Onward and Upward

FSSA’s 33rd Annual Meeting Underway February 22, 2015

President, Eric Burkland, welcomed over 190 delegates to the opening session of the 33rd Annual Meeting of the Fire Suppression Systems Association at the Sandpearl Resort in Clearwater Beach, Florida. Burkland thanked all those in attendance for making the effort to attend and support the robust health of the organization.

With 17 new members during the last year and an upswing in revenues from dues, annual meeting fees, increased publication sales and promotions of the new training program, Burkland reported on the significant strides the association as made in the last 12 months.

Several committee reports followed Burkland’s opening remarks including Steve Carter, the FSSA’s current treasurer. Carter recapped several financial highlights and credited the membership with promoting addtional new members as well as supporting the on-line training program and publications.

Dan Hubert, chair of the Technical Committee, shared his committee’s activities by outlining the numerous tasks that the Board of Directors has charged them with including new Guides covering Hazard Analysis/Hazard Protection; “Clean” Gaseous Fire Extinguishing Agents; and two additional separate Guides on Water Mist and Hybrid Systems. Hubert also promoted the fact that several existing Guides are in their 3rd edition: Pressure Venting and Pipe Design. The Testing Guide for use with Special Hazard Fire Suppression Sytems is in its 4th edition.

FSSA’s Codes and Standards Oversight Committee Chair, Derek Wester, presented a comprehensive overview of FSSA’s participation on over 23 NFPA committees and noted that there are currently seven vacancies on various committees that FSSA needs to fill.  Wester also announced that an added benefit of FSSA membership will be exclusive access to all NFPA committee meeting recap notices filed by FSSA representatives.  This invaluable resource will help keep FSSA members up-to-date on specific committee actions and new developments within the codes and standards committees represented.

The expanding awareness of public policy by the FSSA was reviewed by Bill Eckholm, committee chair.  Eckholm touched on numerous international agreements involving climate change and their affect on the special hazards industry.  Along with the several protocols being watched, Eckholm highlighted two efforts in the U.S. that warrant members’ attention:  Senate Bill 2911 seeking to authorize EPA to regulate short-lived greenhouse gases using the SNAP and the Super Pollutants Act.  Eckholm invited all members to be vigilant with keeping FSSA’s headquarters appraised of any local or state initiatives affecting the industry as well.

The final committee report was offered by Joe Ziemba, chair of the Marketing Committee. He summarized the many efforts now underway to promote the FSSA to new and diverse audiences.  The overall goal of the committee’s efforts is being led by P E G:  Promote; Educate and Grow.  In each task, the committee seeks to advance awareness of the FSSA in various formats and venues.  Promotion of industry Guides as well as the On-line Training Program are beginning to take shape with this committee’s efforts.  A future activity involves development of FSSA sponsored webinars which will focus on various topics important to the industry.

The 33rd Annual Meeting continues tomorrow, Monday, February 23rd.