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August 2025
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We Are The IAFC
The IAFC proudly represents the leadership of firefighters and emergency responders around the globe. Our members are among the world’s foremost experts in firefighting, emergency medical services, terrorism response, hazardous materials, natural disasters, search and rescue, public safety legislation, and more. As we look to the future, we encourage you to share our mission with colleagues who are not yet members. Together, let’s invest in tomorrow—ensuring that our traditions, values, and
commitment to service continue to thrive for generations to come.
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 | All Eyes on FRI: A Recap of August's Big Event
This August, FRI Brought the Fire Service Together in Orlando, Florida where
more than 5,000 fire and EMS professionals from across the globe gathered in Orlando, Florida, for the 152nd International Association of Fire Chiefs (IAFC) Fire-Rescue International (FRI) conference. FRI once again proved to be the premier event for fire service leadership, education, and networking, offering attendees the opportunity to learn, connect, and shape the future of our profession.
From the very start, FRI buzzed with energy. The
Leadership Symposium Series
provided forward-looking conversations and practical strategies for leading through today’s challenges while preparing for tomorrow’s opportunities.
Attendees also benefited from the IAFC and Columbia Southern University's Officer Development Program (ODP) courses,
which continue to provide impactful training tailored to every stage of a fire officer’s career.
The
dynamic general sessions
inspired attendees with messages of leadership, service, and resilience. Along with some of today's hottest topics including AI and mental health awareness.
These moments also provided opportunities to celebrate the profession’s highest honors. The prestigious Fire Chief of the Year Award, sponsored by Pierce Manufacturing and presented by Pierce CEO, Bob Schulz, recognized the outstanding contributions of Chief Jeremy Craft of the Lehi Fire Department, Lehi UT (career) and Chief Daniel Krushinski of the East Franklin Fire Department, Somerset, New Jersey (volunteer) for making a lasting difference in their communities.
The
Ben Franklin Valor Award,
sponsored by Motorola Solutions, honored the extraordinary heroism of the Rapid City Fire Department’s M1 Team, reminding us all of the courage and dedication at the heart of the fire service.
Celebrating Excellence at FRI 2025 -- This year’s FRI was filled with recognition and gratitude. We congratulate all of the award recipients whose service and leadership continue to inspire the fire and EMS community. We also extend our sincere thanks to the dedicated committee chairs and members completing their terms—your contributions have made a lasting impact.
A heartfelt
thank you
was extended to outgoing IAFC President and now Immediate Past President,
Chief Josh Waldo (Bozeman, MT),
for his dedicated leadership and service over the past year. The conference also marked the swearing-in of our new slate of officers:
Chief Steven Locke (South Burlington, VT) as 1st Vice President, Chief Ernest Malone (Indianapolis, IN) as 2nd Vice President, and Chief James Silvernail (St. Louis County, MO) as Treasurer.
The highlight of the week was the installation of
Chief Trisha Wolford (Anne Arundel County, MD)
as the
149th President and Board Chair of the IAFC.
Chief Wolford, only the third female president in the association’s 152-year history, emphasized the importance of partnerships, advocacy, and advancing the fire and EMS profession.
FRI 2025 would not have been possible without the support of our host city, Orange County Fire & Rescue, all of our sponsors and exhibitors, the leadership of our Board of Directors, the tireless work of IAFC staff, and, of course, the energy and engagement of our attendees.
Keep an eye out for links to the general session recordings, photos and more!
As we look ahead, we’re excited for a big year of opportunities, connections, and growth. Stay with us on the road to
FRI 2026 in Kansas City, Missouri!
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| | | | | | | | | New CRM Manual Empowers to Prevent Injuries and Deaths Before They Happen
The IAFC's Safety, Health, and Survival Section (SHS) in partnership with the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation (NFFF) released the fourth edition of the Crew Resource Management (CRM) Manual during Fire-Rescue International (FRI) 2025. This time-tested resource is designed to strengthen firefighter decision-making, communication, and overall team performance.
