12-14 January 2026
Sheikh Rashid Hall
Delve into groundbreaking applications of AI in fire prediction, the intricacies of building life safety systems, and the psychological dimensions of crisis decision-making. Fire & Rescue Conference convenes leading experts, policymakers, and frontline responders to dissect the most critical developments in fire safety and emergency management. Sessions will explore human behaviour under duress, advancements in passive fire protection, and the evolving regulatory landscape—alongside the escalating influence of climate change on fire dynamics.
With a focus on global case studies and inclusive disaster preparedness, this conference equips professionals with the knowledge to navigate tomorrow’s challenges. Join a forward-thinking dialogue that bridges innovation, policy, and real-world execution in fire and rescue.
As we look ahead to 2026, the UAE’s strategic direction and commitment to innovation remain key drivers in shaping the future of the global fire and rescue sector.
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Conference Sponsors
CPD provider
11:15
Opening remarks from the Chairperson
11:20
Keynote Address: Shaping the Future of Fire & Rescue: Dubai Civil Defence’s Vision for Safer, Resilient Communities
11:40
Panel Discussion: AI-Driven Safety: Integrating Smart Technologies with Holistic Fire & Life Safety Strategies
12:20
Presentation: UK National Resilience and International Search and Rescue
12:40
Panel Discussion: Highrise Fires Learning and Developments
13:10
Onstage discussion: From Awareness to Action: Shaping Dust Explosion Standards and Enforcement
13:30
Presentation: A New Approach to Structure Fires: The Quadrant Model
13:50
Presentation: Protecting Critical Infrastructure: Fire Risks and Testing in Data Centres
14:10
Presentation: Construction Surveillance of Fire Life Safety Systems - A Critical Step In Project Delivery
11:30
Opening remarks from the Chairperson
11:40
Welcome Address
12:00
Panel discussion: Transforming Vision into Action: Advancing fire and life safety through joint initiatives
12:40
Session: Modernising Fire Protection with AI: What works today with NFPA 915, BFOA 72 and NFPA 4.
13:10
Fireside Chat: Leading with Purpose: A fireside chat with Jim Pauley, on global leadership and Impact
13:30
Session & Panel Discussion: Building the Future: Managing Fire and Life Safety Challenges in Mega Projects
14:30
Presentation: Facing the global challenge of energy transition
14:50
Panel discussion: Navigating Fire and Life Safety Standards across the UAE Construction Sector
15:30
Panel discussion: High-hazard Safety Focus: Leveraging NFPA codes and standards to protect people and assets
10:00
Presentation: Professionalising the Passive Fire Industry
10:20
Presentation: Systematic Approaches to Passive Fire Design
10:50
Presentation: How Construction Product Regulations and Building Regulations Interact
11:20
Panel Discussion: How can we ensure safer buildings by improving the performance of installed passive fire protection?
11:50
Presentation: Specification, Installation & Compliance in the Evolving Building Safety Landscape
12:30
Presentation: Building Competence in Passive Fire Protection
13:00
Onstage Discussion: From Laboratory to Lifetime Service: Passive Fire Protection: Competence, Innovation, and Global Accountability
13:30
ESL Learns Workshop by Emirates Safety Laboratory
14:30
Closing remarks
Advisory Committee
Introducing our Advisory Committee — an assembly of outstanding authorities and visionary practitioners at the forefront of fire safety and emergency response. Drawn from diverse disciplines—urban resilience, fire engineering, behavioural psychology, and regulatory governance—their collective expertise steers the conference’s intellectual rigor and practical relevance. By scrutinising emerging threats, evaluating technological innovations, and challenging conventional paradigms, this committee ensures the programme confronts both today’s operational realities and tomorrow’s existential challenges.
