Sprinkler Age A Publication of the American Fire Sprinkler Association
As I step into the role of Chair of the Board of Directors for the American Fire Sprinkler Association (AFSA), I am both honored and excited to serve an organization that has been instrumental in advancing the merit shop fire sprinkler industry for over four decades. The trust you have placed in me is humbling, and I am committed to upholding our shared mission of safeguarding lives and property.
I am a fire protection contractor, and I started out in our industry by chance. Forty years ago, I was hired to work as a sales trainee at a fire sprinkler company. A childhood friend worked as a successful sprinkler fitter at the company, and he had put in a good word for me with the owner. I got the job, and I started in the fabrication shop. Eventually, I was a field helper, designer, estimator, and project manager. I didn’t have the skills to be a sprinkler fitter! Now, I am senior vice president of Hampshire Fire Protection Co., based in Londonderry, N.H. I am primarily involved in system installation. I especially like design-build projects. I am proud to work in our noble fire protection industry. Our AFSA membership provides vital benefits for our company.
As Chair, my priority is to sustain our great educational offerings and technical services to our members. Over many years, particularly in the last six years, we have improved and built up a robust Sprinkler Fitting training program, design school, technical webinars/workshops, and our ITM Inspector Development Program. We constructed a fantastic training facility and lab at our headquarters in Richardson, Texas. Many thanks to the vision and drive of our president, Bob Caputo, for this success. Our programs and services are developed and maintained with the expertise of our talented staff at AFSA. The expression “best in class” describes them perfectly.
We will continue to promote workforce development and foster collaboration and camaraderie among contractors, manufacturers, suppliers, design professionals, and Authorities Having Jurisdiction. I am dedicated to ensuring that AFSA remains a forward-thinking association, responsive to the needs of our members and the communities we serve.
As our industry evolves with new fire protection challenges, technologies, regulations, and market demands, AFSA remains steadfast in supporting our members with the resources, training, and representation needed to thrive.
I want to extend my thanks to the previous Board Chair, Linda Biernacki, for her leadership and to all Board members for their commitment to AFSA. Our successes are built on the collective effort of many, and I am confident that our continued partnership with our members will strengthen the fire sprinkler industry for years to come.
I want to extend my sincere gratitude to Larry Thibodeau, president of Hampshire Fire Protection Co., for his unwavering support of AFSA and the opportunities he has afforded me.
I encourage you to reach out, share your ideas, and stay engaged with AFSA. Together, we can shape a safer future and further our mission of protecting lives and property from fire.
Thank you for your trust and support. I look forward to working with you as we embark on this new chapter.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR: Paul DeLorie, senior vice president of Hampshire Fire Protection Co. in Londonderry, N.H., was elected Chair of the Board.