Episode 3: North Carolina Fire Marshals Association Chapter Highlight
Release Date: 09/14/2023
Episode 13: Mike Whitsell – Iowa IFMA Chapter President
IFMA Podcast
Recently returning from the NFPA Conference and Expo, outgoing Iowa IFMA Chapter President Mike Whitsell talks about some of the legislative issues and succession planning challenges of being a fire marshal. We also discussed the new public awareness campaign “Don’t Chance Safety” which was unveiled at the NFPA Conference and Expo just last month. Any feedback, comments, or questions email
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Episode 12: Community Risk Reduction – The New Fire Prevention
IFMA Podcast
Community Risk Reduction entered the fire prevention terminology more than 20 years ago. What’s different about CRR? Karen Berard-Reed, Senior Strategist and CRR Lead for NFPA discusses the differences and what local fire safety advocates can use to meet the NFPA 1300 Standard for CRR Planning and Evaluation. Any feedback, comments, or questions email
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Episode 11: Maryland Chapter of the International Fire Marshals Association
IFMA Podcast
The most recent addition to the International Fire Marshals Association is the Maryland Chapter. Scott Custer is their President and joined me in this episode for conversations about the Federal Fire Service and current legislative challenges facing the fire prevention advocates in Maryland. We also discussed the importance and benefits of involvement with IFMA and other international organizations. Any feedback, comments, or questions email
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Episode 10: The National Carbon Monoxide Awareness Association
IFMA Podcast
Carbon Monoxide is an odorless, colorless, and toxic gas that has been called the silent killer. The National Carbon Monoxide Awareness Association is working hard in the codes and standards development areas to improve safety in locations where we may be exposed to this poisonous gas. Richard Robers is the Senior Industry Affairs Manager for Honeywell Fire and is an expert in the codes and standards development arena. Learn more about the NCOAA at Any feedback, comments, or questions email
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Episode 9: IFMA Partnerships and Opportunities
IFMA Podcast
In 2022, the IFMA Board of Directors set out on a strategic plan to improve relationships with other similar organizations in order to provide benefits to our members and work towards better outcomes in our fire safety and community risk reduction programs. Those efforts are paying off in 2024 when IFMA will partner with the National Association of State Fire Marshals for their 34th Annual Fire Prevention and Safety Symposium held July 29th – August 1 in Kansas City. In this episode, President Ken Tyree and NASFM Executive Director Butch Browning discuss the effort and mutual benefits to our...
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Episode 8: The Dunning-Kruger Effect
IFMA Podcast
Social scientist David Dunning and Justin Kruger published a study in 1999 that examined how people viewed their level of competence compared to their objective levels of competence. Their findings, and the implications in the field of code enforcement are explored in this episode where I speak with Tony Apfelbeck, Director of Building and Fire Safety in Altamonte Springs, Florida. Tony has been involved in code enforcement and development – including fire and building codes – for more than 20 years and is a frequent speaker on leadership within code enforcement agencies. Any feedback,...
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Episode 7: Florida Fire Marshals and Inspectors Association – Chapter Highlights
IFMA Podcast
In this Chapter Highlight episode, we hear from the hosts of the longest continuous fire prevention conference in the US – The Florida Fire Marshals and Inspectors Association. In addition to that history lesson, we hear about local challenges with retrofitting sprinkler systems in high rise buildings, and how the code interpretations process works in the Sunshine State. See what the FFMIA is doing today by visiting To learn more about either of these great groups, visit Any feedback, comments, or questions email
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Episode 6: IFMA California Chapters – Chapter Highlights
IFMA Podcast
California is a large state, and with a Northern California Fire Prevention Officers group and a Southern California Fire Prevention Officers group – both sections of the California Fire Chiefs Association – they are two independent but collaborative IFMA Chapters. To learn more about either of these great groups, visit Any feedback, comments, or questions email
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Episode 5: Steps to Safety with Kelly Ransdell
IFMA Podcast
Show Notes: During the IFMA Chapter Presidents meeting in June, we were scheduled to have a briefing from NFPA Regional Director Kelly Ransdell on the updated “Remembering When” program that is now “Steps to Safety”. Kelly’s interview had to be rescheduled due to a schedule change in Las Vegas, but she joined me virtually for this episode to share how the old program has become new again and how communities can prepare to support our aging populations. Any feedback, comments, or questions email
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Episode 4: The IFMA Codes and Standards Committee
IFMA Podcast
Members of the International Fire Marshals Association Board of Directors who serve as the Codes and Standards Committee discuss the importance of being involved in the standards development process and their experience in the recent NFPA Technical Session held in June. Join Ken Bush from the Maryland State Fire Marshals office, Nick Dawe from Cobb County, Georgia, and Kip LaMotte from New Brighton, MN for this interesting discussion. Any feedback, comments, or questions email
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This is the first “Chapter Highlight” episode! In this conversation with Chief Brian Kelly from Jacksonville, NC we hear about how the North Carolian Fire Marshals Association is getting the job done in the Tar Heel State, and how their chapter has been working on education to meet the new trends in fire protection and dealing with legislative challenges.
Make sure you subscribe on your preferred podcast platform so you won’t miss an episode, and follow IFMA on social media – on Twitter and Instagram look for @IFMA_NFPA and search for the International Fire Marshals Association on LinkedIn. IFMA Member can connect via the NFPA XChange platform.
Any feedback, comments, or questions email [email protected]