World Fire Congress Communities of Practice

The World Fire Congress Communities of Practice (CoPs) bring experts together to accelerate shared learning and develop cross-border strategies that strengthen fire service capability worldwide. Together, fire service leaders, researchers, and practitioners are creating a sustained network to focus on real-world challenges and fast-evolving risks. The strong knowledge management and cooperative efforts will reduce fire losses. 

UL Research Institutes’ Fire Safety Research Institute is proud to serve as the scientific anchor and convening authority for the CoPs, providing a forum for collaborations and moving proven research into practice across borders.

How CoPs Work

• Monthly sessions focused on real-world challenges and fast-evolving risks
• Shared governance and strong knowledge management
• Participation from fire-service leaders, researchers, and practitioners worldwide
• A sustained network that strengthens global capability through open knowledge exchange

Purpose of the CoPs

• Deliver practical, actionable solutions to common fire-service challenges
• Identify emerging risks and set shared global priorities
• Support cooperative efforts that reduce fire losses across nations

Eight Communities of Practice

• Climate-Driven Large-Scale Events
• Emerging Technology and Artificial Intelligence
• Data: The Foundation of Evidence-Driven Fire Services
• Fire in Low- and Middle-Income Nations (LMICs)
• Firefighting: Tactics and Training
• Firefighter Health and Safety
• Women in the Fire Service
• Fire and Civil Defense in Conflict and Hostile Environments

The Role of UL Research Institutes’ Fire Safety Research Institute

• Brings rigorous, field-tested science directly into CoP discussions
• Ensures conversations are grounded in evidence – not anecdote
• Provides access to leading research on lithium-ion batteries, EV fires, climate impacts, firefighter health, and tactical decision-making
• Serves as the scientific anchor and convening authority for all CoPs
• Helps nations respond faster to emerging threats while reducing duplication of effort

Learn more about World Fire Congress CoPs