Lt. Col. Dr Essa Ahmed Al Mutawa
Chief AI Officer, Head of Monitoring & Inspection Directorate General | Dubai Civil Defence
Abdullah Faza
Director of Fire & Life Safety – ME | AESG
Abhishek Chhabra
Director International Initiatives | Firestop Contractors International Association (FCIA)
Dana Kamal
Director, International Development MENA | National Fire Protection Association (NFPA)
Ghaith Bakir
Senior Regulatory Engineer – MEA | UL Solutions
Mohammed Saeefan
Fire Protection Engineering Specialist | Saudi Aramco
Dana Nassif
Assistant Project Manager | AECOM
Eng. Salma Humaid Saeed
Head of Drawings And Projects Section, Directorate General | Dubai Civil Defence
Sawsan Dahham
CEO | Siena
Steve Apter QFSM
Fire & Life Safety Consultant | AESG
Meet 2026 Speakers
Major Eng. Ali Hassan Al Madfai
Head of Executive Affairs | Abu Dhabi Civil Defence Authority
Dr. Aissam Bouadjel
HSEQ Head | Fujairah Oil Industrial Zone
Capt. Eng Abdulrahman Alghanem
Mechanical, Fire & Safety Engineer | Qatar Civil Defence
Andrew Taylor
Head of Technical | ASFP
Brian Edwards
Director of Global Consulting | Fike Corporation
Bachar Kabalan
Head of Crowd Dynamics Engineering | Design Confidence
Celine Abadie
Global R&D Manager | Jotun
Clive Miles
Founder & CEO | CLM Fireproofing
Christopher Chennell
Technical Director | HKA
David Campbell
General Manager | Emirates Safety Laboratory
Dana Kamal
Director International Development MENA | National Fire Protection Association (NFPA)
Dania Al-Adhami
Head of Accessibility and Inclusivity | Design Confidence
David Black
Director | Joule Group
Elliott Brown
Managing Director | Fire Door Inspector Inspectors
Francis Owiti
Airport Rescue Firefighter | Kenya Aiports Authority (KAA)
Ghaith Bakir
Senior Fire & Safety Specialist | UL Solutions
Hannah Mansell
Fire Door Specialist | ASFP
Lt. Colonel Dr. Humaid ALAli
Chief Fire Officer - Deputy Director of Fire Affairs | General Command of Civil Defence, UAE
Ihab Al Bairam
AVP Community Management | Damac
Ihab Farag
Managing Director | Fike
Ibrahim Lari
CEO | Sibca
Joanne Awale
Technical Director | AESG
Jazyah AlDossary
Fire Protection Engineer and Training Supervisor | Saudi Aramco
Jim Pauley
President and CEO | NFPA
Kate Milford
Competence Specialist | ASFP
Khalid Al Mandil
Fire Commissioner and Operational General Manager | Red Sea Global
Lorraine Carli
VP Outreach and Advocacy | NFPA
Eng. Mohamed Al Marzooqi
Engineer - Civil Protection Department | Abu Dhabi Civil Defence Authority
Major Mohamed Al Abbar
Head of the Inspection Division | Bahrain General Directorate of Civil Defence
Major Mohamed Al Hanaee
Fire Protection Engineer | Abu Dhabi Civil Defence Authority
Maher AlAlam
Specification & BOQ Manager | SIENA
Mike Ward
Managing Director | ASFP
Mike Brunzell
VP Global Business Development | NFPA
Mohammed Al Saeefan
Fire Protection Engineering Specialist | Saudi Aramco
Muhammad Talha
Associate – FLS Lead | WSP
Nick Searle QFSM
Chief Fire Officer | Merseyside Fire and Rescue Service
Olga Caledonia
Director International Business Development | NFPA
Paul Mcsoley
Design Specialist | ASFP
Capt. Roslan Bin Aziz
Assistant Fire Commissioner | Malaysia Fire and Rescue Department, Malaysia
Racha Ghazzawi
Senior Fire Protection Consultant | Siena
Richard Pearson
Chief Product Officer | Omniconn
Robert Rea
Principal Operations | Design Confidence
Seek Ying Yong
APAC Business Development Manager | FM Approvals
Eng. Salma Humaid Saeed
Head of Drawings and Projects Section, Directorate General | Dubai Civil Defence
Captain Eng. Salman Albuflasa
Protection & Safety Officer | General Directorate of Civil Defense - Kingdom of Bahrain
Sawsan Dahham
Founder & Chief Executive Officer | SIENA
Selenay Simsek
Principal Consultant - Fire & Life Safety | WSP
Steve Hamm
CEO | IFE
Steve Apter QFSM
Fire & Life Safety Consultant | AESG
Stephan Wevers
President, Chief Fire officer |The Federation of European Fire Officers | Fire Service Twente
Vinay Deshpande
Founder, Managing Director | Vitruvius Fire Safety Consulting FZ LLC
Will Cotterill
Founder | Fire Compliance Plus
Wail Almuharzi
Managing Director | Aman
Zahi Daher
International Business Development Manager - KSA | NFPA
Join the Conversation – Be an Influential Voice at Intersec!
The Fire & Rescue Conference program is coming together, and we’re calling on fire safety pioneers, emergency responders, and innovative thinkers to bring their insights to the forefront. If you have a transformative approach, a compelling case study, or a visionary solution that deserves a platform, we invite you to contribute. Your expertise could ignite the conversations that redefine our industry’s future.
All sessions are CPD certified
2025 Highlights
