I attended the Congressional Fire Services Institute annual event last week in DC and one of the highlights was when Congressional Fire Services Institute and the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation awarded Common Voices the Senator Paul S. Sarbanes Fire Service Safety Leadership Award. Named after retired-Senator Paul S. Sarbanes of Maryland, a strong advocate of firefighters and rescue personnel during his 36-year career in Congress, the award recognizes organizations for their outstanding contributions to firefighter health and safety.
A survivor advocacy group, Common Voices consists of six women who have been sharing their stories of personal loss to advocate for fire sprinklers. These six advocates have many things in common, but the one that brings them together is the passion to prevent the loss of life to fire. Their lives were all changed when they lost a loved one to fire. Since the group was formed in 2007, they have visited Capitol Hill on many occasions to meet with members of Congress to advocate for the Fire Sprinkler Incentive Act. They were also actively involved in the adoption of the ICC’s Residential Code in 2008, providing compelling testimony at the ICC hearings. Most importantly, they travel across the country speaking to citizens and the fire service and local decision makers concerning the devastating effects of uncontrolled fire and how they can help others limit the chances to live out their stories.
Common Voices advocates are Amy Acton of Michigan, burn survivor and executive director of The Phoenix Society; Vina Drennan of New Jersey, lost her husband, Capt. John Drennan of FDNY in a fire; Justina Page of Texas is a burn survivor and lost her 22 month old son, Amos in a house fire.
Donna Henson of Missouri, Bonnie Woodruff of North Carolina, and Gail Minger of Florida, all lost their sons in fires.
All of these advocates have put together moving video's that include powerful messages on the need for home fire sprinklers. Here are just a couple. All of them can be viewed at their website.
The time for residential sprinklers is now. As a 22 year career firefighter, I think it's time we all banned together for the safety of our communities and firefighters. Having residential sprinklers in our building codes might be the most significant life safety prevention measure that we pass onto our citizens. Together, we can make this happen.
Posted by: Steve Butsko | 05/15/2009 at 02:11 PM