National Fire Protection Association Blog

NFPA partners with LEGOLAND® Florida for fire safety education

Streamers flew and smoke alarms beeped as NFPA kicked off its long-term partnership with LEGOLAND® Florida to provide lifesaving information to families and kids during a press event and special fire safety day at central Florida’s newest theme park yesterday.

Want to view a quick video recap of the day's events? Video can be found at YouSendit.

“The majority of fire deaths happen in homes where there are no working smoke alarms,” said NFPA President Jim Shannon. “We are excited to join with LEGOLAND Florida to impart two extremely important messages - test your smoke alarms and have an escape plan.”

NFPA will sponsor the park’s fire safety - themed “The Big Test” live show at the LEGO® City Stage where these messages will be incorporated. “The Big Test” is an acrobatic, comedy show in which a cast of characters goes through a series of hysterical antics as they try to become firefighters. There will also be special activities throughout the year that stress the importance of fire safety and acknowledge the critical work of the fire service.

Video: See a preview of "The Big Test".

During the kick-off event, hundreds of kids and families tested smoke alarms, learned ways to stay safe and posed for pictures with area firefighters in full gear before sitting down to watch the highly acclaimed “The Big Test”.

“This partnership allows us to combine kids’ love of the fire service and LEGOLAND to build life-saving knowledge,” said Adrian Jones, LEGOLAND Florida general manager. “We are proud to play this important role for our community.”

Check out our photo album from our kickoff event on Facebook! 

Today in fire history: fire in high-rise building results in three firefighter deaths

On Saturday, February 23, 1991, an early evening fire occurred in a 38-story building in downtown Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.  The fire extended to 9 floors, killed three firefighters and injured 24 others. 

The fire started on the 22nd floor and was caused by spontaneous ignition of linseed-soaked rags used for restoring and cleaning wood paneling.  The fire was able to grow significantly before being detected.  Vertical spread was ultimately stopped by the automatic sprinklers on the 30^th floor that were supplied by fire department pumpers.

Significant factors affecting the outcome of this fire include:

• The lack of automatic fire sprinklers on the floor of origin
• The lack of an automatic early detection system
• Inadequate pressures for fire attack hose lines due to improper settings of the standpipe pressure regulating valves
• The early loss of main electrical service and the emergency power to the building
• The improper storage and handling of linseed soaked rags and other associated combustibles

NFPA members can read the full investigation report and all site visitors can read a summary in English or Spanish.



Database Administrator position is now available at NFPA

Do you want to make a difference? We have an available opportunity for an expert database professional who will be responsible for directing all database related activities, as assigned by the Division Director of Information Systems.

We are looking for a person who has their BA/BS Degree, expert Database knowledge (SQL Server 2005/2008, Oracle 9i, 10g etc.), and experience in of SQL Server Reporting Services (SSRS), SQL Server Analysis Services (SSAS) and SQL Server Integration Services (SSIS).

Some of your principle responsibilities would include:

• Manage all SQL and Oracle databases to ensure optimum performance.
• Manage Data Warehouse reporting environment.
• Maintain excellent relationships with outside venders supporting various applications.
• Participate as a technical consultant in areas of the Information Services group
• Participate as a technical consultant in multi functional teams.
• Operate with a high degree of autonomy in execution of stated objectives.
• Work effectively as a team member within in the Information Services area.
• Provide technical training as required.
• Participate in setting technical policies, procedures and guidelines.

For more details on the requirements and responsibilities of this position, visit our website.

To apply, email your resume and a cover letter, including salary requirements, to Janet Bulian. All attachments submitted should be in a Word or PDF file document.

NFPA posts a new “Sparky® Says: Stay Safe and Warm This Winter” Home-Heating Safety Tips and a Fun Family Activity

NFPA has updated its Winter Parent and Educators page with a fun family story activity (mad lib) that parents and grandparents can play with their children or grandchildren. Also included with this activity are important home-heating safety tips that everyone can follow. Now, if you can just get those kids to settle down!

- Sharon Gamache

 

New Position opening for Director of Project Management in Quincy, Mass.

Would you like to make a difference? Do you have your Bachelor’s Degree and years of hands on experience in project management and leading teams? We have an ideal opportunity for an innovative manager who will lead a team of project managers to drive results and execution of NFPA’s content strategy. This person will deliver and develop content through various distribution channels based on customer needs.

Your principle responsibilities would include:

• Develop and maintain a formal process to execute on core business product lines/projects aligned to NFPA’s strategic objectives.
• Administer the project management process of project prioritization, selection, execution and lifecycle management in support of product development goals.
• Lead functional stakeholders in defining costs, risks, and schedule impact of multiple implementation options.
• Recommend and implement project evaluation and performance criteria
• Ensure all project data is comprehensive, accurate and available for review and oversight for recurring schedules of project reviews.
• Collaborate with the financial group to establish accurate forecasting of project expense and revenue goals.
• Assess the impact of new projects to the existing portfolio and work with cross functional teams to develop strategies to meet project demands
• Establish and direct the project management processes and systems.
• Direct supervision of all project managers
• Establish and maintain project forecasting system

For more detailed information on the requirements and responsibilities of this position, visit our website.

