Fire Research Needs Workshop Proceedings, San Antonio, Texas, October 13-15, 1999 (NISTIR 6538)

Published

July 1, 2000

Author(s)

William D. Walton, Nelson P. Bryner, Daniel M. Madrzykowski, James R. Lawson, Nora H. Jason

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.

Citation

NIST Interagency/Internal Report (NISTIR) - 6538

Report Number

6538

NIST Pub Series

NIST Interagency/Internal Report (NISTIR)

Pub Type

NIST Pubs

Download Paper

https://doi.org/10.6028/NIST.IR.6538

Keywords

fire research, building codes, fire departments, fire models, fire protection engineering, technology transfer

Citation

Walton, W. , Bryner, N. , Madrzykowski, D. , Lawson, J. and Jason, N. (2000), Fire Research Needs Workshop Proceedings, San Antonio, Texas, October 13-15, 1999 (NISTIR 6538), NIST Interagency/Internal Report (NISTIR), National Institute of Standards and Technology, Gaithersburg, MD, [online], https://doi.org/10.6028/NIST.IR.6538 (Accessed April 23, 2024)