The U.S. Branch of the Institution of Fire Engineers is hosting an International Forum at Fire-Rescue International on Thursday, Aug. 24.

According to the IFE, the U.S. approach to the overall fire problem has not been viewed favorably in the worldwide fire service community. Fire-Rescue International attendees will have a first-person look at some solutions being used in other fire service organizations as they address the common enemy of fire. International experts will make their presentations during this international forum and then participate in debate and discussions with attendees about the value of their programs.

The forum's schedule is:

1:30–2:15 p.m. The World Fire Statistics Centre, an affiliated organization of The Geneva Association in the United Kingdom, is encouraging countries to adopt a national fire strategy aimed at reducing human and economic losses. In addition, the center tracks fire statistics in over 20 countries and reports these finding to a United Nations committee. Tony Paish will make this presentation.

2:15–3 p.m. From national strategy to national service, the New Zealand Fire Service has been involved in the business of fire and has developed a business planning system — Baldridge Award criteria — to meet strategic goals. The service is run as a modern business with a contemporary approach to leadership and management. Mike Hall, NZFS CEO and national commander, will make this presentation.

3:15–4 p.m. The United Kingdom has developed and implemented an Integrated Risk Management Plan to manage fire risks and provide better value for money. It also recommends deployment of personnel and equipment differently. Asst. Station Officer Jim Marsden, Greater Manchester Fire & Rescue Service, a fire officer who has to make the plan work at the brigade level, will provide insights into how it works and how others could profit from it.

4–5 p.m. Sweden has had only one firefighter death in the last seven years. Dr. Stefan Svensson of the Swedish Rescue Services Agency will outline how they do it and why Sweden is a safe haven for firefighters.

Forum attendees will be awarded four hours of IFE Continuing Professional Development credits. In addition, the Center for Public Safety Excellence and the Commission on Professional Credentialing recognize this session as an acceptable opportunity to meet CPC renewal requirements.

The forum is sponsored by Lion Apparel, Motorola, Paratech, Thomson Delmar Learning and Waterous.