The IFMA Podcast

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] 

California has two IFMA Chapters representing the Northern and Southern regions of the state. Joining me today are Nick Otis and Nicole Pasqueira, the Presidents of their respective Chapters.   Check out the YouTube video of the California Battery ESS Symposium here – https://www.youtube.com/live/Q1yZFtaykiA   www.firepreventionofficers.org is their website.   Any feedback, comments, or questions email [email protected] 

NFPA Public Education Director Kelly Ransdell joins the IFMA Podcast once again with an update to the Steps to Safety Program and big news about the 2025 Fire Prevention Week theme – how it came to be and exciting new approaches to fire safety. Any feedback, comments, or questions email [email protected]

Recently returning from the NFPA Conference and Expo, outgoing Iowa IFMA Chapter President Mike Whitsell talks about some of the legislative issues and succession planning challenges of being a fire marshal. We also discussed the new public awareness campaign "Don't Chance Safety" which was unveiled at the NFPA Conference and Expo just last month. Any feedback, comments, or questions email [email protected]

Community Risk Reduction entered the fire prevention terminology more than 20 years ago. What's different about CRR? Karen Berard-Reed, Senior Strategist and CRR Lead for NFPA discusses the differences and what local fire safety advocates can use to meet the NFPA 1300 Standard for CRR Planning and Evaluation. Any feedback, comments, or questions email [email protected]

The most recent addition to the International Fire Marshals Association is the Maryland Chapter. Scott Custer is their President and joined me in this episode for conversations about the Federal Fire Service and current legislative challenges facing the fire prevention advocates in Maryland. We also discussed the importance and benefits of involvement with IFMA and other international organizations. Any feedback, comments, or questions email [email protected]

Carbon Monoxide is an odorless, colorless, and toxic gas that has been called the silent killer. The National Carbon Monoxide Awareness Association is working hard in the codes and standards development areas to improve safety in locations where we may be exposed to this poisonous gas. Richard Robers is the Senior Industry Affairs Manager for Honeywell Fire and is an expert in the codes and standards development arena. Learn more about the NCOAA at www.ncoaa.us Any feedback, comments, or questions email [email protected]

In 2022, the IFMA Board of Directors set out on a strategic plan to improve relationships with other similar organizations in order to provide benefits to our members and work towards better outcomes in our fire safety and community risk reduction programs. Those efforts are paying off in 2024 when IFMA will partner with the National Association of State Fire Marshals for their 34th Annual Fire Prevention and Safety Symposium held July 29th – August 1 in Kansas City. In this episode, President Ken Tyree and NASFM Executive Director Butch Browning discuss the effort and mutual benefits to our organizations and members. Learn more about the 34th Annual Fire Prevention and Safety Symposium by visiting www.firemarshals.org   Any feedback, comments, or questions email [email protected]

Social scientist David Dunning and Justin Kruger published a study in 1999 that examined how people viewed their level of competence compared to their objective levels of competence. Their findings, and the implications in the field of code enforcement are explored in this episode where I speak with Tony Apfelbeck, Director of Building and Fire Safety in Altamonte Springs, Florida. Tony has been involved in code enforcement and development – including fire and building codes – for more than 20 years and is a frequent speaker on leadership within code enforcement agencies. Any feedback, comments, or questions email [email protected]

In this Chapter Highlight episode, we hear from the hosts of the longest continuous fire prevention conference in the US – The Florida Fire Marshals and Inspectors Association. In addition to that history lesson, we hear about local challenges with retrofitting sprinkler systems in high rise buildings, and how the code interpretations process works in the Sunshine State. See what the FFMIA is doing today by visiting www.ffmia.org To learn more about either of these great groups, visit www.firepreventionofficers.org Any feedback, comments, or questions email [email protected]

California is a large state, and with a Northern California Fire Prevention Officers group and a Southern California Fire Prevention Officers group – both sections of the California Fire Chiefs Association – they are two independent but collaborative IFMA Chapters. To learn more about either of these great groups, visit www.firepreventionofficers.org Any feedback, comments, or questions email [email protected]

Show Notes: During the IFMA Chapter Presidents meeting in June, we were scheduled to have a briefing from NFPA Regional Director Kelly Ransdell on the updated "Remembering When" program that is now "Steps to Safety". Kelly's interview had to be rescheduled due to a schedule change in Las Vegas, but she joined me virtually for this episode to share how the old program has become new again and how communities can prepare to support our aging populations. Any feedback, comments, or questions email [email protected]

Members of the International Fire Marshals Association Board of Directors who serve as the Codes and Standards Committee discuss the importance of being involved in the standards development process and their experience in the recent NFPA Technical Session held in June. Join Ken Bush from the Maryland State Fire Marshals office, Nick Dawe from Cobb County, Georgia, and Kip LaMotte from New Brighton, MN for this interesting discussion. Any feedback, comments, or questions email [email protected]

Show Notes: This is the first "Chapter Highlight" episode! In this conversation with Chief Brian Kelly from Jacksonville, NC we hear about how the North Carolian Fire Marshals Association is getting the job done in the Tar Heel State, and how their chapter has been working on education to meet the new trends in fire protection and dealing with legislative challenges. Make sure you subscribe on your preferred podcast platform so you won't miss an episode, and follow IFMA on social media – on Twitter and Instagram look for @IFMA_NFPA and search for the International Fire Marshals Association on LinkedIn. IFMA Member can connect via the NFPA XChange platform. Any feedback, comments, or questions email [email protected]

Kevin Sehlmeyer – IFMA 2nd Vice President and Michigan State Fire Marshal gets to talk about how the IFMA Board will be communicating to IFMA Chapters and Members as well as possible new messaging that IFMA can share to make our members better informed and aware of the issues in the Fire and Life Safety Ecosystem that impact how fire safety professionals do their jobs. Make sure you subscribe on your preferred podcast platform, so you won't miss an episode, and follow IFMA on social media – on Twitter and Instagram look for @IFMA_NFPA and search for the International Fire Marshals Association on LinkedIn. IFMA Member can connect via the NFPA XChange platform. Any feedback, comments, or questions email [email protected]

In Episode 1, IFMA President Ken Tyree and 1st Vice President Laure Christensen share a little about their organization and some IFMA History as well as where the International Fire Marshals Association is heading over the next year. They also share information about our state and regional chapters and how to become an IFMA Member as well as how to get more involved in the Association. Make sure you subscribe on your preferred podcast platform, so you won't miss an episode. Make sure you follow IFMA on social media – on Twitter and Instagram look for @IFMA_NFPA and search for the International Fire Marshals Association on LinkedIn. IFMA Member can connect via the NFPA XChange platform. Any feedback, comments, or questions email [email protected]

Welcome to the Podcast for the International Fire Marshals Association. In this trailer episode, IFMA President Ken Tyree highlights the purpose and plan for how we will be highlighting the work of the IFMA Board of Directors as well as our Chapters and individual members.  We will be producing episodes about every other week and will show how being part of this association can help local fire professionals accomplish their mission of keeping our communities safe.   Make sure you subscribe on your preferred podcast platform so you won't miss an episode.   Any feedback, comments, or questions email [email protected]