NFPA annual awards celebrate achievements in fire safety
As reported by the NFPA, the NFPA Standards Council presented awards on June 20 to 24 individuals for their exceptional contributions to the development of fire safety codes and standards.
The ceremony took place during the association’s Technical Session, immediately following the NFPA Conference & Expo held from June 17-19 in Orlando.
The awards include the Special Achievement Award and the Committee Service Award, recognizing individuals for their long-term commitment and exceptional service in various technical committees.
Special Achievement Award recipients
The 2024 Special Achievement Award recipient is Dr. Kathryn H. Floyd from The College of William & Mary, Alexandria, Virginia. Dr. Floyd has been an active member of the Technical Committee on Cross Functional Emergency Preparedness and Response since 2001.
Other notable recipients include:
- Dan Chisholm, Sr., MGI Systems, Inc., Winter Park, Florida: Serving on multiple technical committees since 1993.
- Dr. Shane M. Clary, Bay Alarm Company, Concord, California: Active in numerous correlating and technical committees since 1993.
- David W. Frable, US General Services Administration, Geneva, Illinois: Serving on the Building Code Correlating Committee since 2000.
Committee Service Award recipients
The Committee Service Award honors individuals who have dedicated years of service to various technical committees. This year’s recipients include:
- Weston C. Baker, FM Global, Johnston, Rhode Island: Serving on Automatic Sprinkler Systems Technical Committees since 2002.
- Merton W. Bunker, Merton Bunker & Associates, LLC, Stafford, Virginia: Involved in several committees related to the National Electrical Code and signaling systems since 2001.
- Larry Keeping, PLC Fire Safety Engineering, Mississauga, Ontario, Canada: Active in Automatic Sprinkler Systems Technical Committees since 1997.
- Chief Randy J. Krause, Port of Seattle Fire Department, Seattle, Washington: Serving on various emergency responders’ occupational health and fire service safety committees since 2012.
- Dan A. Guaricci, ATEX Explosion Protection L.P., Davenport, Florida: Serving on the Technical Committee on Explosion Protection Systems since 1991 and various combustible dusts technical committees since 1995.
- Kim I. MacCartney, Marine Claims Technical Services, Yorktown, Virginia: Serving on the Technical Committee on Motor Craft since 1985.
- Maria Marks, Siemens Industry, Inc., Kensington, Maryland: Active in multiple correlating and technical committees since 2005, including those related to building code and health care facilities.
- Leo F. Martin, Jr., Martin Electrical Code Consultants, Norwood, Massachusetts: Serving on the Correlating Committee on Signaling Systems for the Protection of Life and Property since 2016.
- Captain John J. McDevitt, Drexel Hill, Pennsylvania: Serving on technical committees related to marine firefighting vessels and motor craft since 2002.
- Warren Olsen, Fire Safety Consultants, Inc., Elgin, Illinois: Involved in several signaling systems technical committees since 2003.
- Keith Pardoe, Pardoe Consulting LLC, Culpeper, Virginia: Serving on technical committees related to building code and fire doors and windows since 2004.
- Brian N. Polk, NC Department of Transportation, Raleigh, North Carolina: Serving on technical committees related to hazardous waste and incinerators since 2008.
- Jack Poole, Poole Fire Protection, Inc., Olathe, Kansas: Serving on multiple technical committees since 1991, including those related to airport facilities and signaling systems.
- Peter T. Schwab, Wayne Automatic Fire Sprinklers, Inc., Ocoee, Florida: Active in automatic sprinkler systems technical committees since 2005.
- Matthew M. Shanks, Clarksville, Maryland: Serving on the Technical Committee on Internal Combustion Engines from 2015 to 2024.
- Jeffery W. Sutton, TUV SUD America Inc./Global Risk Consultants Corporation, Champlin, Minnesota: Serving on various combustible dusts and water spray fixed systems technical committees since 1993.
- William B. Till, Jr., Bernie Till & Associates LLC, Orangeburg, South Carolina: Serving on technical committees related to mining facilities and nuclear facilities since 1998.
- Nancy J. Trench, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma: Serving on the Correlating Committee on Professional Qualifications since 2002 and on the Board of Directors from 1989 to 1995.
- Allyn J. Vaughn, Las Vegas, Nevada: Serving on multiple signaling systems technical committees since 1996.
- Charles J. Wright, Omaha, Nebraska: Serving on the Technical Committee on Hazardous Materials Response Personnel since 1986 and as a member emeritus since 2021.
Recognition of long-term service
The awards recognize the long-term dedication and expertise of individuals who have contributed significantly to the development of fire safety standards. These recipients have played vital roles in ensuring the effectiveness and reliability of fire protection systems and safety protocols across various sectors.
Recipients such as Jack Poole of Poole Fire Protection, Inc., Olathe, Kansas, have served on multiple committees, including those focused on health care facilities and signaling systems. Similarly, Matthew M. Shanks of Clarksville, Maryland, chaired the Technical Committee on Internal Combustion Engines from 2016 to 2024.
