February 1, 2016

Expanding on its commitment to help fire safety officials advocate for home fire sprinklers, NFPA’s Fire
Sprinkler Initiative launched a new grant program in 2015 aimed at ramping up sprinkler-related efforts across North America.
The Bringing Safety Home Grant assisted state sprinkler coalitions and other safety advocates throughout the United States and Canada by furthering activities showcasing the importance of fire sprinklers. Momentum around sprinkler advocacy continues to build as more and more residents and policy makers understand the value of installing these devices in new homes.
Since sprinklers can significantly reduce the risk of dying in the place where most fire deaths occur, the
Fire Sprinkler Initiative team felt that furthering grassroots efforts is key to eliminating these tragedies and bolstering nationwide acceptance of these devices in new homes.
Applicants applied for up to $10,000 to fund an extensive sprinkler campaign or project in their state or region, or to develop an array of educational endeavors that underscore the necessity of sprinklers.
NFPA developed a menu of options to choose from, but we also asked applicants to flex their creative muscle to develop something unique in their area.

Since the grant was taxable under IRS regulations, all winners were required to complete all necessary tax forms. We recommended that applicants structure their participation through an entity, such as a fire service organization, charity, or municipality, which has more limited taxation than an individual.


All grant recipients were required to fill out an agreement that the funds will be used for home fire sprinkler advocacy activities in 2015. Some exceptions were made.

Recipients needed to complete an end-of-year report detailing the activities made possible by the grant, how the grant was spent, the effectiveness of the funds, the reception of events or activities by the public and decision makers, and all other pertinent details.

All grant recipients were required to extend the educational benefits of their endeavors beyond a single event via outreach to local/national media and to share any audio, video, or text synopses to NFPA so these endeavors could be highlighted on the Fire Sprinkler Initiative site and NFPA’s social media channels.
The following reports were submitted by the recipients, as instructed in the grant requirements section.

Connecticut Fire Sprinkler Coalition

Fire Chiefs’ Association of British Columbia

Illinois Fire Sprinkler Coalition

Maine Fire Sprinkler Coalition

Massachusetts Fire Sprinkler Coalition

Michigan Fire Sprinkler Coalition

Missouri Fire Sprinkler Coalition

New Jersey Fire Sprinkler Coalition

New York Sprinkler Initiative

North Carolina Fire Sprinkler Coalition

Ontario Association of Fire Chiefs

Oregon Fire Sprinkler Coalition

South Carolina Fire Sprinkler Coalition

Texas State Fire Marshal’s Office

Utah Fire Sprinkler Coalition

Washington Fire Sprinkler Coalition

Connecticut Fire Sprinkler Coalition ($10,000)
Summary: The coalition hosted a local seminar focusing on water purveyor concerns that attracted more than 120 people. Since members of these groups tend to have misconceptions about sprinkler operation and performance, event organizers got them in one room to hash out their concerns and learn how sprinklers can be a viable option in all new homes. Matt Klaus, NFPA's principal fire protection engineer, joined Roland Asp, NFSA's Manager of Installation Standards, for a joint presentation on NFPA 13D. They addressed antifreeze concerns, sprinkler installation components, and the many steps the 13D committees have taken to reduce installation costs. We also held a side-by-side burn at the conclusion of the seminar which was well received. A number of members of the media attended the burn.
Fire Chiefs’ Association of British Columbia ($7,500)
Summary: In partnership with local building and planning associations, industry groups, fire service organizations, and local government representatives, the FCABC will lead the development and launch of the British Columbia Fire Sprinkler Coalition. The FCABC will support the coalition in hosting teleconference(s)/webinar(s)/workshop(s) to educate Association members and external stakeholders.
The FCABC will support the coalition in purchasing components to build branded sprinkler coalition travel kits, banners, and information materials for use at public events. The FCABC is also in support of the coalition hosting a one-day workshop with special speakers and experts to educate key internal and external stakeholders on sprinkler safety and benefits. We will develop a video supporting the use of home fire sprinklers in rural and/or volunteer-protected areas. Its anticipated completion is 2016.

