The ICC 2021 Online Governmental Consensus Vote is now open in cdpACCESS, with voting beginning November 19th and continuing through December 7th.

The National Association of State Fire Marshals, through its Model Code Committee, has compiled a recommended voting guide to assist eligible voters during this process.  While there are many important proposals NASFM and its members have weighed in on, there are two issues we consider to be of particular importance, Tall Wood Buildings and Valet Trash.  NASFM has developed position statements for these topics, including the issue, background, and recommended actions. Please see the corresponding link for each of recommended actions on these issues.

Tall Wood Buildings
Valet Trash

It is important that you review each issue and take the time to cast your electronic vote in cdpACCESS.  The simple truth is, each Fire Marshal’s office has 12 votes, together they have the opportunity to be the deciding factor on many of the proposed 2021 code changes. 

If you have any questions please contact Jon Narva, NASFM Director of External Relations at Jon@NarvaAssociates.com. 

Thanksgiving just wouldn't be Thanksgiving without the turkey.  And deep-fried turkey has become a favorite Thanksgiving tradition in many households.  But if used improperly, an overloaded fryer can easily tip over and set an entire house ablaze.  Our friends at the U.S. Fire Administration offer the following helpful tips to backyard chefs who plan to deep-fry a turkey for Thanksgiving:

1. Turkey fryers should always be used outdoors a safe distance from buildings and any other flammable materials.
2. Never use turkey fryers in a garage or on a wooden deck.
3. Make sure the fryers are used on a flat surface to reduce accidental tipping.
4. Never leave the fryer unattended. Most units do not have thermostat controls. If you do not watch the fryer carefully, the oil will continue to heat until it catches fire.
5. Never let children or pets near the fryer even if it is not in use. The oil inside the cooking pot can remain dangerously hot hours after use.
6. To avoid oil spillover, do not overfill the fryer.
7. Use well-insulated potholders or oven mitts when touching pot or lid handles. If possible, wear safety goggles to protect your eyes from oil splatter.
8. Make sure the turkey is completely thawed and be careful with marinades. Oil and water do not mix, and water causes oil to spill over causing a fire or even an explosion hazard.
9. The National Turkey Federation (NTF) recommends thawing the turkey in the refrigerator approximately 24 hours for every five pounds in weight.
10. Keep an all-purpose fire extinguisher nearby. Never use water to extinguish a grease fire. If the fire is manageable, use your all-purpose fire extinguisher. If the fire increases, immediately call the fire department for help.

FEMA’s Assistance to Firefighters Grant Program (AFG) 2018 FY FP&S grant application period will open on Monday, November 12, 2018 at 8 AM ET and will close on Friday, December 21, 2018 at 5 PM ET.

To assist our members, we have prepared a summary of the Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) outlining the specifics of this year’s grant opportunity, the criteria, and the priorities. Click HERE for the summary.

Please make sure to thoroughly review the Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) prior to beginning your grant application, it contains the full guidelines and requirements for submission. The NOFO and supporting information can be found at https://www.fema.gov/fire-prevention-safety-grants. 

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