NAMES IN THE NEWS
DEPARTMENTS
The National Fire Protection Association named the following people to chair its technical committees, which develop and update the NFPA’s NATIONAL FIRE CODES: Jack K. McElfish, chief of the Wallingford, CT, Fire Department, has been appointed chairman of the Fire Service Professional Standards Development Committee for Fire Instructor Qualifications. Chief McElfish represents the International Association of Fire Chiefs (IAFC) on this technical committee.
Carl W. Irwin of Bangor, ME, has been appointed chairman of the Fire Service Professional Standards Development Committee for Fire Fighter Qualifications. The committee is responsible for developing and preparing recommended minimum standards for professional firefighters.
Walter J. Orey, of the Walter Orey Corporation, Milltown, NJ, has been named chairman of the Technical Committee on Loss Prevention Procedures and Practices. This committee is responsible for developing standards and good practices recommendations for fire brigades, guard services, and techniques for securing effective fire loss prevention programs in industrial, commercial, institutional, and similar properties.
George Schuck, Jr., of Local 3 of the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW), Flushing, NY, has been appointed chairman of the National Electrical Code Technical Committee. This committee is responsible for Article 517, Health Care Facilities, in the National Electrical Code. Twenty code making panels work on the NEC, which is the most widely accepted safety code in existence.
Howard I. Saffer, of Howard Saffer Co., North Hills, NY, has been appointed chairman of the Technical Committee on Motor Craft. The committee is responsible for, developing standards on fire protection and prevention of motor craft and to encourage their use by motor craft designers, builders, and owners.
Richard M. Duffy, with the International Association of Fire Fighters (IAFF), Washington, D.C., has been appointed chairman of the Technical Committee on Protective Equipment for Fire Fighters. The committee is responsible for developing recommendations on selection and use of protective clothing, respiratory protective equipment, resuscitation methods and equipment, and other protective equipment for the fire service.
Louis J. Amabili, director of the Delaware State Fire School, Dover, DE, has been appointed chairman of the Fire Service Professional Standards Development Committee for Fire Service Officer Qualifications. Mr. Amabili, who is also a member of the NFPA’s board of directors, represents the International Society of Fire Service Instructors (ISFSI) on this technical committee.
Bob Melton has been appointed assistant chief for fire prevention of the Dallas, TX, Fire Department. An 18-year veteran, Chief Melton directs the department’s arson and fire investigation, fire prevention education and inspection, and community relations divisions.
Thomas Hawkins, chief of the Arlington County, VA, Fire Department, has been selected as the new National Advisory Committee chairman for the Integrated Emergency Management System (IEMS). Chief Hawkins was selected to replace Chief Clyde Bragdon, who was appointed administrator of the U.S. Fire Administration.
Dan Lamos, president of Central Florida Fire Equipment Co. Inc., Orlando, FL, was reelected to serve as president of the National Association of Fire Equipment Distributors (NAFED). The overall purpose of NAFED is to gather, develop, and disseminate information that will improve the nation’s fire protection. In addition to Lamos, the NAFED Board of Directors elected Donald J. Begley, Andersen Fire Equipment Co. Inc., Omaha, NE; Bruce Buckner, Acme Fire & Safety Co. Ltd., Vancouver, B.C.; and S. Douglas Ross, Carolina Fire Equipment Sales & Service, Charlotte, NC, as association vice-presidents. Thomas J. Hard, president of Harold D. Hard Co., Columbus, OH, was re-elected treasurer.
Christopher J. Naum was appointed director of the Department of Fire Protection Technology at Onondaga Community College, Syracuse, NY. A captain with the Moyers Comers Fire Department, Onondaga County Fire Services, Naum is also an architect, a fire protection consultant, and an adjunct faculty member at the National Fire Academy in Emmitsburg, MD.
Donald D. Flinn resigned as general manager of the International Association of Fire Chiefs, a position he held since 1974. Colin A. Campbell, the association’s director of information and editor of THE INTERNATIONAL FIRE CHIEF, has been appointed acting general manager.
James M. Thomsen was appointed to head the newly formed program / product development department of EMS Associates in Pawling, NY. As the director of program development, Mr. Thomsen will oversee the development of new forms of training programs for all types of emergency medical services and industrial/commercial organizations. Mr. Thomsen is an active firefighter/paramedic for the Midway Fire District and heads many training programs for the Town of Colonie and the County of Albany EMS Council. Mr. Thomsen’s 12 years of experience in emergency services, training, and video production will enable him to produce videotape training programs for both EMS and fire service needs while organizing specialized educational seminars and programs. EMS Associates is a producer and supplier for medical training equipment and services.
