giga-projects and the region’s energy and infrastructure priorities.

The programme also supported engagement with regional stakeholders, including government authorities, industry leaders and technical experts.

The event activity and the launch of NFPA LiNK 3.0 were presented as part of NFPA’s wider work across standards development, enforcement, education and public engagement.

FIA establishes sustainability group for fire safety sector collaboration

by Associations and OrganisationsFeatured NewsSustainability

Sustainability special interest group to launch

The Fire Industry Association (FIA) has launched a new Sustainability Special Interest Group (SIG) to support fire safety organisations working on sustainability-related requirements and practices, with its first meeting scheduled for Friday 20 February 2026.

The FIA said the group has been created in response to rising regulatory and market expectations across the built environment, where fire safety influences product selection, system design, construction methods and whole-life building performance.

The association stated that the built environment accounts for around 37 percent of UK carbon emissions and nearly half of all material resource use, positioning fire safety decision-making as part of wider environmental and social considerations.

Sustainability focus areas and practical outputs

The Sustainability SIG will bring together manufacturers, service providers and sustainability specialists to address environmental and social aspects of sustainability relevant to fire safety.

Planned focus areas include Environmental Product Declarations and Life Cycle Assessments, embodied carbon and Net Zero pathways, circular economy principles, product lifecycles, ESG reporting and practical tools, along with social sustainability topics such as diversity and inclusion, wellbeing and community impact.

The group is expected to share practical guidance, real-world case studies and tools that members can apply within their organisations, with the aim of supporting consistent and proportionate approaches across the sector.

Regulatory context and participation

The FIA said sustainability-related requirements affecting the built environment are developing quickly, citing upcoming and ongoing changes including the Future Homes and Buildings Standard in 2025, CPR updates, Digital Product Passports and embodied carbon disclosure.

The Sustainability SIG will support members through these changes by providing guidance, peer insight and aligned approaches with organisations including UKGBC, BRE and ASBP.

Members and non-members are invited to register interest in joining the founding cohort of the Sustainability SIG and to contribute to setting its initial agenda by contacting technical@fia.uk.com.

The group forms part of the FIA’s wider work to support fire safety organisations as sustainability considerations become more embedded in regulation, procurement and building performance expectations.

Confederation backs BSI Fire Safety Conference 2026 at IET London

by Associations and OrganisationsEventsFeatured NewsSafety

Fire Sector Confederation sponsorship announced for London conference

The Fire Sector Confederation has announced it will sponsor the BSI Fire Safety Conference 2026 on Thursday 29 January 2026 at IET London: Savoy Place, London, UK.

The organisation said the sponsorship aligns with its work on fire safety standards, industry collaboration and professional development for practitioners.

Confederation sets out sponsorship aims

The Fire Sector Confederation said it is supporting the conference to help advance fire safety knowledge and promote best practice across the built environment.

It added that the sponsorship is intended to support continuous improvement across the sector.

Topics include compliance, competency and data

The Confederation said the BSI Fire Safety Conference 2026 will bring together regulators, standards leaders and frontline practitioners.

It said the programme will cover building and residential safety.

It said sessions will also address product compliance and testing.

It added that competency frameworks are expected to be part of the agenda.

The organisation said the event will also examine the digital “golden thread” of fire safety information.

Updates expected from regulators and standards bodies

The Fire Sector Confederation said the conference will include updates from the Building Safety Regulator.

It said the programme will also cover developments in British Standards including BS 9994 and BS 9996.

The organisation added that the conference will feature insights from the National Fire Chiefs Council, among other organisations.

Executive Director comments on conference value

Steve McGuirk, Executive Director at the Fire Sector Confederation, said: “The BSI Fire Safety Conference provides an invaluable platform for knowledge exchange and collaboration across our sector.

“As we navigate evolving regulations and standards, events like this are essential for ensuring that fire safety professionals have the tools, insights, and connections they need to protect lives and property.”

The Fire Sector Confederation said further information and registration details are available via BSI.

NFPA to headline Fire & Rescue Conference programme on Day 2 at Intersec

by Associations and OrganisationsBreaking NewsEventsMiddle East - Breaking NewsMiddle East - Events

NFPA confirms Intersec Dubai participation

The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) has announced the line up for its participation at Intersec Dubai, scheduled to take place from Sunday 12 January 2026 to Tuesday 14 January 2026 at Dubai World Trade Center, Dubai, United Arab Emirates.