To apply, email your resume and a cover letter, including salary requirements, to Janet Bulian or Human Resources at hr@nfpa.org. All attachments submitted should be in a Word or PDF file document.

Join NFPA in Las Vegas this June

Registration is now open for the NFPA Conference & Expo in Las Vegas, June 11-14. It's widely regarded as the most comprehensive event in the industry. The event combines an unrivaled educational conference with an expo of more than 360 solution providers. See our travel and hotel discounts. Read an overview of this year’s event.

Today in fire history: natural gas explosion in motel kills four

On Sunday, February 18, 1990, a natural gas explosion and subsequent fire in a motel in Hagerstown, Maryland caused the deaths of four guests and minor injuries to ten others.  At approximately 5:20 a.m. two guests reported the smell of gas to the hotel desk clerk.  The clerk then confirmed that there was a gas leak, called the gas company, and attempted to stop the gas that was escaping.  Neither the gas company nor the clerk called the fire department, and the building alarm was not activated until after the explosion occurred at about 5:30. Hagerstown Fire Department investigators determined that the fire was accidental, and the result of a leaking natural gas valve on a hot water heater. 

Three of the four fatalities occurred in rooms affected by the explosion, and the fourth victim was found in a corridor about 35 feet from the area of the explosion.  Even though the building was damaged by the gas explosion and subsequent fire, the interior fire-rated walls maintained tenable conditions sufficiently long to allow over 90% of the occupants to escape without assistance from firefighters.  NFPA members can download the full investigation report and all site visitors can download a summary in Spanish.

Deadline approaches for NFPA’s Fire Safety Educator of the Year contest

Are you a hard-working, dynamic fire safety educator who loves working with children, older adults, and others in the community? Do you consistently and creatively use one or more of NFPA’s core fire safety programs, such as Learn Not to Burn®, Remembering When™: A Fire and Fall Prevention Program for Older Adults, or Fire Prevention Week materials? If so, you could be the next winner of NFPA’s Educator of the Year Award. The deadline for applications is February 24th, so you still have time to apply.

If you are chosen Educator of the Year, you will receive a $1,000 honorarium for you personally and a $1,000 donation to your local fire department to support its public education activities. We all know how scarce resources are, so don’t pass up this opportunity. Download the application form now, and don’t let your busy schedule or your humility keep you from going for it!

 - Sharon Gamache

NFPA is looking to hire Product Innovation & Development Director

Do you have your Bachelor’s Degree and hands on experience in product development and management? If so, you're in luck because we are looking to add a new Product Innovation & Development Director to our staff at NFPA. This is an ideal opportunity for an innovative manager who will lead a team of product managers to drive product strategy, new product development and product standardization to support business initiatives and increase the profitability of NFPA.

Some of your principle responsibilities would include:

• Set the strategic direction and business objectives for new product lines
• Formulating, executing and managing business plans to achieve such objectives.
• Develop a high performing team to accomplish product and profitability targets
• Establish and manage the team’s product and technology road
• Act as a focal point for market knowledge, profitability, forecasts, and planning of a broad range of product lines.
• Manage the New Product Development process
• Negotiate contracts for goods and services
• Instrumental  in facilitating the development of IT specifications and procurement documents; evaluating vendors; preparing recommendations for awarding contracts; and developing, negotiating and executing contracts as well as resolving contract problems.
• Plans, prepares and manages budgets related to the responsibilities assigned above.

For more details on the requirements and responsibilities of this position, please visit our website.

To apply, email your resume and a cover letter, including salary requirements, to Janet Bulian or hr@nfpa.org. All attachments submitted should be in a Word or PDF file document.

 

NFPA issues analysis of volunteer firefighter injuries

An analysis of volunteer firefighter injuries was recently undertaken by NFPA to compare their experience to all firefighter injuries. ‘All firefighter injuries’ refers to the firefighter injuries that are estimated based on the NFPA National Fire Experience Survey and reported in the NFPA Annual Firefighter Injury Report.

The injury statistics in that report combine career and volunteer firefighters. Volunteer fire departments are highly related to the size of community protected. Departments that protect communities of less than 10,000 population are comprised mosyly of volunteer firefighters.

Three years of data were used in this analysis because the estimates for some of the breakdown categories are small and can vary considerably from year to year. Download NFPA's analysis of volunteer firefighter injuries.

Download NFPA's analysis of volunteer firefighter injuries by NFPA's Michael J. Karter, Jr.