Fire Science: Organizations and Links

The Federal Emergency Management Agency coordinates the federal government's role in preparing for, preventing, mitigating the effects of, responding to, and recovering from all domestic disasters, whether natural or man-made, including acts of terror.

IAAI is an association of more than 5,000 fire investigation professionals from across the world, united by a strong commitment to suppress the crime of arson through professional fire investigation.

The International Association of Fire Fighters, headquartered in Washington, DC, represents more than 298,000 full-time professional fire fighters and paramedics who protect 85 percent of the nation’s population. More than 3,100 affiliates and their members protect communities in every state in the United States and in Canada. The IAFF is one of the most active lobbying organizations in Washington; its Political Action Committee, FIREPAC, is among the top 25 federal PACs among the more than 4,000 in the country.

IADSS was founded with the primary objective of encouraging research into the science of preventing and mitigating the adverse effects of fires and of providing a forum for presenting the result of such research.

NAFED site includes technical papers as well as extensive lists of Web sites on fire organizations, governmental agencies, manufacturers, fire schools, universities, laboratories and research centers.

The mission of the international nonprofit NFPA, established in 1896, is to reduce the worldwide burden of fire and other hazards on the quality of life by providing and advocating consensus codes and standards, research, training, and education. The world's leading advocate of fire prevention and an authoritative source on public safety, NFPA develops, publishes, and disseminates more than 300 consensus codes and standards intended to minimize the possibility and effects of fire and other risks. NFPA membership totals more than 70,000 individuals around the world.

The mission of the building and fire research programs at NIST is to anticipate and meet the measurement science, standards, and technology needs of the U.S. building and fire safety industries in areas of critical national need.

The National Interagency Fire Center (NIFC), located in Boise, Idaho, is the nation's support center for wildland firefighting. Eight different agencies and organizations are part of NIFC. Decisions are made using the interagency cooperation concept because NIFC has no single director or manager.

The New York State Association of Fire Chiefs is a not for profit, service oriented organization founded in 1904 by 60 chiefs from around the state who were interested in sharing mutual concerns and solutions for the benefit of the fire service. Today, it is one of the largest fire chiefs associations in the world and its focus now encompasses the needs and concerns of all of the emergency services.

Part of NYC's web site, FDNY page includes photo archives, full text copies of fire safety brochures, a history of EMS & vintage photographs of Manhattan fire companies

The Society of Fire Protection Engineers was established in 1950 and incorporated as an independent organization in 1971. It is the professional society representing those practicing the field of fire protection engineering. The Society has over 5000 members globally and over 75 regional chapters.

As an entity of the Department of Homeland Security's Federal Emergency Management Agency, the mission of the USFA is to provide national leadership to foster a solid foundation for our fire and emergency services stakeholders in prevention, preparedness, and response.

Established in 1905, the Forest Service is an agency of the U.S. Department of Agriculture. The Forest Service manages public lands in national forests and grasslands.

The online page for Fire Engineering magazine; also a portal page for information of relevance to fire engineers.

Website for Firehouse magazine; also a portal page for information of relevance to the fire engineers.

Fire Management Today is Fire and Aviation Management site of the US Forest Service Agency.

A resource for fire services, fire insurers, law enforcement dealing who deal with arson and fire investigation as well as safety and training.

A three-part investigation into the causes of the WTC collapse National Institute of Standards and Technology done to make recommendations for improved building codes, standards, and practices.

News, announcements and a page for each company of the FDNY with varying amounts of material included. Site maintained by retired firefighter Don Van Holt, includes full text issues of their e-magazine, Fire Command & Control.

The Occupational Outlook Handbook can help you find career information on duties, education and training, pay, and outlook for hundreds of occupations. It is published by the Bureau of Labor Statistics of the United States. The link above will take you to the handbook page for firefighters.