NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF

STATE FIRE MARSHALS

OCTOBER 2024 NEWSLETTER

It's Fall in Vermont, from your President Michael Desrochers

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

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 November 21, 2024 @ 3pm Eastern

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

Congratulations to New Hampshire State Fire Marshal Sean Toomey and NASFM Secretary Treasurer who has been elected to the International Code Council (ICC) Board of Directors.

CALL FOR PRESENTATIONS

Great Symposiums Need Great Presentations

A great Symposium needs great presenters! NASFM, IFMA, and NCOAA are excited to announce the Call for Presentations for the upcoming 2025 Symposium. This is your chance to share your expertise with fire marshals, safety advocates, and industry professionals from across the nation.

Event Highlights: This symposium will feature fast-moving, engaging presentations focused on cutting-edge topics relevant to the fire service industry. The event will include joint sessions with all three organizations, as well as breakouts for NCOAA (carbon monoxide awareness) and IFMA (fire marshal-specific issues).

Suggested Presentation Topics: We’re looking for presentations that align with the symposium's theme, Disasters Never Sleep!, and cover areas such as:

Leadership

Fire Origin and Cause / Arson Abatement

Codes and Plans Review

Emergency Services / Disaster Response

Community Risk Reduction (CRR)

Technology and Innovations

State Fire Training

Current Trends and Emerging Issues

Submission Information:

Proposals are due by January 15, 2025, and should be submitted in a Word document via email (see below for the link). Please include the following:

Presentation Title

Presentation Description and Abstract

Discussion Points, Learning Objectives, and Key Information

Presenter bio(s)

Contact details (email, phone, and address)

Length (preferred 20-30 minutes; max 1 hour)

Individuals selected to present at the NASFM Annual Symposium will receive a one-day complimentary registration, which includes access to symposium sessions. However, NASFM does not cover travel expenses, nor does it provide compensation for speaker presentations. We look forward to receiving your innovative and informative proposals! Selections will be finalized by January 2025.

Let’s come together to make this a truly impactful symposium!

Submit today and be part of this landmark event!

NCOAA presentation proposals will be accepted HERE

NASFM and IFMA presentation proposals will be accepted HERE

35^th ANNUAL FIRE PREVENTION & SAFETY SYMPOSIUM

The National Association of State Fire Marshals (NASFM) is excited to announce the 35th Annual Fire Prevention & Safety Symposium, set to take place in Biloxi, Mississippi, August 10-14, 2025. This year’s symposium will be hosted by Mississippi State Fire Marshal Connie Dolan and the Mississippi State Fire Marshal’s Office.

The theme for 2025 is:

"All Hours, All Hazards: Disasters Never Sleep!"

NASFM is partnering once again with two esteemed national organizations for this event. The National Carbon Monoxide Awareness Association (NCOAA), which joined NASFM two years ago, will continue its mission to address carbon monoxide poisoning and support survivors in leading healthy, productive lives. The International Fire Marshal Association (IFMA), a section of the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), will also return, representing local fire marshals. Together, these organizations will provide an exceptional platform for networking and addressing critical issues such as disaster mitigation, response, recovery, code enforcement, fire investigations, and community risk reduction.

NASFM has a long-standing history of collaborating with industry leaders, addressing fire prevention challenges, and promoting innovative solutions to save lives. This symposium is where state and local fire officials, safety advocates, and industry experts come together to share knowledge and strategies.

Save the Date: August 10-14, 2025

Join us for this landmark conference in August 2025 in Biloxi, Mississippi. Registration and additional details will be available in January. Don't miss this opportunity to connect and collaborate with national fire safety leaders!

Symposium Registration Coming SOON!

FIRE MARSHALS IN ACTION

Hurricane Response

In October, from Florida up the East Coast to Northern Tennessee and North Carolina boarders, State Fire Marshal Teams responded from all parts of the country. Showing what State Fire Marshals do from supporting to responding.

Congressional Fire services Institute (CFSI)

National Advisory Committee (NAC)

October Meeting

NEWS & INFORMATION

Haunted Houses – Keep them Safe!!
From Jim Tidwell, Tidwell Code Consulting
NFPA and ICC codes contain requirements for “special amusement buildings/areas”, which includes haunted houses. During this season of transition, it’s important to assure these facilities provide not only entertainment, but a reasonable level of safety for the attendees. The fire and life safety codes consider these facilities Assembly Occupancies, and all of the requirements for assemblies apply. In addition, because they routinely camouflage egress routes, additional requirements may be applied, including:

Click Here for the full article

UPCOMING EVENTS

SAVE THE DATE: Discussion Summit for Consumer Fire Fighting Products

In person November 14, 2024, from 1pm to 5pm and November 15, 2024, from 8am to 12pm CT at the InterContinental Chicago Magnificent Mile Hotel (505 North Michigan Ave Chicago, IL 60611)

There are a number of “non-traditional” consumer firefighting products and devices being sold today that may not meet standardized minimum safety and performance requirements within UL 711. Examples are aerosol firefighting products, fire extinguishing grenades, fire sticks, fire blankets, and containment bags for li-ion batteries. The objectives of this meeting are to gain a better understanding of these products, discuss known challenges, and discuss whether new requirements or standards are needed to ensure basic levels of safety.

For those possibly interested, get added to the invitation list by filling out this online

form: https://forms.gle/9kmkCzoK3Lzk8LMR9

Hosts:

UL Standards & Engagement

UL Solutions

UL Fire Safety Research Institute

NFPA