March 30, 2010 is the Deadline to Submit Presentation Abstracts for the SFPE Engineering Technology Conference

The Society of Fire Protection Engineers (SFPE) is seeking high quality presentations to be presented at the SFPE Engineering Technology Conference being held on October 4-5, 2010 at the Astor Crowne Plaza in New Orleans, Louisiana.

The Engineering Technology Confernce highlights advanced and cutting-edge presentations on practices in fire protection engineering that are used to protect people, property and the environment from fire. This is the ONLY forum designed to address today's challenges in fire protection engineering.

Presentations will be selected based on quality and relevance to advancing fire protection engineering practice. Abstracts should be approximately one page and provide sufficient details regarding the scope, results, and applications to determine the quality and applicability of the engineering concepts that would be presented. Presentations should be noncommercial in nature.

Abstracts are due March 30, 2010. (Abstract Guidelines) Submit all materials to Julie Gordon, SFPE, 7315 Wisconsin Avenue, Suite 620E, Bethesda, MD 20814 USA or via email at jgordon@sfpe.org.

SFPE Member Makes Engineering Week Presentation at Arizona High School

As part of the Greater Phoenix Area Engineering Week activities, SFPE Professional Member Scott Grainger made two presentations about the profession of fire protection engineering at the Sunrise Mountain High School in Peoria, Arizona. Both presentations were made to the High School’s Introduction to Engineering classes.

“Both classes were very responsive,” said Grainger. “There were lots of questions and interest shown by the students and the teacher.”

If you or your local SFPE Chapter is interested in making a presentation about the profession of fire protection engineering at a local high school, please contact SFPE Headquarters at chris@sfpe.org if you need assistance.

SFPE Chicago Chapter Participates in DuPage Engineering Week EXPO

The Chicago Chapter of the Society of Fire Protection Engineers (SFPE) participated in the 26th Annual DuPage Area Engineers Week Expo. This event was held on February 20, 2010 at the Illinois Institute of Technology’s Daniel F. and Ada L. Rice Campus in Wheaton, Illinois.

The expo provides children and adults alike with the opportunity to experience and explore the many fields of engineering through a series of interactive displays and presentations.

“Local career events like this play an essential role in getting the message out that fire protection engineering is an exciting rewarding career,” said SFPE Engineering Program Manager Chris Jelenewicz.

During this event the members from the SFPE Chicago Chapter passed out numerous copies of the SFPE Guide to Careers in Fire Protection Engineering and the Chemistry of Fire DVD.

March 26, 2010 is Deadline to Submit an Application for the Sarah B. Bryan Memorial Scholarship

The Sarah B. Bryan Memorial Scholarship provides at least one annual scholarship award of at least $5,000 for female undergraduate students in the Department of Fire Protection Engineering at the University of Maryland.

Each applicant must:

• Be a female undergraduate with sophomore, junior, or senior academic standing in the
  Department of Fire Protection Engineering


• Have a cumulative grade point average of at least 2.5 grade points upon submitting her application


• Have a letter of recommendation from a faculty member in the Department of Fire Protection Engineering


• Have relevant fire protection experience

The deadline to submit an application is March 26, 2010. To find out more and to download an application go to http://sfpe.org/upload/fpe_s_bryan_scholarhsipbro_final.pdf.

European Students Can Still Apply for the Erasmus Mundus International Master in Fire Safety Engineering

The first application round for the International Master in Fire Safety Engineering (IMFSE) was a real success. More than 100 non-European students applied for the program.

The deadline for non-European students is now closed, but European students can still apply through the application forms available through this link.

The minimum graduate admission requirements are:

• A Bachelor's degree or a recognized equivalent from an accredited institution (minimum 3 years full-time study or 180 ECTS credits) in civil / structural / mechanical / electrical / chemical / industrial engineering, material sciences, chemistry, physics, applied physics, architecture, urbanism and spatial planning or a related discipline. Students in their last year of such a Bachelor programme will however also be considered.


• Sufficient English language ability.

The two-years program starts for the first time in September, 2010.

Further information can be found on: http://www.imfse.ugent.be

SFPE Participates in NASFM Green Buildings Working Group

The National Association of State Fire Marshals (NASFM) has received an Assistance to Firefighters Fire Prevention and Safety Grant from the US Department of Homeland Security for a project entitled "Fire Safety and Green Buildings: Bridging the Gap." Its objective is to develop and share information for both code enforcement officials and first responders to address the fire safety gap that currently exists in the interface between established fire safety practices and the new building technologies and criteria being employed in "green" building design.

SFPE is part of a Working Group that will advise on the project and develop an agenda for needed educational materials; development of an interactive forum/online clearinghouse for outreach and sharing of information; and guideline publications for use by authorities having jurisdiction and first responders.

To find out more visit the NASFM website at http://www.firemarshals.org/.

The SFPE LinkedIn Group Now Has Over 1,000 Members

The Society of Fire Protection Engineers (SFPE) LinkedIn Group now has over 1,000 members. It's been less then two years since the group was started and less than a year since this group became officially affiliated with SFPE.

According to LinkIn, LinkedIn is an interconnected network of experienced professionals from around the world, representing 170 industries and 200 countries. Members can find, be introduced to, and collaborate with qualified professionals.

“The group has evolved to a forum where people can get answers from the very experts in the field - something that I myself have found useful many times,” said SFPE LinkedIn Group Administrator Michael Stromgren. “I urge you to use this collaborative resource - start discussions, spread the news and connect!”

To find out more about this Group go to http://www.linkedin.com/groups?gid=96627&trk=hb_side_g.