NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF

STATE FIRE MARSHALS

JANUARY 2024 NEWSLETTER

New Year, New Look! 

It's your NASFM!

We are updating the website, marketing materials, newsletters, and more for our new branding. Much of the website is still under construction and work is still in progress, but we could use your help also. 

Updating any website with a new look requires new and fresh pictures. We are looking for pictures of our state fire marshals and SFM Offices in action.  

This is a big favor for NASFM because our web content describes who we are and how we represent the Marshals. Below are some of what we are looking for.  The pictures can be state specific or not.  We just need permission to use them on our website. Sending them to us assumes that you approve.  Thanks in advance! 

·       State Fire Marshals meeting with staff or other people. 

·       Fire Scene with fire Investigators working.

·       Community Risk Reduction in Action

·       Fire and Safety Inspections

·       Fire Marshals Testifying before Legislative Body’s

·       Plan Review, meetings, office work. 

·       Amusement Ride, boiler inspections, etc. 

·       Pipeline inspections and/or training.

·       Mfg Housing inspections, other State Fire Marshal responsibilities.

Please Send your pictures HERE!

Same webpage but a new look! 

Preview the New NASFM Website Look

MEMBERSHIP

Principal Membership

Eligibility: State Fire Marshal or equivalent in each state. Principal Members are full voting members of NASFM.

 

Associate Membership
Eligibility: Staff members from State Fire Marshal offices who have been appointed by the State Fire Marshal to assist with NASFM issues. Associate members are non-voting members.
 

NASFM Membership

National Association of State Fire Marshals 

34th ANNUAL FIRE PREVENTION & SAFETY SYMPOSIUM 

President Michael Desrochers and the Board of Directors of National Association of State Fire Marshals (NASFM) are pleased to announce the 34th Annual Fire Prevention & Safety Symposium will be held in Kansas City, Missouri on July 29th through August 1st, 2024. The event is hosted by Missouri State Fire Marshal, Tim Bean, and the Missouri State Fire Marshal’s Office.

The theme for 2024 is “Bringing it all together.”

NASFM is bringing it all together with plans to present a conference that partners with two other national organizations. First, the National Carbon Monoxide Awareness Association (NCOAA) joined us last year to offer a unique opportunity focused on eradicating carbon monoxide poisoning and helping carbon monoxide poisoning survivors recover to lead a happy, healthy, and productive life. The conference was a huge success in building not only an alliance, but also in forming a strategy to mitigate carbon monoxide poisoning. NCOAA continues to be a strategic partner with NASFM and will be partnering again at this conference. 

The 2024 event promises to be an even better conference than ever before, now with an additional partner. The International Fire Marshal Association (IFMA), a section of the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), represents more than 800 local fire marshals and are joining NASFM to bring it all together. The emerging issues facing both state and local fire marshals are the same, whether it’s code enforcement, fire investigations, community risk reduction, or other issues, this is the platform to come together to network. 

NASFM has a history of networking with industry leaders, connecting solutions to fire prevention problems, and promoting progressive action to save lives. This is where state and local fire officials, advocates for safety, and industry leaders come together.      

Save the Date! Make plans now to join us for the first ever conference with these three national organizations in July 2024. Registration and additional information will be available in January.     

 Symposium Registration Now Available

Call for Presentations Has been Extended


NASFM Monthly Leadership Exchange

Principle Member Benefit:  President Desrochers and the Board of Directors are proud to host this monthly opportunity for principal, associate, and life members to come together in a virtual environment to exchange educational and situational information.

Each month will consist of an educational presentation of interest and followed by an open discussion by any attendee. The calls are kept under a strict 60 minutes of duration.

The Next Virtual Call is January 18, 2024 @ 3pm Eastern

Please mark your calendars and watch for a meeting invite from Executive Director Butch Browning.  If you are a Principle Member and not receiving the invite, please let us know.    


TECHNOLOGY & TRENDS

As temperatures fall this week, Tennesseans may use generators to help provide power in the event of the loss of power during severe winter weather.

REMEMBER: Never use a gas generator inside your home, garage, carport basement, crawlspace or outside near a window, door or vent. A generator should only be used outdoors and at least 15 feet away from buildings in order to avoid carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning.

CO is an odorless, colorless gas created when natural fuels burn incompletely. In the home, heating and cooking equipment that burn fuel such as barbecue grills, fireplaces and fuel-powered heaters are potential CO sources.

#CarbonMonoxideSafety #firesafety #Tennessee

Get answers to your clean energy questions with #QuestionoftheWeek:

What Does It Mean to Be Energy Storage-Ready?

