NFPA Journal - September/October 2017 - 20

Washington D.C. by Gregory B. Cade

NFPA NEWS FROM
CAPITOL HILL

The Good Fight
A FOND FAREWELL FROM NFPA'S HEAD OF GOVERNMENT AFFAIRS-
AND A RALLYING CALL FOR CONTINUED FEDERAL VIGILANCE

s head of the Government

down. This is especially true in advoAffairs Division at NFPA
cating for safety improvements and
over the last seven years,
regulation, where our successes over
I've had the honor of
the years have also had the unintended
working in our nation's
effect of breeding complacency. I often
capitol to build NFPA's influence with
hear our adversaries say we no longer
our federal partners. It is with mixed
need "X" because the problem no longer
emotions that I leave my post to accept a
exists-they tend to overlook why the
new role as NFPA's Mid-Atlantic regional
measure was enacted in the first place.
director. Before I officially sign off, howThe stakes are particularly high right
ever, I wanted to leave you with a few
now. The desire for less federal regulathoughts on where we've been, where
tion under the Trump Administration
we're going, and what I've learned during
means our efforts at the state and
I've worked to expand
my time leading NFPA's efforts in Washlocal levels need to be stronger than
NFPA's influence
ington, D.C.
ever. That's one reason I jumped at the
This job has made it clear to me how
chance to become NFPA's Mid-Atlantic
during my time
important it is for NFPA to be engaged
regional director and bring my expertise
in Washington, and
with decision makers. Looking back,
into that arena.
I believe we must
we've had many successes over the 2,555
I've often felt like a ringmaster trying
continue to be
days of my tenure, but to me the bigto keep all of NFPA's governmental
proactive. The battle
gest return on investment has been the
efforts moving at a proper pace and
is never ending, and
ever-increasing demand for NFPA's presdirection, but I couldn't have done
we cannot let our
ence at the table. The NFPA Government
it without NFPA staff support. I am
guard down.
Affairs Division phone is always ringing.
reminded daily how talented, knowlSometimes the caller needs accurate data
edgeable, and engaged the cadre of
to help inform a decision, sometimes they
people who work for NFPA truly are.
need an advocate, sometimes they simply
With the sheer number of NFPA codes
want to make sure NFPA isn't opposed
and standards, no one person can possito a measure. We get calls from the White House looking for bly have an intimate understanding of each, but I have been
NFPA's expertise and input in shaping policy initatives-every- able to connect inquirers with the right NFPA experts for the
thing from community resilience to new technologies such as answers-a required talent for anyone looking for success in
energy storage systems. We get calls from Congressional offices government affairs.
seeking help supplying their districts with disaster preparedIt has been my honor to work for you at the federal level.
ness information, and from federal agencies looking for expert I have also enjoyed providing my perspective in this column
witnesses for their projects. We get calls from other standard on the role of NFPA's partnerships with the federal governdevelopers, from nations across the globe, and even from con- ment and numerous other coalitions. The Government Affairs
cerned citizens trying to learn more about fire safety. The busy Division has worked steadily during my tenure to make sure
phone lines show NFPA's strong influence on fire and life safety that NFPA stakeholders voices are heard loud and clear on
policy at all levels of government.
the numerous safety issues that impact all of us, and I have
I've worked to expand that influence during my time in no doubt it will continue to do so long into the future.
Washington, and I believe we must continue to be proactive. The battle is never ending, and we cannot let our guard GREGORY B. CADE is division director of government affairs for NFPA.

20 | NFPA JOURNAL * S E P T E M B E R / O C T O B E R 2 0 1 7

MICHAEL HOEWELER

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of NFPA Journal - September/October 2017