The 2026 edition of Intersec Dubai is being held under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Mansoor Bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Chairman of the Dubai Ports and Border Security Council.

The event will bring together global and regional industry leaders to examine challenges and opportunities linked to rapid infrastructure growth and development across the Gulf region.

NFPA Day planned for Fire & Rescue Conference

As part of its participation, NFPA will host NFPA Day on Day 2 of the Fire & Rescue Conference.

The dedicated programme will bring together senior government officials, private-sector leaders and industry experts for a full day of panel discussions and expert-led sessions.

The agenda focuses on artificial intelligence, mega-project safety and the energy transition, with sessions framed around fire and life safety practice across the Middle East.

Leadership perspectives on Intersec Dubai

Jim Pauley, President and CEO of NFPA, said: “Intersec Dubai 2026 is a critical catalyst for advancing fire and life safety across the region.

“By convening global experts and innovators, the event fosters collaboration, drives knowledge exchange, and accelerates the adoption of cutting-edge solutions that save lives.

“This mission aligns seamlessly with NFPA’s commitment to shaping a safer future.

“As the Middle East undergoes rapid infrastructure growth, Intersec provides the ideal forum to highlight safety standards and address emerging challenges head-on.

“We are very pleased to further this dialogue by hosting NFPA Day on Day 2 of the Fire & Rescue Conference”

Mike Brunzell, Vice President, Global Business Development at NFPA, added: “NFPA Day, hosted on Day 2 of the Fire & Rescue Conference at Intersec Dubai 2026, will be an important opportunity to advance fire and life safety across the region.

“Intersec is the premier platform that brings together global experts and innovators, and NFPA is proud to contribute by delivering actionable insights and proven standards that help mitigate risks and protect lives.

“NFPA’s presence at Intersec underpins our commitment to empowering stakeholders with the knowledge and tools needed to set new benchmarks for safety.”

NFPA Day agenda in full

NFPA Day is scheduled for Tuesday 13 January and will run from late morning through to the afternoon.

The programme opens at 11:30 with opening remarks from Mike Brunzell, Vice President, Global Business Development at NFPA.

At 11:40, the Welcome Address will be delivered by Jim Pauley, President and CEO at NFPA, alongside Lt. Col. Dr Essa Ahmed Al Mutawa, Assistant Commander for Smart Services & Chief AI Officer at Dubai Civil Defence.

A panel discussion titled “Transforming Vision into Action: Advancing fire and life safety through joint initiatives” begins at 12:00.

The session will be moderated by Dana Kamal, Director, International Development MENA at NFPA.

Panellists include Major Eng. Ali Hassan Al Madfai, Head of Executive Affairs at Abu Dhabi Civil Defence Authority, Eng. Salma Humaid Saeed, Head of Drawings and Projects Section, Directorate General at Dubai Civil Defence, Major Mohamed Al Abbar, Head of the Inspection Division at Bahrain General Directorate of Civil Defence, and Abdurahman Al Ghanem, Mechanical & Fire and Safety Engineer at Qatar Civil Defence.

At 12:40, the programme moves to “Modernising Fire Protection with AI: What works today with NFPA 915, BFOA 72 and NFPA 4.”

The session will be delivered by Ibrahim Lari, CEO at Sibca, and Richard Peason, Chief Product Officer at Omniconn, and will focus on AI-driven tools for inspections and alarm systems aligned with NFPA standards.

A fireside chat titled “Leading with Purpose: A fireside chat with Jim Pauley, on global leadership and Impact” follows at 13:10.

The discussion will feature Jim Pauley and Olga Caledonia, Director International Business Development at NFPA.

At 13:30, attention turns to mega-project risk in a session and panel discussion titled “Building the Future: Managing Fire and Life Safety Challenges in Mega Projects.”

The session will be moderated by Sawsan Dahham, Founder & Chief Executive Officer at SIENA.

Panellists include Mohammed Al Saeefan, Fire Protection Engineering Specialist at Saudi Aramco, Khalid Al Mandil, Executive Director and Fire Commissioner at Red Sea Global, Major Mohamed Al Hanaee, Fire Protection Engineer at Abu Dhabi Civil Defence Authority, and Ihab Al Bairam, AVP Community Management at Damac.

At 14:30, Lorraine Carli, Vice President for Outreach & Advocacy at NFPA, will deliver a presentation titled “Facing the global challenge of energy transition.”

