Fire officers, industry experts, government and local government officials from Ireland and overseas will gather in Galway for the Chief Fire Officers’ Association annual conference and fire technology exhibition on 7-8 May at the Salthill Hotel.
Hosted by Galway Fire and Rescue Service, the theme of the 2025 conference is ‘Delivering a Modern Fire Service – the Future is Here and Now.’ The line-up features an expert witness from the Grenfell Tower Inquiry, the Director of the National Directorate for Fire and Emergency Management, and a prominent industry leader in emergency communications.
Gerry O’Malley, CFOA Conference Secretary and Chief Fire Officer for Galway Fire and Rescue Service, at Salthill Hotel ahead of CFOA Annual conference in Galway on 7-8 May.
Gerry O’Malley, Conference Secretary and Chief Fire Officer for Galway Fire and Rescue Service, said this year’s conference will address key challenges confronting the fire services while highlighting the latest advancements in operations and prevention technologies.
“The CFOA represents the leadership and senior management of all Irish fire services, with a mission to enhance safety and protect lives and property across the country,” he stated. “The conference and exhibition aim to provide a platform for those in the fire and rescue sector to discuss pressing issues, explore cutting-edge fire service equipment and appliances, and discover the latest technologies in fire operations and prevention.”
Dennis Keely, CFOA Chair and Chief Fire Officer for Dublin Fire Brigade, speaking at the 2022 CFOA Conference in Kilkenny.
The conference will be opened by Dennis Keely, CFOA Chair and Chief Fire Officer for Dublin Fire Brigade, with a video address to delegates provided by James Browne TD, Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage.
Mark Hardingham, former chair of the UK’s National Fire Chiefs Council (NFCC), will discuss the final report of the Grenfell Tower Inquiry, following the death of 72 people in the worst UK residential fire since World War II. The inquiry’s learnings and fire safety changes will be addressed by Dr Barbara Lane, ARUP fire safety specialist and expert witness for the Grenfell Tower Inquiry.
Phil Garrigan, Chair of the NFCC, will share perspectives from the UK, while Peter Lonergan from the European Emergency Number Association (EENA) will explore how improved communications can enhance emergency response.
Other speakers will include Liam Carroll, SEO Climate Change and Carlow’s former Acting Chief Fire Officer, who will address the role of Ireland’s fire services in climate change resilience; while Keith Leonard, Director of the National Directorate for Fire and Emergency Management, will present a national perspective on fire services.
Click here for the CFOA 2025 Conference programme.
