The XXVI International Conference of the member countries of the International Sport Federation of Firefighters and Rescuers was held in Baku

From December 2 to 6, 2025, the XXVI International Conference of heads of fire and rescue services of the member countries of the International Sport Federation of Firefighters and Rescuers was held in Baku (Republic of Azerbaijan).

The Conference was attended by representatives of fire and rescue services, associations and federations of fire and rescue sport: Republic of Austria, Kingdom of Bahrain, Republic of Belarus, Republic of Bulgaria, Republic of Cameroon, People’s Republic of China, Czech Republic, Federal Republic of Germany, Republic of India, Islamic Republic of Iran, Republic of Kazakhstan, Kyrgyz Republic, Republic of Latvia, Mongolia, State of Qatar, Russian Federation, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Republic of Serbia, Slovak Republic, Republic of Turkey, Republic of Tajikistan, Republic of Uzbekistan, Socialist Republic of Vietnam as well as Republic of Azerbaijan – the host of the Conference.

Each Conference of the International Sport Federation of Firefighters and Rescuers is a forum for like-minded individuals to engage in constructive dialogue aimed at developing fire and rescue sport at the international level, implementing innovations and identifying current trends in the development of fire and rescue sport.

The Conference participants gathered to discuss the prospects of the International Sport Federation of Firefighters and Rescuers, the promotion and popularization of fire and rescue sport at the international level, strengthening cooperation between rescue services, associations and federations of different countries, as well as to summarize the results of the 2025 World Championships and start preparing for the 2026 World Championships.

Kamaladdin Heydarov Fattah oglu, Minister of Emergency Situations of the Republic of Azerbaijan, Alexander Chupriian, President of the International Sport Federation of Firefighters and Rescuers, and Andrey Kalinin, Director of the International Sport Federation of Firefighters and Rescuers, addressed the conference participants with a welcoming speech.

Given the centuries-long history of the Republic of Azerbaijan as a crossroads of the Silk Road, Azerbaijanis place great importance on protocol and etiquette. Baku, the country's capital, is a city of international historical and cultural significance. Therefore, special attention was paid to the organization and hosting of the 2026 World Championships in Baku.

Andrey Kalinin, Director of the International Firefighters and Rescuers Sport Federation, delivered a report summarizing the work of the International Firefighters and Rescuers Sport Federation for 2025 and outlining the tasks for 2026. He also expressed his gratitude to the countries that hosted the World Championships in fire and rescue sport.

During the reporting period, the Socialist Republic of Vietnam became a member of the International Sport Federation of Firefighters and Rescuers, and LLC "INNOVATIVE FIRE SAFETY SYSTEMS", LLC "DIGITAL SKRIPKA" became associate members. The Federal Republic of Germany and the Republic of Bulgaria established organizations in fire and rescue sport.

New world records have been set in fire and rescue sport disciplines among girls and female juniors. International judge titles in fire and rescue sport have been awarded to representatives of the Republic of Belarus, the Republic of Kazakhstan, and the Russian Federation. Currently, the International Federation has 146 international referees. The Plan of the Main Sporting Events of the International Sport Federation of Firefighters and Rescuers for the next year as well as regulations and compositions of the main judging panels for the 2026 World Championships in fire and rescue sport, have been agreed upon and approved.

In 2025 the Executive Directorate's work was aimed at increasing the number of member countries of the International Federation, conducting negotiations with representatives of fire and rescue services on issues of joining the International Sport Federation of Firefighters and Rescuers and their active participation in the World Championships in fire and rescue sport and other international competitions.

Currently, 35 countries are members of the International Sport Federation of Firefighters and Rescuers. This vast geographic reach demonstrates that fire and rescue sport is rapidly developing and confidently moving toward becoming an Olympic discipline.

The member countries of the International Sport Federation of Firefighters and Rescuers appreciated the work of the Sports and Technical Committee, the Disciplinary Anti-Doping Committee, the Sports and Disciplinary Commission and the Audit Commission.

The highlight of the Conference was the presentation of medals "For Contribution to International Cooperation" to the heads of fire and rescue services of member countries of the International Sport Federation of Firefighters and Rescuers.

President Alexander Chupriian presented a commemorative plaquette and a commemorative statuette to Kamaladdin Heydarov Fattah oglu, Minister of Emergency Situations of the Republic of Azerbaijan, for his extensive work in preparing and organizing the 26th International Conference.