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January 2006 Top of Page
How Do You Measure Up? Contractor Business Operations Report Available
Even the most savvy CEO's, Presidents and General Managers are tasked everyday with making decisions on a wide range of issues from employee wages and benefits to insurance and training staff. Find out how your company stacks up ...
Read Report Announcement.
Wisconsin Governor Sign
s Bill
Requiring Fire Sprinklers State-Wide In Dormitories
It's the holiday season and many recall a movie depicting the spirit of the
season, "It's a Wonderful Life." The theme has George
Bailey experiencing some rough times and he decides that "maybe he
should never had been born." An angel takes him up on the notion and
George witnesses what would have happened had he not be around earlier to change
the course of events.
George recanted his request with a new one: "I
want to live." Well, this year Santa came early to Wisconsin with a
piece of legislation that could easily result in the same type scenario for
future Wisconsin university students. Governor Doyle signed into law a
landmark bill that will protect college students living in various types of
campus housing from death and injury caused by fire. Led by Senator
Ron Brown (R-Eau Claire) and Representative Rob Kreibich (R-Eau Claire),
Assembly Bill 544 requires automatic fire sprinkler systems installed in all new
construction residence facilities on private campuses, all residence halls
greater than 60 feet in height, all Greek housing in private and public colleges
and privately owned high-rise buildings that have a student population of 50
percent or more. Five years ago, a bill was passed requiring fire sprinkler
systems installed in all high-rise residence halls located on public campuses.
Colleges have eight years to comply.
Without this legislation, some time,
some where in Wisconsin's future, a student or students will be exposed to the
dangers of fire and not survive. Families and campuses will morn and have their
lives permanently changed just as George's world. Because of this new law, for
that someone in the future, it will be a wonderful life because their call
home to complain about wet books and clothes was not a call from a university
representative informing a family that their precious student child had perished
in a preventable fire.
“This legislation is
groundbreaking in the national movement to reduce tragic fire deaths of college
students,” said Dan Gengler of the National Fire Sprinkler Association (NFSA)
and a former Deputy Fire Chief with the Milwaukee Fire Department. “Fire is
non-discriminatory. This legislation will
protect students and can ultimately
save lives. As a result, Wisconsin will be one of the safest sates when it comes
to campus housing fire safety. The passage of this landmark legislation
illustrates the commitment of these lawmakers to protect all of our college
students,” Gengler said.
Thanks
to all who partnered with us to get the job done. Special recognition to Annie
Early, Martin Schreiber & Associates, the lobby firm that represents the
Wisconsin Chapter of the National Fire Sprinkler Association and Locals 183
& 669 Sprinkler Fitters, for her tremendous efforts in accomplishing this
task. The bill went through Assembly & Senate Committees with ease because
of a tremendous cast of contirbutors and flew through both legislative
floors without a negative vote.
Bowman Joins NFSA Regional Operations Network
Tuesday, January 17, 2006, Patterson, New York - The National Fire Sprinkler Association (NFSA) is pleased to announce that after conducting an extensive candidate search, it has hired David Bowman to fill the position of Great Plains Regional Manager. The region includes the states of Minnesota, Iowa, Missouri, Kansas, Nebraska and North and South Dakota. He is in the process of relocating from the Reno, Nevada area to Kansas City, Missouri where he will reside and establish the regional office. For the time being he can be contacted on his mobile phone at (775) 853-3968.
David comes to NFSA with a “30 year” history in public safety, most recently with the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) as a Disaster Assistance Employee where he served as Team Leader for the Hurricane Katrina relief efforts in Mississippi. For the last four years he also served as Assistant Fire Marshal for Carson City, Nevada where he was a full deputy to the State Fire Marshal and managed the operations of the main and five satellite offices throughout the state.
As Chief of Explosives and Pyrotechnics working out of the Ohio State Fire Marshal's office from 1985 - 1998, David wrote training programs, curriculum and managed instructor programs in 10 major course areas resulting in training programs being provided to more than 45,000 public safety professionals in more than 21 states.
Commenting on the appointment, NFSA President John Viniello said, "Not only does this appointment bring our Regional Operations department up to full staff, but we are extremely fortunate to have a Great Plains Regional Manager the caliber of David Bowman." He added, "David's depth and breadth of experience will enable him to immediately bring a superior level of Association services to our members throughout the region."
