Sprinkler Age A Publication of the American Fire Sprinkler Association
Protecting America’s Heroes From Fire
The American Fire Sprinkler Association (AFSA) is proud to partner with Homes For Our Troops (HFOT), a publicly funded 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that builds and donates specially adapted custom homes nationwide for severely injured post-9/11 veterans to enable them to rebuild their lives. Most of these veterans have sustained injuries, including multiple limb amputations, partial or full paralysis, and/or severe traumatic brain injury (TBI). To date, HFOT has provided or is currently building nearly 500 specially adapted homes. AFSA is HFOT’s exclusive residential fire sprinkler provider.
“It is a very rewarding experience to oversee this program and work with these veterans,” says AFSA Sacramento Valley Chapter Executive Director Paulene Norwood, HFOT coordinator for AFSA. “If anyone deserves to be safe in their home, it’s our veterans and their families.”
Educating veterans
Norwood and John Denhardt, P.E., FSFPE, AFSA vice president of engineering and technical services, traveled to HFOT’s summer 2024 conference and met with nine veterans who were beginning their home building process.
In addition to learning more about HFOT and their home, veterans select finishes for their new home at this conference. AFSA was honored to attend and educate the veterans about the benefits of installing a residential fire sprinkler systems.
“For the first time, my wife, Donna, and I attended for an HFOT ‘Meet and Commitment’ event. I was blown away by the respect these individuals have for their military brothers and sisters, family, love of the USA, and God. These people have sacrificed so much but they are not regretful or bitter. They would do it all over again. HFOT gives these wounded individuals a chance to live a more ‘normal’ life and to take some of the burden off them,” says Denhardt.
HFOT holds its conferences at regular intervals in Foxboro, Mass., which allows for personalized attention with a small group of veterans. AFSA realizes the value of attending these conferences in person to speak one-on-one with the veterans and plans to attend more gatherings in 2025.
The AFSA booth had information about residential sprinkler systems, a side-by-side burn demonstration video playing, and materials from the Home Fire Sprinkler Coalition (HFSC). AFSA is a founding partner of HFSC, created to inform the public about the life-saving value of home fire sprinkler protection. The coalition educates public, Authorities Having Jurisdiction, home builders, developers, city officials, and others through a wealth of printed information, videos, and an indepth website, www.homefiresprinkler.org/.
“We dispel the myths associated with sprinkler systems and answer any questions they have,” says Norwood. “Once the veterans and their families learn about them, they all want to install them and are grateful to our members for donating these systems.”
A Prolific Partnership
In 2017, AFSA became the official provider of fire sprinkler systems in HFOT homes. AFSA members came together to donate materials, time, and talent for veterans’ new homes when a residential sprinkler system is requested or required. Many of AFSA’s members understand the sacrifice that these veterans have made, and they are eager to donate their valuable resources to the cause.
The homes that HFOT builds restore some of the freedom and independence veterans sacrificed while defending the country, and enable them to focus on their family, recovery, and rebuilding their lives. Since its inception in 2004, nearly 90 cents out of every dollar spent has gone directly to HFOT’s program services for veterans.
WE NEED YOUR HELP!
Please assist AFSA with HFOT residential fire sprinkler projects! Everything is needed, from materials to manpower. Can you install labor; provide design services; offer inspection, testing, and maintenance services; or donate to offset expenses and fees (i.e., permitting costs)? Can you donate materials and supplies: sprinklers (heads, escutcheons, etc.), flexible drops, sprinkler pipe and connectors, sprinkler valves, residential riser and/or FDC, couplings, hangers, pipe cement, tape, etc.? Some projects require additional special equipment such as a pump, tank, or backflow preventer.
We couldn’t do this without our AFSA members stepping up to volunteer their materials, time, and expertise for these deserving veterans. To sign up, scan the QR code to complete the AFSA/HFOT Google form.
“After attending this event, Donna and I talked about what we felt and saw. We will be adding HFOT to our donation list,” comments Denhardt. “This is a great cause and it needs our support. If possible, please consider donating your materials or time for a home installation or a donation to HFOT. The money will be put to a great cause and will be used wisely.”
For more information about AFSA’s partnership with HFOT, email Norwood at paulenesacvalleyafsa@gmail.com or call (916) 296-0635. Members can also reach out to AFSA’s Public Relations Manager D’Arcy Montalvo via email at dmontalvo@firesprinkler.org or via phone at (214) 349-5965 ext. 115. To find out more about HFOT or to make a donation, visit hfotusa.org/.
