Page 34 - Green Builder May-June 2018 Issue

THE EVOLVING ROLE OF ASSOCIATIONS

NFPA (National Fire Protection Association)

By saving lives and lifestyles through expert member training, NFPA lives up to its name.

HEN ONE HEARS OF THE NATIONAL FIRE PROTECTION ASSOCIATION (NFPA),
the idea that it exists to help save lives seems obvious—if you’re talking about fires.
The concept that it also wants to save the public from active shooters might be more
of an eyebrow raiser.
Founded in 1896, NFPA is a global, nonprofit organization devoted to eliminating
death, injury, property and economic loss due to fire, electrical and related hazards. The
association delivers information and knowledge through more than 300 consensus codes
W and standards, research, training, education, outreach and advocacy; and by partnering
with others who share an interest in furthering the NFPA mission.
But with the new NFPA 3000 (PS), Standard for an Active Shooter/Hostile Event Response (ASHER)
Program (https://bit.ly/2ISzbZU), NFPA enters uncharted territory.
“How we responsibly build, But it’s an increasingly vital route: Nationwide and around the globe,
design and maintain homes, communities are facing a growing number of tragedies involving FACTS CREDIT: PETER HILL/FLICKR
active shooter and other hostile events.
structures and our NFPA 3000 addresses all aspects of the response process, from
communities can make them identifying hazards and assessing vulnerability, to planning, NUMBER OF MEMBERS: 50,000
resource management, incident management at a command level,
less vulnerable to a fire NFPA competencies for first responders, and recovery. MEMBER BREAKDOWN: Architectural,
engineering, consulting, design,
is committed to integrating fire According to NFPA President Jim Pauley, setting a standard against contracting (30 percent); utilities
safety with sustainable design. shooters is not as far-fetched as it might sound. “The answer is simple,” (28 percent); government agencies
he noted in a report from NFPA Journal. “We go where first responders
Our involvement in advocating go, and we do a great job of bringing together diverse interests to (15 percent); institutional, including health
care, educational, correctional, religious,
for home fire sprinklers, arrive at consensus on topics that are often difficult and controversial.” transportation services (air, rail, marine, ROLE MODELS
Many groups and individuals will work with cities, counties, states
wildfire preparedness and corporations to develop plans in accordance with NFPA 3000. To motor) (14 percent); commercial
(including office, retail, restaurant, data
programs, solar panel safety assist, NFPA is providing a level of qualification by offering online processing, financial, telecommunications)
and energy storage systems training. A badging recognition program is available, with badges (7 percent); other (6 percent)
related to the three major elements of the standard—plan, respond
are examples of our and recover—as well as a badge for the completion of the overall HEADQUARTERS: Quincy, Mass.
commitment to this cause.” NFPA 3000 training series. WEBSITE: www.nfpa.org
“The technical committee, as well as NFPA staff, are to be
Jim Pauley, NFPA commended for the time and dedication necessary to complete this NUMBER OF ACTIVE SITES: Government
President and CEO standard,” Pauley says. “NFPA 3000 is an outstanding example of how Affairs (Washington, D.C.); Wildfire Division
we use our expertise as a codes and standards developer to take a (Denver); regional field staff offices
broad look at a complex problem, and create solutions that can help (nationwide)
move our safety-oriented vision and mission forward.”
Those other solutions are abundant. NFPA’s Government Affairs KEY SERVICES OFFERED: 1-on-1
office in Washington, D.C., influences, advocates and connects technical standards help; customer
policymakers with new and existing standards, regulatory and support; online training; customized
onsite programs; certification programs;
legislative language, data and expertise in key subject areas. Its classroom and hands-on classroom training;
Wildfire Division field office in Denver is dedicated to protecting seminars; codes and standards, and related
people and property in communities at risk from wildfire by being resources; data and research webinars
a visible, trusted and recognized advocate, consensus builder and
authoritative leader. And the association’s regional field staff promotes MISSION STATEMENT: NFPA is the
adoption of NFPA codes and standards by state and local authorities, leading global advocate for the elimination
assure representation at code hearings and legislative sessions, and of death, injury, property and economic loss
identify ways NFPA services can improve fire, building and life safety due to fire, electrical and related hazards.
in their regions. Its mission is to help save lives and reduce
loss with information, knowledge and
passion.

32 GREEN BUILDER May/June 2018 www.greenbuildermedia.com

16-43 GB 0518 Associations.indd 32 6/14/18 12:05 PM