Leading Urban Firefighting Innovation

Big City Fire brings together senior leaders from America’s largest fire departments to address the unique challenges of urban emergency response and advance responder safety nationwide.

Our Origins and Evolution

Big City Fire Working Group was established to meet the unique challenges faced by America’s largest urban fire departments. Recognizing the complexity of emergency response in metropolitan environments, senior fire leaders formed this organization to foster collaboration, share best practices, and address operational needs specific to cities with diverse risk profiles.

Since its inception, Big City Fire has driven innovation in public safety through the identification of critical capability gaps and the pursuit of advanced technology solutions. By uniting experienced fire chiefs and command staff, the organization strengthens the collective voice of urban firefighting professionals on a national stage.

Through strategic partnerships and ongoing dialogue, BCF continues to enhance responder safety, improve emergency operations, and influence positive change in public safety policy. Its commitment to knowledge sharing and leadership development ensures that member departments are equipped to meet both current and emerging threats to their communities.

Our Mission and Values

Big City Fire is committed to advancing the capabilities of urban fire departments across the United States. By uniting senior fire leaders, we foster a collaborative environment focused on overcoming operational challenges and bridging capability gaps in emergency response.

Our mission is to drive innovation and elevate public safety by identifying solutions that enhance firefighter effectiveness, safety, and resilience. We work closely with partners such as NUSTL to evaluate and implement technology solutions designed to meet the unique demands of major urban environments.

At our core, we value leadership, integrity, and a shared responsibility to protect our communities. Through mutual support and knowledge exchange, Big City Fire empowers first responders to meet current and emerging threats with confidence and professionalism.