Sprinkler Age A Publication of the American Fire Sprinkler Association
America celebrated its 249th year of independence this year. What a privilege it is to live in this great land. God Bless America! The second quarter AFSA Board and committee meetings were held in Miami. Your committees and Board are diligently working to ensure that we provide the best of the best for you. As the Board and Committee continue to invest in our future workforce and create awareness for the fire sprinkler industry, I would like to ask our local chapters and NextGen groups to send the name and contact information of local career centers in their high schools. These groups are great resources to implement approval for our apprentice training in their school programs. Help us to help our future!
Congratulations to the North Carolina Fire Sprinkler Association for a successful 2025 Beach Bash. The AFSA chapters are showing up and showing out!
June 16-18, I attended the NFPA conference at Mandalay Bay in Las Vegas with AFSA team members Bob Caputo, John Denhardt, Matt Klaus, Victoria Valentine, Leslie Clounts, and Meda Merritt. Over 4,000 attendees were present, and I am pretty sure the event left its mark on Las Vegas.
July marks the midway point of the year. We continue to move in the direction of opportunity and success for AFSA, its chapters, and members. Invest in our success and get involved at the state and national level. Help us make a difference!
The Southern Fire Sprinkler Summit, hosted biannually by AFSA chapters Alabama, Arkansas, Georgia, and Louisiana, has grown to be very successful. This year’s event sold out, with 32 vendors and over 150 contractor registrants. We know how to have fun, but we don’t miss the training opportunities that come along with the fun. I greatly appreciate the hard work from each of these chapter leaders.
The third quarter Board and committee meetings in Salt Lake City is right after the summit. After those meetings, my schedule includes attending the NASFM (National Association of State Fire Marshals) Fire Prevention & Safety Symposium August 10-12 with Russ Leavitt to present NICET ITM certification requirements at its board meeting. August 21-22, I will attend the Florida Chapter’s Joint Legislative Planning Day.
The apprentice competitors heading to D.C. for the 2025 National Apprentice Competition will be announced soon. Congratulations to all 170 apprentice who participated. Be proud of yourself! I know your companies are proud of you! To the seven heading to Washington, you are vying for a coveted title; congratulations for making it to the convention. I look forward to the great competition. I am predicting AFSA44 at the Gaylord National in Washington, D.C. is going to be another record-breaking year. Hope to see you there!
Where do I begin with my accolades for the Young Professional of the Year, Madison Wolf? She is a woman who has it all and continues to climb the ladder of success. Congratulations on a well-deserved recognition! Our AFSA Advocate of the Year is Mac Beaton. He is the man behind the vision to turn an abandoned mall into a mecca location for trade learning. With the support of AFSA’s Virginia Chapter, he has educated students about our industry, implemented a sprinkler curriculum, and partnered with our members to put them to work installing systems. Congratulations to you both! Madison and Mac, you represent these awards in all facets.
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.