THE NFPA FIRE AND LIFE SAFETY ECOSYSTEM IS A LITERAL ROADMAP FOR ANY ORGANIZATION TO FOLLOW. FROM AN ENTIRE NATION TO A SMALL BUSINESS, EACH OF THE EIGHT COGS OF THE ECOSYSTEM CAN BE ADAPTED TO THE ORGANIZATION TO MINIMIZE RISK AND HELP PREVENT LOSS, INJURIES, AND DEATH FROM FIRE, ELECTRICAL AND MANY OTHER HAZARDS. AS WITH ANY SYSTEM, IF A SINGLE COMPONENT IS MISSING OR BROKEN, THE ENTIRE SYSTEM CAN COLLAPSE. MANY ROOT CAUSE ANALYSES HAVE DETERMINED A SINGLE POINT, OR MULTIPLE POINTS OF FAILURE, THAT HAVE RESULTED IN TRAGIC LOSSES OF LIFE.
KENNETH BURSON
INTERNATIONAL SENIOR LIAISON, GOVERNMENT NETWORKS
NFPA
Mr. Kenneth Burson, we would like to get to know you. Could you share with us your story of transitioning from education to your professional career?
I began my career as a volunteer firefighter while I was still in my senior year of high school at 18 years old. I was immediately hooked. I was hired by my local city department as a full-time firefighter several years later. Eventually, I was offered an opportunity to work abroad as a civilian contractor for the U.S. Department of Defense. This role unlocked a much more aggressive and diverse training opportunity that never would have been possible with my municipal agency.
Eventually, with several technician-level certifications and years of experience, I was promoted in rank and given the opportunity to spearhead several major projects and specialty teams. In these roles, I discovered the need for constant training to remain informed on the most current techniques, equipment, and training methodologies. I like to think that my superior officers and mentors pushed me to maximum potential, and I appreciated them doing so.
I attacked every project with the same tenacity and desire to prove that the project could be accomplished and sustainable, even when many others had failed before me. I refused to let them down. I have been extremely fortunate to have some of the experiences, roles, and responsibilities that I have had in my career. It certainly took dedication and hard work on my part, but I feel that other people’s faith in my work ethic is the driver of success in my career, even when I could not see it myself.
As a training officer from the fire service, I adopted the perspective as a father and husband. The fire service gave me an occupation and mission. Becoming a husband and father brought that mission into even better focus for my life. Blending those two together, I strive every day to help thousands of other fire instructors around the world to provide the best training as we can.
To ensure that those we train are equipped to step into more seasoned roles and carry on the legacy into the future. But most importantly, I work every day to ensure that those that I can help will perform their duties to the best of their abilities and save lives, and most importantly, return home safely to their own families who depend on them as much as the populations they swore to protect.
I continue this mission with my role at NFPA (National Fire Protection Association), and in every engagement with our clients.
“CORPORATE AWARENESS OF DISASTERS HAS BEEN GROWING, BUT THERE IS STILL A NEED FOR INCREASED VIGILANCE AND PROACTIVE MEASURES. FROM MY INTERNATIONAL EXPERIENCE, IT IS EVIDENT THAT COMPANIES OFTEN UNDERESTIMATE THE POTENTIAL IMPACT OF FIRES AND EXPLOSIONS UNTIL THEY EXPERIENCE OR WITNESS A DISASTER.”
How did your path cross with NFPA? As a distinguished executive who has significantly contributed to the development of the Fire and Life Safety Ecosystem, could you talk about your role at NFPA?
I was working abroad for a client under a joint agreement with the U.S. State Department and a Ministry of Interior to advise and train a national civil defense organization. During this time, I tried to make myself useful in every capacity that I could, which involved a lot of networking, after hours meetings, and taking on extra projects to help others with similar missions.
During this time, I met with a different organization working with NFPA. As our missions were very closely aligned, I was happy to help provide insight and assistance from my own experience and perspective. Many months later, I was honored to give a workshop and be part of several technical sessions for a major regional conference and had the opportunity to meet many of the NFPA colleagues that I had only spoken to virtually.
Not terribly long after that, the same people that had become colleagues and friends approached me about the opportunity to work for NFPA and help connect NFPA and international clients with new and exciting opportunities for collaboration and agreements. As I deeply believe in what the National Fire Protection Association stands for, how and why it was formed, and how it continues to be the global leader in fire and life safety, I could not resist the opportunity to join the NFPA family.
My role as the International Senior Liaison of Government Networks is about being the bridge from my experience in emergency operations to our international clients who are looking to improve their own workforce with updated training, assistance with our constantly updated codes and standards, forward leaning safety initiatives, and in some cases help with conversations about government regulations and the needs of the fire and emergency services.
