NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF STATE FIRE MARSHALS
A Strong United Voice for Fire Prevention
NASFM 2019 Annual Conference
Mark your calendars for the 2019 NASFM Annual Conference! The Maryland, Virginia, and Delaware State Fire Marshals will be con-hosting the conference in beautiful Annapolis, Maryland July 22nd through July 25th, 2019. The first three days of the conference will feature speakers and presentations covering a variety of topics relative to fire prevention, safety, and security. We will host a State Fire Marshals Only Breakfast all four mornings. These breakfasts are for the State Fire Marshals only.
Make plans to attend our Monday Night Event, a dinner cruise aboard the Catherine Marie Yacht! We will also once again feature a dedicated Vendor Exhibit and Reception on Tuesday afternoon and evening with opportunities for attendees to learn first-hand of the latest technology and trends. The Exhibitor Guide and Sponsorship Guide provide more details on available opportunities. Interested vendors need to download, complete, and return the Exhibitor Agreement Form before registering for booth space. We are limited to 43 booths this year so don't miss out!
The conference site is the Westin Annapolis, located near downtown's top attractions including the United State Naval Academy, historic inns, restaurants, and cobblestone streets, and the magnificent Maryland State House. More information, along with conference registration information can be found on our conference webpage.
50 State Fire Safe Cigarette Laws Preserved
For the second time in five years the National Association of State Fire Marshals (NASFM) took the lead on preserving the 50 State Fire Safe Cigarette laws during the Reauthorization of the Farm Bill. Working with the Congressional Fire Services Institute (CFSI), NASFM was successful in removing language that could undermine these important state cigarette safety laws. This federal legislative success once again underscores the strength of NASFM, through its members, working as “A Strong United Voice for Fire Prevention.” The vital efforts of State Fire Marshals and their staffs was crucial in providing the data and technical expertise to educate Congress on the importance of protecting these laws.
The
Fire Safe Cigarette issue arose as an unintended consequence to the original
intent of Representative Steve King’s amendment, also known as the “Protect
Interstate Commerce Act.” Despite
concerns raised by NASFM, Representative King’s
amendment was included in the
House version of the Farm Bill. The
Senate version of the Farm Bill, however, did not include the King
Amendment. The House and Senate Farm
Bill Conferees ultimately agreed to strike the amendment from the final bill. Their agreement passed both the Senate and
House.
If enacted, this amendment could have undermined numerous state laws, and infringed on the fundamental rights of states to establish regulations within their own borders. The language would have forced states and local governments to accept products from other states that violate their state’s standards and regulations enacted on the sale Fire Safe Cigarettes. The King Amendment was intended to deal with standards on the production and manufacture of agricultural products, specifically, the housing conditions of egg producing chickens in California.
State Fire Safe Cigarette laws are, however, based on performance standards. This crucial difference prompted the concern that permeability bands placed in a cigarette’s paper, known as Lower Ignition Propensity (LIP) paper, would be considered a production and manufacturing issue. This manner of enhancing fire safety is the preferred and accepted method, meeting the performance standards set by all individual states.
New Mailing Address
Please note our new mailing address and forward all future correspondence to this address. Thank you!
National Association of State Fire Marshals
P.O. Box 948238
Maitland, FL 32794
News from NASFM
| Upcoming Events
Consider attending the Future of the Built Environment Forum being held in New York City on January 30 - 31, 2019 in conjunction with he Fire Department of the City of New York (FDNY) and International Association of Fire Fighters (IAFF). Click here for the registration link.Space is limited, confirm your registration by January 11, 2019. |
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