NFSA Joins Home Safety Council
Jan 19, 2006 - The
National Fire Sprinkler Association (NFSA) is pleased to announce it has
joined the Home Safety Council (HSC) as a Keystone Sponsor, their highest
sponsorship level.
HSC is a national, non-profit organization focused
solely on preventing injuries in and around the home with residential fire
sprinklers being among their core messages. According to their research,
fires and burns are the third leading cause of unintentional home injury
deaths behind falls and poisoning. Adults over 70 and children under 5 years
of age are at the highest risk.
When asked about their support of HSC, NFSA President John A. Viniello said,
"HSC is the country's leading organization in the promotion of safety in the
home. With fire being among the leading causes of death in the home and the
majority of deaths by fire being in the home, we are proud to be among their
top sponsors." He added, "This is and exciting partnership that will serve
to raise public awareness of residential fire sprinklers."
NFSA's Cahill Confers With Senator Clinton on Fire Sprinkler Incentive Act
Jan. 26, 2006 - Vice President Neil Cahill attended the Grand Opening of the Emergency Department and Heart Center of Niagara and was given the opportunity to discuss the importance of the Fire Sprinkler Incentive Act. Cahill was present at the ceremony in his capacity as Secretary of the industry's Pension Plan that had provided $15.5 million in financing for the project which is part of the Niagara Falls Memorial Medical Center.
There
was extensive discussion of the role of the Pension Plan in financing similar
buildings and providing jobs. Cahill stressed that the Bill is limited to
providing tax incentives for existing buildings which appeared to positively
impress the Senator. While Senator Clinton expressed concern for the
likelihood of passage given the present budget deficit, Cahill stressed that we
were seeking to have the tax impact of the Bill restudied and that the cost of
fires and lives lost in fires can't be overlooked.
The meeting was facilitated by Lee Smith, a former aide
to former Governor Cuomo, who is one of the Pension Fund's investment managers.
Also attending the meeting with them was Dom Kass, NFSA Northeast Regional
Manager and John Hope, Western New York State Business Agent for Sprinkler
Fitters Local 669.
Fire Team USA Launched
Jan 30, 2006, Patterson, New York
– National Fire Sprinkler Association (NFSA) announces the launch of Fire Team
USA, a partnership between the Tennessee Fire Safety Inspectors Association,
NFSA, and the Pleasant View Volunteer Fire Department to address the economics
of various fire safety issues within communities across the United States,
including residential fire sprinkler ordinance adoption. The work of Fire Team
USA was piloted in Tennessee in 2005 with a grant called Fire Team Tennessee,
and proved to be successful in communities across the Volunteer state.
In 2006, grants totaling $650 million will provide
direct assistance to thousands of fire departments and organizations throughout
the country. Fire Team USA will use a portion of those funds for delivery of
Fire Team USA, a workshop series that brings public policy makers, fire chiefs,
building officials, water purveyors, and fire marshals together to learn about
fire sprinklers and how they can be an effective strategic planning tool and
resource for their community.
February 2006
Top of Page
Fatal off-campus student housing fire in Kansas adds to the national toll
Feb. 14, 2006 - A fire in an off-campus student house in Pittsburg, Kansas
killed two occupants over the weekend. The third occupant, a student at
Pittsburg State University, was able to escape. The identity of the two victims
is being withheld at this time, but a university official confirmed that they
had been enrolled at the University in 2005. Kansas now ranks fifth in the
nation in student housing fire fatalities.
Read The Full Story
NFSA Endorsed Dental Plan Available to Membership
Feb 16, 2006 – In a continuing effort to bring additional value to its membership, National Fire Sprinkler Association (NFSA) is pleased to announce it has entered into an agreement with HealthFlex Dental to make available a special dental health plan. For more information, Please Call (1-800) 687-3995.
Read the full story Visit the HealthFlex site
NFSA Charters Ohio Chapter
Feb 17, 2006 - On Tuesday, February 14, 2006, Ohio members of the National Fire
Sprinkler Association (NFSA) held a meeting to formalize the NFSA Ohio Chapter.