The NFPA Fire and Life Safety Ecosystem is a literal roadmap for any organization to follow. From an entire nation to a small business, each of the eight cogs of the ecosystem can be adapted to the organization to minimize risk and help prevent loss, injuries, and death from fire, electrical and many other hazards. As with any system, if a single component is missing or broken, the entire system can collapse. Many root cause analyses have determined a single point, or multiple points of failure, that have resulted in tragic losses of life.
“IMPLEMENTING A SYSTEMATIC, INFORMATION-DRIVEN APPRO ACH TO RISK ENSURES THAT POTENTIAL HAZARDS ARE IDEN- TIFIED AND MITIGATED BEFORE THEY ESCALATE. USING EMER- GENCY RESPONSE CHECKLISTS IS OF VITAL IMPORTANCE.”
My role with NFPA affords me the opportunity to speak with our clients from the perspective of experience as a fellow emergency responder. I have the opportunity to speak with them, learn about their systems, and understand their needs as a fellow firefighter. This is critical insight for both sides of the discussion. I can take the information from the client as an emergency responder and translate that information into the NFPA business world to find real solutions to their problems.
Do not misunderstand this to mean that we solve the issues for them. Rather, we have the chance to give our clients the tools and resources they need, with some guidance, to solve those issues for themselves. In my opinion, this is a successful model and one that I genuinely enjoy.
Importance of Using NFPA Codes and Standards as a Roadmap for Success in Areas Prone to Large-Scale Emergencies:
Using NFPA Codes and Standards as a roadmap for success is crucial for areas prone to large-scale emergencies. These guidelines provide comprehensive, science-based safety protocols that help mitigate risks, enhance preparedness, and ensure a coordinated response during emergencies.
They cover various aspects, including fire prevention, building design, emergency planning, and response strategies, thus fostering a culture of safety. The eight cogs of the NFPA Fire and Life Safety Ecosystem form the backbone of this roadmap. https://www.nfpa.org/aboutnfpa/nfpa-fire-and-life-safetyecosystem#ecosystem-watch
Government Responsibility: Government agencies may choose to align with current NFPA Codes and Standards to ensure a comprehensive framework for fire and life safety, promoting community resilience against large-scale emergencies through stringent regulations and oversight.
Development and Use of Current Codes: The continuous development, revision, and application of current NFPA Codes by subject matter experts comprising each technical committee guarantee that safety practices evolve with emerging risks and technologies, providing the most effective and up-to-date protections in emergency-prone areas. On average, the codes and standards are kept up to date on a 3-to-5-year cycle to ensure that the public is receiving the most up-todate information and guidance.
Referenced Standards: Applying referenced standards within NFPA Codes ensures a harmonized approach to safety, drawing from a broad base of expertise and proven methodologies to mitigate fire risks comprehensively.
“FOR COMPANIES, FIRE ENGINEERING BRINGS SEVERAL BENEFITS INCLUDING ENHANCED SAFETY, COMPLIANCE WITH REGULATORY REQUIREMENTS AND STANDARDS, AND BUSINESS CONTINUITY ENSURING THAT OPERATIONS CAN CONTINUE WITH REDUCED DISRUPTION FROM SMALL FIRE-RELATED INCIDENTS.”
NFPA codes draw upon the expertise of other entities that are subject matter experts in their own rights, such as testing laboratories or technical standards organizations. Many of these are also private, non-profit companies that publish voluntary consensus standards regarding specific products, materials, or services.
Investment in Safety: Commitment to investing in safety, including infrastructure and advanced safety systems as prescribed by NFPA Standards, is critical for reducing vulnerabilities and enhancing the overall preparedness of communities. Many case studies have proven that known issues were left unaddressed because of the perceived cost of solving the problem to prevent disaster. Many incidents could have been prevented by a much lower cost of investment in solving the problem. Decisions that were driven by these costs resulted in as much as 10 to 50 times more financial loss impact, and countless lives as
a result. It is ALWAYS cheaper to fix the smaller problems before they become disasters.
Skilled Workforce: A well-trained, skilled workforce, familiar with NFPA Codes and Standards, is essential for implementing safety measures effectively, conducting proper maintenance, and responding adeptly to emergencies.
Code Compliance: Strict adherence to NFPA Codes ensures that buildings and facilities meet the highest safety standards, significantly reducing the potential for catastrophic failures during emergencies.
Preparedness and Emergency Response: NFPA Standards provide detailed guidelines for emergency preparedness and response, enabling coordinated and efficient actions that save
lives and protect property during largescale incidents.
Informed Public: Educating the public on NFPA Codes and fire safety practices empowers individuals to contribute to a safer environment, enhancing communitywide resilience through informed and proactive behavior.
Corporate Awareness of Disasters and International Insights on Measures and Lessons Learned:
Corporate awareness of disasters has been growing, but there is still a need for increased vigilance and proactive measures. From my international experience, it is evident that companies often underestimate the potential impact of fires and explosions until they experience or witness a disaster. Key measures that should be taken include comprehensive risk assessments, regular safety drills, investment in modern fire detection and suppression systems, and ensuring compliance with relevant safety standards.