The agenda continues at 14:50 with a panel discussion titled “Navigating Fire and Life Safety Standards across the UAE Construction Sector.”

This session will be moderated by David Campbell, General Manager at Emirates Safety Laboratory.

Panellists include Steve Hamm, CEO at IFE, Maher AlAlam, Specification & BOQ Manager at SIENA, Lieutenant Col Dr. Hamad Abdulkarim Al Maazmi, Director of the Protection and Safety Department at Sharjah Civil Defence Authority, and Eng. Mohamed Al Marzooqi, Engineer – Civil Protection Department at Abu Dhabi Civil Defence Authority.

At 15:30, a panel discussion titled “High-hazard Safety Focus: Leveraging NFPA codes and standards to protect people and assets” will be held.

The session will be moderated by Zahi Daher, International Business Development Manager – KSA at NFPA.

Panellists include Jazyah AlDossary, Fire Protection Engineer and Training Supervisor at Saudi Aramco, Dr. Aissam Bouadjel, Head – HSEQ at Fujairah Oil Industrial Zone, Captain Eng. Salman Albuflasa, Protection & Safety Officer at General Directorate of Civil Defense – Kingdom of Bahrain, and Capt. Eng Abdulrahman Alghanem, Mechanical, Fire & Safety Engineer at Qatar Civil Defence.

Closing remarks are scheduled for 16:00 and will be delivered by Mike Brunzell.

How NFPA Day aligns with regional priorities

The NFPA Day programme places joint initiatives between civil defence authorities and industry stakeholders at the centre of its agenda.

Sessions focused on construction standards and mega-projects align with ongoing development activity across the UAE and wider Gulf region.

The inclusion of AI-driven inspection and alarm technologies reflects growing interest in digital tools that align with established codes and standards.

What this agenda means for safety stakeholders

Senior fire and rescue leaders and government departments can use the published agenda to understand where inter-agency coordination and shared initiatives are being discussed at Intersec Dubai 2026.

Fire engineers, consultants, architects and building services engineers may focus on sessions addressing construction-sector standards, mega-project risk and the application of NFPA codes in complex developments.

Fire safety officers, risk assessors and facility managers working in high-hazard environments may find value in discussions centred on applying NFPA standards to protect people and assets.

System installers and fire-protection contractors may track developments linked to AI-enabled inspection and alarm systems alongside any announcements made during the NFPA LiNK keynote session.

NVFC announces session line-up for 2026 Training Summit in Virginia

by Associations and OrganisationsEventsFeatured NewsHealth and SafetyTraining

NVFC Training Summit dates and location confirmed

The National Volunteer Fire Council (NVFC) has announced the session line-up for its 2026 NVFC Training Summit, scheduled for 26 to 27 June 2026 in Arlington, VA.

The organisation said the event will feature three learning tracks focused on responder health and safety, volunteer recruitment and retention and emergency service leadership.

It added that registration will open in January.

The line-up of sessions and instructors is now available.

NVFC track structure and session count

NVFC said attendees will be able to choose from 18 sessions.

The organisation said the sessions will be taught by nationally recognised subject matter experts and fire service leaders.

It added that the programme is split across three tracks.

Those tracks are Health and Safety, Leadership and Recruitment and Retention.

Health and Safety track sessions listed

NVFC listed six Health and Safety sessions for the 2026 NVFC Training Summit.

The sessions are The Power of Hope: Strengthening Resilience and Well-Being in First Responders, Response Time Matters in Early Cancer Detection and Developing a NFPA/OSHA Compliant Fire Department Training Program.

NVFC also listed Using AI to Enhance Educational Messages and Outreach, Red Lights, Blue Lights, Gun Fights: Tactics for Violent Calls and Realistic Training for Brush Fire Response.

The instructors named for those sessions are Wendy Norris, Sandy Danault, Douglas Cline, E. Brene Ball, Dane Yaw and Jeremy Keller.

Leadership track sessions cover funding and culture

NVFC listed six sessions within its Leadership track.

The course titles include Money Matters: Grants and Growth for Departments and Holding the Line: First In Leadership for Safer Roadway Incidents.

NVFC also listed Going Combination and Preserving Your Volunteers and Building a Culture of Excellence, Teamwork and Camaraderie.

