The IFMA Podcast

Richard Roberts from Honeywell Building Systems joins us once again to discuss in building communications systems and mass notification systems and the new UL listing standards that should be applied.   As always, we welcome comments, questions, and suggestions to the email address [email protected]. 

Show Notes: During the National Association of State Fire Marshals Conference in Orange County, California, we were able to get the thoughts and plans of the IFMA leadership for 2026. Joining us in this conversation are Justin Fianan, current IFMA President, Nick Dawe, current IFMA First Vice President, and Immediate Past President Laurie Christensen discussion partnerships, politics, and code development among other topics. As always, we welcome comments, questions, and suggestions to the email address [email protected].

NFPA recognizes an IFMA Member as "Fire Marshal of the Year" at the NFPA Conference and Expo every year since 2025. This year's honoree is the Fire Mashal from the Lansing, Michigan Fire Department – Jared Nisch. Fire Marshal Nisch has taken a community and collaborative approach to fire prevention and Community Risk Reduction and shares some of those philosophies with us in this episode.   As always, we welcome comments, questions, and suggestions to the email address [email protected].

Show Notes: We were all excited for the Fire Marshals Association of Minnesota being recognized as the Chapter of the Year back in June at the NFPA Conference and Expo and IFMA Chapters Meetings. They are a small but impressive group of professionals getting it done. Visit their website at www.fmam.org As always, we welcome comments, questions, and suggestions to the email address [email protected].

Show Notes: We are happy to welcome once more Kelly Ransdell, NFPA's Director of Public Education, to share some updates on that NFPA Division and what's coming up for Fire Prevention Week 2026. Make sure you register for the Fire Prevention Week webinar scheduled for August 13 by visiting www.fpw.org. As always, we welcome comments, questions, and suggestions to the email address [email protected].

Over the past three years, the IFMA Board of Directors have made efforts to recognize one of the 34 IFMA Chapters from across the US and Canada for their work in supporting the mission of IFMA as well as their members.   The process for selecting the chapter to be recognized has been assigned to several of our Past IFMA Presidents, and three of them are here with me today to talk a little more about the Chapter Recognition award and their thought process in selecting the past three award recipients.   We not only discuss their criteria for selecting the recipients, but overall benefits of being an IFMA Chapter. 

Recent incidents of fuel gas leaking into homes and businesses and the resulting fires and explosions has motivated legislatures to take action to monitor for and alert occupants to these hazards. The fuel gas industry saw the need for a new standard that prescribed how to accomplish this goal and NFPA 715 was born.   Richard Roberts an Industry Affairs Manager for Honeywell Building Automation and has been involved in the development of NFPA 715 and other documents. He shares his insight into the why and how this standard is developed and what a Fire Marshal should know going forward.   You can contact Richard directly at [email protected]  

IFMA focuses on three things: Code Enforcement, Fire Investigations, and Public Education. In this episode I'm joined by Kelly Ransdell, Public Education Director for NFPA and an Elizabeth Willi from Palm Harbor Fire/Rescue (FL) who was an NFPA Public Education "Rising Star" at the 2025 NFPA Conference and Expo.   If you know of a Rising Star in Fire and Life Safety Public Education, you can nominate them to participate in the 2026 Rising Stars Program. Contact your NFPA Regional Director or email me at [email protected] for more information.   If you want to connect with Liz, her Instagram handle is @Liz_onfire. 

NFPA 420 – A new standard addressing the unique hazards and environment associated with cannabis growing and processing is anticipated to be published in 2027. Joining me today with a preview of what that standard may be covering is Johnathan Carl, Senior Application Specialist for Fire Protection with Victaulic.   Johnathan's fire service background and passion for fire safety led him to be involved in the standards development process, and shares some of his personal insights about this new standard on the horizon.   Get in touch with Johnathan by email at [email protected]   To see the first draft of the NFPA 420 document go to www.nfpa.org/420   Any feedback, comments, or questions email [email protected] 

Our newest IFMA Chapter is truly International. From the Provence of Quebec, Canada, the Fire Prevention Technicians Association of Quebec is growing thanks to an innovative approach to getting new fire safety professionals in the game.   ATPIQ website: www.atpiq.org  Don't Chance Safety Campaign: www.dontchancesafety.org  Any feedback, comments, or questions email [email protected]