Northern Illinois Fire Sprinkler Advisory Board (NIFSAB) News Release

ORLAND PARK, Ill., April 12 -- The Northern Illinois Fire Sprinkler Advisory Board (NIFSAB) is proud to welcome the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation (NFFF) April 14th as it crosses the country on its America's Fire Heroes Whistle-Stop Tour of 20 cities to help reduce firefighter on-duty deaths.

Under the banner "Everyone Goes Home," the motor coach bus tour will stop at the Lowe's of Orland Park (15601 South La Grange Road) at 12:35 p.m. for the Tour's Chicago-area anchor event, targeted at the general public and featuring fire safety information and activities for families. A separate training event for the fire service will be held in Tinley Park earlier that morning.

The Tour event will include presentations from officials, including personal remarks from Alison Coglianese Murphy, daughter of Chicago fire Lieutenant Edmund P. Coglianese, who died on duty in 1986. In support of the Whistle-stop Tour, NIFSAB has coordinated a dramatic side-by-side fire sprinkler burn demonstration to help attendees see first-hand the life-saving potential that fire sprinklers offer, not just for civilians but also for first responders. The demonstration is scheduled for 2 p.m.

Thousands of names of firefighters killed in the line of duty over the years emblazon the sides of the Tour bus, offering a poignant reminder of the powerful role that emergency responders play in our communities and the need for all of us to do more to make their vital role a safer one.

"Each year, nearly 100 firefighters die in the line of duty in America. I can't think of a more novel way to make this important point," said Tom Lia, NIFSAB executive director.

"As the NFFF Tour bus makes its way across our country, hundreds of thousands of people will see those names and give thought to the need for enhanced firefighter safety and health. We are happy to work with the Orland Fire Protection District, Chief Don Bettenhausen and Battalion Chief Bryant Krizik in our own hometown," Lia added.

Lia said they also welcome the expertise of the fire sprinkler fitters and technicians from Chicago's own Local #281 and Local #669.

The importance of residential fire sprinkler systems is included in the NFFF's 16 Firefighter Life Safety Initiatives, adoption of which are vital to achieving the U.S. Fire Administration's goal of cutting firefighter fatalities by 25% in 5 years. The Initiative reads: "Advocacy must be strengthened for the enforcement of codes and the installation of home fire sprinklers."

NIFSAB is a non-profit organization composed of fire officials, contractors, building officials, suppliers, architects, engineers, and manufacturers. NIFSAB is dedicated to educating and informing the public and elected and appointed officials of the vital role that fire sprinklers play in fire protection.

For more information visit http://www.firesprinklerassoc.org or the Orland Fire Protection District at http://www.orlandfire.org.