Being energy storage-ready means allocating space in buildings for future battery energy storage system (BESS) components, including batteries, inverters, conduits, and raceways. In energy storage-ready design and construction, you facilitate easy connections from an electrical service panel board to BESS and renewable energy equipment. Retrofitting homes with BESS can be complex and costly. Storage-ready construction minimizes future expenses for homeowners by enabling easy BESS addition without replacing serviceable equipment.

The Sustainable Energy Action Committee (SEAC) Storage Snapshot Working Group recently published a document that provides guidance for new construction and cost-effective retrofitting, covering factors like energy storage system (ESS) design, location and spacing, and interconnection. The non-technical guide, Energy Storage-Ready Residential Design and Construction, provides valuable insights for architects and contractors. Download your copy today: https://lnkd.in/ei8nnjE5

Looking for more answers to your clean energy questions? Browse our previous Questions of the Week by category at https://lnkd.in/eixp2Cfx

FIRE MARSHALS IN ACTION

Indiana SFM Stephen Jones Recognizing Chief Tim Heitmeyer of the Dillsboro Volunteer for his 44 years of service. Thanks for your Meritorious Service

California SFM Daniel Berlant excited to celebrate these two gentleman’s promotion to Deputy State Fire Marshal Specialist.

* Deputy Brian Madsen will be covering the Bay Area

* Deputy Steven Mahoney will be covering Northern California area

The Texas Department of Insurance (TDI) announces new leadership for the State Fire Marshal’s Office (SFMO). Debra Knight will serve as the new State Fire Marshal for Texas.

Knight brings more than 30 years of experience in administrative and criminal law, as well as insurance and compliance analysis. She joined TDI in 2013 after 20 years in private practice and the insurance industry.

Before being appointed to the position of State Fire Marshal, Knight served as the deputy commissioner of Compliance and Investigations for the Division of Workers’ Compensation. She oversaw investigating administrative and criminal violations.

Before retiring in 2014 as a colonel in the United States Army, Knight served as the FEMA Region VI Emergency Preparedness Liaison Officer for the U.S. Army in Texas.

She holds a Doctor of Jurisprudence from South Texas College of Law.

The State Fire Marshal’s Office is a division of the Texas Department of Insurance. The state fire marshal is the chief investigator in charge of investigating arson and suspected arson in the state.

NEWS & INFORMATION

2024 NASFM Symposium

A great conference needs great presenters!

CALL FOR PRESENTATIONS

Extended to January 31st!

The implementation of our new website may have limited some from offering proposals, so we are allowing additional time for our Call For Presentations.  

NASFM and IFMA are asking interested individuals to offer proposals for presentations at the upcoming symposium. The conference format is generally fast-moving short presentations that focus on topics identified as being relevant to the attendees. Time is allotted for questioning but some of the best discussions occur during networking sessions. Some sessions will include all three partners, although breakouts for both the NCOAA and IFMA will be provided.  NCOAA will decide their own program, and both NASFM and IFMA will coordinate their programs geared more toward the fire marshal positioning.

NCOAA presentation proposals will be accepted HERE.

NASFM & IFMA presentation proposals will be accepted HERE.

The membership and conference attendees expect cutting edge educational information that has a focus on emerging issues and futuristic fire prevention and safety practices, the following areas of importance have been identified by the membership of NASFM.

  • Leadership
  • Fire origin and causes / Arson Abatement 
  • Educational Program Development
  • Codes and Plans Review 
  • Emergency Services / Disaster Response 
  • Community Risk Reduction (CRR) 
  • Technology     
  • State Fire Training     
  • Trending / Current Events

*NCOAA presentation proposals focused on carbon monoxide safety will be accepted at the link above. Where possible, proposals should align with the 4 CO Safety Coalition Work Groups – 1) Date Surveillance 2) Science & Technology 3) Emergency & Trade Response or 4) Codes, Standards, & Regulations.


NASFM TRAINING 

Maximizing the Impact of Fire Prevention and Safety

FREE NASFM TRAINING! 

All online training offerings available through NASFM, click here!


ANNUAL SYMPOSIUM INFO

2024 NASFM Symposium

Mark your calendars and plan now! See you in Kansas City, July 29-31, 2024 at the Kansas City Downtown Marriott.

Symposium Registration

PARTNERS & SUPPORTERS


A statement from our Partners:  International Fire Marshal's Association (IFMA).

BY: First Vice President Laurie Christensen, Harris County, TX

As a committed advocate for fire safety and prevention, I am deeply encouraged to be at the forefront of a transformative chapter in our collective endeavor.

