Annual Conference 2020 – Kilkenny

I am delighted and very proud to be hosting the Chief Fire Officers’ Association Annual Conference in Kilkenny on the 6th & 7th May 2020. This will be the 63rd Chief Fire Officers’ Annual Conference and it is the third occasion that it has been hosted in the County, the previous year’s being in 1967 and 1981. I would like to extend a warm welcome to all Delegates, Trade Exhibitors, Speakers and Guests from Ireland and overseas to Kilkenny to our annual Conference.

This year’s conference brings together leading speakers, all of them very experienced in their own discipline, from both within and outside the Fire Service community to share their expert views.

You may be wondering why it is called Fire Away, Fire Away is defined “if someone wants to say or ask something, you can say “fire away” as a way of showing that you are ready for them to speak.” Thus, encouraging debate and discussion with the speakers and exhibitors. Less subtle and playing with the words “keep” Fire Away touches on fire safety/prevention talks and trade equipment and again “Some” Fire Away touches on a fire incident in UK which one of our speakers will be covering.

I hope that the conference will afford delegates, speakers, manufacturers and trade representative to engage with each other by asking questions and debating (1) current and future technology to assist the Fire and Rescue service in serving our communities, (2) looking at strategy for dealing with current issues and in the preparation of future issues and (3) Leadership development in Fire Service delivery. This will be facilitated by speakers from The Nederlands, Belgium, England and Ireland who will share their experiences.

The Fire Technology Exhibition will afford an opportunity for manufacturers and trade representatives to outline current and future trends in the manufacturing of Fire Service equipment. It will also give the Trade an opportunity to hear the requirements of the Fire Service.

A special word of thanks to Exhibitors, Sponsors and Advertisers for their continued support for the Conference.

I would like to thank the Chief Executive of Kilkenny County Council, Ms. Colette Byrne, for her support for the Conference and to especially acknowledge the huge commitment of Kilkenny Fire and Rescue Service staff in assisting the CFOA in hosting this year’s Conference.

I hope that all attending the Conference will find it engaging and beneficial and will have fond memories of your stay in Kilkenny.

John Collins, BE CEng MIEI

Chief Fire Officer,

CFOA Conference Secretary 2020.