Fire Heritage Review: The Journal of Fire Service and Fire Protection History
An Annual Publication of the National Fire Heritage Center (NFHC)
Mission and Focus
This annual journal of fire protection history is dedicated to advancing the written understanding and appreciation of the rich and diverse history of the fire service and fire protection industries. By publishing carefully researched and documented, peer-reviewed scholarship and research, the journal fills a gap in published sources. It also serves as a central repository or collection of heritage-related articles that will easily be accessible to a wide audience of scholars and practitioners.
The NFHC welcomes submissions across the full spectrum of fire protection history disciplines, including but not limited to:
- Fire Departments & Firefighting: The development of municipal, industrial, and volunteer fire departments; organizational history; operational strategies; leadership; and community impact.
- Firefighting Techniques and Technologies: The evolution of fire suppression methods, firefighting tools, apparatus, and technologies, from early hand-pump engines to modern fire suppression technologies.
- Fire Safety Innovations: The history and development of fire prevention measures, fire codes, engineering advances, building safety regulations, and innovations that have shaped fire protection today.
- Department of Defense Fire Protection: This section covers the history of the military and governmental firefighting agencies in fire protection and emergency responses.
- Biographies and Personal Narratives: The stories of key figures in the history of fire protection—firefighters, leaders, innovators, industrial designers, and unsung heroes whose contributions have shaped the fire service.
- Critical Events and Pivotal Moments: Significant moments in fire service history, such as landmark fires, disasters, legislative changes, or major technological advancements.
- The Industrial Fire Service & Hazardous Materials Response: A focus on the fire protection systems, practices, and challenges faced by the industrial and corporate fire protection sector, including hazardous materials response and industrial safety measures.
Who Can Submit
The Journal encourages submissions from a diverse range of individuals interested in fire service, technology, and fire protection history. We welcome contributors from
- Students
- Historians
- Emerging scholars,
- Academics,
- Practitioners of fire protection engineering,
- Firefighters
- Researchers
- Museum and Archival Professionals
- Dedicated enthusiasts
The NFHC believes a wide range of perspectives will enrich the journal and contribute to a more comprehensive understanding of our shared history. All submissions will undergo a peer-review process to ensure scholarly rigor, accuracy, and relevance to the field.
The NFHC aims to build a lasting archive that preserves the past and informs current and future practitioners about fire safety and service heritage.
Submission Guidelines
To be considered for publication, all submissions must adhere to the following guidelines:
- Original Work: Submissions must be original, unpublished work.
- Rigorous Research: Articles must be based on thorough research utilizing primary and secondary sources, clearly demonstrating a strong understanding of the historical context.
- Chicago Manual of Style: All manuscripts must be formatted according to the latest edition of the Chicago Manual of Style (endnotes and bibliography). Authors are responsible for ensuring accurate and consistent citations.
- Clarity: Writing should be clear, concise, and engaging for a diverse readership, including both fire protection academics and practitioners.
- Length: Articles should typically range between 750 and 2,500 words (approximately 3-10 pages, double-spaced), including notes and bibliography. Longer or shorter submissions may be considered at the discretion of the editor.
- Abstract: Each submission must include an abstract of no more than 250 words summarizing the main arguments and conclusions of the article.
- Illustrations: High-resolution images, photographs, maps, and other relevant visual materials are encouraged to enhance the text. Authors are responsible for obtaining necessary permissions for the reproduction of copyrighted materials. Image captions and source information should be provided.
- Submission Format: Manuscripts should be submitted electronically as a Microsoft Word (.doc or .docx) file. Use a standard 12-point font such as Times New Roman.
Submission Process
Detailed submission instructions are available on the National Fire Heritage Center website at [Fire Heritage Review – Call for Submissions – National Fire Heritage Center] beginning in Summer 2025. Please check the website for updates and the official submission portal.
Key Dates
- Summer 2025: Call for submissions open
- February 28, 2026: Submission deadline for the Inaugural Issue
- Summer 2026: Publication of the first edition
We encourage all interested individuals to consider contributing to the Journal and help us build a vital and enduring resource for the study of fire service and fire protection history.
Contact
For questions or to discuss potential submission ideas, contact
Mike Dixon, Editor
National Fire Heritage Center
Email: fireheritagejournal@gmail.com
You may also request an appointment to discuss submission ideas.
