WASHINGTON, Nov. 12, 2015 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The Board of Directors of the National Fire Sprinkler Association held its year-end meeting at the Washington Court Hotel and accomplished many purposes during the time in Washington, D.C. The meetings included important business of the board, 2016 NFSA award recipient selection, Capitol Hill visits promoting the Fire Sprinkler Incentive Act, as well as all Committee and Council meetings of the Association.
The highlight of the board meeting was the selection of the 2016 NFSA Award recipients and inductees into the Fire Sprinkler Hall of Fame.
2016 Award recipients include:
Golden Sprinkler Award – Kevin Ortyl
Russell P. Fleming Technical Service Award – James Golinveaux
Leadership in Public Safety Award – Chief Ronald J. Siarnicki
Hall of Fame Inductees – Sonny Scarff, Ed Rumble, and Charlie Miner
"We congratulate all award recipients," explained NFSA President Shane Ray. "We are especially proud to recognize Kevin Ortyl, of Viking, with our highest award –the Golden Sprinkler Award. Kevin has dedicated himself to our industry and our Association, improving the industry and saving lives along the way with his service."
On November 4, 2015, the National Fire Sprinkler Association (NFSA) Board of Directors, and Future Leadership Committee united with representatives from Common Voices, the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation (NFFF), the International Association of Fire Chiefs (IAFC), the National Volunteer Fire Council (NVFC), and the Congressional Fire Services Institute (CFSI) to visit congressional leaders who sit on the House Ways and Means Committee and the Senate Finance Committees, respectively. 41 meetings were conducted throughout the day, with 5 teams canvassing the Capitol Hill offices. These visits were sharing information about the Fire Sprinkler Incentive Act (FSIA). The original legislation was introduced in 2004 following the tragic nightclub fire in West Warwick, RI that claimed 100 lives.
"As a survivor of the Station Nightclub Fire, I hope that this is the session that we will finally see passage of this bill," explains Rob Feeney, a fire safety advocate for Common Voices and the Phoenix Society for Burn Survivors. "Each time I come here I am reminded that our voices can make a difference, and I'm grateful to be asked to be a part of this grassroots outreach."
On September 22nd, Sen. Susan Collins (R-Maine) and Sen. Tom Carper (D-Delaware) filed S. 2068 and Rep. Tom Reed (R- New York) and Rep. Jim Langevin (D-Rhode Island) introduced H.R. 3591, these bills known as the Fire Sprinkler Incentive Act. This is legislation that provides tax incentives to owners of buildings with occupants who are at risk from fire if they invest in life-saving fire safety upgrades.
Following the Day on the Hill, the NFSA conducted its scheduled Committee meetings and Contractors, Suppliers, and Manufacturer Council meetings. The final day brings all these groups together because they make up the Board of Directors. The Board of Directors had a busy agenda, which included approving the 2016 budget as well as developing a plan to relocate the Associations national headquarters from New York to the Baltimore/Washington D.C./Northern Virginia Area.
For more information about fire sprinklers, how they work and access to additional resources and information, visit www.nfsa.org for the latest material, statistics and a dedicated team of fire safety advocates ready to serve all stakeholders in order to fulfill the vision of a safer world.
Contact: Vickie Pritchett
615-533-0305
Photo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20151112/286960
SOURCE National Fire Sprinkler Association
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