Director, Safety and Emergency Preparedness
FIFA World Cup 2026
Coral gables, Florida, United States
Ed Klima is a certified emergency manager with over 30 years of public safety, security and event management experience. He currently serves as the Director of Safety and Emergency Preparedness for FIFA World Cup 2026 where he leads safety and emergency preparedness planning for all venues in the US, Mexico and Canada as well as the 2025 Club World Cup which will be held in 12 US cities.
As an emergency planner focused on mass gathering events he has worked for numerous major sporting and entertainment venues and events, including the Philadelphia Eagles, Pittsburgh Steelers, U.S. Open Tennis Championships, NBA and the NFL where he has been a lead planner for the past 19 Super Bowls. As the Senior Director of Public Safety and Track Operations for Dover Motorsports and Dover Downs Hotel and Casino he oversaw emergency preparedness planning and security operations at several motorsports facilities across the U.S. as well as a comprehensive safety and security program for a multi-faceted sporting and entertainment complex in Delaware.
As a public safety professional, he has over 30 years of experience as a fire officer, hazardous material technician, EMT and fire inspector. Mr. Klima has served as the External Affairs Director for the Congressional Fire Services Institute. He is an original member of the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) 610 Committee, Safety at Motorsports Venues, the NASCAR Security Council and the NFL’s Fire, EMS and Emergency Planning Committee. He has also served as Vice Chair for the IAVM Academy for Venue Safety and Security.
Mr. Klima holds two bachelor’s degrees from the University of Delaware as well as a master’s degree in public safety management from Saint Joseph’s University.
ELEC-315: GOOOOOOOOOAL! Safety and Emergency Preparedness Planning for the FIFA World Cup 2026
Wednesday, August 14, 2024
3:15 PM – 4:15 PM