New
England
Concrete Masonry Association
New England / New York
Fire Safety Construction
Advisory Council
Lobbying Efforts Begin to Show Progress
Lobbying is often described as a marathon vs. a sprint. Nothing comes quickly or with out diligent effort. The work of FSCAC volunteers and out lobbyist is finally beginning to show some results with support being picked up from the Fire Chiefs Association of Massachusetts in a letter written to the Joint Committee on Elder Affairs in support of our proposed legislation to require Type 1B non-combustible construction in assisted living facilities. This support mirrors support forthcoming from a number of fire service-related organization across the country in our efforts to re-introduce the concept of balanced design into building codes and state regulations.
Progress is also being made on our proposal related to the review of emergency shelters with support forthcoming from the National Multiple Sclerosis Society, Central New England Chapter for our proposed language.
Fire Safety Cost Comparison Study
Work continues to distribute this valuable report to all appropriate parties. Recently the New England Society of Association Executives recognized this report and the effort that went into it at its Annual Meeting by awarding NECMA (on behalf of the NE/NY FSCAC) the 2007 NESAE Outstanding Achievement Award in Government Relations.
With a great deal of assistance from Mr. David Nickerson of Concrete Block Insulating Systems we are now making progress on the insurance cost analysis. Working with a representative Mr. Nickerson introduced us to at The Sullivan Group in Worcester, MA we have been able to start getting some numbers to review and work with. We continue to refine them to make sure they reflect the information that will make the most sense. In addition, Mr. Nickerson's contact is working to connect us with the appropriate individual at Factory Mutual Insurance, a recognized leader in fire insurance and research in hopes that they will be interested in becoming involved in our efforts.
Finally, work continues to resolve the issues that arose in the first pass of the energy & life cycle cost study. We currently are awaiting a response from Mr. Schneider to gather the information needed to make informed decisions on how to move forward.
Exhibitions & Other Promotions
New York representatives of FSCAC recently exhibited at FIRE 2007, Fire Industry, Rescue, & EMS Expo on June 14-16 in Lake George, NY sponsored by the New York State Association of Fire Chiefs. In the upcoming months we will be exhibiting at the First Annual Firefighter Safety & Survival Conference 2007 which will feature FDNY Deputy Chief (Ret.) Vincent Dunn, a strong supporter of our balanced design message. In addition, we will again be exhibiting and speaking at the New England Municipal Building Officials annual Education Day this fall.
Current NE/NY FSCAC Membership
A. Jandris & Sons, Inc.
A-Quick Pick Crane Service
BASF Admixtures Inc.
Bricklayers & Allied Craftsmen Union Local # 3
Camosse Masonry Supply
Chicopee Mason Supplies, Inc.
Connecticut Concrete Promotion Council
Foster Southeastern, an Oldcastle® company
International Masonry Institute
Lehigh Northeast Cement Co.
Mason Contractors Assn of Mass
Massachusetts Concrete & Aggregate Producers Assn, Inc.
Medway Block Co., Inc.
New England Concrete Masonry Association
New York Concrete Promotion Council
Norlite Corporation
Northeast Cement Shippers Assn
Oldcastle Precast, Inc.
Precast Concrete Association of New York
Precast Prestressed Concrete Institute Northeast
Rawson Materials, Inc.
Strescon Limited
W.J. Graves Construction Co.
W.R. Grace & Co.
Advisory Members
National Concrete Masonry Assn
National Ready Mixed Concrete Association
Portland Cement Association