ICC Fire Service Membership Council Announced

New Council replaces IFCC; will serve needs of ICC Members in the fire service

The International Fire Code Council (IFCC) is now one of five new, discipline-specific International Code Council Membership Councils: the Fire Service Membership Council. Since 2004, the IFCC has represented fire service interests related to codes and safety. The success of the IFCC served as a model for the development of the Membership Councils.

“As Chair of the new Governing Committee, I look forward to maintaining a close relationship with the Code Council and continuing to represent the fire service on many fronts, especially public safety, code development and firefighter safety,” Fulton Cochran, Henderson, Nev., Deputy Fire Marshal said, who served on the IFCC for three years and was its most recent chairman. “The new Councils will allow ICC Members to provide feedback to ICC.”

The IFCC attended Congressional Fire Services Institutes, made legislative advocacy visits to U.S. Senators and Representatives, and recommended training and certification programs to the Code Council. The group also forged ideas to increase participation in ICC Code Development Hearings and ways to support I-Code adoptions at the state and local levels.

The ICC Board-approved five discipline-specific Membership Councils are: Fire Service; Building Officials; Plumbing, Mechanical and Fuel Gas; Sustainability, including energy; and Global Members. Each Council will advocate for concerns and issues that are of particular importance to its discipline.

Through Governing Committees, the Membership Councils will:

• Build and improve relationships with stakeholders who have an interest in safe and sustainable construction;
• Provide opportunities to enhance the understanding, acceptance and adoption of ICC codes related to the Fire Service Council;
• Make recommendations for ICC training, certification and other programs related to the fire service;
• Keep ICC stakeholders informed and engaged in the association’s activities; and
• Act as an advocate for professional or technical interest areas and receive feedback.

Several members of the former IFCC applied for and were appointed to the Fire Service Membership Council Governing Committee. Scott Adams, Park City, Utah, Fire Service District, will serve as the Fire Service Membership Council Governing Committee Vice Chair. Members are Ronny Coleman, Fireforceone; Sean DeCrane, International Association of Fire Fighters; Jeff Shapiro, International Code Consultants; and Adolf Zubia, South Carolina Division of Fire and Life Safety and former ICC Board President. Governing Committee Members representing the International Association of Fire Chiefs are Eric Enriquez, Jackie Gibbs, Rick McCullough (IAFC and the city of Regina, Saskatchewan), George Michehl, Ernie Misewicz, Marc Sampson, Mark Showmaker and William St. Michel; National Association of State Fire Marshals representatives are William Barnard, Bruce Faust, Jon Roberts and David Tyler.

Details will be announced soon on how ICC Members may affiliate with the Fire Service Membership Council. There is no charge for participation and everyone interested in fire service matters is encouraged to get involved and enroll in the Council.

The International Code Council, a membership association dedicated to building safety, fire prevention and energy efficiency, develops the codes used to construct residential and commercial buildings, including homes and schools. Most U.S. cities, counties and states choose the International Codes, building safety codes developed by the International Code Council. The International Codes also serve as the basis for construction of federal properties around the world, and as a reference for many nations outside the United States.