National Fire Protection Association (NFPA)'s Blog, page 247

Today is Sparky the Fire Dog’s 65th birthday!

It's not every day a nationally-respected fire safety "spokesdog" turns 65! But today, March 18, marks a milestone birthday for Sparky the Fire Dog®, the official mascot of NFPA. Sparky, a fire safety icon beloved by children and adults alike, has helped teach millions of people about fire safety through educational lessons and materials featuring his image. Sparky frequently visits schools and participates in community events to spread fire safety messages, often accompanied by his firefighter friends. Like a true Picses, Sparky is caring, sympathetic, and is always willing to help others, without hoping to get anything back. NFPA is...

Today in fire history: fire in board and care facility leaves 8 residents dead

On March 17, 1996, a fire occurred in a single-story board and care facility in Laurinburg, North Carolina. The fire was caused by sparks from a faulty electrical receptacle which ignited bedding materials in one of the resident rooms. Smoke spread into other areas when cross-corridor doors were opened during evacuation and fire suppression. Eight residents died in the blaze. According to NFPA’s investigation, the following contributed to the loss of life in this incident: Staff members’ inability to enter the fire area due to smoke and heat Occupants’ inability to evacuate before untenable conditions developed in the fire area...

In the new March/April NFPA Journal, a look at safety issues related to the LNG boom. Plus, in-rack sprinklers & much more.

The boom in liquefied natural gas (LNG) infrastructure around the country and what it means for safety and emergency planning are the topics of “Full Tank,” the cover story in the new March/April 2016 issue of NFPA Journal. The issue is available in print, online, and through NFPA Journal mobile apps. The cover story, written by NFPA Journal staff writer Jesse Roman, looks at the factors that have contributed to the United States’ emergence as a net exporter of natural gas. A new concentration on the infrastructure and processes necessary to handle these growing supplies of gas—natural gas is converted...

New Research Foundation report published: Fire hazard assessment of lithium ion battery energy storage systems (ESS)

In recent years, there has been a marked increase in the deployment of lithium ion batteries in energy storage systems (ESS). Many ESS are being deployed in urban areas both in high rise structures and single- and multi-family residences. Local Authorities Having Jurisdiction (AHJs) along with the ESS integrators and installers are challenged by the lack of clear direction on fire protection and suppression in these installations. Without a recognized hazard assessment made available to standards developers, AHJs, emergency responders, and industry, guidance on safe installation of these systems will lack a technical basis. The purpose of a recent Fire...

Sparky kicks off his 65th birthday bucket list at the Bruins game

Sparky got a jump on his 65th Birthday Bucket List recently when he rode the ice resurfacer at the Boston Bruins’ inaugural First Responder Night. Sparky was in his glory as he circled the ice at TD Garden, waving to his favorite audience – police, fire and EMS professionals. Be sure to follow the iconic fire dog’s adventures by visiting his 65th Birthday Bucket List site often.

Firefighter rescues puppy and welcomes him to the firehouse community

photo courtesy of the Dodo A firefighter who rescued a puppy from a fire last year has made his furry companion an official part of the firehouse family. Last April, Bill Lindler of the Hanahan Fire Department in South Carolina was returning home from work when he saw flames engulfing a neighbor’s garage. As the structure burned, a dog and several puppies were able to escape by themselves, but one puppy was trapped by a fallen piece of burning ceiling and unable to escape. After backup arrived, Lindler went into the building to rescue the puppy, who the firefighter has...

Sparky hits the big screen at an NHL hockey game as part of his 65th birthday bucket list campaign

Sparky is celebrating his 65th in a BIG way – on the big screen. Recently, Sparky ticked a high-visibility bucket list item off his wish list when he was featured on the HDX screen at an NHL hockey game. Fans in the crowd went wild when they saw NFPA’s firedog onscreen. Sparky’s 65th birthday Bucket List campaign has just gotten underway – keep track of the old dog’s adventures on his 65th Birthday Bucket List site.

The Scottsdale experience: benefits of a 30-year ordinance to sprinkler new homes

Anyone doubting the long-term benefits of a fire sprinkler ordinance need only look to Scottsdale, Arizona. Since it went into effect in 1986, the ordinance has had a hand in saving lives and property; the city's fire losses, for example, are a third less than the national average. As for the myth that "fire sprinkler requirements will place the fire service out of business," the number of Scottsdale's fire stations and firefighters has increased since the ordinance took effect 30 years ago. In this new video by NFPA's Fire Sprinkler Initiative, Jim Ford, fire marshal for the Scottsdale Fire Department,...

Today in fire history: 19 die in Chicago hotel fire

An early morning fire on March 14, 1981 resulted in the deaths of 19 tenants, and injuries to 13 other persons (including two police officers). The fire began in a first-floor laundry room and quickly spread to a nearby stairway, which trapped many of the 62 occupants of the four-story residential hotel. The Chicago Fire Department first received a telephoned report of smoke at 2:59 a.m. When they arrived at 3:02 a.m. they found the rear stairway of the hotel fully involved. Rescue operations were made difficult by the extensive fire involvement, thick black smoke, and the loss of the...

Today in fire history: 19 die in Chicago hotel fire

An early morning fire on March 14, 1981 resulted in the deaths of 19 tenants, and injuries to 13 other persons (including two police officers). The fire began in a first-floor laundry room and quickly spread to a nearby stairway, which trapped many of the 62 occupants of the four-story residential hotel. The Chicago Fire Department first received a telephoned report of smoke at 2:59 a.m. When they arrived at 3:02 a.m. they found the rear stairway of the hotel fully involved. Rescue operations were made difficult by the extensive fire involvement, thick black smoke, and the loss of the...