Nfpa Journal Podcast

In 2019, a massive explosion rocked an energy storage facility in Surprise, Arizona, sending four firefighters to the hospital. With ever more powerful energy storage systems, or ESS, being installed across the world, researchers, firefighters, and manufacturers immediately understood that Surprise could be a seminal moment for the safety of this emerging technology.   Today on the podcast, we go over the details of the incident with the fire chief of the responding Peoria (Arizona) Fire-Medical Department (2:05). Then, we speak to the authors of an extensive UL report on the Surprise ESS explosion about lessons learned, and what advancements in research, training, and technology need to occur to ensure that firefighters are safe during future ESS incidents (16:11).   Links: On October 5, NFPA is hosting a workshop titled “Keeping Hazardous Environments Safe,”which will include a detailed discussion about the Surprise battery explosion with those who were directly involved. To learn more and to register, visi

It’s hard to believe that the September 11 terrorist attacks happened 20 years ago this month. Of the nearly 3,000 people killed at the World Trade Center, the Pentagon, and in rural Pennsylvania, more that 400 were emergency responders, including 343 firefighters.   On today’s podcast, we consider how that day forever changed the US fire service. First, we’ll look at the dedicated responder network FirstNet and how incident communications have been revolutionized since 9/11(1:02). Then, we’ll talk to two national leaders in the US fire service, who reflect on their own experiences in the aftermath of the attacks and tell us what they think are 9/11’s lasting legacies (23:44).

As the flying taxi industry readies for takeoff, critical fire, electrical, and life safety questions remain about the ground infrastructure needed to make commercial use of electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) aircraft a reality. On today’s episode, we discuss how NFPA is working to answer those questions with Rex Alexander, a veteran helicopter pilot and technical committee member for NFPA 418, Standard for Heliports. LINKS Read more from NFPA Journal: https://www.nfpa.org/takeoff

When home fire sprinklers are present, residents are 80 percent more likely to survive a fire, and yet they are installed in only a fraction of new homes. For the past 25 years, a group called the Home Fire Sprinkler Coalition has worked to increase sprinkler use in North America, despite fierce opposition from various home builders. On today’s podcast, we talk to the president of HFSC about its successes, the ongoing challenges, and new strategies for getting fire sprinklers installed in more new homes (1:38).   In the second segment, we talk to the director of the NFPA Fire & Life Safety Policy Institute about a free new online tool that aims to help communities assess their safety ecosystem, and correct safety gaps before they lead to bigger problems (30:37).   Links: homefiresprinkler.org nfpa.org/sprinklers nfpa.org/ecosystemtool

For much of the past year, NFPA researchers have been working on a gigantic project to collect and analyze the last four decades of residential fire statistics in the United States. While they found that fires and fire deaths have been cut in half since 1980, there are some aspects of the fire problem are actually worse now than 40 years ago. On this podcast, we talk to researcher Birgitte Messerschmidt about the successes, what these numbers tell us about fire in the US, and why some major challenges linger despite our best efforts.   Links: Read the full report: nfpa.org/fireprogress

Safety departments are awash with valuable community data, but figuring out how to use this mountain of information can be daunting. We talk to former Philadelphia Fire Commissioner Derrick Sawyer, one of the leading experts on Community Risk Reduction, about how fire departments can better use their data to create impactful programs to reduce risk. He also discusses a new digital tool out this month to help departments make sense of CRR. ALSO: A full day virtual workshop called, “Community Risk Reduction: Insights to Action,” takes place July 20, as part of NFPA’s 125th Anniversary Conference Series. To see a list of presentations and to register, visit nfpa.org/CRR-track.

