Fire Prevention and Control

▸ Agencies

Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), Hazard Identification and Reduction, 4330 East-West Hwy., #723, Bethesda, MD 20814; (301) 504-7949. Fax, (301) [Page 399]504-0407. Robert J. Howell, Deputy Assistant Executive Director.

Web, http://www.cpsc.gov

Proposes, evaluates, and develops standards and test procedures for safety of consumer products. Reports injuries resulting from use of products.

  ♦  ♦  ♦

Forest Service (Agriculture Dept.), Fire and Aviation Management, 201 14th St. S.W. 20250 (mailing address: 1400 Independence Ave. S.W., MS 1107, Washington, DC 20250-0003); (202) 205-1483. Fax, (202) 205-1401. Tom Harbour, Director.

Web, http://www.fs.fed.us/fire

Responsible for aviation and fire management programs, including fire control planning and prevention, suppression of fires, and the use of prescribed fires. Provides state foresters with financial and technical assistance for fire protection in forests and on rural lands.

  ♦  ♦  ♦

National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), (Commerce Dept.), Building and Fire Research Laboratory, 100 Bureau Dr., MS 8600, Gaithersburg, MD 20899-8600; (301) 975-5900. Fax, (301) 975-4032. S. Shyam Sunder, Director; Hunter Fanney, Chief, Building Environment Division, (301) 975-5864.

Web, http://www.bfrl.nist.gov

Conducts basic and applied research on fire and fire resistance of construction materials; develops testing methods, standards, design concepts, and technologies for fire protection and prevention.

  ♦  ♦  ♦

National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), (Commerce Dept.), Fire Research, 100 Bureau Dr., MS 8660, Gaithersburg, MD 20899-8600; (301) 975-6598. Fax, (301) 975-4052. Anthony Hamins, Chief. TTY, (301) 975-8295.

Web, http://www.bfrl.nist.gov/fris

Conducts research on fire safety and metrology. Develops models to measure the behavior and mitigate the impact of large-scale fires. Operates the Fire Research Information Service, Fire Dynamics Group, and a large-scale fire test facility. Studies smoke components of flames, the burning of polymeric materials, and fire detection and suppression systems.

  ♦  ♦  ♦

Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), (Labor Dept.), Standards and Guidance, 200 Constitution Ave. N.W., #N3718 20210; (202) 693-1950. Fax, (202) 693-1678. Dorothy Dougherty, Director.

Administers regulations for fire safety standards; sponsors programs for maritime, fire protection, mechanical, and electrical industries.

  ♦  ♦  ♦

U.S. Fire Administration (Homeland Security Dept.), 16825 S. Seton Ave., Emmitsburg, MD 21727; (301) 447-1000. Fax, (301) 447-1346. Gregory B. Cade, Assistant Administrator.

Web, http://www.usfa.dhs.gov

Conducts research and collects, analyzes, and disseminates data on combustion, fire prevention, firefighter safety, and the management of fire prevention organizations; studies and develops arson prevention programs and fire prevention codes; maintains the National Fire Data System.

  ♦  ♦  ♦

U.S. Fire Administration (Homeland Security Dept.), National Fire Academy, 16825 S. Seton Ave., Emmitsburg, MD 21727-8998; (301) 447-1117. Fax, (301) 447-1173. Denis Onieal, Superintendent.

Web, http://www.usfa.dhs.gov/nfa

Trains fire officials and related professionals in fire prevention and management, current firefighting technologies, and the administration of fire prevention organizations.

▸ Nongovernmental

International Assn. of Fire Chiefs, 4025 Fair Ridge Dr., #300, Fairfax, VA 22033-2868; (703) 273-0911. Fax, (703) 273-9363. Mark Light, Executive Director.

Web, http://www.iafc.org

Membership: fire service chiefs and chief officers. Conducts research on fire control; testifies before congressional committees. Monitors legislation and regulations affecting fire safety codes.

  ♦  ♦  ♦

International Assn. of Fire Fighters, 1750 New York Ave. N.W., #300 20006-5395; (202) 737-8484. Fax, (202) 737-8418. Harold A. Schaitberger, General President.

General e-mail, pr@iaff.org

Web, http://www.iaff.org

Membership: more than 288,000 professional firefighters and emergency medical personnel. Assists members with contract negotiation and grievances; conducts training programs and workshops. Monitors legislation and regulations. (Affiliated with the AFL-CIO and the Canadian Labour Congress.)

...