James Burns Awarded 2009 Excellence in Fire Prevention Award

James Burns (center) was awarded the R. Wayne Powell Excellence in Fire Prevention Award at the 2009 PARADE Conference. Presenting the award are Wayne Powell (left) and Michigan State Fire Marshal Ron Farr

Emmitsburg, MD - A highlight of the 2009 PARADE (Prevention Advocacy Resources and Data Exchange) Conference held May 14-16 was the presentation of the R. Wayne Powell Excellence in Fire Prevention Award at the conference banquet. Wayne Powell is a former USFA and 30-year Federal employee who led the creation of PARADE . This year's award recipient is James Burns, former Administrator of the New York Office of Fire Prevention and Control.

During Burns' tenure, New York State developed a college curriculum for Fire and Life Safety, conducting more than 47,000 campus-related inspections. He was instrumental in promoting fire-safe cigarettes and, as a result, New York was the first State in the Nation, and the first organization in the world, to require all cigarettes sold in the state to meet a fire safety standard. Under his supervision, the State purchased three fire prevention trailers and "mobile" training units filled with public education tools and materials that have traveled extensively throughout the State to educate tens of thousands of children and adults in fire-safe living.

PARADE was established in 2003 to better assist America's state and major metropolitan fire marshals, and other representatives, in implementing effective fire prevention programs, conducting networking activities, and exchanging materials. For more information on PARADE and all U. S. Fire Administration programs and activities, visit the USFA Website at www.usfa.fema.gov

The United States Fire Administration recommends everyone should have a comprehensive fire protection plan that includes smoke alarms, residential sprinklers, and practicing a home fire escape plan.

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