Who We Are
The IAFC Industrial Fire & Safety Section (IFSS) is the professional home for emergency response leaders protecting complex industrial facilities — from refineries, chemical plants, and petrochemical terminals to pharmaceutical manufacturers, semiconductor facilities, aerospace operations, and national security complexes. We are a forum for industrial fire and safety professionals to exchange ideas, share experiences, and strengthen the partnerships that are critical to protecting workers, facilities, and surrounding communities.
The section gives the industrial fire service a unified voice within the IAFC — and through the IAFC, a voice at the government and regulatory level.
What We Do
The IFSS advances industrial emergency response through four core areas:
- Professional Development — Supporting members' pursuit of leadership excellence, including the National Fire Academy Executive Fire Officer (EFO) Program, TEEX industrial training, and national conferences including Fire-Rescue International.
- Peer Networking — Connecting industrial fire chiefs, emergency response managers, and safety professionals across sectors including oil and gas, chemical processing, heavy manufacturing, pharmaceutical, semiconductor, and defense.
- Industry Advocacy — Representing the unique regulatory, training, and occupational safety needs of the industrial fire service at the national level.
- Knowledge Sharing — Publishing a monthly newsletter, hosting regular member meetings, and facilitating lessons-learned discussions drawn from real-world industrial incidents.
2026 Highlights
FDIC / IAFC Industrial Fire Summit
In partnership with FDIC International, the section launched a dedicated Industrial Track in Indianapolis, bringing together subject matter experts, instructors, and leaders from across the industrial fire service for training, roundtable discussions, and scenario-based exercises.
New Awards Program
The Industrial Summit Leadership Award and the Industrial/Municipal Response Interface Award were introduced to recognize exceptional leadership and collaboration within the industrial fire community.
Monthly Newsletter The section launched a monthly publication featuring member spotlights, leadership insights, industry updates, and emergency response organization profiles.
Open Member Forum
A new open forum format for section meetings was approved, expanding member engagement and direct
participation.
Industrial Officer Certification Pathway
The board approved development of a proposal for a formal industrial officer/Pro Board certification pathway,
advancing professional credentialing for the industrial fire service.
Who We Serve
The IFSS serves emergency response professionals across a broad spectrum of industries:
Oil & Gas · Chemical & Petrochemical · Pharmaceutical · Semiconductor & Technology · Aerospace & Defense · Heavy Manufacturing · Power Generation · Automotive · Food & Beverage · National Security Complexes
Our Leadership
Chair: Dan King, Global Emergency Response Lead, Air Products
Vice Chair: Chief Jerald Ziller, Health & Safety Supervisor, Chevron Phillips Chemical Company
Board Members (alphabetical by last name):
Josh Culp - Senior Emergency Response Manager, Micron Technology
Richard Setzer - Board Support Staff
Lee Hall - Associate Division Director, TEEX
Craig King - Emergency Response Coordinator, Indorama Ventures
Alex Zielinski - Deputy Chief & Division Chief of Training, Eli Lilly Fire Department
John Woulfe - IAFC Staff Liaison
Get Involved
The IFSS welcomes industrial fire and safety professionals at all levels. Whether you lead a full-service industrial fire department, manage an emergency response team, or support industrial safety from a municipal or regulatory perspective, the section has a place for you.
Contact us: industrial@iafc.org