NFPA, Home Fire Sprinkler Coalition Announce Bringing Home Safety Advocacy Award Recipients
Sean Tracey, FIFireE, HFSC Canada Chair, and Mayor Ken Branner of Middletown, DE, have received the Canadian and United States Bringing Safety Home awards from the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) Fire Sprinkler Initiative and the Home Fire Sprinkler Coalition (HFSC).
This award recognizes fire safety advocates in North America who work hard to raise awareness of the value of home fire sprinklers, educate decision-makers using HFSC and NFPA materials, and acknowledge that protecting all new homes might have a significant impact on community risk reduction and public safety.
Throughout his tenure as NFPA regional director, Deputy Chief of Education, Safety & Innovation with the Ottawa Fire Service, co-chair of the Codes Committee for the Canadian Association of Fire Chiefs, and most recently chair of HFSC Canada, Tracey has continuously prioritized home fire sprinkler education. His efforts have raised awareness and provided support for programs that have led to the installation of fire sprinklers in homes across Canada.
As chief of the local Volunteer Hose Company and as mayor of Middletown, Delaware, Mayor Branner was chosen for his lifetime dedication to fire prevention, public safety education, and community activism. Through policy measures, cooperation, and education, he made fire safety a top priority. His support for the Town of Middletown's adoption of residential fire sprinkler standards for new homes last year was one of the most significant instances of his leadership.
“Both Sean and Ken recognize the importance of educating consumers and various stakeholders about the life-saving benefits of home fire sprinklers,” said Lorraine Carli, who is NFPA's vice president of outreach and advocacy and the president of the HFSC. “Both have been committed and understand how to work effectively with others to make sure fire sprinklers are installed in new homes. Thanks to their efforts, citizens and firefighters will be better protected.”
As recipients of the Bringing Safety Home Award, both will each receive a $1,000 stipend to support further fire sprinkler advocacy and educational initiatives.
About the Author
Ryan Baker
Associate Editor
Ryan Baker is a writer and associate editor with prior experiences in online and print production. Ryan is an associate editor for Firehouse with a master's degree in sciences of communication from the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater. He recently completed a year of teaching Intro to Public Speaking at UW-Whitewater, as part of his graduate program. Ryan acquired his bachelor's degree in journalism in 2023 from UW-Whitewater, and operates currently out of Minneapolis, MN. Baker, also writes freelances for the Ultimate Frisbee Association (UFA) in his free time, while also umpiring baseball for various ages across the Twin Cities Metro Area.