Lessons learned from global incidents highlight the importance of having robust emergency response plans, effective communication systems, and continuous staff training to handle emergencies efficiently. Corporations can and should adopt the NFPA Fire and Life Safety Ecosystem from a smaller scale that applies to their own organization. When each of these areas of the ecosystem are addressed internally, it helps to ensure business continuity in moments of crisis.
Recommendations for an Effective Emergency Management Structure:
An effective Emergency Management structure should include competent leadership. Middle and senior-level fire officers must be knowledgeable about potential risks and adept at strategic decision-making. They must also be comfortable with making decisions with many unknowns in developing incidents. This is not a time for rash decisions, nor is it a time for a lack of decision-making ability.
Implementing a systematic, informationdriven approach to risk ensures that potential hazards are identified and mitigated before they escalate.
Using emergency response checklists is of vital importance. Many tragedies have taken place because the incident commander thought that the scene was being effectively managed, and accountability of personnel was not an issue. Incident management checklists are readily available from many open sources, which can be adapted and modified to any agency for use to ensure that an incident commander is managing an incident in a systematic manner to ensure that critical tasks and assignments are being completed in the proper order, while also maintaining personnel accountability.
Regular training programs for all levels of staff to ensure readiness and proficiency in emergency response. This should include cross-training of personnel to understand each other’s roles.
Establishing clear and reliable communication channels for rapid information dissemination during emergencies. Do not overcomplicate this, however. It is far better to use communication discipline than to overcomplicate things by creating more communication channels. More is not always better!
Utilizing advanced technologies for risk assessment, monitoring, and response coordination. But beware that technologies have their limitations. Emergency management should use all the tools available.
“USING NFPA CODES AND STANDARDS AS A ROADMAP FOR SUCCESS IS CRUCIAL FOR AREAS PRONE TO LARGESCALE EMERGENCIES. THESE GUIDELINES PROVIDE COMPREHENSIVE, SCIENCEBASED SAFETY PROTOCOLS THAT HELP MITIGATE RISKS, ENHANCE PREPAREDNESS, AND ENSURE A COORDINATED RESPONSE DURING EMERGENCIES.”
Fire Engineering as a Corporate Feature:
Fire engineering is the application of scientific and engineering principles to protect people, property, and the environment from fire. It involves designing systems and processes to prevent, detect, control, and extinguish fires and managing the impacts of fire if it occurs. For companies, fire engineering brings several benefits including enhanced safety, compliance with regulatory requirements and standards, and business continuity ensuring that operations can continue with reduced disruption from small fire-related incidents.
Benefits of Using Artificial Intelligence in High-Risk Industrial Facilities:
Artificial Intelligence (AI) offers numerous benefits in identifying and extinguishing fundamental f
ire risks, especially in high-risk industrial facilities. These key features include systems that can analyze data from sensors to detect fire hazards, real-time monitoring of conditions, integration with other Internet-of-Things (IOT) devices to initiate fire suppression systems and evacuation systems and helps to ensure efficient resource allocation while supporting emergency response efforts.
Guidelines for Fire Volunteers During a Fire:
During a fire, the priority for fire volunteers is to stay healthy and safe while contributing effectively to the response efforts. Here are some guidelines:
Personal Safety: Always prioritize personal safety by wearing appropriate protective gear and adhering to safety protocols. This includes working in designated exclusion zones where the personnel are permitted to work, and not being drawn into other areas where they do not have the training or qualifications to operate.
Training and Preparedness: Ensure you are well-trained and familiar with emergency procedures and equipment. Remember, you can never know it all. Techniques, technology, and equipment are constantly changing. Vigilance, a quest for knowledge and willingness to keep up with these changing procedures and equipment translates to success and safety.
Clear Communication: Maintain clear and constant communication with the command center and other team members. If you do not understand the order, say so. If you cannot perform that task, say so. Remember, operational readiness is accomplished during training and education, not on the fireground. If you are not trained to perform what the order is, then the commanders and training officers have failed to equip you with the knowledge and training required to perform the job. Of course, this is a two-way street. If you have failed to put in the effort, no one can force feed it to you either.
Evacuation Assistance: Assist in the safe evacuation of individuals from the affected area.
Extinguishing Efforts: Engage in firefighting efforts only if it is a calculated risk to do so and within the scope of your training and capabilities. If you are not trained to this level, then you should not be part of this effort.
First Aid: Provide first aid assistance to those in need, if trained to do so.
Learn about the National Fallen Firefighters 16 Firefighter Life Safety Initiatives: These 16 initiatives were formed by major fire service representatives and have had a major impact on the emerging safety culture of the fire service. They have become the bedrock principles to ensure that firefighters return home safely at the end of every call and are referenced in several NFPA codes and standards. These NFPA codes and standards provide effective guidelines that support the implementation of each of the 16 initiatives and aim to improve safety and health outcomes for emergency response personnel..
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