Program Agenda
5-8 May, 2024
Hyatt Regency Capitol Hill | Washington DC
Monday, 6 May, 2024
09:30 – 15:30
Cultural Tour (Optional)
Transportation and Lunch Provided
Monday, 6 May, 2024
08:00 – 19:30
Welcome Reception
Greetings from WFC Chair Dr. Lori Moore-Merrell, U.S. Fire Administrator and WFC Co-Chair Mark Hardingham, National Fire Chiefs Consortium Chair
Tuesday, 7 May, 2024 (Day 1)
09:00
Call to Order & Welcome by USA
WFC Chair Dr. Lori Moore-Merrell, U.S. Fire Administrator
- Welcome to the Inaugural World Fire Congress Honor Guard Axe Ceremony
- Opening Remarks
- Alejandro Mayorkas, Secretary, U.S. Department of Homeland Security
- Deanne Criswell, Administrator, Federal Emergency Management Agency
- Moment of Silence for Firefighter Line-of-Duty Deaths in the Past Year
- Global Collaboration by U.K. – WFC Co-Chair Mark Hardingham
Tuesday, 7 May, 2024 (Day 1)
10:50 – 11:10
Break
- Introductions of International Delegates
- Rules of Order for Congress – Dr. Lori Moore-Merrell
- Communities of Practice: Mark Hardingham
12:00 – 13:00
Lunch
Challenge 1: Structure Fire and Firefighter Response
- Global Fire Service: Current Status /Challenges Overview / Descriptive Presentations
- Fire as a threat to National/Global security
- Structure Fire Dynamics – Prevalence
- Firefighter Response
- Fire as a threat to National/Global security
- Global Fire Service: Areas of Collaboration Delegate *Facilitated Discussion
- Structure Fire/Response
- Forward Collaboration – (Communities of Practice)
- Implementing and Enforcing Building Codes and Standards
- Community Risk Reduction- Building Resilience
- Crew size and Deployment
- Firefighter Training and Personal Protective Equipment
- Experience/Research Findings/Knowledge Exchange
- Structure Fire/Response
14:30 – 14:50
Break
Challenge 2: Climate Change Impacts
- Global Fire Service: Current Status /Challenges Overview /Descriptive Presentations
- Climate Change Impacts
- Wildfires/Community Conflagrations
- International Fusion Center/AI
- Heavy Rains/Flooding/Extreme Weather Events
- Climate Change Impacts
- Global Fire Service: Areas of Collaboration Delegate *Facilitated Discussion Emily Saulsgiver
- Climate Change Impacts
- Forward Collaboration – (Community of Practice)
- Improving Climate Literacy within the Fire Service
- Rethinking Risk and Whole Community Preparedness
- Opportunities for International Collaboration
- Research findings/Experience/Knowledge exchange
- Climate Change Impacts
16:45 – 17:00
Closing Discussion
18:30 – 21:00
Dinner
Wednesday, 8 May, 2024 (Day 2)
08:30
Welcome Back and Recap of Day 1.
Preview of Day 2 by USA
Dr. Lori Moore-Merrell, U.S. Fire Administrator
Wednesday, 8 May, 2024 (Day 2)
08:40
Challenge 3: Fire Risk of Emerging Technology
- Global Fire Service: Current Status /Challenges Overview /Descriptive Presentations
- Fire Risks of Emerging Technologies
- Lithium-Ion Batteries/Solar Panels/Energy Storage/Micro-mobility Products (e-bikes/scooters)
- Electric Vehicles
- Fire Department Response
- Fire Risks of Emerging Technologies
- Global Fire Service: Areas of Collaboration Delegate *Facilitated Discussion
- Emerging Technology
- Forward Collaboration – (Community of Practice)
- Data Collection/Ongoing Research
- Operational Response/Mitigation
- Policy and Regulations
- Public Education and Messaging
- Emerging Technology
10:10
Break
10:35
Challenge 4: Firefighter Health and Safety
- Global Fire Service: Current Status /Challenges Overview /Descriptive Presentations
- Firefighter Health and Safety
- Cancer
- Behavioral Health (Mental Health)
- Cardiovascular
- Recruitment
- Firefighter Health and Safety
11:45 – 12:45
Lunch
12:55
Global Fire Service: Areas of Collaboration Delegate *Facilitated Discussion
- Firefighter Health and Safety
- Forward Collaboration – (Community of Practice)
- Cancer – Knowledge Exchange
- PFAS – Best Practices
- PTSD and Mental Resilience
- Peer Support Programs
- Clinician Training
- Cardiac- Knowledge Exchange
- Recruitment – Diversity
14:15
Closing Discussion and Overview of Evening Activities
Chair Dr. Lori Moore-Merrell
14:30
Recess
14:45- 16:00
Special Session (Attend one)
- Special Session: Disaster Risk Reduction (Presented by World Bank)
- Special Session: Addressing Wildfire Challenges through Public/Private Partnership (Presented by the Gordon & Betty Moore Foundation)
- Special Session: Innovative Technology (Presented by DHS Science & Technology)
- Special Session: Firefighter Education and Training Challenges (Presented by National Fire Academy)
- Special Session: Fire Safety through Building and Fire Codes (Presented by National Fire Protection Association)
18:30 – 22:30
Library of Congress Grand Hall
- Dinner
- Call to Order – Action Items/Next steps
- World Fire Congress Delegate Recognition and Closing Ceremony
- Adjourn
