As the world begins to reopen, the fire service needs to train and gather more than ever. INTERSCHUTZ USA fills that need, bringing to America what audiences around the world have always enjoyed at INTERSCHUTZ (Germany), a success story that dates back more than 60 years. The show is committed to becoming the most comprehensive event in the United States by providing the world’s best in training, equipment and technology to firefighters, fire rescue personnel and EMS personnel.
This 13–16 October, Philadelphia, PA will be transformed to a hub for the fire service and related outfits, featuring three full days of exhibits including fire-service manufacturers, providers and resources from the US and around the world. INTERSCHUTZ USA 2021 will consist of intensive workshops, three days of comprehensive conference sessions, product demonstrations and networking opportunities available to all attendees.
Training opportunities are vetted by INTERSCHUTZ USA’s Conference Advisory Board, whose members represent 12 US states and four countries. Conference and training sessions will cover many topics, including an Instructor Track in partnership with the International Society of Fire Service Instructors (ISFSI), content around Recruitment and Retention, content around Diversity & Inclusion, a Leadership track, EMS content and Incident Management including international Incident Management.
Show Manager Rachel Lesczynski is excited to get this year’s show off the ground: ‘INTERSCHUTZ USA’s value proposition is to bring the global fire service perspective to the US. It is vital that we engage fire-service leadership from around the world, not only to identify topics and need but also to secure appropriate instructors. The amount of support we’ve received, particularly in the past year, has been overwhelming; I believe we all cannot wait to meet in person! A huge round of thanks to the Conference Advisory Board, Philadelphia Commissioner Adam Thiel and the global INTERSCHUTZ family for their continued support.’
Activity and education leading up to the show
With training needs as they are in the US, INTERSCHUTZ USA knew it could create opportunities to keep the fire service engaged even before in-person events were ready to take place. Show organizers created the INTERSCHUTZ USA Digital Shift, a year-round webinar series. Each session, taking place at least once per month, covers a specific issue like ‘Making the Case for the Half-Story in Your Size-Up’, taking place on 18 May. Presenters include leaders in the US fire service, INTERSCHUTZ USA speakers and Conference Advisory Board members. Content for June and July will be announced soon.
All Digital Shift webinars are free with advance signup. To learn more and participate, visit https://interschutzusa.com/webinars/
International perspectives and EMS
Unlike most US-based fire-rescue events, INTERSCHUTZ USA will provide expertise and perspectives from around the world on common fire-service topics. The show aims to provide the opportunity for broader views and conversations among a global fire service united in protecting its citizenry.
Similarly, INTERSCHUTZ USA 2021 will offer dedicated EMS/Rescue content. Too many US fire-rescue events fail to address this in their curriculum, even though an incredibly high percentage of fire-service responses are EMS. INTERSCHUTZ USA changes that paradigm.

Building on a strong history
The first American volunteer fire company was founded under Benjamin Franklin in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Philadelphia is also within a four-hour drive of 44% of the US fire service. The city also offers other world-class features, including the NFL’s Eagles, the NHL’s Flyers, the MLB’s Phillies, the NBA’s 76ers, renowned American history, phenomenal dining, shopping and more. All these factors, along with the incredible support the Philadelphia fire community offered, made the choice easy.
The leading brand in fire and rescue
INTERSCHUTZ USA is the most recent addition to the INTERSCHUTZ Worldwide portfolio, which includes AFAC (Australia), CEFE (China) and REAS (Italy). Audiences around the world have enjoyed the unique emotional experience, personal encounters and feeling of common purpose provided by INTERSCHUTZ (Germany), the world’s largest trade show for fire and rescue services for over 50 years. Taking place every five years in Hannover, Germany, INTERSCHUTZ attracts a unique mix of commercial and non-commercial exhibitors. Companies unveil their latest innovations at the show, while fire and rescue service professionals show the latest in equipment and systems in action on an outdoor demonstration ground.
For more information, go to www.interschutzusa.com
You must log in to post a comment.