International Firefighters’ Day, observed annually on May 4, is a day dedicated to recognizing and honoring the courageous efforts of firefighters worldwide. These brave individuals put their lives at risk daily to protect lives, property, and the environment from the devastating effects of fire. This day is a time to reflect on the invaluable work firefighters carry out and acknowledge their unwavering dedication to safety and emergency response.

Firefighters are the unsung heroes who stand between danger and safety, embodying the spirit of selflessness and bravery. Their work is not just about extinguishing flames but also preventing fires, educating communities, and providing critical emergency services. On International Firefighters' Day, we come together to celebrate their heroism and raise awareness of the importance of fire safety and prevention.

In recognition of this important day, Fire (ISSN: 2571-6255) has curated a selection of articles and Special Issues for readers. These pieces highlight the latest advancements in fire research, fire safety technology, and the strategies used to combat fires in various environments. We encourage you to explore these insightful resources to deepen your understanding of fire science and ongoing efforts to improve fire safety across the globe.

“Development of a Scale for Measuring Cognitive Biases Related to Risk-Taking Among Firefighters: The Five Cognitive Bias Risk Scale (5 CBR-S)”
by Sébastien Lhardy, Emma Guillet-Descas and Guillaume Martinent
Fire 2025, 8(4), 147; https://doi.org/10.3390/fire8040147

“Exposures of Western Australian Wildland Firefighters: Insights from Real-Time Monitoring”
by Kiam Padamsey, Adelle Liebenberg, Ruth Wallace and Jacques Oosthuizen
Fire 2025, 8(3), 98; https://doi.org/10.3390/fire8030098

“Characterising the Chemical Composition of Bushfire Smoke and Implications for Firefighter Exposure in Western Australia”
by Kiam Padamsey, Adelle Liebenberg, Ruth Wallace and Jacques Oosthuizen
Fire 2024, 7(11), 388; https://doi.org/10.3390/fire7110388

“Wildland Firefighter Estimated Ground Evacuation Time Modeling to Support Risk-Informed Decision-Making”
by Michael J. Campbell, Benjamin M. Gannon, Obaidur Rahman, Richard D. Stratton and Philip E. Dennison
Fire 2024, 7(8), 292; https://doi.org/10.3390/fire7080292

“CP2DIMG: An Innovative Research Program Aimed at Preparing Firefighters and Police Officers to Manage Emotions and Stress in Operational Contexts”
by Frédéric Antoine-Santoni, Jean-Louis Rossi, Claude Devichi, Arielle Syssau, Pauline-Marie Ortoli, Adil Yakhloufi, Sofiane Meradji, Yolhan Mannes, Thierry Marcelli, François-Joseph Chatelon et al.
Fire 2024, 7(6), 188; https://doi.org/10.3390/fire7060188

“Modeling Wildland Firefighters’ Assessments of Structure Defensibility”
by Alexander J. Heeren, Philip E. Dennison, Michael J. Campbell and Matthew P. Thompson
Fire 2023, 6(12), 474; https://doi.org/10.3390/fire6120474

“Evaluation of Air Quality inside Self-Contained Breathing Apparatus Used by Firefighters”
by Soo Jin Kim and Seunghon Ham
Fire 2023, 6(9), 347; https://doi.org/10.3390/fire6090347

“Firefighter Stress, Anxiety, and Diminished Compliance-Oriented Safety Behaviors: Consequences of Passive Safety Leadership in the Fire Service?”
by Todd D. Smith, Mari-Amanda Dyal and David M. DeJoy
Fire 2023, 6(6), 241; https://doi.org/10.3390/fire6060241

“The Effect of Leadership Style on Firefighters Well-Being during an Emergency”
by Luís Curral, Laura Carmona, Raquel Pinheiro, Vítor Reis and Maria José Chambel
Fire 2023, 6(6), 233; https://doi.org/10.3390/fire6060233

“The 2017 Extreme Wildfires Events in Portugal through the Perceptions of Volunteer and Professional Firefighters”
by Vittorio Leone, Mario Elia, Raffaella Lovreglio, Fernando Correia and Fantina Tedim
Fire 2023, 6(4), 133; https://doi.org/10.3390/fire6040133