The International Association of Fire Safety Science (IAFSS) organized the 13th International Symposium on Fire Safety Science, April 26 to 30, 2021, hosted virtually by the University of Waterloo, Canada.

The Howard W. Emmons Invited Plenary Lectureship is a prestigious recognition of life-long contributions to and career achievements in fire science and engineering. The Emmons Lectureship is presented for distinguished lifetime achievement in Fire Safety Science; it is not a best paper award.