Illinois Fire Sprinkler Coalition ($10,000)
Summary: We propose a two-part strategy for "Bringing Safety Home" grant funds:
1) distribute existing Home Fire Sprinkler Coalition and Fire Sprinkler Initiative education materials to all state senators and representatives, all 1,100+ fire departments in Illinois, and targeted local elected officials. We would also mail HFSC educational kits and NFPA stats and information to fire departments throughout the state along with a flyer encouraging them to join HFSC's free Built For Life Fire
Department Program, subscribe to NFPA's Fire Sprinkler Initiative e-newsletter, and participate in the
U.S. Fire Administration's "Fire Is Everyone's Fight" Initiative.
2) host an educational open house in a new home being built and protected with fire sprinklers. The second part of our proposal would include a "behind-the-walls" open house at a home under construction that is protected with a donated fire sprinkler. H F S C A N D N F P A Fire Sprinkler
Initiative education materials would be distributed, as well as local information on home fire sprinkler codes.
Maine Fire Sprinkler Coalition ($10,000)
Summary: The coalition hired an intern to conduct a comprehensive study of all communities in Maine to determine the town administration’s approach to community fire safety strategy as well as gather information on local ordinances that require installations of home fire sprinklers. To date, significant data and information has been obtained. This effort is on-going.
It was also determined that fire sprinkler demonstrations would be best served with a trailered side-byside unit.
Massachusetts Fire Sprinkler Coalition ($5,000)
Summary: The grant was used to conduct a side-by-side burn demonstration for state legislators in
Boston on June 23, 2015. The press was also invited. The morning began with a reception that allotted time for fire chiefs to mingle with representatives and discuss legislative bills pertaining to sprinklers that have been filed. Members were then bussed to Moon Island, the Boston Fire Department’s training facility, to watch the demonstration. The response from the politicians that attended the event was very positive, having seen firsthand the difference between a sprinklered room and an unsprinklered room.
Michigan Fire Sprinkler Coalition ($5,000)
Summary: The coalition hosted 55 fire, building, plumbing, and mechanical code officials for a one-day summit on December 4 in Howell that taught the basics of fire sprinkler inspection and plan review. The program was well received by the recipients and provided continuing-education points for inspectors.
Subject matter experts in attendance from Viking and Uponer truly complemented the summit’s agenda. There were numerous comments on the 2016 edition of NFPA 13D, which was provided by
NFPA.

Missouri Fire Sprinkler Coalition ($5,000)
Summary: The Missouri Fire Sprinkler Coalition created a statewide, advertising/educational campaign about fire sprinklers using print, online, social media, and video ads to showcase the benefits of home fire sprinklers. The coalition decided a marketing firm would best know how to reach people.
The materials are intended to raise awareness o f the benefits of home f i re sprinklers and encourage people to learn more about them.
Under the guidance of the coalition, the firm developed a variety of pieces, including a general flier , brochures for both consumers and developers, social media posts, e-blasts , and three PSA videos.
All materials have logos of the Missouri Fire Sprinkler Coalition and NFPA’s Fire Sprinkler Initiative as well as space for local fire departments or agencies to include their own . The program will offer a consistent message with the ability to be easily shared throughout our state. The main messages center on one of two slogans: What are they worth to you?, focusing on issues surrounding cost of fire sprinkler installation; and time matters, focusing on the issues surrounding the rapid fire dynamics in the modern built environment.
Bold! Marketing also developed news releases announcing the program, program guides explaining how to best utilize the materials, and campaign guidelines offering advice on how to use the materials in conjunction to build a local campaign.
New Jersey Fire Sprinkler Coalition ($5,300)
Summary: A fire sprinkler training class developed through the grant:
discussed home fire sprinklers in accordance with NFPA 13D, how they are different from
NFPA 13 and NFPA 13R, and some of the tradeoffs that make them attractive to the homebuilder.
was catered to the code official (firefighters and local leaders were also invited)
included a fire sprinkler burn trailer showing a live fire and how quickly a home fire sprinkler activates.
Included takeaways for guests.

New York Sprinkler Initiative ($10,000)
Summary: The coalition hired a sprinkler educator to integrate sprinkler awareness into public fire safety education activities and created a “sprinkler advocacy packet” for use during educational events that complemented localized, online resources.
Public education activities, including two live fire sprinkler demonstrations, were conducted using the grant funds.
The grant-funded sprinkler educator coordinated the logistics with the fire department and also answered questions from the public after the demonstration. The sprinkler educator also distributed copies of a sprinkler advocacy packet and other sprinkler educational materials, which were developed and reproduced with the grant award.
The grant award also allowed the sprinkler educator to develop the content of an online Home Fire
Sprinkler Advocacy and Awareness Toolkit. This toolkit is maintained on the NYSAFC website and includes links to sprinkler educational resources. The advocacy section of the toolkit includes a link to a sample letter that can be submitted to the New York Codes Council and talking points that can be used when addressing elected officials about sprinklers. The sprinkler educator adds new links and resources to the toolkit, as appropriate.
North Carolina Fire Sprinkler Coalition ($5,000)
Summary: The coalition has purchased a 46-inch monitor, DVD player, and HDMI cable to use at sprinkler displays and trainings. We also purchased an NFPA Fire Prevention Week in a Box for the exhibit at the Southeastern Fire Expo in NC in August. We had hundreds of fire service attendees talk to us at our booth.
We also purchased small beach balls with sprinkler logos that we used at several events held by the coalition to build awareness about home fire sprinklers. We also had an exhibit at the NC State Fair and the League of Municipalities and talked to many mayors, councilmembers, and county managers. We have used funds to order 500 golf towels with “Get to Know Fire Sprinklers” and the NFPA FSI logo/website. We also have ordered 200 lanyards with sprinkler info for the NC Fire and Life Safety
Conference where we’re also hosting a live burn demo.
Ontario Association of Fire Chiefs ($2,500)
Summary: The money received from the grant is assisting us in funding the Ontario Home Fire Sprinkler
Summit, which is taking place on June 23, 2016 at the Sheraton Toronto Airport Hotel. Fire service officials, industry experts, burn survivors, and safety advocates throughout North America will take part

