Conference updates, regional news, leadership insights, and stories from across the Caribbean fire service community.
The 2025 Caribbean Association of Fire Chiefs Annual Conference convened at the Princess Grand Hotel & Resort under the theme "Fostering Regional Collaboration for Enhanced Emergency Response." Chief fire officers, EMS professionals, and emergency management leaders from 17 Caribbean nations gathered for a week of high-level sessions, leadership academies, and a landmark proposal for a Caribbean Emergency Response Hub.
Read Full Story
A six-member delegation from the Turks and Caicos Islands Fire and Rescue Service attended leadership academies covering strategic decision-making, legal responsibilities, psychological resilience, and incident command simulations.
During the 2025 CAFC Conference, Mayor of Montego Bay Councillor Richard Vernon proposed a Caribbean Emergency Response Hub to serve as a centralized supply and personnel base for regional disaster response.
The Caribbean Association of Fire Chiefs has officially announced the 2026 Conference & Vendor Expo, scheduled for May 17–23, 2026 at the Hodelpa Garden Suites, Golf & Convention Center in Playa Juan Dolio, Dominican Republic.
It all begins with essential core competencies that robustly support the leadership principles associated with fire and emergency medical services throughout the Caribbean region — enhancing individual performance and overall team effectiveness.
The CAFC Conference & Expo was held at the Accra Beach Resort and Spa in Barbados. CFO Errol Maynard of the Barbados Fire Service assumed leadership of the organization, with Barbados also topping the Firefighters Challenge competition.
CAFC values fresh ideas for creating new projects. By becoming a member, you gain benefits that encourage teamwork and creativity in fire and emergency services throughout the Caribbean — transforming ideas into real community solutions.
Assistant Commissioner Julian Davis-Buckle — Jamaica's highest-ranked female firefighter — delivered a powerful session on Women in Emergency Services at CAFC 2025. A 29-year career, a National Badge of Honour, and an International Women's Award for Courage. She also received the IFECASA IWD Purple Heart Award in Dominica, March 2025.
The Institution of Fire Engineers officially launched its Caribbean and South America branch (IFECASA) in Port of Spain, Trinidad, focused on "A regional approach to capacity and capability building." The branch provides fire engineers across the region with access to education, qualifications, and professional recognition.
IFECASA hosted its inaugural Women in Service Retreat in Dominica on March 7–8, 2025, marking International Women's Day under the theme #AccelerateAction. Participants from 7 Caribbean nations attended. Chief Anette Sanford — the first female Kalinago Chief — received the IFECASA IWD Purple Heart Award.
The Caribbean EMS Leadership Academy (CEMSLA) brought together pre-hospital care professionals from across the Caribbean for three intensive days of training. Sessions covered Safety Protocols & Risk Management, Pre-Hospital Care Tiers, Mass Casualty Response, and EMS System Integration — facilitated by world-class instructors in a region-focused curriculum.
Caribbean firefighters went head-to-head in the annual Firefighter Combat Challenge — testing speed, strength, and skill in full bunker gear under the Jamaica sun.
