by Wesley Richmond

From May 7-8, 2024, delegates from over fifty countries gathered in Washington, DC, USA for the inaugural World Fire Congress. This historic event was established by the US Fire Administration with many other partners to connect the fire service around the world and offer an opportunity to strengthen and empower firefighters and their communities. Members of the Africa Fire Mission team were present during the congress and helped to ensure that representatives from Africa were invited as delegates.

The first day of the Congress was dedicated to two challenges: structural fires and safe responses to them, and the impact of climate change. The second day of the Congress focused on emerging technology and firefighter health and safety. As a result of the Congress, communities of practice will be established that will focus internationally on the four challenges and create strategies for addressing them.

The World Fire Congress will meet every two years. AFM is proud to support this event and we’re excited to meet with the Congress again in 2026! Africa Fire Mission team members will be present to help ensure that the challenges that many fire services in Africa experience are represented and supported. We’re anticipating more countries participating from Africa at the next World Fire Congress and we look forward to African countries engaging in the communities of practice.