September 14-17, 2010 Kellogg Hotel and Conference Center

The Michigan Fire Inspector Society is proud to announce the details of our 61st annual fall educational conference.  The four day conference will provide critical updates for fire inspectors and fire marshals on current trends and updates to various codes and standards.

The program includes a keynote speech from Wayne Powell, a true advocate of fire prevention, of the Marriott Corporation.  Programs will include trending topics such as green technology, hazardous materials, fireworks, and high profile fires.

Download the registration flyer and RSVP today.

Two Days of Must Have Training, the 12th annual Winter Conference

The Michigan Fire Inspector Society is proud to announce the details of our 12th annual winter education conference.  Held in East Lansing, the location is central to the State’s Fire Inspectors and the Kellogg Center provides an ideal location for education and training.

This two day event will dive into the critical changes to the 2009 International Building Code and the International Fire code.  Both documents are the backbone to the Michigan Building Code and are a must for fire and building inspectors!  Day 2 will take an in-depth look at sprinklers for residential occupancies focusing on multi-family residential setting and include critical information on proper design and installation in hotel and motel occupancies!

Tuesday, February 9

• 7:30 am Registration – coffee and pastries provided
• 8:30 am Welcome
• Update on the 2009 International Building Code and Fire Code (Instructor Robert Davidson with International Code Council)
• 11:30 am-1:00pm Lunch – on your own
• 1:00 pm Continuation – Update on the 2009 International Building Code and Fire Code 4:00 pm Adjourn
• 4:15 pm-6:30pm Reception with the Legislature – Kellogg Center – Red Cedar Room Please contact your local Representative and Senator and invite them to stop by

Wednesday, February 10

• 7:30 am Registration – coffee and pastries provided
• 8:30 am Sprinkler Requirement – Design, Installation, Testing for Multiple Family, Hotel/Motel & Residential (Dave Phelen)
• 11:30 am-1:00pm Lunch – on your own
• 1:00 pm Continuation – Sprinkler Requirement – Design, Installation, Testing for Multiple Family, Hotel/Motel & Residential; 3:00 pm Adjourn

Continuing Education Points:

There will be 11 continuing education points for the entire program. In order to receive these points, attendance forms will be collected at the end of each session.  In addition the ICC has applied for 3 hours of CE points with the Bureau of Construction Codes for February 9, 2010.

Download the Registration Form

MFIS Highlights Outstanding Achievements and Brings in a New Board

The Michigan Fire Inspector’s Society honored several members and guests at the 60th annual awards banquet during the conference this last week.  On September 24, 2009 the society handed out its highest awards, awarded its first burn survivor scholarship, and moved new leadership into the board.

The Society honored Fire Marshal Jim Hutchison from Wyoming Fire Department with the Honor of Fire Inspector of the Year.  President Norm Hosko noted that Fire Marshal Hutchison had given to the Society over the years serving on our code development committee, administration of the MFIS store, and for outstanding service to the residents and business of Wyoming.

• Previous awardees for the Fire Inspector of the Year

The Firemen Larry, Public Educator of the Year was awarded to Fire Inspector Peter Vlahos of the

Bloomfield Township Fire Department.  Over an eight-week span, Peter guides the youngsters in each of 19 second grade classes in the school district through an informative study of a number of hazardous issues including fire and burn prevention, pedestrian safety, poisoning and choking hazards, and bus safety. The course ends with a visit to the Bloomfield Township Fire Department’s Smoke/Safety Trailer. Pete designed the educational program, which is based on the National Fire Protection Agency’s Risk Watch injury prevention program, including utilization of the Safety Smoke House and the Hazard House, in 2005 in collaboration with colleagues, the University of Michigan Trauma Burn Center, and the Bloomfield Hills School District. Its aim is to give children and their families the skills and knowledge to create safer homes and communities, and to deal wisely and calmly with emergencies that may occur.

• The Firemen Larry Public Educator of the Year is presented in honor of Fire Marshal Larry Zimmerman.  Previous awardees are shown here

The President’s Award was awarded to Fire Marshal Les Rodwell of the Howell Area Fire Authority for his continued passion for the fire service and continued efforts to many organizations over his varied 30 year career.  Fire Marshal Rodwell has served the Howell area as a police officer and firefighter for the last thirty years and the last eight as Fire Marshal.  He is a past president of the Michigan State Firefighters Association.  He serves on the Michigan Fire Service Coalition, the Code Development Committee, the Fire Code Review Committee, and the Planning Committee.  He also serves on the Livingston County Fire Chiefs Association as the Secretary Treasurer.

• View Previous President Award Winner

Many members of the Society have worked over the years to create a scholarship program to aid burn survivors in furthering their education.  The scholarship program became a reality when it was awarded to Joseph Klumstra as the first recipient of the award.  Joseph is a sophomore at Grand Valley State University and a lives in Ada Michigan.

