International Fire and Safety Journal recently sat down with Telgian Executive Chairman Russ Leavitt to learn more about his recent appointment as NFPA Chair.  

The interview covered, not only Leavitt’s history in the fire protection industry, but also his history of service within NFPA, which began in 1992. He has worked (including serving as chair) on technical committees for more than a dozen codes and standards over 30 years. These include the Standard for the Installation of Sprinkler Systems (NFPA 13), The Standard for the Inspection, Testing, and Maintenance of Water-based Suppression Systems (NFPA 25), and the Code for the Protection of Cultural Resource Properties (NFPA 909). Leavitt has also served as an instructor for the NFPA Professional Development Education Series, a contributor to NFPA handbooks, and the subject matter expert for the development of live and on-line training programs.   

The interview also explores his plans for NFPA over the next two years during his tenure as Chair. Leavitt says, “I simply want to use my role as chair to continue to support the Association’s CEO Jim Pauley and his executive leadership team as they meet the challenges of an increasingly complex world.  NFPA is made up of stakeholders from all facets of the fire and life safety world including standards enforcement, firefighting and prevention, manufacturing, and risk management.  NFPA assists its stakeholders as they deal with issues such as the impact of climate change on fires in the wildland-unban interface, active shooter incidents, automatic retrieval storage facility fires, energy storage, and the introduction of codes and standards in the developing world.  The mission is wide ranging and dynamic.”

To read the interview in its entirety, please visit International Fire and Safety Journal.

To learn more, or for an interview with Russ Leavitt, please contact Susan McNeill, smcneill@telgian.com.