Fire and Rescue Services “must work across borders” states NFCC

Photo: Ollie Rudkin Photography/National Fire Chiefs Council

Fire sector and Government leaders from more than 60 nations gathered in central London for three days of discussions on some of the most significant challenges facing Fire and Rescue Services: from climate-related disasters and emerging hazards through to major incident response and firefighter Health and Safety and well-being.

A recurring message throughout Congress was that no single country or Fire and Rescue Service has all the answers. As risks become increasingly shared across borders, learning from major incidents and emerging threats elsewhere can help services strengthen their own preparedness and response.

The importance of learning and acting before lives are lost was also brought into focus by powerful testimony from individuals that were affected by Aberfan, Hillsborough, the Manchester Arena terrorist attack and the Grenfell Tower fire. Contributors challenged Fire and Rescue sector leaders to recognise that the failures which contribute to major disasters can begin long before an emergency unfolds. They urged leaders to listen when concerns are raised, confront failings within their own organisations and act before tragedy forces change.

For UK Fire and Rescue Services, the World Fire Congress provided a rare opportunity to hear directly from countries responding to shared and emerging risks in different circumstances and at different scales, while contributing UK expertise and experience to the international discussion.

Challenging assumptions

Phil Garrigan, chair of the NFCC, said: “Across the past three days, we’ve shared knowledge, challenged assumptions and held honest conversations about some of the most significant issues facing Fire and Rescue Services around the world. The true success of Congress will not be measured by what was said in London. It will be measured by what we do next.”

On that note, Garrigan continued: “Our responsibility now is to turn learning into action, maintain the relationships forged here and continue working together across borders so that we’re better prepared for the challenges ahead and stronger in our support of the communities we serve.”

Addressing delegates, Baroness Blake of Leeds CBE (Minister for Building Safety, Fire and Resilience) reflected on the increasingly extreme challenges facing Fire and Rescue Services around the world and the importance of countries working together to confront shared threats and keep their communities safe.

Baroness Blake said: “I’m delighted that London hosted the second edition of the World Fire Congress. The event could not have come at a more pivotal time, following on as it did in the wake of the response of our brave firefighters to one of the most challenging wildfire seasons on record.”

Further, Baroness Blake commented: “Collaboration is critical. It was so valuable to hear from our international partners about the threats they’re facing, share the expertise of our Fire and Rescue Services and consider how we can best work together to tackle future challenges.”

In conclusion, Baroness Blake observed: “Following the devastating wildfires over the summer, we must work together to ensure that we have a Fire and Rescue Service which is able to tackle the growing risk of fires in view of the potential for hotter and drier summers in the future.”

Communities of Practice

The work of Congress will continue beyond London 2026 through the World Fire Congress Communities of Practice, providing a route for Fire and Rescue Services and the Emergency Services in general to share evidence, research and operational learning throughout the two years between Congress editions and maintain the international relationships already developed.

Congress concluded with the reaffirmation and signing of the World Fire Congress Statement of Founding Principles, setting out the shared purpose and principles that will continue to guide its work.

The United Arab Emirates formally accepted the handover as host of the next World Fire Congress scheduled for 2028, continuing the international collaboration established in Washington in 2024 and strengthened in London.

*Further information is available online at www.nationalfirechiefs.org.uk