SFPE Makes Careers Presentation to American School Counselor Association

The Society of Fire Protection Engineers (SFPE) made a presentation at the “Careers Your Students Need to Know About” session at the American School Counselor Association's (ASCA) 2009 Annual Conference. This presentation was given on June 28, 2009 at the Dallas Convention Center in Dallas, Texas. The purpose of the session was to help guidance counselors learn about exciting career opportunities that may not be considered by students.

During this presentation, the SFPE shared important information about the profession of fire protection engineering. Key messages that were developed by the SFPE Public Awareness Committee were shared with the guidance counselors. These messages include:

• Fire protection engineers use and science and technology to make our world safe from fire.


• Fire protection engineers are in high demand. The number of jobs consistently outweighs the number of engineers available to fill them.


• A career in fire protection engineering pays well, provides opportunities for world travel, and offers the chance to work in a variety of environments.


• Fire protection engineers make the world a better place.

For more information about career opportunities in fire protection engineering, visit the SFPE careers website at: http://careers.sfpe.org.

Chemistry of Fire Comes to New Zealand

The Soicety of Fire Protection Engineers (SFPE) New Zealand Chapter secured funding to include a complimentary copy of the Chemistry of Fire DVD in Issue 117 of New Zealand Science Teacher Magazine. New Zealand Science Teacher is published by the New Zealand Association of Science Educators (NZASE) and is circulated to schools throughout New Zealand. This issue also focused on fire and University of Canterbury faculty member Michael Spearpoint was invited to contribute an article on fire detection and another on the human behaviour to complement articles written by other fire experts.

To find out more, see the March, 2009 Issue of the University of Canterbury Department of Civil and Natural Resources Engineering Publication Fire Engineering (FE) News. Pictured above Michael Spearpoint, Roger Harrison, Jerry Chang and Charles Fleischmann prepare 5,000 Chemistry of Fire DVDs for distribution to New Zealand Science Teachers.

SFPE Participates in National Association of State Fire Marshals Annual Conference

The Society of Fire Protection Engineers (SFPE) staffed an exhibit booth at the National Association of State Fire Marshals (NASFM) Annual Conference. This event was held on June 19-21, 2009 in Redmond, Washington.

SFPE is working with the NASFM Science Advisory Committee to promote having fire protection engineers employed in each state fire marshal’s office.

“Having a Fire Protection Engineer (FPE) on staff is a logical step in ratcheting up the professionalism of our office,” said Maine State Fire Marshal John Dean. “ An FPE on staff provides a more even platform for discussions with design professionals and has become even more desirable now that we are dealing with performance-based design of structures.”

Pictured above is Oklahoma State Fire Marshal Robert Doke at the SFPE Exhibit Booth checking out information about SFPE and fire protection engineering.

More information about how fire protection engineers can be an asset in the state fire marshal’s office can be found on the NASFM website at: http://www.firemarshals.org/organization/science-advisory-committee/fire-protection-engineer-resources/.

Become a Fan of the Careers in Fire Protection Engineering Page on Facebook

The Society of Fire Protection Engineers (SFPE) now has a Careers in Fire Protection Engineering Page on Facebook. The purpose of this Page is to promote fire protection engineering as a career. It will provide a forum for practicing fire protection engineers to interact with people interested in becoming fire protection engineers. It will also have information about career related events and SFPE career related promotion materials.

If you would like to become a “Fan” of Careers in Fire Protection Engineering go to: http://www.facebook.com/careers.sfpe.org

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Article on Demand for Fire Protection Engineers in Daily Journal of Commerce

An article that discusses the high demand for fire protections engineers was published in the Portland, Oregon Daily Journal of Commerce on June 6, 2009. Two members from the SFPE Cascade Chapter were featured in this article.

To see this article go to:

http://www.djcoregon.com/articleDetail.htm/2009/06/09/High-demand-for-fire-protection-engineering-Survey-finds-that-even-in-recession-firms-are-struggling

SFPE Staffs Exhibit Booth at NFPA Conference and Expo

The Society of Fire Protection Engineers (SFPE) staffed an exhibit booth at the 2009 NFPA Conference and Expo. The expo was held on June 8-10, 2009 at the McCormick Place Convention Center in Chicago, Illinois.

“The exhibit was a great way to show the fire protection community how fire protection engineers use science and technology to make our world safe from fire,” said SFPE Engineering Program Manager Chris Jelenewicz. “It also gave our members the opportunity to network with SFPE Staff and other SFPE members.”

Pictured from left to right are SFPE members Dave Frable (US General Services Administration), John Devlin (Schirmer Engineering Corporation) and Bob Tabet (US Naval Facilities Engineering Command) networking at the SFPE exhibit booth.

SFPE Hosts Chapter Chat and Corporate 100 Forum at NFPA Conference and Expo

The Society of Fire Protection Engineers (SFPE) hosted a Chapter Chat and Corporate 100 Forum at the NFPA Conference and Expo. These events were held on June 7, 2009 at the McCormick Place Convention Center in Chicago, Illinois. These events gave the SFPE Board of Directors the opportunity to network with leaders from SFPE Chapters and Corporate 100 organizations. Topics related to growing SFPE membership, maintaining a licensure program for fire protection engineers and SFPE’s responsibilities as a member of ABET were discussed.

SFPE Welcomes Allan Freedman as New Executive Director

The SFPE Board of Directors has selected Allan Freedman as its 4th Executive Director. Prior to joining SFPE, Freedman was the Managing Director of the American Road and Transportation Builders Association (ARTBA).

“We are pleased to have found a solid professional to lead the organization that advances the science and technology that makes our world safe from fire,” said SFPE President Richard Davis. “He has the leadership skills that are needed to grow SFPE membership services globally.”

To find out more go to: http://www.sfpe.org/upload/090605_--_sfpe_executive_director.pdf.

SFPE Survey Shows Demand Still Smokin' for Fire Protection Engineers

A recent survey by the Bethesda, MD-based Society of Fire Protection Engineers (SFPE) of the largest employers of fire protection engineers found that although the current economic downturn has influenced employer’s decisions to hire additional engineers, the majority of employers who have tried to hire a qualified fire protection engineer over the past year have experienced difficulties. The majority of these same employers forecast continuing recruitment problems in the next 12 months and beyond.

“In spite of the economic conditions, the market for students graduating with a Bachelor of Science Degree in fire protection engineering is still extremely favorable,” said Marino di Marzo Chair of the Fire Protection Engineering Department at the University of Maryland, College Park. “Some of our graduates this spring have multiple offers."

To find out more go to: http://www.sfpe.org/upload/090529_demand.pdf.