This was the second of two planning meetings – the first gauged local interest
in forming a chapter and the second, once interest was confirmed, to approve
by-laws and elect officers. As a result of elections held at this meeting, NFSA
is very pleased to announce election of the following officers (from left to
right):
<<
Acting Vice Chair - Rick Kossler, S.A. Comunale
<<
Acting Chairman - Joe DiNovo, Noveon
<<
Acting Secretary - Bob Fischer, Viking SupplyNet
<< Acting Treasurer - Terry Rodeman, Reliable Automatic Sprinkler Company
Jeffrey Hugo, NFSA North Central Regional Manager,
who is responsible for bringing the group together, had this to say, “I am very
fortunate to work in this region. The NFSA members have a tremendous amount of
spirit and I look forward to working with each and every one of them to make the
Ohio Chapter a vital, industry focused organization.”
The chapter is open to all NFSA members with nonmembers who are interested in
joining a professional organization focused on improving business conditions
throughout Ohio welcome to attend. Plans for a May 9, 2006 meeting in the
Columbus area are in the works and will be forwarded to all NFSA Ohio members
when finalized.
For more information call NFSA North Central Regional Manager Jeffrey Hugo at
845.519.5963 or email hugo@nfsa.org.
William Oliver to Receive NFSA Golden Sprinkler Award
The National Fire Sprinkler Association (NFSA) is pleased to announce that this year’s Golden Sprinkler Award recipient is William Oliver of Oliver Sprinkler Company (ret.). Bill is a long-time NFSA member and has served the Association in numerous capacities including Area Director, representing fire sprinkler contractor members from the states of Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Delaware, Maryland and Virginia on the Board of Directors. From 1998 – 2000 he served as Chairman of the Board.
Commenting on the announcement, NFSA President John Viniello, last year’s Golden Sprinkler Award recipient said, “Bill has been a strong supporter of the Association and its initiatives for many years and I personally consider it an honor having served under his watch while he was Chairman of the Board. He is very deserving of this honor.” Chairman of the Awards Committee, Barry Waterman, added “There were several candidates under consideration this year and the decision was not an easy one, but Bill’s documented history of support and dedication to NFSA rose to the top. I am honored to be making the Golden Sprinkler Award presentation to him at the Annual Seminar.”
Bill will be formally recognized during the opening session of NFSA’s Annual Seminar in Bermuda on April 27, 2006 when he will be presented with the Golden Sprinkler. Bill joins an elite group of only 19 previous recipients of the fire sprinkler industry’s most coveted prize.
March 2006 Top of Page
IFSA's 6th International Fire Sprinkler Conference & Exhibition Huge Success!
Mar 29, 2006 – The International Fire Sprinkler Association (IFSA) 6th International Fire Sprinkler Conference & Exhibition concluded this afternoon having received rave reviews from the record audience of approximately 300 fire sprinkler industry representatives from all over the world with some traveling from as far away as China and Taiwan.
The theme for the intensive two-day conference was “New Developments in Fire Sprinkler Applications” and featured 26 guest speaker presentations on myriad topics including: New Developments in Fire Sprinkler Legislation, Developments in Applications – Tunnels, Research Developments in Special Applications, Developments in Applications – Hotels and High-rise, Developments in Special Applications, Fire Sprinkler Advantages and Developments in Fire Sprinkler Promotions.
Following the first day’s speaker session, highlighted by the presentation of the Harry Marryatt Award to IFSA Board member Eduard J. Job of JOB GmbH in Germany, was the 2nd International Fire Sprinkler Exhibition – the largest event of its type in Europe dedicated exclusively to the fire sprinkler industry. The event was held in an arboretum through which attendees were lead on a jungle-type safari to the exhibition hall. The sumptuous reception held inside the exhibition and enthusiasm shown by the attendees for the vendor displays was punctuated by the broadcast of a European championship soccer game between teams from Lisbon and Barcelona. Needless to say, the excitement was high. There was, however, no cry of “Goooooooal” as the game ended in a tie.
Updated information on the many speaker presentations and perhaps a preview of the 2008 7th International Fire Sprinkler Conference & Exhibition will be available soon.
View Conference Photos Here!
