Sprinkler Age A Publication of the American Fire Sprinkler Association
I believe AFSA is the GOLD standard for training and educating the industry while promoting fire protection systems that save lives and property. This core mission brings our association the best of the best talent to our staff. Our newest superstar to join our team is Matt Klaus, as executive vice president and COO. I would like to extend a warm welcome to Matt and look forward to collaborating with him on our many projects. Also, congratulations to Josh McDonald, director of operations and training, for passing his P.E. exam! I am so proud of his hard work and dedication to accomplish this major step in his career. Fantastic job, Josh!
President Bob Caputo and I had a successful fire sprinkler international conference in Salzburg, Austria. As I mentioned in my last Chair’s Message, AFSA was invited to participate, as well as Bob presenting a seminar on NFPA 13. This was an excellent opportunity for us to introduce the many training programs we offer. The event brings all the European countries together for one common goal: to advocate and adopt fire sprinkler standards. This was an outstanding event that brought our countries closer together. Thank you to our hosts, Alan Brinson, European Fire Sprinkler Network executive director, and Chris Stason, Victaulic UK Ireland fire protection manager, for welcoming AFSA to Europe.
Our second quarter committee and Board meetings held April 28-30 were another dawn-to-dusk work session. The Legislative Committee, chaired by Mike Meehan, prepared and approved a position paper on NFPA 25 ITM regarding AHJs requiring ASSE certification versus NICET II ITM certification. The subcommittee’s position is clearly requesting equal consideration for acceptance of NICET II certification or ASSE certification. If you have a jurisdiction requiring only ASSE certification, the position paper is located on AFSA’s Legislaive webpage, firesprinkler.org/legislation. If you need our assistance, please contact Kevin Hall (khall@firesprinkler.org) or Bob Caputo (bcaputo@firesprinkler.org). Board Member Chris Johnson testified at the Florida House Career and Workforce Subcommittee, allowing our apprenticeship curriculum to be accepted under Florida guidelines, which gives funding back to the Florida Chapter providing the training. This is a big win for Florida, AFSA, and additional open-shop states. Thank you, Chris and AFSA Florida Chapter Executive Director Jessica Cox, for your time and dedication. Now, all that is needed is Governor DeSantis’ signature.
I am calling for all owners, presidents, and COOs to encourage your AFSA apprentices to start testing for the seven coveted spots in the National Apprentice Competition to be held during AFSA44 at the Gaylord National in Washington, D.C. Our current Apprenticeship & Education Chair and incoming Board Chair Paul DeLorie requested, and the Board approved, to increase the prize money for the apprentice competition winners. Now, the prizes are $10,000 for first place, $7,500 for second place, $5,000 for third place, and $2,500 for each remaining apprentice finalist. Paul emphasized this as “what AFSA is all about… training our apprentices.” The competing apprentices will be highlighted at our Awards Party on October 18. We have the best-of-the-best open-shop contractors; let us continue to show the country we have the best-trained fire sprinkler apprentices!
We have a great program, seminars, networking, along with a fabulous location, so mark your calendars for AFSA44, October 15-18, 2025. Hope to see you all there!
ABOUT THE AUTHOR: Serving as Chair of the Board and Region 5 Director, Linda M. Biernacki is the founder/president of Fire Tech Systems, Inc., Shreveport, Louisiana. Fire Tech Systems is an AFSA Quality Contractor, ISNetworld Certified, licensed in six states (Arkansas, Alabama, Louisiana, Mississippi, Oklahoma, and Texas). With over 33 years of experience, Biernacki provides industry experience, knowledge, and background. She is past chair of the NICET board of governors (June 2022-June 2023), past board member and current member of the National Society of Professional Engineers (NSPE) board of directors, past president and current board member of the Louisiana Fire Sprinkler Association (LFSA), represents AFSA on the NFPA 232 Committee for Protection of Records and is past AFSA40 Convention Committee and Membership & Chapter Development Chair. Biernacki is certified in NICET Level III Fire Protection Engineering Technology Water-Based Systems Layout and is certified by the Women’s Business Council Gulf Coast.