FSSA

IRS WANTS YOUR COMMENTS ON NEW 1099 REQUIREMENT

The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) is requesting comments on a new requirement in the health care reform bill enacted this past March that will require all businesses and tax-exempt organizations to issue a IRS Form 1099 to vendors from whom they buy goods totaling $600 or more annually.

The new requirement, which will take effect on January 1, 2012, is expected to have broad reach and, according to the National Taxpayer Advocate, "may impose significant compliance burdens on businesses, charities and government agencies."

American Institute of Architects Announce Changes

American Institute of Architects, Washington, has signed a five-year deal with media provider Hanley Wood, which includes replacing AIA's main magazine with a new title.

As reported in a previous FSSA white paper, the Copenhagen Climate Change Conference was held in December 2009. The intent of this meeting was to address the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions, including the commitments by major developing countries to begin emission reduction efforts. The conference also addressed de-linkage of some of the major developing countries, most notably China, from the "pay to play" diplomacy model. By that we mean in order to participate in future climate change agreements that are legally binding, large carbon emitters in developing countries, such as China and India, expect financial incentives to be paid by developing countries, primarily the United States.

Louisiana Economic Development Selects Roger Bourgeois

Roger Bourgeois, President of Bourgeois & Associates, Inc., was named a member of the Louisiana Economic Development (LED) Small Business Advisory Council (SBAC) as a representative of the National Federation of Independent Business /Louisiana.

Burden of Proof Raised in Employee Age Discrimination Claims

In a 5-4 decision, the U.S. Supreme Court made it more difficult for employees to prevail when asserting age discrimination as a reason for employment termination. (Gross v. FBL Financial Services, Inc., No. 08-441). The Court ruled that the Age Discrimination in Employment Act does not permit an employee to prove unlawful discrimination by offering evidence that his or her age was one of the factors that caused an employer to terminate employment or take other adverse employment action. What is required is evidence that the employee’s age was the decisive reason for the employer’s employment action.

Economic Thaw Stirs Employers

The economy is primed for a stronger finish to 2009 than most forecasters and business executives expected just a few months ago, prompting tempered optimism that employers may resume hiring early in the next year.

"Growth through October far outpaced our expectations," said Ben Herzon, an economist at Macroeconomic Advisers, a St. Louis forecasting firm that has been markedly optimistic. "It's not an aberration that is going to give way to contraction in 2010. It's the beginning of the recovery."

FSSA Educational Foundation Scholarships

The FSSA Educational Foundation awards scholarships annually to talented and worthy young people within the fire suppression industry.

EPA Honors Joe Senecal

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) honored Dr. Joseph Senecal with a Climate Protection Award for his role in the development and implementation of the Fire Protection Industry's voluntary code of practice to protect the climate by minimizing emissions of hydro-fluorocarbons (HFC) fire protection agents and the development of a method to measure HFC emissions by the fire protection industry.

FSSA Selects Camelback Inn as the Location for the 2010 Annual Forum

FSSA announced that the Camelback Inn, A JW Marriott Resort & Spa, Scottsdale, Arizona is the site of the 2010 FSSA Annual Forum, February 20 – 23, 2010.

"We are really excited about having our 2010 Annual Forum in Scottsdale and at the historic Camelback Inn," remarked FSSA President Gerry Connolly. "Our members will be pleased that we have negotiated a special $199.00 room rate that includes in-room Internet service as well as the resort fee. This is a great buy for all of our members."

"Phoenix Sky Harbor Airport is within 20 minutes," continued Connolly. "This makes it easier for our members to minimize airline connections and have more nonstop flights, saving time and money. Plus, the weather in February in Scottsdale, usually averages highs in the seventies."

Eckholm Serving as Public Policy Committee Chair

Bill Eckholm is the chair of FSSA's Public Policy Committee. Bill is the President and CEO of Firetrace International based in Phoenix, AZ. He is a founder and past president of FSSA.

Gerry Connolly, FSSA President stated, "I am pleased that Bill Eckholm agreed to head up this very important committee for FSSA. With his leadership and expertise in the fire suppression industry, he clearly is an asset for FSSA."

FSSA Awards Leadership Award to Ernie Horvath

This year's winner, Ernie Horvath, exhibited the qualities of industry leadership; the award was presented posthumously and accepted by his daughter, Deborah Horvath in Orlando, Florida. Through his career in the special hazards fire protection industry, Horvath consistently maintained high personal and business standards, and was recognized by his contemporaries in the industry. Nominated individuals must display dedication and longevity to the industry, business acumen, forthrightness and integrity while having a cooperative spirit.