NFSA Represented at CFSI
Washington D.C. was full of activity April 6-7, 2006 as fire service leaders from across the nation gathered for the 18th Annual Dinner at the Washington Hilton Towers & Hotel. The theme for this year’s event was “Leadership Saves Lives…So Everyone Goes Home.”
Fire Team USA's official press announcement was held in Congressman Jim Cooper’s (5-Tenn) congressional office. Congressman Cooper was on hand to officially congratulate the grant award recipients, represented by Tommy White, President of the Tennessee Fire Safety Inspectors Association. NFSA was represented by Jim Dalton, Director of Public Fire Protection; Wayne Waggoner, Southeast Regional Manager & TFSCA Executive Director; Vickie Pritchett, Associate Director of Public Fire Protection & Fire Team USA Project Manager; and Shane Ray, Associate Director of Public Fire Protection.
The CFSI Board of Directors selected Meri-K Appy, President of the Home Safety Council, as the recipient of the 2006 CFSI Motorola Mason Lankford Fire Service Leadership Award.
Read the full story
RI Chapter Established
Apr 20, 2006 - Several NFSA members and “not yet members” gathered for a second time this year and made a formal motion to establish the NFSA Rhode Island Chapter.
NFSA member Dave Smith of Aero-Mechanical will serve as Acting Chair and NFSA member Chris Lowen of Arden Engineering will serve as Acting Vice-Chair. By-Laws are being assembled as well as a dues schedule, applications, and meeting schedule which will then open the opportunity for a formal election of officers. A search will be on for NFSA members to serve as Secretary and Treasurer. A September and a November meeting are being planned at this time to finalize the details with the members.
Presently, meetings will be open to all members and “not yet members” in all areas of fire protection. There will be discussion as to a comfortable time line to promote the Chapter and the benefits of becoming a NFSA member to those that are not yet a national member.
Please contact Northeast Regional Manager Dominick Kass at 518.373.9392, Kass@NFSA.org or visit www.NFSARI.org.
NFSA “Business Thursday” Online Seminars
Beginning in July 0f 2006, the National Fire Sprinkler Association is introducing a series of “Business Thursday” online seminars as the counterpoint to its highly successful “Technical Tuesday” online series now entering its eighth year of offerings. The Thursday seminars will be conducted using the same format as the Tuesday seminars, beginning at 10:30 am Eastern time and running from 1 hour to 1½ hours in length. Participants access the seminar using the internet with the instructor’s voice streamed live through the NFSA website. Students can interact with the instructor by submitting questions. Participation by more than one individual at a connection is permitted. An automatically scored multiple-choice quiz can be accessed at the end of each seminar.
The topics for the “Business Thursday” seminars have been specially selected to help the fire sprinkler contractor deal with current problem areas in the business environment.
Click here for descriptions or ordering
NFSA San Francisco Bay Area Chapter Elects New Officers
● Chairman – Charlie Marlin, President, Transbay Fire Protection
● Vice-Chairman – Peter Hulin, Vice President, Superior Automatic Sprinkler Corporation
● Secretary/Treasurer – Cathy Clement, co-owner, Pro-Fit Fire Services
For more information about the NFSA San Francisco Bay Area Chapter or for membership information, contact NFSA West Regional Manager Sam Husoe at: email, husoe@nfsa.org or phone: 949.636.7437.
NFPA to Award Highest Honor to NFSA’s Russ Fleming
May 17, 2006 – The National Fire Sprinkler Association (NFSA) is pleased to announce that the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) will be awarding its highest honor, the Paul C. Lamb Award, to Russell P. Fleming, NFSA’s Executive Vice President. The award is named for Paul C. Lamb, whose long career in fire protection and many years of dedication to the NFPA stand as a symbol for all NFPA volunteers to strive for in their service. This award recognizes such personal attributes as leadership skills, tact and diplomacy, straightforwardness, professional integrity and active dedication to the goals of the Association. The award is not given every year, having been presented to only 17 individuals since its inception in 1980. This year’s presentation will be made on Monday, June 6th at the NFPA World Fire Safety Conference in Orlando, Florida.
