Fire service honored, International Code Council hosts delegation at annual event

The International Code Council was well represented when fire officials, legislators, code officials and others paid tribute to the nation's fire service at the 16th Annual National Fire and Emergency Services Dinner in Washington, D.C. This year's theme was "Preparing for the Alarm."

"This event is the perfect opportunity to honor the fire service for all they do for public safety in communities across America," said International Code Council Chief Executive Officer James Lee Witt. "In addition to fire fighting, the fire service is an integral part of our nation's building safety and fire prevention team, including code development and enforcement."

The dinner is organized by the Congressional Fire Services Institute. It serves as a fundraiser for the institute, which works to educate Congress about fire and life safety issues. The International Code Council has supported the event since 1992 and hosted three tables at this year's dinner.

Members of the U.S. Congress spoke, including Congressional Fire Services Caucus Chairman Senator John McCain (R-AZ) and other caucus leaders. Vice President Cheney was keynote speaker. Congressman Bob Etheridge (D-NC), author of the Hometown Heroes Survivor Benefit Act of 2003, received the CFSI Legislator of the Year Award.

Hosting the International Code Council delegation were board members, senior staff, government relations representatives and fire service activities directors. Board members included President Anne R. vonWeller, C.B.O.; Vice President Frank P. Hodge, Jr., C.B.O., M.C.P.; Secretary Henry L. Green; and Director Edwin M. Berkel, C.F.I. Senior staff in attendance were Chief Executive Officer James Lee Witt, Chief Operating Officer Rick Weiland, General Counsel David deCourcy, Senior Vice President of Government Relations Sara C. Yerkes and ICC Foundation President Paul E. Myers. Government Relations staff included David Conover, Richard Kuchnicki and Rhonda Lynn. Regional Directors of Fire Service at the event were Larry Bazaar, Mel Cosgrove and Daniel Lane, and National Director Jim Tidwell.

Members of the International Code Council fire service delegation included: Tom Brace, Executive Director, Minnesota Fire Chiefs Association; E.B. Burns, Executive Deputy Chief, Fort Worth (Texas) Fire Department; Dwayne M. Garris, Georgia Assistant State Fire Marshal; Jackie T. Gibbs, Fire Chief, Marietta (Ga.) Fire Department; Chief James Jackson, Chief of Fire Prevention, New York City Fire Department; Tom Lariviere, Fire Chief, Madison (Miss.) Fire Department; Mike Merwick, Director, City of Lincoln (Neb.) Building and Safety Department; Carol Gill Mulson, Deputy Chief, Fire Prevention, Eagle River (Colo.) Fire Protection District; Assistant Fire Chief Ron Spadafora, New York City Fire Department; Robert G. Stahl, Jr., Southampton (Pa.) Fire Chief; Robert J. Weitzel, Fire Chief, Green Township Fire Department, Cincinnati, Ohio; Lee Wheeler, Fire Chief, Renton (Wash.) Fire Department; and Doug Williams, Fire Chief, Rincon Valley (Cal.) Fire District.

Click here to view photos of this event.

The International Code Council, a membership association dedicated to building safety and fire prevention, develops the codes used to construct residential and commercial buildings, including homes and schools. Most U.S. cities, counties and states that adopt codes choose the International Codes developed by the International Code Council.