News

Rochelle Park, NJ – October 22, 2025:  FDIC International, North America’s leading training conference and exhibition for the fire industry, is pleased to announce a new partnership with the International Association of Fire Chiefs (IAFC) Industrial Fire & Safety Section for the Industrial Fire Summit, scheduled for April 21-22, 2026, in Indianapolis, IN.

Returning for its second year at FDIC International 2026, the Industrial Fire Summit will continue to bring together fire service and industrial safety leaders from around the world—this time with the added expertise and collaboration of the IAFC Industrial Fire & Safety Section. Together, FDIC and IAFC are expanding the reach and impact of this important program, dedicated to improving industrial emergency response and leadership.

The Industrial Summit gathers global experts, fire service leaders, and industrial emergency response professionals to share best practices, lessons learned from major incidents, and innovative strategies for handling emergencies in high-hazard industries such as technology, pharmaceuticals, chemicals, and manufacturing.

The 2026 Industrial Fire Summit will feature a full day of focused programming addressing the most pressing challenges and innovations in industrial emergency response. The agenda includes expert keynotes, structured networking, innovation panels, sponsor spotlights, and hands-on sessions covering hazardous materials (HAZMAT) response, foam operations, and large-scale incident management. Attendees will analyze high-profile case studies with lessons learned from major incidents and join a cross-industry panel featuring experts from the pharmaceutical, power generation, petrochemical, heavy manufacturing, and technology sectors to discuss emerging trends and evolving practices. The day will conclude with an immersive tabletop exercise exploring incident command, mutual aid coordination, and the municipal–industrial interface. Additional industrial fire training classes will run throughout FDIC week, providing participants from across industries with actionable strategies to enhance safety, leadership, and operational resilience.

“This partnership marks a major step forward in how we tackle the complex challenges of industrial emergency response,” said Lauren Ocoma, Group Vice President, FDIC International. “By collaborating with the IAFC Industrial Fire & Safety Section, we’re building on last year’s program’s success and providing more opportunities for peer-to-peer collaboration that connects industrial fire professionals with the broader fire service community—enhancing safety, preparedness, and mutual aid across all sectors.”

Rick Haase, subject matter expert for the Industrial Summit and Fire Chief of the Staunton Fire Protection District, stated, “I am excited about the new working relationship with FDIC and the IAFC Industrial Fire and Safety Section. This partnership will enhance collaboration and relationship-building among industrial response leaders across the United States and internationally. It will also enable the Summit to expand its content and industrial-related training during upcoming FDIC events. The expanded industrial training classes benefit both industrial response team members and municipal response agency personnel attending FDIC.”

In addition to robust education and training sessions, the 2026 Industrial Fire Summit will feature a recognition program honoring outstanding leaders in the industrial fire service, those who demonstrate exceptional leadership, commitment, and innovation in advancing life safety and operational excellence.

“This is a historic moment for our industry. Together with FDIC, we are creating a platform that will elevate industrial firefighting education and prepare the next generation of responders,” said Dan King, Chairman of the IAFC Industrial Fire & Safety Section.

FDIC and the IAFC Industrial Fire & Safety Section share a common mission: to advance the fire service by delivering education, training, and resources that empower firefighters and emergency responders today and for the future.

For more information about FDIC International 2026 and the Industrial Fire Summit, visit https://www.fdic.com/industrial-fire-summit

For more information about the IAFC Industrial Fire & Safety Section, visit https://www.iafc.org/about-iafc/sections/industrial-fire-safety

About FDIC International:

FDIC International is the leading annual event for 35,000+ fire and rescue professionals from around the world. FDIC offers world-class hands-on training and education from renowned instructors. The exhibit hall boasts over 800 exhibitors showcasing innovative products and services. The FDIC experience is more than your traditional trade show; it’s about celebrating camaraderie and coming together to learn and share experiences. FDIC International is owned by Clarion Events, Inc. Clarion’s Fire & Rescue Group maintains its long-standing mission to “Train and Inform the Fire & EMS Industry” through FDIC International, leading media outlets Fire Engineering, Fire Apparatus and Emergency Equipment, Firefighter Nation and JEMS, along with Fire Engineering Books and online learning platform Fire Engineering Training and JEMS Training. Clarion Fire & Rescue holds itself to the strictest standards, ensuring that its service to the first responders equals the industry’s tireless service to all of us. For more information, visit www.fdic.com.

For inquiries please contact:

Sarah Domzalski, Marketing Director
sarah.domzalski@clarionevents.com