World Fire Congress names Metro Chiefs as Secretariat, expands research framework

MEDINA, Ohio—The World Fire Congress (WFC) has named the Metropolitan Fire Chiefs Association (Metro Chiefs) as its Secretariat, establishing a long-term framework aimed at strengthening coordination and continuity across the global fire and emergency services community.

Metro Chiefs, a section of the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) and the International Association of Fire Chiefs (IAFC), will provide ongoing support between biennial Congresses, helping preserve institutional knowledge, coordinate with host nations, and sustain international engagement on emerging fire and life safety challenges.

“It is an honor for the Metropolitan Fire Chiefs Association to serve as the Secretariat for the World Fire Congress,” said Otto Drozd III, executive secretary of Metro Chiefs. “What is being established through this partnership is far more than operational coordination for a single event. It is the long-term infrastructure designed to support continuity, global engagement, and sustained collaboration for future Congresses and the international fire and emergency services community.”

The World Fire Congress convenes global fire and emergency service leaders to share knowledge and advance collaboration on issues including firefighter health and safety, climate-driven disasters, wildfires, structural fires, emerging technologies, prevention, response and resilience.

The 2026 Congress will be held Sept. 8-9 at the QEII Conference Centre in Westminster, London, hosted by the United Kingdom and organized by the National Fire Chiefs Council (NFCC).

“Hosting the 2026 World Fire Congress in London is a significant moment for UK fire and rescue,” said Phil Garrigan, chair of the NFCC. “With more than 60 countries already registered to attend, we hope this Congress inspires fresh thinking, practical collaboration, and renewed confidence in the vital role fire and rescue services play.”

In addition to naming a Secretariat, the WFC announced that UL Research Institutes’ Fire Safety Research Institute (ULRI) will support learning, research and insight initiatives tied to the Congress. ULRI will develop global “Communities of Practice” aimed at maintaining collaboration between events.

“The science of fire is universal,” said Dr. Steve Kerber, vice president of fire safety at ULRI. “What differs is access - to data, research, technology and the resources that turn knowledge into safer outcomes.”

Dr. Lori Moore-Merrell, former U.S. fire administrator and chief fire safety strategist at ULRI, said continued international cooperation will be critical to addressing evolving risks.

“No single nation can solve the challenges the fire service faces alone,” she said. “It requires us to come together around a global table to share knowledge and expertise.”

Looking ahead, Dubai is scheduled to host the World Fire Congress in 2028, and proposals are being accepted for host nations for 2030.

The WFC is guided by an international steering committee that includes organizations from North America, Europe, Latin America, Australasia and beyond, with leadership in the United States provided jointly by NFPA and IAFC.

Photo courtesy of NFPA