The remaining Leadership sessions are High Performance Leadership in Emergency Services: A Chief’s Olympic Perspective and Iron Sharpens Iron: Building Stronger Fire Service Leaders.

The instructors named for the Leadership track are Dan Kramer, Todd Leiss, Joseph Maruca, Thomas Merrill, Jason Read and Al Yancey.

Recruitment and Retention track focuses on people and messaging

NVFC said the Recruitment and Retention track also includes six sessions.

The organisation listed Successful Volunteer Retention and Recruitment in the Fire Service and Igniting Purpose: Encouraging Women to Explore the Fire Service.

NVFC also named Is Your Department a Place You Would Join and Managing People, Not Just Fires: HR in Volunteer Service.

The remaining sessions in the track are Are You Telling Your Story Effectively? Marketing for Fire Departments and Finding the Why: Passion-Driven Recruitment for Fire and EMS Volunteers.

The instructors named are Dr. Candice McDonald, Jen Elleraas, Lee Price, Pamela Rogers, Kimberly Hilsenbeck and Walter Campbell.

Project funding applications open for NFPA and State Farm Wildfire Community Preparedness Day

by Americas - Featured NewsAssociations and OrganisationsFeatured NewsWildland Fire

$10,000 project funding for Wildfire Community Preparedness day

The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) and State Farm have opened applications for Wildfire Community Preparedness Day project funding for activities planned on Saturday 2 May 2026.

Eligible nonprofit organisations can apply for $10,000 to support wildfire risk reduction projects delivered on the day.

Applications must be submitted by Friday 13 February 2026 to be considered.

NFPA said the initiative is aimed at groups and individuals living in wildfire-prone areas completing projects intended to help make homes and communities safer from wildfire.

What the funding is for

Michele Steinberg, Director of the Wildfire Division at NFPA, said: “Preparedness Day presents an ideal opportunity for groups and individuals who live in wildfire-prone areas to come together on a single day and complete projects that can help make their homes and communities safer from wildfire.

“Funding for the 2026 Preparedness Day campaign supports organizations with thoughtful, community-driven plans that help homeowners take meaningful steps to protect what matters most from the threat of wildfire.”

NFPA said Preparedness Day is designed around science-based steps to reduce or remove potential fire hazards from a home and its immediate surroundings.

It said the steps are intended to help protect against embers and radiant heat from wildfires.

Examples of wildfire risk reduction work

NFPA said typical activities can include simple, low-cost home improvement projects to reduce wildfire exposure.

Examples listed include clearing dead leaves, debris and pine needles from roofs and gutters.

It also cited keeping lawns and native grasses mowed to a height of four inches.

Another example given was removing anything stored underneath decks or porches that could burn.

State Farm support for the campaign

Rasheed Merritt, State Farm Corporate Responsibility Assistant Vice President, said: “At State Farm, part of our mission is to help people manage the risks of everyday life.

“State Farm is committed to helping build safer, stronger, better educated communities.”

Merritt said Preparedness Day aims to motivate people to take action, and he said that was why State Farm continues to support the campaign each year.

What this means for wildfire prevention planning

Fire and rescue chiefs, emergency and disaster response managers and local government departments may use the May 2026 date as a fixed point for coordinating community-facing wildfire risk reduction activity.

Fire safety officers, risk assessors and fire engineering consultants may see applications that reference practical measures around ember exposure and heat, based on the examples NFPA set out for work around homes and immediate surroundings.

Procurement officers and facility managers responsible for community sites may need to align any support offered to local nonprofits with the $10,000 project funding limit and the Friday 13 February 2026 application deadline.

Training officers and instructors involved in public education may also use the campaign framing to support consistent messaging about specific, low-cost actions that can be completed in a single day.

US Senate backs firefighter cancer PSOB expansion in National Defense Authorization Act

by Associations and OrganisationsBreaking NewsHealth and Safety

NDAA adds PSOB presumption for firefighter cancer

The National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) passed by Congress includes statutory text titled the Honoring Our Fallen Heroes provision, which amends the federal Public Safety Officers’ Benefits programme.

The change is set out in Section 1098 of the bill and adds a new subsection on “exposure-related cancers” to the PSOB law.

For firefighters, the provision directly addresses occupational cancer linked to repeated exposure to carcinogens encountered during emergency response, training and post-incident activities.

The statutory presumption recognises firefighter cancer as a potential line-of-duty injury for PSOB purposes when the eligibility conditions set out in the law are met.