Last week was the four-year anniversary of London's deadly Grenfell Tower fire. In today's episode we interview Kate Lamble, host and producer of a BBC podcast that for the past three years has followed the United Kingdom's government investigation into the fire, which killed 72 people. Plus, a conversation with NFPA researcher Birgitte Messerschmidt on the risk of facade fires globally and what resources NFPA has to offer. Links: Listen to the BBC's Grenfell Tower Inquiry Podcast: https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p066rd9t/episodes/downloads Explore NFPA resources related to facade fires: http://www.nfpa.org/exteriorwalls

In the United States, there's a fire in a building under construction or renovation every hour and a half, according to NFPA data. Today on the podcast, Angelo speaks with Kevin Carr (4:15), NFPA staff liaison to NFPA 241, Standard for Safeguarding Construction, Alteration, and Demolition Operations, to learn more about construction site fires and how to prevent them. Plus, a safety executive with a large Maryland-based construction company and the chair of the NFPA 241 technical committee weigh in on why they think NFPA 241 is underutilized and how that could change (22:24). Links: Read more about the 2022 edition of NFPA 241 and NFPA trainings related to construction site fire safety: https://www.nfpa.org/safetyfirst

There are nearly 2,000 fires in recreational vehicles per year, according to a recent report from the Fire Protection Research Foundation; meanwhile, RV use in North America hit an all-time high in 2020 due in part to the COVID-19 pandemic. On this episode, we talk to Doug Mulvaney, a director at Kampgrounds of America, and the chair of NFPA 1192, Standard for Recreational Vehicles, about what these trends mean, what the new Foundation report reveals, and how RV users can help prevent fire incidents (1:37). Then, we offer a primer on how to inspect your grill for gas leaks to ensure it’s safe and ready to go for the summer season (26:57). Links: View the NFPA Journal article and the Foundation report: nfpa.org/rvs nfpa.org/1192

May is National Electrical Safety Month. Today on the podcast, Derek talks to Electrical Safety Foundation International President Brett Brenner (3:01) about what the data says on who most often experiences electrical injuries and how, as well as electrical safety considerations in the age of electric vehicles and smart home technology. Plus, a conversation with NEC Correlating Committee Chair Larry Ayer (31:45) about how terminology remains consistent and coherent in the NEC.   On May 18, NFPA hosts a daylong conference on electrical safety. Learn more at nfpa.org/conferenceseries.

Today on the podcast, we look at how fire and life safety messaging is developed and spread. Who creates these important messages about cooking, candles, and changing the batteries in your fire alarms? How is the guidance updated as new information arrives and new threats emerge?   First, Robby talks to Kelly Ransdell (2:05), the NFPA staff liaison of the group responsible for crafting and updating safety messaging. Then he and Kelly speak to a representative from the NFPA Public Education Network about how these messages are spread to states and local communities (25:20).   Links: nfpa.org/publiceducation

More than a year after the COVID-19 virus closed buildings around the world, many large facilities are preparing to reopen in the coming months, including universities, gyms, theaters, and office buildings. It’s a unique situation, perhaps unprecedented, to have so many facilities all coming back to life at the same time after such a long hiatus.   On today’s podcast, we speak to fire protection engineer and code expert Bill Koffel about what the reopening looks like from a fire and life safety perspective, as well as the many ways that the pandemic may permanently alter safety standards and our built environment. Links: Nfpa.org/coronavirus csemag.com/articles/nfpa-101-and-covid-19/

In recent years, new insights into how structural fires behave have led to some of the most significant tactical changes the fire service has seen in decades. All of these lessons have been collected in a new document, NFPA 1700, Guide to Structural Fire Fighting, which was published last fall.   Today on the podcast, we talk to the two researchers who are perhaps most responsible for our current understanding of structural fire dynamics: Dan Madrzykowski and Stephen Kerber, both of the UL Firefighter Safety Research Institute. They discuss what their extensive research has revealed and how this knowledge has been collected and distilled into the new NFPA 1700.   Note: Later in March, look for free training on NFPA 1700 at nfpa.org/1700news. In April, look for a new NFPA Journal article on this topic at nfpa.org/journal. To read past coverage on this work, visit nfpa.org/firetactics.     Links: nfpa.org/1700 nfpa.org/firetactics nfpa.org/conference ulfirefightersafety.org

