Bob Hasting, 2011 President
It truly is an honor to serve as the 2011 President for the Firestop Contractors International Association. Over the years that I have been involved with the association I have had the privilege to get to know a number of individuals that share in the passion of our industry, these are truly valued friendships. I would like to thank Randy Bosscawen for his leadership and dedication for 2010 he accomplished a great deal and I appreciate the opportunity to continue the work he started
I look forward to working closely with the board of directors and the chairs and co-chairs of the individual committees to further the growth of the specialty firestop contractor industry. Our efforts as an association coupled with the design, install, inspect and maintain (DIIM) philosophy helps to achieve the ‘zero tolerance’ protocol we have adopted since our beginning.
Another year is upon us and changes are at hand. I believe our code consultant Bill Kofell put it very well in Arizona when he said that our association needs to return to our roots as the education provider of the industry. We need to emphasize to our membership, the AHJ’s, the building owners and the public the importance of passive life safety. Knowledge is the key to the DIIM process working in our daily business ventures.
I would like to personally thank all of the new and returning board members and committee members for volunteering their time to the enhancement of the FCIA. Additionally, I would like to thank all of our membership for their continued support and strengthening of our growing association.
Since this is an off year for the codes cycle it is a good opportunity to develop new relationships for the 2015 initiatives by educating those individuals to the zero tolerance procedures. We must continue to educate the local design; inspection and general contractor communities to help secure more work for specialty contractors.
The Accreditation Committee is striving to increase the number of FM 4991 Approved and UL Qualified Contractors which have both been successful programs. These ‘Quality’ programs, when correctly applied can provide benefits to the individual companies and to the industry as a whole.
The Apprenticeship and Technical Committees are working to produce education materials that can assist our membership. This year expect to see videos and instruction guides for the industry and the availability of our first production of the Firestop/Containment Worker apprenticeship training modules.
Our Standards Committee and individual FCIA members are working closely with ASHE, ASSE, ASTM and the UL STP; just to name a few, to develop standards and programs to increase credibility and quality control of our industry.
Wishing all the best for a great and prosperous 2011!
Sincerely,
Bob Hasting, 2011 President
Firestop Contractor International Association