The International Association of Fire Chiefs (IAFC) is bringing the strength of its diverse network of chief fire officers to the nonprofit Home Fire Sprinkler Coalition (HFSC). IAFC, which represents fire service leaders from around the world, has joined HFSC’s Board, which oversees the Coalition’s strategic planning and program development.

"It is our intention to have our participation in HFSC activities taken as a sign that a highly influential fire service organization fully supports the mission of increasing the understanding and usage of residential fire sprinklers among the public and among home builders," says IAFC President, Chief Steven P. Westermann.

The IAFC brings valuable expertise to HFSC’s Board, and will provide a range of activities in the coming year to support the Coalition’s efforts to publicize its free sprinkler educational materials to the fire service.

"Collectively, the fire service is HFSC's most important partner and the most trusted local channel for reaching the public with information about the value of home fire sprinklers,” says Coalition Chair Gary Keith. “Having IAFC's strong and visible support will help us reach even more fire departments with the tools, information and materials they need to educate their communities about the life-saving value of sprinkler technology."

Increased installation of residential fire sprinkler systems is imperative to the national effort to reduce fire deaths. While more than 80 percent of all fire deaths occur in homes, residential sprinkler installations lag far behind other occupancies. HFSC maintains that knowledge is the first step toward increased usage. Starting with the fire service, HFSC provides accurate information about sprinkler technology so consumers, home builders, and local authorities can make informed decisions.

Recently, HFSC was awarded federal Fire Prevention and Safety Grant funding to underwrite the creation of a new public educator's kit for the fire service. Produced compactly on CD Rom and DVD disks, the kit contains everything a fire department needs to establish sprinkler education at the local level. The free kit may be requested on HFSC's Web site: www.homefiresprinkler.org.