As cannabis legalization expands, hundreds of grow and processing facilities have emerged across North America in recent years, introducing a variety of new equipment and unfamiliar processes that regulators have had little time to prepare for.    Today on the podcast, we talk to Chris Witherell, a Colorado-based engineer and a leading expert on marijuana extraction equipment. His company has conducted thousands of inspections of cannabis processing facilities, giving Witherell unique insights about the state of safety in the industry and why regulating it can be such a challenge.   ALSO: Should NFPA pursue a new standard on cannabis grow and processing facilities? Public comment on a new standard proposal is being accepted here through March 31.    Links:  nfpa.org/cannabis nfpa.org/cannabisfiresafety

On February 23, NFPA unveiled a new initiative called Outthink Wildfire, a comprehensive strategy that challenges policymakers on all levels to take action to reduce loss from wildfire. Its ambitious goal is the complete elimination of community wildfire loss in the United States by the year 2050. What prompted NFPA to take this big step? How will it go about achieving it? What will it take to make this goal attainable?    NFPA CEO and President Jim Pauley stops by the podcast to answer those pressing questions and many others.    Learn more about Outthink Wildfire at nfpa.org/Outthinkwildfire.

Across the world, dozens of people each day suffer injuries from electrical hazards such as shocks and arc flashes. Survivors of these incidents list a range of devastating symptoms, from burns and chronic pain, to insomnia, muscle spasms, depression, and various other mental health issues. Many of the full effects of these injuries are still not fully understood.   Today on the podcast, our electrical expert Derek speaks with three renowned doctors from the Chicago Electrical Trauma Rehabilitation Institute about what a powerful shock can do to the human body, the treatments available, and how our understanding of these injuries is evolving.   Links: Nfpa.org/facesoffire   Nfpa.org/electricalsolutions/70e   Cetri.org

As building systems become smarter and more interconnected, cybercriminals are increasingly using them as an entry point to launch cyberattacks against businesses, hospitals, and other organizations. Potentially vulnerable targets include fire alarm systems, security systems, HVAC systems, fire sprinklers, elevators, and dozens of others.   On today’s podcast, Jesse talks to Tyler Robinson, an ethical hacker who has infiltrated all of these systems, to learn why these devices are becoming such a popular target for criminals, and what you should be doing right now to protect yourself.   Look for the NFPA Journal cover story on cybersecurity and building systems, out this February at nfpa.org/cybersecurity

There are more than 90,000 female firefighters in the United States, and nearly all of them wear personal protective equipment that was designed for a man. Not surprisingly, many women report that their gear doesn’t fit, which can lead to injuries and discourage women from entering the fire service.   On today’s podcast, Angelo talks to a researcher who is studying how ill-fitting PPE impacts female firefighters, as well as the prospect for developing a female-specific turnout suit (1:15). Then, Robby speaks with a fire captain in Michigan about her first-hand experience with the problems caused by ill-fitting gear (15:02).   Links: nfpa.org/journal nfpa.org/foundation

In response to growing concerns about PTSD and suicide among firefighters, the University of Illinois Fire Service Institute created the First Responder Resiliency Program in 2016. The goal is to prepare firefighters for the mental health challenges they face on the job, and to educate them on healthy ways to recover and grow, including asking for help when needed. At least 10,000 first responders have gone through the training, which has expanded over the years to include a four-hour course offered for free across the state.   In this episode, Robby talks to the program leaders to learn how it works, the impact it’s had, and tips for firefighters and agencies looking to break the stigma attached to mental health issues in the fire service. LINKS   IFSI Resiliency Program: https://www.fsi.illinois.edu/content/courses/programs/resiliency/   NFPA Journal articles on first responder behavioral health: https://www.nfpa.org/News-and-Research/Publications-and-media/NFPA-Journal/2019/January-February-2019/Columns/

In 2020, the COVID-19 pandemic has forced organizations across the world to rethink how they operate, and NFPA is no exception. Sometimes these unplanned experiments have led to new insights and new efficiencies. In this episode, we look at the ways that the pandemic has impacted the NFPA standards development and revision process, and what’s been learned along the way (1:01). Then, we take a look at the ongoing evolution of NFPA’s fast-growing training programs, and how the pandemic has sped up advancements in online learning (30:29).   Links: www.nfpa.org/process www.nfpa.org/regs www.nfpa.org/training