IAWF releases program schedule for International Fire Behaviour and Fuels Conference

by EventsFeatured News

Conference program and format

The 8th International Fire Behaviour and Fuels Conference will be held in Hobart, Tasmania, Australia, with early registration on Monday 27 April and sessions running from Tuesday 28 April to Friday 1 May.

The International Association of Wildland Fire (IAWF) has released the detailed program schedule.

The schedule includes keynote and panel sessions from Tuesday to Thursday, alongside topic streams, exhibitors and an opening and poster reception on Tuesday.

The programme also lists oral presentations, lightning talks and more than 100 poster presentations.

IAWF said: “We are pleased to release the detailed program schedule.

“In addition to the dymamic keynote presentations and panels, we will offer oral presentations, lightning talks and over 100 poster presentations.”

Registration, workshops and field trips

The conference is fully in-person with no virtual presentations, with access to program sessions included for full registrations or for the nominated day of attendance for one-day registrations.

Registration also includes refreshments during morning and afternoon breaks, a social reception on Tuesday evening, a dinner or gathering on Wednesday evening, and lunch on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday.

IAWF Member and Student rates are available.

Workshops are scheduled for Friday 1 May from 9:00 AM to 1:00 PM, with a cost of $50 per workshop and morning tea included.

The workshop titles listed are Big Weather Data for Fire Management, Igniting research – Fire Behaviour and Fuels research translation workshop, Measuring fire management effectiveness using performance indicators, and Navigating the Social Dimensions of Cascading and Compounding Disasters.

Field trips are also scheduled for Friday 1 May and run at the same time as the workshops.

The field trips listed are Applied pyrogeography: from field to laboratory and kunyani/Mt Wellington Bushfire Risk Management.

IAWF describes the conference as a forum to document past fire management experience, showcase current work, and share emerging research, innovation and techniques on fire management.

FIRE Conference 2025 to explore lithium-ion risks and Grenfell legacy

by Associations and OrganisationsBreaking NewsEvents

UK fire sector to examine built environment challenges

The Institution of Fire Engineers has announced that the FIRE Conference 2025 will take place on Thursday 13 November at the QEII Conference Centre in London.

According to the Institution of Fire Engineers, this year’s event will focus on how the built environment can be made fit for future challenges, with a programme that includes sessions on fire policy, regulation, and risk.

The conference is being delivered in partnership with the Fire Protection Association, National Fire Chiefs Council and the Fire Sector Confederation.

The organisers said it will feature expert-led sessions on current and emerging issues, with in-person and virtual attendance available.

Programme to examine new government policy and regulatory updates

The Institution of Fire Engineers said the FIRE Conference 2025 will include early insights into the fire safety policy direction of the next UK government.

Sessions will cover proposed revisions to Approved Document B and updates from the Building Safety Regulator, alongside national and international perspectives on managing wildfire risk in both urban and rural areas.

Delegates will also hear a case study on the Moss Landing battery storage facility fire in California and reflections on the Grenfell Tower Inquiry Phase 2 report.

Breakout sessions to address lithium-ion batteries and product testing

The Institution of Fire Engineers stated that breakout discussions will provide attendees with opportunities to explore specific technical topics in greater detail.

These include the future of construction product testing, lithium-ion battery safety, resident safety metrics, and updates to British Standards.

Further sessions will look at qualification and competency standards for fire risk assessors.

Panel to discuss skills pipeline and planning gateway compliance

According to the Institution of Fire Engineers, the programme will feature a panel on developing the next generation of fire safety engineers, examining how the sector is preparing professionals for future demands.

Another session will focus on how one UK housing association successfully met the requirements of the planning gateway process under current regulations.

More than two hours of networking will also be available, with sector professionals, senior leaders and sponsors in attendance.

FIRE Conference 2025: summary

The Institution of Fire Engineers has announced that FIRE Conference 2025 will take place on 13 November at the QEII Conference Centre in London.

The conference will be delivered in partnership with the Fire Protection Association, National Fire Chiefs Council and Fire Sector Confederation.

It will include in-person and virtual attendance options.

Topics on the agenda include government policy direction, Approved Document B changes, the Building Safety Regulator, and wildfire resilience.

A case study on the Moss Landing battery fire and discussion of the Grenfell Tower Inquiry Phase 2 report will be included.

Breakout sessions will cover construction product testing, lithium-ion battery risks, resident safety, and British Standards.

Competency requirements for fire risk assessors will be addressed in dedicated sessions.

Panels will explore workforce development and experiences of navigating planning gateways.

Networking opportunities will feature contributions from Coopers Fire, Fire Chief, Consort Insurance, Lubrizol, Red Plug and Rapidrop.

