June 18, 2009, Jasper, GA ... The Automatic Fire Alarm Association (AFAA) presented three individual 'Person of the Year Awards' at its Annual Breakfast on June 10, 2009, which was held in conjunction with the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) Conference & Expo in Chicago.
Recipients of the 2009 awards included Boyd Petty, Manager of the Licensing Section, Louisiana State Fire Marshal's Office; Lee Richardson, Staff Liaison to NFPA 72, NFPA; and Kathleen Almand, Executive Director of the NFPA Fire Protection Research Foundation.
AFAA presents awards annually in recognition and appreciation for significant, individual contributions made to improve fire and life-safety. This year, plaques were presented by Shane Clary, Chairman of the AFAA Board of Directors and Tom Hammerberg, President /Executive Director of AFAA.
Approximately 200 people were on hand to offer their congratulations at AFAA's annual breakfast and awards. According to Tom Hammerberg, "The event was a great success. We filled the ballroom at the Hyatt Regency, McCormick Place to honor the recipients and to listen to keynote speakers discuss the importance and the future of Mass Notification Systems (MNS). Speakers included Kenneth E. Lauziere, P.E., Office of the Architect of the Capitol; Wayne D. Moore, P.E., SET, FSFPE, Hughes Associates; and Thomas Van Essen, Former Fire Commissioner of NYC." Discussions also included changes to the next edition of the National Fire Alarm Code (NFPA 72) to include a new chapter on emergency communication including Mass Notification Systems.
The Automatic Fire Alarm Association (AFAA) is the nations foremost industry advocate organization dedicated to improving the quality, reliability and value of Fire and Life-Safety Systems.
Founded in 1953, it is the only national trade association dedicated to serving the smoke detection and fire alarm industry.
AFAA has 19 member associations nationwide and is dedicated to "Improving Life Safety in America" by promoting balance in fire protection. AFAA can be found at www.afaa.org.
For more information about AFAA visit our website: www.afaa.org
