Maine Fire Sprinkler Coalition
Meeting Notes
Tuesday, December 23, 2014
10:00 A.M.
1.
Welcome and Self-Introductions – Joe Thomas, Chairman. The meeting was
called to order at 10:00 AM with 13 people present and 2 on the conference
call line. They were:
Cammack, Jeffrey
Cotter, P
Guindon, Bill
Higgins, Tom
LaFond, Dave
Leach, Gerry
Martell, John
Murray, Mike
Nash, Bill
Pendleton, David
Schmidt, Vicki
Soltan, Charlie
Thomas, Joe
Travers, Tim
Veilleux, Marc
2.
MFCA Executive Director
Sanford, ME FD
ME Fire Services, SMCC
MFCA, Bangor FD
NFSA – via conference call
ME SFMO
PFFM – IAFF
State Farm Insurance
ICC – via conference call
Saco, ME FD
ME Fire Services - Buckfield, ME FD
ME Assoc. of Insurance Companies
ME SFMO
NFPA
MFCA, Sabattus FD, MUBEC
Discuss logistical needs for the February 2015 Hall of Flags day at the State
House and the Maine Fire Services Legislative Breakfast.
a. State House Hall of Flags, Tuesday, February 3, 2015 8:00 AM to
12:00 Noon
b. Maine Fire Services Legislative Breakfast - Senator Inn, 284 Western
Ave, Augusta, ME, Thursday, February 5, 2015 7:00 AM to 9:00 AM
c. Tables for exhibits will be supplied by the SFMO, various Coalition
members to man.
d. Information on home sprinklers. Tim Travers (NFPA) will supply some
handouts for the tables and a ME specific fact sheet. Gerry Leach (ME
SFMO) will supply some sprinkler heads and related products.
e. Maine fire sprinkler coalition banner to be made up by the ME SFMO.
f. Develop answers for questions.
g. Develop a matrix. E.g. Argument – solutions. Counter complaints on costs.
h. Other logistical considerations. The ME SFMO will provide a video monitor
and computer to show video of the “Marble Mountain Demonstration” or
other side by side demonstrations.
3.
Other items not on this agenda.
Charlie Soltan
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Spoke about a builder from CA that is renovating a home in his
community. He will reach out to him to see if he’ll be installing RS.
Mentioned that legislative committees have not yet been formed, the
fire issues usually are under the Criminal Justice Committee.
Provided the market share each of the insurance companies he
represents in ME.
Mentioned political newcomer State Senator Jeff Pierce, his district
includes Bath, Topsham, West Bath, Arrowsic, Bowdoin, Bowdoinham,
Dresden, Georgetown, Perkins Township, Phippsburg, Richmond and
Woolwich. Pierce, R-Dresden, said he is focused on bringing goodpaying, high-quality jobs to the state. Pierce, 50, was born and raised
in Augusta and works as a residential home builder specializing in
historic homes. Pierce has that while he is a Republican, what really
sets him apart is that he lives and works in his community and will put
the needs of the state and community before party affiliations.
Spoke about Fire services being one of the basic governmental
supplied public safety services. RS could be compared to the costs of
fire services, value of volunteer firefighter hours, the problem of
recruitment and retention of volunteer firefighters and the cost of fire
apparatus.
Michael Murray
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Stated that State Farm will be represented at both events in item #2
State Farm Insurance is offering 5% to 10% discount for RS in ME.
State Farm will educate their 60+ agents in ME on RS
State Farm will work with the SFMO on a PR article or news report
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Would like to get before the Fire Protection Services Commission to
seek legislative approval for a Study of the “Maine Fire Problem and
their Solutions.” Next meeting of the Commission is January 12, 2015
at 10:00 AM in the Judiciary Room on the 4th floor of the State House.
Bill Guindon
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Will provide some information on research of fire safety as it relates to
new construction techniques.
John Martell
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Wants a FS Contractor at the events, Joe Thomas says Gerry Leach
will attend and knows the business.
Wants the group to be prepared for questions on pump and tank setups, manufactured homes, & modular homes.
Wants to educate the legislature with Fire Operations 101 for the
legislature, city councilors, MMA, etc.
Joe Thomas
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Wants to know what’s happening in other State Coalitions, Tim Travers
will gather that information and try to get it in a matrix form.
Wants ME success stories, perhaps Gorham and Sanford have
something.
Why are some Towns adopting RS and not others?
Wants to identify one or several Builder Champions
Wants example of tax incentives for those that install RS, Tim Travers
will gather.
Community Risk Reduction should include RS requirements.
We have to educate ourselves and other advocates.
Vicki Schmidt
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Wants to get buyers educated
Exhibit at Home and Garden shows and events
Exhibit at Women and Children conferences
Exhibit and educate at Water Conservation conferences
Wants to capitalize on high profile fires with PR.
If we educate the public they will demand RS.
4.
Set Next Meeting Date: Tuesday, January 20, 2015 at 1:30 PM, Fallen
Heroes Conference Room, Office of the State Fire Marshal, 45
Commerce Drive, Augusta, ME 04333
5.
Meeting adjourned at 11:40 AM.