by
Carly Zoerb
| 06/06/2025
The International Association of Fire Chiefs’ (IAFC) Fire Department Exchange (FDX) Program is accepting applications for the upcoming in-person Exchange in Flagstaff, Arizona, October 6 – 10, 2025!
As part of IAFC Wildfire Programs, FDX provides in-person and online exchange platforms for fire departments facing wildland-urban interface (WUI) challenges. The core focus is encouraging exchanges among departments to broaden their knowledge base, consider alternative measures, create new solutions, and improve overall practices and procedures within their wildfire programs. The Exchange covers key strategies such as mitigation, suppression, response, evacuation, partnership, outreach, and education.
The Fire Department Exchange is an interactive, hands-on learning experience. Each exchange will include five selected participating departments facing WUI challenges at different levels from diverse geographic locations. The FDX Steering Group will guide participants through facilitated discussions and breakout sessions centered around the FDX Key Strategies. Participants will leave with a step-by-step plan to implement department changes or improvements.
Why Apply?
- Build a national network of peers.
- Participate in a facilitated discussion to develop actionable items.
- Learn from other departments about how to conquer or overcome challenges.
- Gain access to the FDX online networking group to continue to share ideas.
What past participants are saying:
“The Fire Department Exchange program is just incredible. There was so much knowledge and experience brought in to share new ideas, solutions, and experiences to help the Eastern Region of the United States tackle the arising wildfire issue.”
“To exchange information in a setting with counterparts from other organizations who are well informed and vested in making change was invaluable. The steering group exceeded my expectations significantly with their ability to relate to our issues and help us spur productive conversations about how to make change. Their depth of knowledge related to these topics was so vast, we could have gone on for days prying into the expertise.”
“The exchange was an outstanding experience and one that I believe has already made a difference in terms of renewed passion amongst all of the agencies involved.”
The deadline for applications is July 9, 2025.
Contact Lauren Holtzclaw at lholtzclaw@iafc.org with any questions.
Apply today!