National Fallen Firefighters Foundation News Release

The National Fallen Firefighters Foundation (NFFF) today joined representatives from the U.S. Fire Administration, the National Fire Protection Association, the Phoenix Society for Burn Survivors and Common Voices to commend the Pennsylvania State Legislature for moving forward with the residential fire sprinkler requirement in new construction and to urge the legislators to keep the requirement as is. The decision is a significant advancement toward reducing property damage and preventing injury and death to citizens and firefighters.

"The USFA and NFFF work jointly on a daily basis to promote all types of life saving initiatives," said Chief Ronald J. Siarnicki, executive director of the NFFF. "We also work with survivor-based organizations like Common Voices and The Phoenix Society because they truly do understand the devastating effects of fire occurrence in America. Together, working with the legislative entities throughout the United States, we hope to prevent families from the tragic losses the members of these organizations must live with," he said. The operation of one sprinkler head will extinguish the large majority of fires that start inside a home. It prevents the toxic smoke and heat from hurting or killing the people who live there. It also keeps our nation's firefighters out of harm's way.

In addition, the water from the sprinkler system will cause significantly less damage than a firefighter's hose. When a fire starts, the closest sprinkler head is activated, using 13 gallons of water per minute compared to more than 10 times that amount from a fire hose. This simple measure can further protect homes and cherished possessions.

"I am so proud of the respective organizations who are here today, lives will be saved as a result of their efforts and leadership," said Vickie Pritchett, Common Voices Facilitator.