People

AFSA Partners with Homes For Our Troops to Donate Residential Fire Sprinkler System Army Sergeant (SGT) Daniel Casara was severely injured when his vehicle flipped after rolling over an anti-tank mine in South Baghdad, Iraq, in September of 2005. Now medically retired, SGT Casara lives with his wife Basia and …

Email Discussion List is a Technical Resource for the Fire Sprinkler Industry Email discussion groups have become a popular way to ask questions, exchange ideas, and gather people with similar interests. Nearly 25 years ago, the American Fire Sprinkler Association (AFSA) introduced its SprinklerFORUM to the fire sprinkler industry to …

John Johnson, CFPS joins the Technical Services Department as its manager of ITM technical training. Johnson brings over 30 years of experience in the fire protection and fire suppression industries. Experienced in most aspects of fire protection he specializes in the design, operation, and maintenance of water-based fire protection systems. As manager of …

The American Dream Still Exists Jamil Shamoon lives by the “Golden Rule.” But treating others the way he’d like to be treated is far from the only reason for the 39-year-old, father of four’s success. As owner of Symons Fire Protection in Poway, California, Shamoon has worked in various positions …

Maryland State Fire Marshal Geraci Named Fire Sprinkler Advocate of the Year “Fire prevention is our most important service” is the motto of the Silver Spring Fire Department in Maryland, and a phrase Brian Geraci says has pushed his career down a path that includes being a vocal fire sprinkler …

The Industry’s Next Generation I was given the task of writing an article on a day in the life of a sprinkler fitter. Before I do that, I need to take a minute to acknowledge and pay respect to the pioneers and veterans of this industry because, without them, this trade …

Convention Committee in the Spotlight It’s no surprise that the biggest event of its kind in the fire sprinkler industry is also the biggest annual event for the American Fire Sprinkler Association (AFSA). AFSA39: Convention, Exhibition & Apprentice Competition is a gathering of fire protection professionals from across the globe, …

Members Support Specially Adapted Homes for Our Troops’ Home Army Specialist Carlos Gomez, who lost his right leg and sustained severe injuries to his back while serving in Afghanistan in 2011, is getting a home in Menifee, California, thanks to efforts by the national nonprofit Homes For Our Troops (HFOT) …

The Fire Sprinkler Industry Offers Many Opportunities When I was in second grade, I started a business creating and selling signs out of my basement. Granted, the only customers of my cleverly named “Sign Store” were my parents, baby sitter, and neighbors, but it was pretty legitimate for a company …

Committee Spotlight: Apprenticeship & Education Education and training were the foundations upon which the American Fire Sprinkler Association (AFSA) was created in 1981. The individuals who gathered to form this association believed that education and apprenticeship training should be available to all members of the fire sprinkler industry—not just union …