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DEDICATED INDUSTRY VETERAN SUPPORTED THE NEXT GENERATION Members and staff of the American Fire Sprinkler Association (AFSA) were saddened to learn that Past AFSA Chair of the Board, Joe Heinrich, Bamford Fire Sprinkler Company, Salina, Kan., passed away peacefully in his home on Nov. 23, 2023, after a private battle …

INDUSTRY VETERAN DEDICATED TO FIRE PROTECTION Members and staff of the American Fire Sprinkler Association (AFSA) were saddened to learn of the passing of William “Bill” R. Phair, of Cornwall, New York, who was an area sales manager for AFSA Associate Member Ferguson Fire & Fabrication and was an active …

REPRESENTATIVES WORK ON BEHALF OF ASSOCIATES The American Fire Sprinkler Association (AFSA) Manufacturers/Suppliers (M/S) Council held a productive meeting during AFSA42: Convention, Exhibition, and Apprentice Competition in September 2023 in Orlando, Florida. It was an opportune time to conduct business, network, and reconnect. Bill Phair, Ferguson Fire & Fabrication, was …

INDUSTRY MOURNS LOSS OF FIRE SAFETY CHAMPION Members and staff of the American Fire Sprinkler Association (AFSA) were saddened to learn that Chief Ronny J. Coleman, State Fire Marshal (Ret.), passed away peacefully on September 19, 2023, in Sacramento. He is survived by his wife, Marie, his son, Chris Coleman …

Quality Contractor Recognition Program What sets apart “good contractors” and “great contractors” is distinguishing your company from the competition. That’s why the American Fire Sprinkler Association (AFSA) created the Quality Contractor (QC) Recognition Program, which allows contractor members to be recognized for their effort in growing companies that produce quality …

Virginia Chapter Engages Local Students The American Fire Sprinkler Association’s (AFSA) Virginia Chapter board was meeting for the first time this year in February, and we were trying to come up with something unique we could do to help our members and possibly increase membership in the state chapter. We …

“What happens in Las Vegas, stays in Las Vegas” has been a marketing campaign for Sin City for many years—a slogan we’ve all heard and chuckled over. Well, we want you to forget that tagline and, instead, remember everything we do and see in Vegas at AFSA41! We want you …

Honoring an Industry Legend In 1983, the American Fire Sprinkler Association (AFSA) created its highest honor, the Henry S. Parmelee Award, to recognize an outstanding individual who has dedicated himself or herself to the professional advancement of the fire sprinkler industry and the goal of fire safety through automatic sprinklers. …

I am writing this article, having just returned from the NFPA Conference & Expo held in Boston. This was the first in-person C&E that NFPA has had since 2019. It was a tremendous success, and AFSA was well represented. Our technical staff presented seminars and had an integral part in …

Ron Siarnicki Named 2022 Fire Sprinkler Advocate of the Year While many can say they “grew up” in the fire service, Ron Siarnicki, executive director of the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation (NFFF), was raised in the fire service and the fire station. From serving as a volunteer firefighter as a …