Fire Research Needs Workshop Proceedings, Emmitsburg, Maryland, October 20, 1999.
Fire Research Needs Workshop Proceedings, Emmitsburg,
Maryland, October 20, 1999.
(102 K)
Walton, W. D.; Bryner, N. P.; Jason, N. H.
NISTIR 6539; 19 p. July 2000.
Sponsor:
Federal Emergency Management Agency, Washington, DC
Available from:
National Technical Information Service
(NTIS), Technology Administration, U.S. Department of
Commerce, Springfield, VA 22161.
Telephone:
1-800-553-6847 or 703-605-6000;
Fax: 703-605-6900.
Website: http://www.ntis.gov
Order number: PB2000-107360
Keywords:
fire research; building codes; fire departments; fire
models; fire protection engineering; technology transfer
Abstract:
As part of an ongoing effort to update and sharpen the
National Fire Research Agenda, the U.S. Fire
Administration in cooperation with the Building and Fire
Research Laboratory, at the National Institute of
Standards and Technology held two workshops to obtain
input from the fire community. The first focused on the
needs of the fire service and was held October
13-15,1999, in San Antonio, Texas. The proceedings of
that workshop are contained in NISTIR 6538. The second
workshop was held October 20, 1999, in Emmitsburg,
Maryland and focused on the needs of the fire protection
community beyond the fire service. Representatives of
professional organizations, trade associations, and
building code organizations were invited to present
their research needs. The recommendations of the
workshop participants have been separated into 5
categories: design, fire protection systems, fire
models, fire service and general recommendations. The
attendees identified 17 needs which the editors of this
report have recorded. The mission of the United States
Fire Administration (USFA) is to reduce life and
economic losses due to fire and related emergencies,
through leadership, advocacy, coordination with Federal
agencies, and in partnership with fire protection and
emergency services communities. Through Fire
Administration leadership, a National Fire Research
Agenda is developed with input from federal, state and
local partners. Using this agenda, with a commitment to
excellence, the USFA provides public education,
training, technology, and data initiatives as follows:
Public Education: Develops and delivers fire prevention
and safety education programs in partnership with other
Federal agencies the fire and emergency response
community, the media, and safety interest groups.
Training: Promotes the professional development of the
fire and the emergency response community and its allied
professionals. To supplement and support State and local
fire service training programs, the National Fire
Academy develops and delivers educational and training
courses having a national focus. Technology: Works with
public and private groups to promote and improve fire
prevention and life safety through research, testing,
and evaluation. Generates and distributes research and
special studies on fire detection, suppression and
notification systems, and on fire and emergency
responder health and safety. Data: Assists state and
local entities in collecting, analyzing and
disseminating data on the occurrence, the control and
the consequences of all types of fires. The National
Fire Data Center, which administers the National Fire
Incident Reporting System (NFIRS), describes the
Nation's fire problem; proposes possible solutions and
national priorities; monitors resulting programs; and
provides information to the public and fire
organizations. The Building and Fire Research Laboratory
at the National Institute of Standards and Technology
conducts research related to the measurement and
prediction of fire related phenomena and has a
memorandum of understanding with the Fire
Administration. The agreement calls for cooperation
between the two agencies in the areas of planning,
information exchange and technology transfer to improve
fire safety.
Building and Fire Research Laboratory
National Institute of Standards and Technology
Gaithersburg, MD 20899