The Congressional Fire Services Institute and the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation have selected the Home Fire Sprinkler Coalition as the recipient of the 2011 Senator Paul S. Sarbanes Fire Service Safety Leadership Award.
The award will be presented at the 23rd Annual National Fire and Emergency Services Dinner on April 7, 2011, in Washington, D.C. Named after retired-Senator Paul S. Sarbanes of Maryland, a strong advocate of our nation’s firefighters and rescue personnel during his 36-year career in Congress, the award recognizes organizations for their outstanding contributions to firefighter health and safety. Both State Farm Insurance and VFIS serve as the corporate supporters of the award program.
Established in 1996, the Home Fire Sprinkler Coalition (HFSC) is dedicated to educating the public about the life-saving value of fire sprinkler protection for new houses. The materials developed by HFSC are being used in outreach efforts across the country to help consumers, homebuilders, officials, water suppliers, real estate and property insurance professionals, and the media understand the many benefits of fire sprinklers. Through the efforts of HFSC, progress is being made in advancing two of the 16 Firefighter Life Safety Initiatives. The 14th initiative calls for more resources in the area of public education; the 15th advocates for the installation of home fire sprinklers and the strengthening of enforcement codes.
CFSI President Bill Jenaway and NFFF Chairman Dennis Compton issued a joint statement recognizing the Home Fire Sprinkler Coalition for its achievements. “As members of the fire service who recognize the need and benefits of home fire sprinklers, we have appreciated for many years the important work of HFSC. In local communities throughout the nation, the Coalition is making a difference in educating the public about the life-saving benefits of home fire sprinklers. Our two organizations take great pride in recognizing the Home Fire Sprinkler Coalition with the presentation of the 2011 Senator Paul S. Sarbanes Fire Service Safety Leadership Award.”
For additional information about the Senator Paul S. Sarbanes Award, please visit the CFSI and NFFF websites (www.cfsi.org and memorialweek.wpengine.com).