Tickets are now available with CPD and post-event session access included.

High-rise fire safety events confirmed by Tall Buildings across multiple continents

by EventsFeatured NewsSafety

US fire safety conference presentations to be archived online

Russ Timpson from the Tall Buildings / High Rise Fire Safety Network has reported that presentations from the High Rise Fire Safety Conference at FDIC International in the United States will be made available online.

The event took place in early April 2025 and featured a range of presentations related to high-rise fire safety. All conference content will be uploaded to the Tall Buildings Network’s free-to-access presentation archive.

The archive can be accessed via: https://www.tallbuildingfiresafety.com/presentation-archive

London to host Tall Building HRB Conference in June

The next Tall Building HRB (Higher Risk Building) Conference is scheduled to take place in London on 18–19 June 2025.

Bookings are now open for attendees. The programme has been released and can be accessed via the event booking page.

A limited number of early bird discounts are available, as well as discounted places for serving firefighters.

Booking link: https://events.bookitbee.com/tall-building-fire-safety-network/9th-international-high-risetall-building-fire-sa-3/

First Australian conference planned for Sydney

The Tall Buildings Network has announced that its first High Rise Fire Safety Conference in Australia will take place in Sydney.

The programme is nearing completion and the organisers are continuing to welcome presentation proposals.

The event is now open for booking. Early bird and firefighter discounts are available in limited numbers.

Booking link: https://events.bookitbee.com/tall-building-fire-safety-network/9th-international-high-risetall-building-fire-sa-4/

2025 fire safety management training course dates released

Tall Buildings’ five-day ‘Tall Building Fire Safety Management’ training course is open for registration across four dates and locations in 2025.

The course will be held in Cyprus from 26–30 May. It will then run in London across three dates: 23–27 June, 15–19 September and 6–10 October.

This qualification is aimed at professionals managing fire risk in tall structures. It is one of the Network’s longest-running training programmes.

Booking links:

Tall Buildings Network announces 2025 fire safety conferences in UK, US and Australia: Summary

The Tall Buildings / High Rise Fire Safety Network has confirmed that presentations from its recent US-based High Rise Fire Safety Conference will be available in its free online archive.

The Network will hold its next Tall Building HRB Conference in London on 18–19 June 2025. Booking is now open.

It will also host its first Australian High Rise Fire Safety Conference in Sydney. The programme is being finalised and speaker submissions are still being accepted.

Tall Buildings is running its five-day Tall Building Fire Safety Management course on four occasions in 2025. Locations include Cyprus in May, and London in June, September and October.

Discounted rates are offered for early bookings and serving firefighters.

NFCC Protection Conference 2025 examines fire safety policy changes

by Associations and OrganisationsEventsFeatured News

Government outlines fire safety reforms at NFCC event

The National Fire Chiefs Council (NFCC) hosted its Protection Conference 2025 at the Crowne Plaza in Stratford-upon-Avon, where around 150 fire and rescue professionals gathered to discuss ongoing fire safety reforms.

NFCC Protection Lead Dave Russel opened the event, addressing what he described as a “dust storm” of changes impacting fire safety policy.

He highlighted the need to maintain core Protection services while ensuring alignment with Prevention and Response.

Representatives from the Home Office and the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) provided updates on fire safety responsibilities, including the transition of key functions to MHCLG, the government’s position on Residential Personal Emergency Evacuation Plans (PEEPs), and the regulation of fire risk assessors.

The rollout of the Fire and Rescue Data and Performance (FARDAP) system was also discussed.

Fire safety sector debates regulation and funding

Discussions at the conference focused on regulatory strengthening, remediation guidance, and the financial sustainability of fire safety reforms.

Government representatives reiterated their commitment to placing residents at the centre of policy changes, with an emphasis on ensuring fire services have adequate resources to implement new requirements effectively.

NFCC leaders spoke about the importance of organisational learning and workforce competence, calling for risk-based interventions to be prioritised.

The conference also examined the balance between high-rise and high-risk considerations, as well as updates on fire safety inspection and enforcement practices.

HMICFRS reports on fire protection improvements

Delegates heard from His Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary and Fire & Rescue Services (HMICFRS) on progress in the Protection sector since the first round of inspections in 2018.

While improvements were noted in consistency and staffing levels, challenges remain in training and operational capacity.

Sessions explored how fire services can meet evolving standards, with particular focus on the implementation of the Protection Fire Standard and the delivery of PEEPs in residential buildings.

NFCC calls for collaboration across fire safety sector

With ongoing policy changes and scrutiny on fire safety, NFCC leaders stressed the need for collaboration between government, fire services, and industry stakeholders.

