NFPA Journal - May/June 2019 - 58

International by Donald P. Bliss

THE NFPA VIEW ON
GLOBAL FIRE AND LIFE
SAFETY ISSUES

Signing Off
OUR GLOBETROTTING COLUMNIST OFFERS AN APPRAISAL OF PAST SUCCESSES
AND FUTURE CHALLENGES, ALONG WITH A BITTERSWEET FAREWELL

f I had to design the

As we continue to develop more digital
ideal job to close out my
offerings in multiple languages, it will
career, vice president of
be exciting to see how effective we are
field operations at NFPA
in accelerating improvements to the fire
would be it.
and life safety ecosystems where people
So it is with gratitude and sadness
are at the greatest risk.
that I will retire from the organization in
As proud as I am of my work and of
June. Although it's hard to say goodbye,
NFPA's global initiatives, I freely admit
I leave feeling confident that we are on
that there is still much more to do. The
a solid path to achieving greater fire and
World Health Organization has estilife safety for people around the world.
mated that 300,000 people around the
I feel optimistic in large part because
world die in fires every year, and that
of the incredibly smart, passionate, and
95 percent of those deaths occur in lowcommitted fire-safety professionals I
and middle-income countries. Millions
As proud as I am
have met all over the globe. Although
of people suffer permanent injuries as
of NFPA's global
there were plenty of times that I may
a result of fire, which is the fourth-larginitiatives, I freely
not have understood the language, I was
est cause of accidental injury worldwide,
admit that there is
always confident in the professionalism
after road accidents, falls, and drownstill much more to do.
and skill I saw on display. Wherever I
ings. Reducing these numbers in the
The World Health
traveled, fire safety is seen as a universal
next decade will be NFPA's most sigOrganization has
cause that transcends national borders,
nificant challenge, but I am confident
estimated that
political philosophies, and religious difthat those who succeed me will make it
300,000 people
ferences. Even in countries embroiled
happen. I look forward to reading about
around the world die
in political disputes, it was clear in
it in these pages.
in fires every year.
meetings with fire chiefs and fire-proLastly, I wish to say thanks. My expetection experts that collaboration to
riences have taught me that anyone
protect human lives was always far more
committed to fire safety is always hungry
important than the surrounding politics.
for knowledge, and always willing to
It is this collaboration and commitment
share their experience, research, and
that is required to reduce loss and death from fire worldwide. practices. It has been a joy to learn from so many wise and
Firefighters all over the world know this, and for that reason experienced experts, and I will be forever grateful to those who
I was always welcomed with open arms, from the smallest vol- have mentored me along the way. There has been so much to
unteer fire stations to the biggest metropolitan fire brigades. learn, and even now I feel like I've barely scratched the surThe fire chief of a capital city in Asia once told me, "We don't face. Thanks to the incredible members and staff of NFPA who
care what our countries think of each other-you are a fire- taught me the things that enabled me to be successful throughfighter, which means you are my brother."
out my career.
I am extremely heartened by the extent of NFPA's reach and
I never imagined that, four decades after joining NFPA as
impact throughout the world. Our brand and mission are well a member, I would have the honor of working for the orgaknown and well respected, and it is not an exaggeration to nization. My first day as an NFPA employee actually felt like
say that NFPA standards are the international gold standard a homecoming. No wonder my departure feels bittersweet.
for fire safety. Our research, training, public education, and
Firewise® materials are in high demand everywhere I travel. Donald P. Bliss is vice president of field operations for NFPA.

58 | NFPA JOURNAL * M A Y / J U N E 2 0 1 9

MICHAEL HOEWELER

I



NFPA Journal - May/June 2019

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of NFPA Journal - May/June 2019

Contents
NFPA Journal - May/June 2019 - Cover1
NFPA Journal - May/June 2019 - Cover2
NFPA Journal - May/June 2019 - 1
NFPA Journal - May/June 2019 - 2
NFPA Journal - May/June 2019 - 3
NFPA Journal - May/June 2019 - 4
NFPA Journal - May/June 2019 - 5
NFPA Journal - May/June 2019 - Contents
NFPA Journal - May/June 2019 - 7
NFPA Journal - May/June 2019 - 8
NFPA Journal - May/June 2019 - 9
NFPA Journal - May/June 2019 - 10
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NFPA Journal - May/June 2019 - 12
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NFPA Journal - May/June 2019 - Cover3
NFPA Journal - May/June 2019 - Cover4
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