Over the past few months in our newsletters, we have discussed the exciting collaboration between the International Association of Fire Marshals (IFMA) and the National Association of State Fire Marshals (NASFM) at the upcoming conference.

This collaboration is a testament to IFMA's strategic shift towards a more collaborative approach, a development that significantly aligns with our professional ethos.

Since our end-of-year meeting in 2022, IFMA has actively focused on partnering with key stakeholders in the field of fire safety and prevention. This decision to prioritize collaboration throughout 2023 has been a primary objective for IFMA, setting the stage for a more united and effective approach in addressing the myriad challenges and advancements in the realm of fire safety.

This partnership between IFMA and NASFM represents more than just a convergence of missions; it's a harmonization of efforts and expertise, paving the way for innovative solutions and enhanced fire safety strategies. As we anticipate the symposium, we are reminded of the power of collaboration and the positive impact it can have on our profession and the communities we serve, below are key points to this initiative.

The 34th Annual Fire Prevention & Safety Symposium: A Convergence of Missions

Scheduled from July 29th through August 1st, 2024, the NASFM 34th Annual Fire Prevention & Safety Symposium, hosted by Missouri State Fire Marshal Tim Bean and the Missouri State Fire Marshal’s Office, is set to be a landmark event. This symposium is not just a meeting but a fusion of the missions of IFMA and NASFM, creating a powerful alliance in the realm of fire safety and prevention. This year’s theme, “Bringing it all together” emphasizes that mission.

How we see this collaboration as a key part of the IFMA growth is;

The Synergy of Missions: A Collective Drive

The alignment of IFMA’s and NASFM’s missions resonates deeply with our collective ethos. With NASFM focusing on the protection of life, property, and the environment, and IFMA advocating for leadership in fire prevention, we find our shared goals reflected in this partnership. It’s a synergy that underpins our excitement and drives our collective efforts forward.

The Imperative of Collaboration and Networking

We firmly believe in the power of collaboration and networking, especially when it comes to nurturing the next generation of fire marshals. The fusion of experience and fresh perspectives is not just beneficial but essential in the rapidly evolving landscape of fire safety. This collaboration presents a unique opportunity for us to pool our collective experiences, insights, and innovations, creating a richer, more diverse learning environment.

The Blend of Experience and Innovation

The heart of this initiative lies in its ability to merge the wisdom of seasoned professionals with the innovative ideas of new entrants in the field. This dynamic exchange ensures that we are not only addressing the challenges of today but are also equipping future generations of fire marshals with the knowledge, skills, and network they need to excel.

Forward Together: Our Role in Shaping a Safer Tomorrow

As we gear up for this landmark symposium and the collaborative efforts that will follow, our vision is clear: to work hand-in-hand towards a safer, more resilient world. This collaboration is a leap forward in fire safety, one that promises not just to address current needs but to lay a foundation for the future.

A Collective Call to Action

We invite all professionals within the fire safety community to join us in this exciting journey. Let’s combine our strengths, share our expertise, and build a robust network that transcends individual capabilities. This symposium is just the beginning, a stepping stone towards a new era in fire safety and prevention, where collaboration is not just a strategy but a necessity for a safer world.

Laurie Christensen,

1st Vice President IFMA,

Fire Marshal, Harris County, TX


More about IFMA HERE!

The National Carbon Monoxide Awareness Association (NCOAA) is a non-partisan, grassroots, civic-minded organization that is focused on eradicating carbon monoxide poisoning and helping carbon monoxide poisoning survivors recover to lead a happy, healthy, and productive life. 

Often called the silent killer, carbon monoxide is an invisible, odorless, colorless gas created when fuels burn incompletely.

NCOAA is part of the NASFM Trio of Organizations partnering to participate in our joint annual conference. The three missions align for the greater good of our country. 

NCOAA WEBSITE

Congressional Fire Services Institute (CFSI) 

REGISTER NOW!   CFSI 34th Annual National Fire and Emergency Services Symposium and Dinner will take place April 29-30, 2024 at the Washington Hilton. NOTE this is a New Date!

Tell CFSI how AFG and SAFER and/or USFA have meaningfully affected your work in the fire and emergency services, the work of your department, and/or the safety of your community, so we can share these stories with Congress.    Form Link Here

CFSI Dinner & Symposium Registration (Group or Individual)

Send stories and info for the Newsletter to Gary@browning.red

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NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF STATE FIRE MARSHALS

PHONE: 225-806-0803    ADDRESS: PO Box 1224, Brusly, LA 70719


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