NASFM: "A Strong, United Voice for Fire Prevention" |
The events in Parkland, Florida are tragic and heartbreaking. A senseless attack on students, teachers, and administrators is inexplicable. Our deepest condolences are extended to everyone affected by this horrific incident. Many seek to find a simple solution, and several concepts have emerged, including eliminating fire drills and implementing barricading devices.
While early reports indicate that the suspect may have initiated a fire alarm to lure victims out of the safety of their classrooms and offices into a danger zone, eliminating fire drills in an effort to protect civilians from an active shooter is a knee-jerk reaction. Fire drills have historically been shown to save lives. There are available and allowable systems in the fire and building codes to help address misuse of fire alarms, if implemented.
Additionally, NASFM would like to re-iterate its position that barricading devices should be carefully considered and not viewed as a reliable and safe solution. Any steps taken to mitigate an active shooter situation with a barricading device should also comply with building codes, fire codes, and life safety requirements. This includes the ability to readily unlatch the door from inside the classroom with one motion without the use of a key, a tool, or special knowledge, or effort, in order to facilitate immediate egress from the classroom.
Our thoughts and prayers continue to be with the citizens and first responders of south Florida. We are proud of the heroes who stepped forward that day and hope for the day when every child can feel safe at school.
The Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response (SAFER) Grants Program is now open and will close on Friday, April 27, 2018 at 5:00 pm ET. The SAFER Grant was created to provide funding directly to fire departments and volunteer firefighter interest organizations to help them increase or maintain the number of trained, "front line" firefighters available in their communities.
For more information, please click HERE.
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
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