Ernie was the founder and president of Reliable Fire Equipment Company that was started in 1955. The company has grown from a single truck to one of the largest fire protection distributors in the Chicago area. He was a charter member of FSSA and helped with the founding of the organization. He served in many capacities for the association including the Board of Directors and the Technical Committee.

BFPE's Pam Boyer is Featured in Smart CEO September Issue

BFPE's Pam Boyer is featured in the September cover story of Smart CEO. (http://www.smartceo.com/curissue/washington/stories/nextmove.html) The title of the story is "How Pam Boyer Poured Cold Water on Stereotypes in the Fire Prevention Biz."

In the article, Pam explains the history of BFPE and how Jim Boyer started the business in his grandmother's house in 1970. What began as a small fire protection company is now an international concern with 2008 revenues expected to be more than $70 million.

When Jim Boyer passed away in 1994 after a long battled with cancer, Pam was thrust in the leadership position. With a clear vision of being a company offering total fire protection, Pam has grown the business with more than 500 employees and seven offices in the mid-Atlantic region.

In the article, Rick Scott, BFPE Vice President and FSSA Director, says that Pam Boyer has a personal touch and knows every employee. The article also features a photograph of Pam in a company garden rededicated to the memory of founder Jim Boyer.

FSSA is truly pleased that BFPE International is one of the Charter Members of the association and continues to participate is FSSA activities.

Rivers Elected to SFPE Board of Directors

Paul Rivers, 3M Corporation and member of FSSA's Technical Committee, has been elected to the Socicety Of Fire Protection Engineers (SFPE) Board of Directors for the 2009 calendar year. Congratulations, Paul!

Straten for Congress

Roland "Rollie" Straten is running for the House of Representatives in New Jersey's 8th Congressional District. Rollie recently retired from Associated Fire Protection, (an FSSA member company) and passed the business on to his son in order to dedicate himself to studying the problems affecting his district and to proposing and implementing effective solutions for it.

Rollie is a licensed professional engineer, a licensed electrical contractor, and a certified fire protection contractor. He was an officer of the New Jersey Chapter of Fire Protection Engineers, served as President of the New Jersey Association of Fire Equipment Distributors, served as a Commissioner on the New Jersey Fire Commission and was a member of FSSA's Technical Committee. During his career, he was instrumental in drafting and passing the New Jersey law that governed the licensing of fire protection contractors.

FSSA thanks Rollie for his service and contributions to the assocaition, and wishes him well in his political journey. For more information, please click here.

FSSA Announces New Public Policy Committee

The FSSA Board of Directors announces the formation of a new Public Policy Committee. This committee will provide leadership and expertise for FSSA's public policy efforts and to help FSSA monitor those public policies related to FSSA's purposes. The Public Policy Committee will also identify, evaluate and monitor social, political and environmental trends, issues and concerns. The Committee will also assist the Board of Directors in analyzing these public policy trends and how they may impact fire protection activities and performance.

Shawn Mullen, FSSA President declared, "This is an important new committee. It will assist the Board in showing how FSSA can anticipate and adjust to public policy trends. As we know, there are many more societal pressures affecting our industry, and FSSA needs to be prepared. This is a good, solid step for us to take."

Protection of Class C fire hazards with Clean Agents

Although it is best to de-energize electrical equipment in the event of fire within such equipment, conditions do not always permit electric power to be disconnected. For example, there exist facilities where disconnecting electric power, even in case of fire, can have serious negative consequences. click here to read more

FSSA Scholarship Winners!

FSSA Educational Foundation Awards Six Scholarships to Students within the Fire Suppression Industry.

Final Disposition by DOT on HM-220D – Good News for FSSA

Charles F. Willms, PE, FSSA Technical Director announces GOOD NEWS for FSSA and FSSA Member Companies on HM-220D!
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Second Edition of the Pipe Design Handbook (P/N PDH-01) is Now Available

The second edition of FSSA's Pipe Design Handbook for Special Hazard Fire Suppression Systems is now available at a new price for purchase on this website in electronic format.
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Clean Agent Training Videos Available

FSSA is now selling a four-tape video training series on clean agent suppression systems. This series is a must for anyone involved with clean agent systems.
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Committees Need Volunteers

FSSA's success is due in part to a set of very active committees. Volunteering to participate in industry activities can be both beneficial and rewarding.
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