Read the full story
Best Practices Blossoms at NFSA Annual Seminar in Bermuda
May 1, 2006 – By all accounts the National Fire Sprinkler Association (NFSA) Annual Seminar held April 26 – 30 at the Fairmont Southampton in Bermuda was a resounding success. So successful, in fact, that many of those in attendance found themselves drawing comparisons between this year’s event and the much heralded and successful 2004 Annual Seminar in Maui. Both were held at Fairmont properties featuring spectacular ocean views, magnificent coral sand beaches, world-class dining and impeccable service.
In keeping with the theme for this year’s conference, “Beachhead for Best Practices,” Chairman of the Best Practices Working Group, Carmine Schiavone, Vice President of Business Development & Communications for Tyco Fire & Building Products, delivered a well-received presentation during the opening session introducing the Sprinkler Manufacturers Industry Fund (SMIF) supported Best Practices program to the NFSA membership. The session was followed up the next day with a series of interactive workshops that provided fire sprinkler contractors with the opportunity to openly discuss best practice issues relevant to their individual businesses.
Due to the overwhelming response at this year’s Annual Seminar to the Best Practices program, plans are already being made to incorporate additional Best Practices content in the 2007 Annual Seminar & Exhibition program. It is highly anticipated that the industry-wide adoption of the Best Practices program will make the fire sprinkler industry more attractive to the insurance industry, resulting in more reasonably priced, readily available insurance.
At the closing banquet, most of the gentlemen dressed in traditional Bermudian style, donning dark blazers, bright colored shorts and knee-high socks. To say the least, it provided very unique photo opportunities, of which the ladies were more than willing to take advantage. And while guests dined on an exquisite meal, the band rocked the house, keeping the dance floor jumping until near midnight. NFSA member David Smith of Aero Mechanical and Acting Chairman of the newly formed NFSA Rhode Island Chapter even sat in on the drums for a set. A complete 2006 Annual Seminar wrap up, including photographs, will be featured in the May/June issue of SQ.
As a reminder, next year’s Annual Seminar & Exhibition will be held May 2 – 5 at the Red Rock Resort in Las Vegas, Nevada. Mark the calendar! This is a brand new off-the-strip property, opening only a couple of weeks ago, and features large guest rooms with spectacular views of the Red Rock Mountains, world-class dining and, of course, the exciting nightlife that makes Las Vegas fabulous.
NFSA supplier and manufacturer members interested in reserving booth and program advertising space should contact Harve Horowitz at Exhibit Promotions Plus; phone 410.997.0763, email nfsa@epponline.com. As in the past, space for this show will sell out early. To not be disappointed by being left out of what promises to be the largest event in NFSA history, remember to make plans early.
Updates on when the NFSA room block will open and when registration materials will be available will be posted at the NFSA website at as soon as they become available.
| Around Bermuda | Banquet | Golf |
| Plenary Session | Reception | Workshops |
Bill Meyer, 1994 Golden Sprinkler Award Recipient Passes Away
Bill began a long, distinguished career in the fire sprinkler industry in 1944 when he became a fitter for “Automatic” Sprinkler Corporation of America. In 1964, he bought Star Sprinkler from long-time friend T. Seddon Duke, later selling it to INA Corporation. In 1973 he purchased a relatively unknown sprinkler company called Central Automatic Sprinkler where until 1984 he was President and CEO. In 1994, in recognition for his lifetime commitment to the fire sprinkler concept, he was awarded the Golden Sprinkler Award, NFSA’s highest honor.
Bill was a true pioneer of the modern fire sprinkler industry era and will be missed by all who knew him.
In lieu of flowers the family requests any donations be made to Amigo de Jesus, 118 Woodland Ave, Malvern, PA. 19355.
NFSA Announces “Top Tech” Competition
The NFSA Annual Seminar Planning and Engineering Standards Committees are pleased to announce that in conjunction with its Annual Seminar & Exhibition scheduled for May 3 – 5, 2007 at the brand new Red Rock Resort in Las Vegas, Nevada, it will be hosting the finals in the first competition to identify the fire sprinkler industry’s top layout technicians.
The “Top Tech” competition will begin in January 2007 with exams being giving throughout the country in major metropolitan areas in NFSA’s eleven regions. Top scoring individuals from each of NFSA’s 11 regions will be formed into teams to compete in elimination rounds at the Annual Seminar & Exhibition in Las Vegas. A top-tech team from Canada will be qualified to attend bringing a total of 12 teams to Las Vegas to compete for the title of Top Tech.
