The National Association of State Fire Marshals (NASFM) announced that several deserving individuals received awards during the NASFM 20th anniversary conference in Redmond, Washington, June 19-21.
2009 Norman Y. Mineta Excellence in Transportation Safety Award
The Norman Y. Mineta Excellence in Transportation Safety Award was established by NASFM in 2005 and is given annually to an individual or team that has made a significant and lasting contribution to the safety of the public as well as emergency responders, products and materials in transit. This year the Mineta Award was presented to Vice Admiral Thomas J. Barrett, U.S. Coast Guard (Ret.).
Admiral Barrett served as Deputy Secretary of the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) from March 2007 until June 2009. Prior to that, he served as the first administrator of DOT’s Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA), where he directed the agency’s national program for protecting against risks in the transportation of hazardous materials in commerce and the transportation of liquid, natural gas, petroleum, and other hazardous liquids by pipeline.
Before becoming PHMSA Administrator, Admiral Barrett was Vice President and Chief Operating Officer of the Potomac Institute for Policy Studies. Prior to that, he served 35 years in the U.S. Coast Guard, where he attained the position of Vice Commandant and was instrumental in improving maritime security post 9/11, expanding Coast Guard support to the National Foreign Intelligence Community, supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom, and smoothly transitioning the Coast Guard into the new Department of Homeland Security.
In June 2009, Admiral Barrett left DOT to become Deputy Federal Coordinator for Alaska Natural Gas Transportation Projects.
“The Admiral shares the same dedication to public safety and environmental protection as our Nation’s firefighters,” said NASFM President Alan R. Shuman, George State Fire Marshal. “NASFM enjoyed a close and collegial relationship with Admiral Barrett during his time with PHMSA and DOT. He set a strategic direction that underscored the need to help prepare our Nation’s communities for future challenges by identifying risks and opportunities to successfully and efficiently mitigate those risks through partnerships with public safety officials including the Nation’s fire service.”
Olin Greene Outstanding Fire Prevention Service Award
The Olin Greene Outstanding Fire Prevention Service Award is a lifetime achievement award that was established by NASFM in 2008. It is awarded to those who have dedicated their career to fire prevention and public safety, and have achieved substantial accomplishments. The first recipient of this award was Olin Greene, one of NASFM’s founders and a former U.S. Fire Administrator. NASFM presented the 2009 Greene Award to John G. Reich, South Carolina State Fire Marshal.
Marshal Reich began his 30-year career with the City of Columbia (South Carolina) Fire Department in 1974. He advanced to the position of Assistant Chief in 1991 and served as the city’s Fire Marshal. In his job, he planned, organized and directed fire education, code enforcement and fire investigation. He received specialized training in more than 100 schools, including arson, bomb, terrorism, code enforcement, fire prevention and public fire education.
In March 2004, Marshal Reich became Deputy Director for the South Carolina Department of Labor Licensing and Regulation, where his responsibilities include the Office of State Fire Marshal and the South Carolina Fire Academy. As South Carolina State Fire Marshal, he has worked collaboratively to develop a Strategic Plan for the Fire Service in South Carolina; developed and institutionalized the “Spray it Forward” program, which assists firefighters in the consistent delivery of age-appropriate educational messages throughout the state; partnered with EdVenture Children’s Museum to house Dalmatian Station, where over 250,000 children annually learn about fire and life safety through play; hosted the state’s first residential sprinkler summit; and coordinated key safety-related legislative issues within South Carolina, including the Fire Sprinkler Incentive Act, Fire Safe Cigarette legislation and the Volunteer Strategic Assistance Equipment Fire Act. He is pursuing a ban on novelty toylike lighters.
Marshal Reich’s aggressive efforts have contributed to the lowest number of annual fire fatalities ever recorded in South Carolina, with 60 fire-related deaths reported in 2008.
He has held leadership positions in a number of state and local fire service organizations, is a member of the International Code Council and National Fire Protection Association, and serves as co-chair of the NASFM Public Education Committee.
“John Reich’s passionate approach to protecting the people of South Carolina from fire is demonstrated daily,” said NASFM President Shuman. “His career-long efforts in fire prevention have undoubtedly made South Carolina a safer place to live, work and play.”
President’s Hall of Fame Award
The NASFM President’s Hall of Fame Award is co-sponsored by U.S. Safety Fire Technologies to recognize lifetime achievement in fire protection and prevention efforts. NASFM awarded the 2009 Hall of Fame Award to retired New York State Fire Administrator James A. Burns.
Mr. Burns started his fire service career with the Verplanck Fire Department in April 1961. He served as Lieutenant, Captain, Assistant Chief, and Chief of Department from 1981 to 1984. Mr. Burns also served as President of the Fire Company on two occasions and was elected to the Board of Fire Commissioners in 1987, where he served as Chairman of the Board until 1995. Mr. Burns has also served as President of the Westchester County Firemen’s Association, the Westchester Fire Chiefs Association and the Hudson Valley Volunteer Firemen’s Association. In 1988 he was elected as a member of the Board of Trustees of the NY State Firemen’s Home and was serving as President of that Board until his appointment as NY State Fire Administrator.
In May 1995, Governor George Pataki appointed Mr. Burns New York State Fire Administrator, where served in this position until his retirement in 2007.
Among other accomplishments as NY State Fire Administrator, Mr. Burns presided over the development of the nation’s first cigarette fire safety requirements, which have since been duplicated by 49 other states and Canada, without a single legal challenge.
Mr. Burns holds memberships with the International Association of Fire Chiefs (IAFC), NY State Association of Fire Chiefs, National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), International Association of Arson Investigators (IAAI), National Association of Emergency Managers (NAEM), International Society of Fire Service Instructors (ISFSI), and many other national and state fire organizations. He has served on the Board of the National Professional Qualification Association (PRO Board) and served as President of the National Association of State Fire Marshals (NASFM) from July 2004 – July 2006.
“Jim Burns is a true leader in fire and life safety, and generations to come will benefit from his influence,” said NASFM President Shuman. “We look forward to his continued involvement in promoting safety for the benefit of all Americans.”
NASFM, a 501(c)(6) organization, is dedicated to the preservation of life, property and the environment from fire and related hazards. NASFM members are the senior fire officials in the U.S. states and the District of Columbia. Responsibilities of State Fire Marshals include fire safety code adoption and enforcement, fire and arson investigation, fire incident data reporting and analysis, public education and education of Governors and State Legislatures on fire protection. Some also are responsible for fire fighter training, hazardous materials incident responses, wildland fires and the regulation of natural gas and other pipelines.