What the bill changes in law

The bill states that “the exposure of a public safety officer to a carcinogen shall be presumed to constitute a personal injury” sustained in the line of duty and resulting in death or permanent and total disability, if the statutory conditions are met.

The bill defines “carcinogen” as an agent classified by the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) under Group 1 or Group 2A and “reasonably linked to an exposure-related cancer”.

Eligibility time limits in the statute

The presumption applies if the exposure occurred while the public safety officer was engaged in a line of duty action or activity.

The bill states the public safety officer must have begun serving “not fewer than 5 years before the date of the diagnosis” with an exposure-related cancer.

The bill states the officer must be diagnosed “not more than 15 years after the public safety officer’s last date of active service”.

The bill states the exposure-related cancer must “directly and proximately” result in death or permanent and total disability.

When the presumption does not apply

The bill includes an exception stating that the presumption “shall not apply” if competent medical evidence establishes the carcinogen exposure “was not a substantial contributing factor” in the death or disability.

Cancers listed in the bill

The bill defines “exposure-related cancer” as a list that includes bladder cancer, brain cancer, breast cancer, cervical cancer, colon cancer, colorectal cancer, esophageal cancer, kidney cancer, leukemia, lung cancer, malignant melanoma, mesothelioma, multiple myeloma, non-Hodgkins lymphoma, ovarian cancer, prostate cancer, skin cancer, stomach cancer, testicular cancer and thyroid cancer.

The definition also includes “any form of cancer that is considered a WTC-related health condition” under the World Trade Center Health Program statute.

The bill also includes “any form of cancer added” through future updates.

Updates, evidence base and petitions

The bill requires that “from time to time but not less frequently than once every 3 years” the Director must review the definition of exposure-related cancer and update it where appropriate.

The bill states updates must be based on competent medical evidence showing significant risk to public safety officers from engagement in public safety activities.

The bill lists examples of evidence sources that may inform updates, including recommendations, risk assessments and scientific studies by the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, the National Toxicology Program, the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine and the International Agency for Research on Cancer.

The bill also states that any person may petition the Director to add a form of cancer to the definition, with a 180-day referral requirement for petitions that satisfy the content standard described in the statute.

Backdated applicability and claim window

The bill states the amendment applies to claims predicated on the death of a public safety officer on or after 1 January 2020 where the death is the direct and proximate result of an exposure-related cancer.

The bill also states it applies to a disability claim filed on or after 1 January 2020 where the disability is the direct and proximate result of an exposure-related cancer.

The bill adds that an individual seeking to file a claim predicated on the amendment is allowed to do so “within 3 years of the date of enactment”.

IAFC welcomes inclusion in the NDAA

Fire Chief Trisha L. Wolford, President and Board Chair of the International Association of Fire Chiefs, said: “The IAFC is grateful to see the Honoring Our Fallen Heroes Act included in the NDAA and on its way to being signed into law.

“This long-overdue reform ensures that the families of fire, law enforcement, and EMS personnel who die or become disabled from occupational cancer receive the federal benefits they deserve.

“By including occupational cancers in the Public Safety Officers’ Benefits program, Congress is honoring the sacrifices made by our fallen heroes and standing firmly with the families they leave behind.

“We commend the bipartisan champions, including Representatives Mary Gay Scanlon and Carlos A. Gimenez, the bill’s House sponsors, and Senators Amy Klobuchar and Kevin Cramer, the bill’s Senate sponsors, who advanced this critical measure and thank lawmakers in both chambers for their commitment to our nation’s fire and EMS personnel.”

IAFF calls it a turning point for PSOB

General President Edward Kelly, International Association of Fire Fighters, said: “We know the devastation occupational cancer has brought to our profession.

“When a fire fighter dies from job-related cancer, that is a line-of-duty death – and it is long past time the federal government recognized that truth.

“Congress’s passage of the Honor Act marks a significant turning point.

“This legislation ensures our fallen are honored, and their families are not left behind.”

Kelly added: “This was a truly bipartisan effort, and I want to thank those lawmakers on Capitol Hill – both Republican and Democrat – who stood with us on this critical legislation.

“I also want to thank President Trump, whose support was crucial in passing what is easily one of the most impactful pieces of legislation in our union’s history.”

