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Spring 2010 Conference Schedule and Room Rates Updated - February 16, 2010
From the President
To all members,

Our Director of Training, Ben Bunting, in conjunction with the rest of your Executive Board, has been working hard these last few weeks to obtain good, relevant training for our 2010 Spring Conference. We have just about exhausted the list of ICC classes that are relevant to the majority of us and are looking elsewhere. Because our conference falls the same week that NFPA meets, we will be unable to get them to do any classes for us; they might be good for a fall conference. Ben is exploring other possibilities for contract training, including the American Fire Sprinkler Association and the Society of Fire Protection Engineers, just to name two. If you know of or have attended a class that you think would benefit our members, or know of an organization or individual whose courses would be of interest and meet the Continuing Education requirements for Certified Fire Marshal, please pass names and any contact information along to Ben Bunting in Summerville, or to any member of the Executive Board.

The home heating season is upon us, so let�s remind the public about the hazards associated with it and the need to be extra careful. Also, the festive lights and decorations of the holiday season increase the risk of fire. Even one fire fatality is too many.

The State Legislature will convene right after the first of the year. If any member hears of the introduction of any bills that may impact fire protection and life safety, please alert the rest of the membership or notify an Executive Board member so that we may do so. We were �blind-sided� during the last session with bills in the Senate and the House that proposed to split the Building Codes Council. Remember: our jobs make us guardians of life safety. We need to promote laws that help us protect life and property and alert our lawmakers about those that would hinder us.

The SC Building Codes Council will also be choosing the next model codes for the state in 2010. The 2009 International Residential Code is sure to be hotly debated because of the residential sprinkler requirement for new construction. I urge all members to pay close attention to these proceedings and attend their meetings if at all possible. As fire officials we are keenly aware of the life safety benefits of fire sprinklers. We have seen sprinkler requirements written into the code, and we have worked to keep them there. Now we need to see them implemented in South Carolina.

On behalf of the Executive Board of the South Carolina Fire Marshals Association, a very Merry Christmas and happy and prosperous New Year to all. And if in your faith or culture you celebrate other holy days, may your season be bright and joyous.

Gary J. Mocarski
President
Objectives and Purposes of the SCFMA are...
  1. To unite for mutual benefit those public officials and private persons engaged in fire inspection and prevention of fires.
  2. To provide for exchange of technical information and developments.
  3. To cooperate with other inspection agencies and associations to further fire prevention, fire inspections and life safety protection.
  4. To encourage a high professional standard of conduct among fire inspectors and to continually strive to eliminate all factors which interfere with administration of fire prevention, inspections, and life safety protection.

Association News

A Message from our Past President
Dear Members,

Its been an honor and privilege to serve as President of this association. There were times when I doubted myself, but the comments of support from you and the Executive Board kept me focused and I was able to complete my term. As President, I was given the chance to attend ICC Conferences, serve on different fire service committees, attend legislative meetings, and meet new colleagues in the fire service. It also allowed me to represent the City of Simpsonville and the Simpsonville Fire Department. Im positive that the executive board will continue to provide quality training for our members.

Again, thanks for all the support and I hope to see each of you at future conferences. Remember, Dont just be a member, be an active member and be involved.

Eddie Watson
Past President
ICC President Attends 2009 Spring Conference
For those that didn't get to attend the conference or chose not to attend the banquet, for the first time in our associations 40 year history a high ranking official was present. The President of the International Code Council, Adolf Zubia, briefly attended Thursday's training, attended Thursday nights banquet, and installed our new officers. Adolf flew into Myrtle Beach Airport on Wednesday evening from Los Cruses, New Mexico. Adolf is a Fire Chief in Los Cruses and is the first fire service person to serve as President of the old SBCCI and the International Code Council (ICC). Accompanying Adolf was our associations new ICC Liaison Vaughn Wicker. Vaughn lives right here in South Carolina. What an honor for our association and the State of South Carolina to have both attend the 2009 Spring Conference. read more...
DHEC Fire and Life Safety
Kevin Ridenour with DHEC Fire and Life Safety would like to notify everyone that there is a change in his contact information. In the event of an evacuation, fire investigation or other emergency, Kevin can be reached at 803-920-3153. This is a 24-hour phone number.

South Carolina Fire Deaths Increase
South Carolina has almost tripled the number of fire deaths in January 2009 over the same month last year. Fifteen have died during the first month of 2009 compared to six deaths in that time period last year. In South Carolina last year 74 died, up 14 from the previous year. The leading causes of fire deaths last year were...Read more...

File Download - Sprinkler Presentation
Here is the sprinkler presentation that Patrick Bradshaw presented at the Fall Conference. Right mouse click on the link and click on "save target as..." You'll need an unzipping program such as Winzip to unzip the file. If you have any problems, please contact the webmaster at kgarrett67@yahoo.com.

Newsletters Temporarily Unavailable
Because we have exceeded our maximum storage capacity on the free server, some previous newsletters and photos have been removed. The webmaster is searching for other alternatives to display photos. The goal of course is to keep the website free. So, for the next few months please bear with us.

USFA To Issue CEUs For Coffee Break Training Volumes
Students who need continuing education units (CEUs) to maintain professional certification in fire prevention and code enforcement now can obtain them from the United States Fire Administrations NFAOnline, the National Fire Academys website for distance and online learning. Read more...

2010 Civilian Fire Fatalities

23

Last Updated: 03/01/2010

Additional information:
Fire Fatality Reporting

2009 Civilian Fire Fatalities

79

Last Updated: 01/04/2010

Additional information:
Fire Fatality Reporting

Archive

photo-imageWhat is Fire Team USA?

Fire Team USA is a special day and a half informational training conference on fire protection and your community. Fire Team USA is about bringing resources to help you enhance the fire protection that your community offers. Creating partnerships in the community and working with all stakeholders is important to improving the public policy on fire protection. All you have to do is coordinate your team, sign up, and show up!  Click here  to read more about Fire Team USA.




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