in a one-day seminar which will provide participants with information, statistics, updates, best practices, and the overall benefits of home fire sprinklers. The overall outcome of the summit is to launch the
Ontario Home Fire Sprinkler Initiative, which will bring organizations together from all industries who will focus on advocacy, education, lobbying for change, and aggressively campaigning the public for home fire sprinklers.
The NFPA Fire Sprinkler Initiative’s Bringing Safety Home Grant will be allocated to the costs of hosting the summit. Costs incurred are for the venue, speakers, refreshments, and marketing will be allocated in 2016.
Oregon Fire Sprinkler Coalition ($10,000)
Summary: The Oregon Fire Sprinkler Coalition was awarded a $10,000 grant to fund a side-by-side fire sprinkler/flashover demonstration trailer for Southern Oregon. A flat car-hauler type trailer and building materials were ordered. The goal was to have the demonstration trailer built prior to Fire Prevention
Week so that a live fire demonstration could occur. The design was two 8’ x 7’ side-by-side rooms, one with a fire sprinkler head and one unprotected. Incorporated into the design was cement siding inside the rooms rather than the traditional sheetrock method. The desire was to have a less labor-intensive redo before each event. The coalition conducted a series of public demonstrations using the trailer.
South Carolina Fire Sprinkler Coalition ($10,000)
Summary: Purchased items for booths at local home shows and expos, including custom tabletop covers, folding tables, custom banners, and giveaway items with FSI and HFSC logos; paid for booth space and rental fees at home shows and expos, as well as hotel rooms during these shows; purchased demo trailer
Texas State Fire Marshal’s Office ($1000)
Summary: Purchased educational materials specifically related to fire sprinkler initiatives (a statespecific travel kit) that will be used across Texas in conjunction with other outreach efforts conducted in
2016 by the State Fire Marshal's Office. The kit was purchased in late 2015 and will be used throughout
2016.

Utah Fire Sprinkler Coalition ($5,000)
Summary: The coalition created a fire sprinkler demonstration trailer. Prior to receiving this grant we had a trailer fabricated and painted and the fabricator worked with us while we collected donations to pay him for his work. After a couple of years we had fallen short of the amount to pay for what had been done, and the trailer sat unused. Receiving this grant gave us the shot in the arm that we needed.
We rolled out the trailer in August during a community health fair. An official from another community was attending this event and witnessed this demonstration and wanted it at their event the following week. At that event, the scenario repeated itself, since an official in attendance wanted it in their city fair at the end of the week. The trailer was also used during Fire Prevention Week. To date there have been 17 separate demonstrations at 13 different events. We have estimated that more than 10,000 people have witnessed the demonstrations.

Washington Fire Sprinkler Coalition ($5,000)
Summary: In October 2015, a 58-unit poster campaign was launched inside the Sound Transit Sounder trains, which covers nearly 70 miles and spans three counties. These trains are not just used as a commuter train Monday – Friday, but are used for sporting events, such as the Seahawks and Mariners games. This campaign will run for one year.
It is difficult to measure public perception, opinions, and effects of this media campaign, as it is only two months in and research suggests that repeated exposure to the same messaging is what drives action, opposed to only viewing something a time or two. What we can say is that it is reaching nearly 15,000 commuters a day, sending the same message every trip.
Due to time constraints, it was determined and approved that the Washington Fire Sprinkler Coalition would execute the second part of the grant in 2016. The coalition decided to meet the target audience of elected officials and policy makers by reserving space at the annual League of Cities
Conference/vendor fair in June 2016. There will be more than 500 city leaders from across the state joining together for the city-focused agenda. National partners such as the Red Cross and Americorps will be there presenting, and it is the coalition’s hope to get on the agenda for 2017 and to use 2016 as an opportunity to introduce the coalition, educate elected officials and policy makers on home fire sprinklers, and make connections for future work.