Finals in the competition will be held on the exhibition floor on the afternoon of Friday, May 4, 2007 giving attendees the opportunity to root for their favorite team. This event is sure to be a hit and bring record attendance to the exhibition. As such, booth sales have hit record pace. Contest details will be posted here as they become available
NBC Today Show Features Home Fire Sprinkler Demonstration
Oct 12, 2006 – The National Fire Sprinkler Association (NFSA) is very pleased to report that in recognition of National Fire Prevention Week, NBC’s Today Show yesterday morning featured a live home fire sprinkler demonstration.
As a feature on-the-scene guest reporter, Meri-K Appy, President of the Home Safety Council, did a masterful job of bringing professional commentary to millions of television viewers on the benefits of home fire sprinkler systems. The side-by-side burn demonstration that included starting two fires, one in a room protected with a home fire sprinkler system and the other without, resulted in stark contrast to very real circumstances.
NFSA is proud to be a Keystone Sponsor of the Home Safety Coalition. For more information about both organizations, visit online at www.nfsa.org and www.homesafetycouncil.org.
Click here to see several segments recorded throughout the morning.
U.S. House passes resolution recognizing September as Campus Fire Safety Month
Belchertown, MA - The U.S. House of Representatives has passed House Resolution 295, which recognizes September as national Campus Fire Safety Month. This legislation was introduced on behalf of the Center for Campus Fire Safety by Congresswoman Stephanie Tubbs Jones (OH) and Congressman Curt Weldon (PA) in order to raise the national awareness of the importance of fire safety on our campuses.||
Read the full story here
NFSA Donates Books to Universities
NFSA is very pleased to announce it has donated copies of its Sprinkler Protection for Warehouse and Storage Occupancies book to the technical libraries of the following institutions of higher learning that include fire and safety engineering technologies in their curriculums:
Oklahoma State University, University of California at Berkeley, University of Maryland, University of New Haven, University of Cincinnati, University of Texas at Austin, University of Tennessee, Virginia Tech, Worchester Polytechnic Institute, University of Houston-Downtown, Delaware Technical & Community College, Northeast Wisconsin Technical College, Seneca College of Applied Arts & Technology, Eastern Kentucky University, Sinclair Community College.
The book’s author, Kenneth E. Isman, P.E., is NFSA’s Assistant Vice President of Engineering. He holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Fire Protection Engineering and a Masters of Science in Management, both from the University of Maryland and is a licensed Professional Engineer. He represents the fire sprinkler industry on many National Fire Protection Association committees including the Technical Committees on Sprinkler System Installation Criteria, Fire Pumps and the Technical Correlating Committee on Automatic Sprinklers. Until the committees were disbanded due to the consolidation of requirements, he was also a member of the Technical Committee on Rack Storage and the Technical Committee on General Storage.
Expanded Management Team Programming For 2007 Annual Seminar
NFSA is very pleased to announce that for its 2007 Annual Seminar & Exhibition being held May 3 – 5 at the brand new Red Rock Resort in fabulous Las Vegas, Nevada, it is assembling targeted management team educational workshop programs for all levels of fire sprinkler contractor management including chief officers, designers, engineers, superintendents and purchasing agents. |
Details here!
Fire Sprinkler Incentive Act Status Update
May 10, 2006 - New updates to the Fire Sprinkler Incentive Acts, H.R. 1131 and S. 512 are now available for viewing!
View update here!
NFSA Appoints Karyn Hudgens Director of Membership
Effective November 15, 2006, NFSA is pleased to announce that Karyn Hudgens has accepted the newly created position of Director of Membership.
Karyn comes to NFSA with an extensive background in advertising, direct sales and customer service. Her responsibilities will include working with all departments within the association especially regional operations in the development of membership recruitment and retention programs with a sharp focus on creating new and expanding the association’s existing network of member chapters.
Karyn will be working out of NFSA headquarters in Patterson, New York and can be reached by email at hudgens@nfsa.org or by phone at 845.878.4200 ext. 156.