The Home Fire Sprinkler Coalition (HFSC) and the National Fire Protection Association’s (NFPA) Fire Sprinkler Initiative announced that William Barnard, Maryland State Fire Marshal, is the recipient of the 2012 Bringing Safety Home Award. The two nonprofits join forces to recognize the efforts of fire chiefs who use HFSC’s educational materials and the resources of the Fire Sprinkler Initiative to ensure that decision makers have accurate information as new or updated residential fire sprinkler codes are considered.
“As State Fire Marshal and a member of Maryland’s Residential Sprinkler Initiative Committee, Bill spent countless hours educating key stakeholders and attending hearings. His efforts played a major role in passing legislation that requires the installation of home fire sprinklers in all new one- and two-family homes along with a law that eliminates the option to opt out of the requirement,” says Gary S. Keith, speaking on behalf of both HFSC and NFPA. Keith is Chair of HFSC’s Board and is Vice President of NFPA’s Field Operations. “Bill also played a major supportive role when HFSC developed the Prince George’s County Home Fire Sprinkler Report in 2009. Members of the fire service throughout the country use the report. We appreciate Bill’s diligence and are very pleased that the award will go to such an active life-safety advocate.”
Representatives of HFSC and NFPA will present the award to Chief Barnard at Fire-Rescue International 2012 in Denver. The presentation will take place during the International Association of Fire Chiefs (IAFC) Fire and Life Safety Section meeting on August 2nd.