Chief Dave Peterson of the Plainfield Fire Department and President of the Michigan Fire Chief’s Association administered the oath to the new board members.  The new board has set ambitious goals to help the society address many of the issues that are confronting the members.  The new board will be Michael O’Brian President, Kevin Abbasse Vice President, Ron Farr Secretary / Treasurer, Norm Hosko Past President, Brian Batten First Trustee, John Hager Second Year Trustee, Paul Dove Third Year Trustee, and Michael Evans from the City of Novi was elected to serve as the four year trustee.

September 22-25, 2009, at the Kellogg Hotel and conference Center

The Michigan Fire Inspector Society is proud to open registration on our 60th annual educational conference.  The program is packed with information for all inspectors and a great chance to learn from experts in the field.  This years conference is packed with updates that are critical for all inspectors and specific educational programs on light weight wood truss, battery systems, maintenance of sprinkler systems, and multiple workshop topics that can be catered to your experience and needs.

The program includes:

Tuesday September 22

• Welcome and update from the State Fire Marshal
• Keynote from Sean DeCrane on involvement in the code process
• Review of the local fire inspectors Authority
• Update on UL Services

Wednesday September 23

• Light weight construction
• Safe delivery of newborns
• NFPA 25
• Business Meeting

Thursday September 24

Attendees can pick 4 classes from the various six possible programs (morning and afternoon sessions).  Programs include

• Battery Safety
• Trends in Public Fire Education
• Sprinkler Calculations
• Large Project Case Studies
• Special Hazard Acceptance Testing
• Smoke Alarms, Photo vs Ionization, Did it Activate

Friday September 25

The final day of the conference is based on the current trend in Michigan.  The program is based on fire safety for the movie set.  As Michigan communities have seen a influx of various film related industries, Michigan’s fire inspectors should be prepared for the fire safety challenges a set can bring.

Download your copy of the form today and get registered!

Sign Up today or Sponsor a Hole

The 2009 Summer Meeting and Golf Outing is scheduled and you can reserve space for yourself or a foursome today! In fact we need your RSVP in the next couple of days!

WHEN: Wednesday, June 17, 2009 – Shotgun start 8:30AM SHARP
WHERE: Oak Lane Golf Course, Webberville (½ mile north of stoplight)

Golf/cart and/or dinner fee includes door prizes and gratuities. Prizes will be determined by the draw.

The format is 18 holes, 4-person scramble. After completion of your round, please turn in your scorecard at the clubhouse. Dinner will be served beginning, approximately at 1:30 – 2:00 PM.

Oak Lane has a take-out beer license, which requires all alcohol, consumed on the course, must be purchased at the course! Beer carts will be on the course or six packs at the clubhouse. Also proper attire is required; shirts must be worn at all times. NO COOLERS ALLOWED!!!

Remember: A maximum of 2 non-MFIS members will be allowed in each foursome. Anyone wishing to join the MFIS may do so by filling an application form and return it with the summer meeting registration.
Membership applications can be found on the MFIS web site.

If you plan to attend, please complete the form below, make checks payable to MICHIGAN FIRE INSPECTORS SOCIETY, and return before June5, 2009 to:

Kevin Abbasse – MFIS
2022 Engleside Dr. SE
Grand Rapids, MI  49546

*** GOLF LIMITED TO 36 TEAMS ***

If you have any questions, please call:

Kevin Abbasse at 616-881-9876 or 616-942-7854

We are offering selected organizations an opportunity to participate in the outing by sponsoring one or more of the 18 holes of the tournament. A Hole Sponsorship requires a $50.00 dollar donation to the MFIS Scholarship Fund, which will, in turn, post a sign on the tee(s). The sign wording will be “THIS HOLE SPONSORED BY (ORGANIZATION NAME)”. The sign will be of professional quality and the lettering sized accordingly.

All proceeds, after expenses have been paid, will be donated to the MFIS Scholarship Fund.

• 2009 Hole Sponsorship Form
• 2009 Golf Outing and Summer Meeting Registration

Our Winter Educational conference provided great insight into many topics which affect fire inspectors.  The conference was started with topics on fire fighter / community right to know, fire inspector safety, a local approach at the implementation, smoke management, and residential sprinklers.

The conference was a great success due to the participation of our members and provided another great opportunity for learning and networking.  Make sure you mark your calendars for the 2009 fall conference (the dates have changed from our typical time frame) as the planning committee is working hard to make this one of our best programs ever!

Here is one of the presentations from the Winter Conference

• Ron Brown with NFSA, Preparing for Residential Sprinklers
  
• Also if you would like to help serve on our residential sprinkler committee, drop us an email at help@mfis.org

The 59th annual MFIS conference is under way.  The morning program included opening remarks for President Major Metcalf, Kevin Abbassee, and Mike Larabel.  The morning session was highlighted with a key-note address from Mr. Ron Siarnicki the Executive Director of the National Fallen Fire Fighters.  Highlights from the weeks program will be posted and we hope you check back often.