Fire Research Needs Workshop Proceedings, San Antonio, Texas, October 13-15, 1999.
Fire Research Needs Workshop Proceedings, San Antonio,
Texas, October 13-15, 1999.
(167 K)
Walton, W. D.; Bryner, N. P.; Madrzykowski, D.; Lawson,
J. R.; Jason, N. H.
NISTIR 6538; 47 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: PB2001-104053
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. At that workshop, 32
members of the fire service representing national fire
service organizations and a wide range of fire
departments in both size and location were asked to
identify the needs of the fire service. Areas of
emphasis included tire fighting operations, fire fighter
health and safety, large fire incidents, fire
mitigation, communications and information technology.
The attendees worked in two panels and identified more
than 100 needs and their relative priorities which the
editors of this report have recorded as presented by the
panels. 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. The
proceedings of that workshop are contained in NISTIR
6539. 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