Relevance for fire and safety professionals

Fire and rescue leaders, occupational health teams and HR functions may want to brief staff on the statutory time limits, particularly the five-year minimum service requirement before diagnosis and the 15-year limit after the last date of active service.

Departments supporting bereaved families may want to check how the bill’s applicability language linked to 1 January 2020 interacts with the additional three-year filing window tied to the date of enactment.

Services with exposure recording systems may also want to review how the bill defines carcinogen and how the PSOB presumption can be rebutted through competent medical evidence, as this will shape the documentation expected in claims.

This article was informed by the bill text and statements from the International Association of Fire Chiefs and the International Association of Fire Fighters.

UAFA 2025: TracPlus explains how data is reshaping US wildfire aviation

by Aerial FirefightingAssociations and OrganisationsFire SuppressionWildland Fire

TracPlus executive Todd O’Hara discusses the major challenges highlighted at UAFA 2025 and outlines how agencies are using data, technology and modernised systems to improve aerial wildfire response

The United Aerial Firefighters Association (UAFA) held its 2025 Annual Conference in Boise, Idaho, bringing together aerial firefighting operators, agency leaders and technology providers to examine the state of aerial wildfire operations in the United States.

The programme focused on operational readiness, technology modernisation, workforce issues and the rapid evolution of mission intelligence solutions shaping the sector’s future.

Following the event, International Fire and Safety Journal spoke with Todd O’Hara, Chief Product and Revenue Officer at TracPlus, about the themes that dominated this year’s discussions and the role of integrated, real-time data during complex wildfire response.

What are the key themes or challenges that shaped discussions at this year’s UAFA Conference, particularly around aerial firefighting operations?

One major theme is the reality that a lot of aviation and aerial firefighting systems are decades old.

In many cases, the people who built them are no longer around, and the institutional knowledge has gone with them.

That contributes to inefficiencies, data gaps and weaker mission outcomes.

A second theme is the need for real-time operational intelligence.

Agencies need cleaner, more actionable data so they can coordinate better, reduce waste and respond more effectively in high-stakes environments.

Safety and accident prevention is another big focus.

Accidents almost never happen “out of the blue”, there is usually a pattern or chain of events leading up to them.

With the right tools, you can surface non-compliant behaviour before something goes wrong, and that safety lens is part of a lot of discussions.

How is TracPlus evolving its platform to support decision-making and crew safety during complex wildfire response efforts?

We have evolved from our roots as a hardware tracking provider to a SaaS-first company focused on delivering operational intelligence at scale.

A key step in that evolution is FireFlyte, our enterprise platform for aerial firefighting agencies and operators.

It turns raw operational data into actionable insights across four areas: Aerial Firefighting, Safety and Risk Management, Operations and Finance.

A concrete example is CAL FIRE’s new Aviation Tracking and Information System (CATIS), powered by FireFlyte.

CATIS replaces their legacy internal system and the support risks that go along with it.

It gives them faster access to critical information, more efficient aircraft deployment and mission insights and analytics with greater speed and accuracy.

Underpinning it with FireFlyte also provides a platform for more connected processes internally across pre-, during and post-mission activities, where training connects to operations and learning from every mission.

Overall, the goal is real-time, integrated operational intelligence that improves decision-making and safety during complex incidents.

Are there any updates or developments in your US strategy?

Our work with CAL FIRE is proof for us that we are making a meaningful difference where it matters.

They are a flagship customer in the US and a major endorsement of our approach.

CAL FIRE’s CATIS programme shows our ability to replace ageing, home-grown systems with modern, scalable cloud software tailored to aerial firefighting.

We can support fire management operations of all sizes around the world, but FireFlyte, the underlying platform that drives CATIS, positions us to work effectively with large, complex US agencies in a few specific ways.

It helps move them off legacy systems and manual processes.

It supports standardisation on a cloud-based platform.

It enables mission-critical operations to scale across multiple bases and fleets.

Thinking about the conversations we had at UAFA, there’s a general agreement that this is the direction everyone wants to go. Everyone wants to find ways to achieve better outcomes, and we can see a path forward where a foundation based on FireFlyte can modernise other US programmes over time.

From your perspective, where are agencies and operators seeing the most value from real-time tracking and mission intelligence data?

There are a few clear areas where value shows up quickly.

One is operational coordination and efficiency, because cleaner, more actionable data improves coordination, reduces waste and makes resource deployment more effective.

Another is visibility into operations and outcomes.

