International SOS’s Adam Lakhani, Security Director, and Dr Katherine O’Reilly, Medical Director, discuss multi-stage evacuations and communication planning
Extreme heat, dense smoke and rapid evacuations have disrupted staff and operations across Europe during what may become the region’s most severe wildfire season in decades.
Organisations have faced sudden relocations, air quality hazards and supply challenges, often without the planning needed to manage prolonged disruption.
These pressures have highlighted weaknesses in crisis structures and reinforced the need for clearer health guidance, faster decision-making and stronger continuity measures.
International SOS supports clients through these conditions by providing real-time security intelligence, medical advice and operational planning.
Their teams assist with evacuations, health protection, essential supplies, post-incident care and longer-term resilience work that helps organisations stay functional during extended wildfire activity.
To understand what this looks like in practice, IFSJ Editor Iain Hoey sat down with International SOS’s Adam Lakhani, Security Director and Dr Katherine O’Reilly, Medical Director, to discuss how their teams help organisations prepare for and respond to wildfire risks.
What challenges have organisations faced during nearby wildfires, especially for operations and staff welfare?
Lakhani: One of the biggest challenges is evacuation.
Wildfires spread quickly and unpredictably, catching people off guard.
Staff can suddenly find themselves unable to move freely, and industries that rely on fixed sites like factories and offices are severely impacted.
Dr O’Reilly: Along with relocating staff, ensuring they have essential supplies, such as face masks and bottled water, is also critical.
For example, during the January 2025 Los Angeles wildfires, we provided emergency accommodation for displaced employees and their families, helping them stay safe while businesses sustained continuity.
What practical problems do you encounter when accessing staff or protecting essential services during deployments?
Lakhani: The challenges our teams face can also mirror those of the people affected.
Crises can stretch teams over extended periods and with limited understanding of duration so the endurance of those on-the-ground, as well as supporting, can be a challenge.
Appropriate resourcing and rotations are essential.
Sometimes we simply can’t access certain locations because of essential restrictions.
During the Los Angeles wildfires, our teams worked around the clock to secure emergency housing, and ensure people were moved, safe and with critical supplies.
How do those challenges translate into health or safety risks for people in those settings?
Lakhani: The physical risk from wildfires remains acute.
During Canada’s 2025 wildfire season – one of the most severe on record – more than 7.3 million hectares were burned, forcing mass evacuations and creating widespread health and operational challenges.
International SOS supported organisations in protecting staff from poor air quality and extreme heat, which often converge to magnify risks.
There are also consequential security implications.
Large-scale evacuations can sometimes lead to looting or opportunistic crime, compounding the difficulties faced by affected communities.
Dr O’Reilly: The health impacts are both immediate and long term.
Inhalation of wildfire smoke – a toxic mix of heavy metals and carcinogens – can trigger asthma attacks, worsen Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD), and increase the risk of heart attacks, strokes, and respiratory infections.
Extreme heat adds further risk, with cases of dehydration, heat exhaustion, and heatstroke rising.
In fact, in the first seven months of 2025, International SOS saw a 13% increase in heat-related assistance calls compared to the previous year.
There is also a significant psychological toll.
Evacuations, property loss, and prolonged smoke exposure often leads to anxiety, depression, and PTSD.
Too many organisations remain underprepared, with gaps in both mental health support and emergency planning.
Our role goes beyond the immediate response – whether that’s evacuations, medical support, or delivering essential supplies.
We also provide post-incident care, including counselling services and stress management.
Mental health is often overlooked, with up to 50% of those exposed to extreme events experiencing lasting psychological impacts.
How is International SOS adapting its services as wildfires and heatwaves grow earlier and more intense?
Lakhani: We’re taking several steps to help organisations prepare.
Each year we publish our Wildfire Insight Report ahead of the season, which looks back at the previous year, forecasts risks, and shares practical recommendations.
We’re also reinforcing our partner networks so that we can assist no matter the location or request.
Every organisation has different needs, however, so a one-size-fits-all approach doesn’t work.
With the complexities of modern-day business, tailored preparedness and resilient networks matter more than ever.
What single piece of advice would you give fire and safety professionals facing severe heat-driven conditions today?
Lakhani: Plan ahead and put a clear crisis management structure in place.
Too often, bureaucracy slows down decision-making.
Organisations should be asking: Who is on our crisis management team? Do we have clear escalation points? Have we assessed and run tests or simulations for responding to wildfire risks to our people, assets, and operations? If the answer to any part of this is no, those gaps need to be closed.
Dr O’Reilly: Raising awareness of health risks is just as important as structural preparedness.
Organisations should run education campaigns and share preventative health advice – especially as extreme weather intensifies.
Prevention is critical: hydration, rest schedules, and recognising early symptoms can make all the difference.