A global call for awareness and action
In view of the serious problem posed by fires at a global level, the Latin American Fire Protection Network (Latam PCI) has promoted the creation of the “International Fire Prevention Day” at the United Nations. This initiative aims to increase global awareness of the devastating effects of fires and promote a worldwide culture of prevention, raising awareness among both authorities and the general public about the importance of preventing urban and forest fires.
Global impact of fires
Fires represent a worldwide problem that not only threatens human lives, but also causes serious damage to health, destroys property, negatively affects the environment and generates enormous economic costs. Every year, fires cause the death of approximately 230,000 people worldwide, while worldwide, while 11 million people 11 million people suffer severe burns, many many of which leave permanent scars, especially affecting children and the elderly.
https://ourworldindata.org/grapher/fire-death-rates
By 2023, more than 18 million hectares were destroyed by wildfires in Canada alone, highlighting the magnitude of the problem. https://ctif.org/world-fire-statistics). These fires not only destroy natural habitats, but also endanger biodiversity and contribute to climate change by releasing large amounts of carbon into the atmosphere.
The economic impact of wildfires is equally significant, with global costs in excess of 250 billion dollars annually. https://ctif.org/world-fire-statistics) These costs include property destruction, firefighting expenses and the impact on insurance systems. In Latin Americathe lack of regulation and effective protection systems aggravate this problem, Latin America represents 8% of the world’s population. 8% of the of the world’s of the world’s population, 8% of the world’s GDP (GDP), but has less than 1% of the world’s less than 1% of of the automatic sprinklers installed worldwide.
2.International Fire Prevention Day
This Kick-Off event was held today, Tuesday, October 8, in person and virtually, from the RICS headquarters in London, England, marking the start of a series of activities that will provide the necessary international coverage for this commemoration, which will be officially celebrated next year, on October 8, 2025, in an official ceremony at the United Nations offices in Geneva, Switzerland.
It is worth noting that this important international launching event was attended “virtually” by the main leaders of the fire prevention industry worldwide (North America, Latin America, Europe, Africa, Australia, and the Middle East), which reflects the importance of unprecedented of this event.
This Kick-Off event featured speakers such as:
- Gary Strong, Chair – International Fire Safety Standards (IFSS)
- Chris Jelenewicz, CEO – Society of Fire Protection Engineers (SFPE)
- Alan Brinson, Executive Director – European Fire Sprinkler Network
- Carlos Morett, President – Latam PCI.
Summary of presentations:
Gary Strongwho is the promoter ally within this international organization, highlighted the transcendence and real impact of commemorating the International Fire Prevention Day within the United Nations calendar, which will undoubtedly allow transmitting those measures that are vital to reduce the damage caused by fires.
Chris Jelenewichpresented the challenges and opportunities faced today, highlighting the importance of:
- To have a competent workforce.
- Emerging technical trends in the construction industry arising from materials and technologies developed to facilitate sustainability in the built environment.
- Greater understanding of lithium-ion batteries and energy storage
- Increase in fires in the wildland-urban interface
- Cybersecurity for fire protection systems
- Growing role of digitization and artificial intelligence in building design
Alan Brinsonshared with us the progress and experience in Europe.
Europe is not a country: in the EU alone there are 24 languages for 27 countries, a major challenge that is faced on a daily basis.
- Fire safety is regulated at the national or subnational level: there is no cross-border learning.
- Not a priority for politicians: Fire safety is not attractive!
- Very little is spent on fire safety research.
- Codes are rarely updated.
- Problems with environmental innovations
- Wooden buildings, which increases the risk.
- Lithium batteries, a challenge today that needs to be addressed urgently.
- Photovoltaic cells and their handling.
Carlos Morett. The President of the Latin American Network and main promoter of this initiative, shared with us the urgency of this alliance at a global level, highlighting that this “Kick-Off” launch represents the great and unique opportunity to reach October 2025 with sufficient coverage and understanding, being properly aligned to not only celebrate, but to implement those measures that save lives, property and the environment.
Morett proposed 4 main lines of action, detailing the actions to be carried out in each one:
- Protection of vulnerable groups (children and the elderly)
- Forest management and conservation
- Urban fire prevention and early warning systems
- Community responsibility and collective action
In addition, he presented the success story of AMRACI in Mexico, where measures have already been implemented for school-age children, as well as the use of 03 badges to be implemented: a symbolic coin as recognition for actions implemented, the “the fight belongs to everyone” logo, and the orange ribbon to be worn by all participants during all campaigns.
“We want the authorities, businesses and the general public to understand that fires are often preventable disasters, and it is through education and the implementation of appropriate regulations that we can avoid tragedies and ensure the safety of our communities,” he said. Carlos MorettPresident of LATAM PCI.
3.Transforming fire protection in Latin America
LATAM PCI has succeeded in uniting various fire protection organizations, including associations, fire departments and authorities with jurisdiction in the region, with the aim of changing the way in which the problem of fire is addressed in Latin America. The network seeks to generate strategies by sharing successful experiences among its members and promoting the use of fire protection systems, with tested and certified products to guarantee their functionality (design, installation and maintenance).
“United in Prevention – Strong in Protection“is the message that LATAM PCI wants to transmit in this launching prior to of the “International Fire Prevention Day”.
Only with the joint effort of authorities, companies and citizens will we be able to build a world without fire victims.
4.Latam PCI partnerships…. at the moment. (more are joining every day)
- Argentina: CEMERA Argentine Chamber of Fire Protection
- Bolivia: CANPCI Chamber of Fire Protection
- Brazil: ABPP Brazilian Passive Protection Association
- Brazil: ABSpk Brazilian Sprinklers Association
- Chile: ANAPCI National Fire Protection Association
- Colombia: ANRACI National Association of Fire Protection
- Costa Rica: ACIPPI Costa Rican Association of Fire Prevention and Protection Engineers Fire Protection Engineers
- Ecuador: CIMEPI College of Mechanical Engineers of Pichincha
- Guatemala: Guatemalan Fire Protection Association (Asociación Guatemalteca de Protección contra Incendios)
- Mexico: AMRACI Mexican Association of Automatic Sprinkler Systems against Fire
- Mexico: CONAPCI The National Fire Protection Council
- Paraguay: CAPASI Paraguayan Chamber of Industrial Safety
- Peru: SNPCI National Society of Fire Protection
- Uruguay: AUPCI Uruguayan Association of Fire Protection
- Dominican Rep: ADECIP Dominican Association of Companies of Protection Against Fires