Fire Equipment Manufacturers’ Association selects Georgia State Fire Marshal for 2016 Fire Safety Advocate Award

Dwayne Garriss recognized for dedication to promote fire safety.

For his dedication in furthering the fire prevention profession, the Fire Equipment Manufacturers’ Association selected M. Dwayne Garriss, Georgia State Fire Marshal, for its 2016 Fire Safety Advocate Award. The annual award is given to a fire safety professional who has demonstrated a commitment to enhancing the safety of the public through innovative efforts, including legislative, educational, enforcement or other effective means.

“Dwayne Garriss has dedicated much of his career to fire safety, particularly to educating and training fire inspectors, fire marshals and other code officials,” said Bill Vegso, president of Fire Equipment Manufacturers’ Association. “Dwayne’s lasting commitment and ongoing efforts to promote fire safety through engineering, education and enforcement make him eminently qualified to receive this prestigious award.”

The president-elect of the International Code Council, Garriss served as the chairman of the Georgia Fire Safety Symposium for 21 years, providing leadership and guidance to the delivery of thousands of hours of training and education to fire safety professionals. In addition, he works as an adjunct professor at numerous colleges and universities, and serves as an adjunct instructor at the Georgia Fire Academy and several other educational endeavors.

During his nearly 28-year fire service career and five-and-a-half years as Georgia State Fire Marshal, Garriss has also been a member of Georgia’s Joint Fire Service Legislative Committee, the National Association of State Fire Marshals’ Model Codes Committee, ICC’s Joint Fire Service Review Committee and ICC’s Board of Directors, and served two years as president of the Georgia Fire Inspectors’ Association.

“I’m truly thankful and honored to accept this award and be recognized,” said Garriss. “This acknowledgement of my efforts to promote fire safety and fire engineering, education and enforcement to keep communities safe is truly appreciated. It validates the importance and impact we have preventing the tragic headlines that we do not want to see. I’ve had the pleasure to work with many inspiring leaders and incredible organizations throughout my career. This is a great honor and it will truly be cherished.”

Garriss will be formally presented with the Fire Safety Advocate Award during the Fire Equipment Manufacturers’ Association’s Annual Meeting this week (Oct. 12-14) in Charleston, S.C.