The SFPE Foundation, a charitable organization focused on enhancing the scientific understanding of fire and its interaction with the natural and built environment, is pleased to announce the funding of a research award to study the environmental and health impacts of fire and fire-suppression activities during large-scale fire events. The research will be led by Principal Investigator Jamie L. McAllister, Ph.D., P.E., and Co-Investigator Brendan McCarrick, P.E., both with FireTox LLC.

The primary objective of the research is to characterize the environmental and health impacts following large-scale wildland and structural fire events. The primary research will include a literature review, identification of current systems for monitoring large-scale fire incidents, identification of current tools and resources used to quantify the impact of large-scale fire events, and a gap analysis to inform future research. Findings of the study are expected to be published and presented at the SFPE Annual Conference and Expo in Detroit, MI, USA, October 12-14, 2022. 

“On behalf of the SFPE Foundation’s Board of Governors, we are so pleased to provide funding to the team at FireTox, LLC, to increase our understanding of the far-reaching effects of large-scale fire events,” stated Leslie Marshall, Ph.D., director, SFPE Foundation. “In line with the SFPE Foundation’s Research Roadmap priorities, this needed research will help expand our collective understanding in the areas of resilience, sustainability, wildland fires, the wildland-urban interface, and innovative technology and materials.”

Financing for SFPE Foundation-funded research is provided through the generous support of donors, including SFPE, SFPE chapters, SFPE members, governmental agencies, leading companies and organizations, and others. Demand for SFPE Foundation research funding support far exceeds available funds. The SFPE Foundation periodically invites research proposals through both open calls and specific requests for proposals.