A lot of the market has historically been “dots on a map”, but the bigger shift is towards understanding mission outcomes, resource utilisation and operational patterns.

Safety is also a major value area.

Using data to identify non-compliant behaviour and risk indicators before they lead to incidents is where data becomes genuinely lifesaving.

Finally, there is proactive decision-making.

With the depth of historical and real-time data we have, agencies can start to anticipate resource needs and optimise deployments based on how a mission is evolving, not just what has already happened.

In short, the most value is where data directly supports coordination, safety and faster, better decisions in the field.

What emerging operational or technological trends should wildfire agencies be preparing for over the next few seasons?

One trend is the shift from basic tracking to full operational intelligence.

The move is from “where is the aircraft?” to “how effective are we being?”, with an emphasis on mission effectiveness, patterns and utilisation, not just positions.

A second trend is proactive mission planning.

Using historical and real-time data, plus machine learning and AI, agencies can move from reactive to proactive operations by anticipating resource requirements, optimising deployment strategies and identifying challenges before they affect the mission.

Integrated safety and compliance tools are also becoming more important, including real-time safety monitoring, automated compliance reporting and stronger documentation for operational accountability and regulatory requirements.

There is also the continued modernisation of legacy systems.

Many agencies will need to replace decades-old, manually driven systems with modern, cloud-based platforms

The overarching theme is that the agencies who will lead over the next few seasons are the ones that treat technology and data as the foundation of operational excellence, not just as a supporting tool.

NFCC calls for sustained investment after provisional finance settlement

by Associations and OrganisationsFeatured News

NFCC welcomes £5 precept rise but flags long-term gaps

The UK Government has published a provisional local government finance settlement covering 2026-2027 to 2028-2029, with measures that affect fire and rescue service funding.

The National Fire Chiefs Council (NFCC) Chair Phil Garrigan responded to the provisional settlement and said it reflects government recognition of financial pressures on fire and rescue services.

He said funding was starting to move in the right direction for fire and rescue services, while adding that further work remained after previous reductions in investment.

NFCC welcomes the precept option

Garrigan said the NFCC welcomed the ability for fire and rescue authorities to increase their council tax precept by £5.

He also welcomed a real-terms funding increase pledged to authorities that take up that opportunity.

Garrigan said this reflected engagement by the NFCC on behalf of Chief Fire Officers, their authorities and the wider sector.

Phil Garrigan, NFCC Chair, said: “This provisional settlement shows that the financial pressures being experienced by fire and rescue services are at last being acknowledged.

“We are seeing things starting to move in the right direction on fire and rescue service funding, but on the back of huge disinvestment in previous years there is still more to do.

“We welcome the ability for fire and rescue authorities to increase their council tax precept by £5, and the real-terms funding increase pledged to those that take up that opportunity.

“This reflects the engagement by NFCC on behalf of Chief Fire Officers, their authorities and the wider sector who have played their part in seeking better recognition of the critical role our services play.”

Claims on staffing and capital investment

Garrigan said the measures would help services avoid further real-terms cuts.

He said they did not reverse a decade of reduced investment.

Garrigan said firefighter numbers had fallen by approximately 11,000.

He added that nearly £1 billion had been lost in capital funding.

He said fire and rescue services were dealing with increasingly complex and evolving risks while carrying out public safety work each day.

Next steps and ongoing engagement

Garrigan said the NFCC would work through the detail of the settlement.

He said the settlement represented an important step forward.

He welcomed what he described as positive engagement from government on matters of public safety.

He said the NFCC would continue to advocate for funding that reflects the role of fire and rescue services and supports continuous improvement in response.

What this could mean for fire and rescue budgets

The settlement sets out a framework for local government funding across 2026-2027 to 2028-2029, and the NFCC response signals that fire and rescue authorities may have scope to raise additional funding through a £5 council tax precept increase.

For Fire Chiefs, Chief Fire Officers and senior finance leads, the NFCC comments indicate that planning assumptions may hinge on whether an authority uses the precept option linked to a real-terms increase.

For procurement officers and equipment specifiers, Garrigan’s reference to capital funding losses of nearly £1 billion frames why capital planning remains a live issue for fleet replacement, station estates and major equipment programmes.

For training officers and operational leaders, the NFCC estimate of an approximate 11,000 fall in firefighter numbers provides context for workforce capacity discussions that may sit alongside any funding uplift.