The updated edition underscores a critical truth: human error remains the leading cause of preventable incidents in the fire service, particularly during periods of fatigue, routine, or extreme stress.
| IAFC Announces First Cohort for 2025 Camp Scholarship
The IAFC is proud to announce the first cohort of departments that will receive the newly relaunched Fire Camp Scholarship grant. These grants of up to $5,000 are aimed at helping Volunteer and Combination departments recruit new volunteers from within the local community.
The 12 departments receiving the grant award are:
- St Leonard Volunteer Fire Department – St Leonard, MD
- Annaville Fire Department – Robstown, TX
- Montgomery County Fire & Rescue – Gaithersburg, MD
- Campbell County Fire Department – Gillette, WY
- Guil-Rand Fire Department – Archdale, NC
- Bloomfield Fire Department – Bloomfield, NJ
- Secretary Volunteer Fire Company – Secretary, MD
- Summerfield Fire Department – Summerfield, NC
- Alpha One Fire & Rescue – Porcupine, SD
- Prince George’s County Fire & EMS – Largo, MD
- South Pend Oreille Fire Department – Newport, WA
- Levant Fire Department – Levant, ME
The next round of applications are September 1 - October 16, 2025.
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Now Live! National Volunteer Firefighter Geospatial Recruitment and Retention Toolkit
This tool serves as an exceptional resource for fire departments looking to establish and sustain a strong volunteer workforce through data-driven tools and tailored resources that support strategic planning, recruitment, and retention initiatives. This interactive website offers data-driven tools and customized resources to improve strategic planning, recruitment, and retention efforts.
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The Washington UPDATE
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What's going on in Washington, D.C. by Ken LaSala, GR Director
Get an overview of the latest updates relating to the National Fire Academy, National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH), FEMA Grants and more. Read More |
Be PART OF THE CONVERSATION
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Tech Talk Tuesdays (TTT)
Live streamed the 1st and 3rd Tuesday of every month at 1 PM CST
(Live)
on YouTube or Facebook.
Lead by the IAFC Technology Council, join the live discussions on "Tech Talk Tuesdays," where we dive into the latest advancements in public safety technology. Each session features interviews and demos with first responder leaders, exploring innovative solutions and real-world applications that are shaping the future of emergency response. We’ll uncover new trends, discuss challenges, and highlight success stories from those at the forefront of tech in public safety. Tune in to gain valuable insights
and stay ahead in the rapidly evolving landscape of public safety technology.
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Wildfire Wednesday
Live streamed the 2nd and 4th Wednesday of every month on YouTube, Facebook,
or LinkedIN
Each week we'll explore wildfire from every angle. Prevention. Response. History. Policy. Technology.
We're bringing in respected leaders, experts, and boots-on-the-ground voices to talk about what’s working, what’s broken, and what comes next.
From local departments to global insights, this show is built to educate, challenge, and connect the wildfire community. Follow along as we tackle the hard stuff and highlight new ideas that can make a real impact.
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Connect and Collabroate with other Stakeholders Anytime via mobile app
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Section Links
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IAFC's KnowledgeNet
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Welcome to the Community!
Discover communities to enrich your experience and learning opportunities.
Find others with whom you may seek advice and share common challenges.
Join in discussions with your peers and industry leaders to expand your knowledge.
Did you know that KnowledgeNet can be accessed via an App?
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COMING SOON
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NOV 13 - 16, 2025
Clearwater, FL
DEC 9 - 11, 2025
Irving, TX
MAR 24 - 26, 2026
Reno, NV
MAY 19 - 21, 2026
Glendale, AZ
Fire-Rescue Med
MAY 19 - 21, 2026
Glendale, AZ
JUNE 18 - 21, 2026
Baltimore, MD
Fire-Rescue International
AUG 12 - 14, 2026
Kansas City, MO
Symposium in the Sun NOV 12 - 15, 2026 Clearwater, FL
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