October 9, 2023 – The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) Fire Sprinkler Initiative and the Home Fire Sprinkler Coalition (HFSC) have awarded Kyle Kittrell, with the 2023 Bringing Safety Home Award. This award recognizes outstanding efforts by a safety advocate who diligently promotes the importance of home fire sprinklers. It honors fire safety advocates in North America who diligently promote the importance of home fire sprinklers and use HFSC educational material, NFPA data, and Fire Sprinkler Initiative resources to educate decision-makers about the importance of home fire sprinklers.
Jason Turner, Division Chief of Prevention, City Fire Department, nominated Kittrell because he was instrumental in convincing Habitat for Humanity to protect the 100-build home and future homes with fire sprinklers when he was a volunteer with the organization. Kittrell continued his mission in his current role as director at Transformational Housing. Kittrell educated about the life-saving benefits of home fire sprinklers and had the overwhelming support of local contractors and worked hard to see sprinklers installed in projects completed by both organizations. As a result, occupants and first responders will be protected from fire.
Kittrell is the first award recipient who is not a member of the fire service. He spent his career working as a civil engineer for the Missouri Department of Transportation. He had the opportunity to experience a live fire and sprinkler demonstration where two rooms were set on fire, one with a sprinkler. After he saw how quickly flashover occurred and how effectively the sprinkler controlled the fire, he was convinced people who live in the Habitat for Humanity Homes had to be protected.
“It is very powerful when someone who is not a member of the fire service hears about what they can do and becomes a true advocate,” said Lorraine Carli, HFSC Prescient and NFPA VP of Outreach and Advocacy. “Kyle learned about sprinklers and used our educational resources to educate others from the organization. Now both occupants and firefighters are protected thanks to Kyle.”
As the Bringing Safety Home Award recipient, Kittrell was awarded a $1000 stipend to further fire sprinkler advocacy and educational efforts. Fire Chief Matthew Schofield, Jefferson City Fire Department and Turner presented Kittrell with the award during the City of Jefferson Council Meeting.
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About the Home Fire Sprinkler Coalition (HFSC)
For 26 years, HFSC has developed and provided comprehensive, non-commercial, educational resources that highlight the life safety benefits of protecting homes with fire sprinklers. HFSC’s mission is solely educational and its materials are available to everyone at no cost through HFSC’s website: www.homefiresprinkler.org.
About the Fire Sprinkler Initiative®
The Fire Sprinkler Initiative®, a project of the National Fire Protection Association, is a nationwide effort to require the use of home fire sprinklers and the use of fire sprinkler requirements for new construction. Visit the Fire Sprinkler Initiative website at www.firesprinklerinitiative.org.
About the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA)
Founded in 1896, NFPA is a global self-funded 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 and standards, research, training, education, outreach and advocacy; and by partnering with others who share an interest in furthering the NFPA mission. For more information, visit www.nfpa.org. All NFPA codes and standards can be viewed online for free at www.nfpa.org/freeaccess.