The organisation reaffirmed its commitment to ensuring that fire protection remains effective amid reforms.

NFCC stated that maintaining safety standards while adapting to legislative changes is a priority for fire and rescue services.

The event concluded with discussions on how the sector can continue to improve risk management and workforce capability.

NFCC Protection Conference 2025 examines fire safety policy changes: Summary

The National Fire Chiefs Council (NFCC) hosted its Protection Conference 2025 in Stratford-upon-Avon, where fire and rescue professionals discussed ongoing fire safety reforms.

NFCC Protection Lead Dave Russel highlighted the challenges of adapting to policy changes while maintaining Protection services.

Government representatives from the Home Office and the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) provided updates on regulatory transitions, PEEPs, fire risk assessor regulation, and the rollout of the Fire and Rescue Data and Performance (FARDAP) system.

Discussions covered funding concerns, fire safety enforcement, and regulatory strengthening.

His Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary and Fire & Rescue Services (HMICFRS) reported improvements in staffing and consistency but noted ongoing challenges in training and capacity.

The conference concluded with calls for greater collaboration between government, fire services, and industry stakeholders to support the implementation of fire safety reforms.

SFPE Fire Safety Engineering Conference set for April 2025 in the UK

by Featured NewsFire EngineeringSafety

The Society of Fire Protection Engineers (SFPE), the professional society for fire protection and fire safety engineering, has announced the 2025 SFPE European Conference & Expo in Fire Safety Engineering. This year, the event will be held in Edinburgh, UK, from 9-10 April 2025.

Hosted every other year, the conference features two days of technical content from the fire safety experts where current and future trends in fire safety engineering will be discussed.

Featured presentations at the conference

The conference will feature over 40 presentations, structured around the topics of; fire protection, the safety regulatory frameworks, structural fire engineering, electric vehicles, parking structures, building envelopes, sustainability, digitization, human behaviour, wildland fires, timber construction, fire testing, fire modelling and smoke control, plus additional poster presentations

The opening keynote of the conference will be `Michelin Stars and Golden Arches’, presented by Luke Bisby, PEng, PhD, MSFPE, FREng, FRSE, FIFireE, FIStructE, Chartered Structural Engineer.

Co-Chair, 2025 SFPE Conference, Karl Wallasch’s statement

The conference is being co-chaired by Karl Wallasch, past President of the SFPE UK Chapter, and Dr. Rory Hadden. Wallasch noted: “The 2025 SFPE European Conference & Expo in Fire Safety Engineering is shaping up to be a landmark event.

“With an exceptional lineup of European but also global industry leaders, groundbreaking technical content, and the support of leading companies at the expo, this conference promises unparalleled depth and breadth in fire safety engineering. An event you don’t want to miss!”    

Co-Chair, 2025 SFPE Conference, Dr. Rory Hadden’s statement

Dr. Rory Hadden, SFPE’s 2025 co-chair shared his perspective on the event saying: “This year’s conference in Edinburgh offers a rare opportunity for the fire safety engineering community to connect globally while focusing on challenges and advancements critical to Europe and beyond.

“From a robust technical program to a vibrant social agenda exploring Edinburgh’s rich history, this event is designed to engage and inspire.”    

Additional seminars

In addition, two conference seminars have been planned and are available at a discounted rate when bundled with conference registration.

2025 European Conference & Expo on Fire Safety Engineering announced by SFPE: Summary

The Society of Fire Protection Engineers has announced their 2025 European Conference & Expo on Fire Safety Engineering. The conference will be held over the 9-10 April 2025 in Edinburgh, UK.

FEU to host European Diversity Conference for Fire and Rescue Services

by EventsFeatured News

The Federation of EUropean Fire Officers is set to host the European Diversity Conference for the Strategic Leadership of the European Fire and Rescue Services in Copenhagen, Denmark, on 25-25 April 2023.

The two-day conference will provide attendees with time to reflect, connect and gain knowledge on how to sustain and develop healthy organisations within the European Fire and Rescue Services – with diversity, equity, and inclusion as core values.

Through an interactive approach, the conference aims to: provide the strategic leadership from the Fire and Rescue Services around Europe with strategic tools and insights into WHY and HOW to work with diversity, equity, and inclusion in their own organizations.

It also aims to share international insights, research, and specific methods from around the world on how to implement diversity strategies – from thought to action, and promote and strengthen the efforts toward diversity and inclusion in the European Fire and Rescue Services, by establishing a network in which to establish connections and share diversity-enhancing practices across countries – also after the conference ends.

Registration is now open here.