The IFMA Podcast

Hosted by Robby Dawson

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Latest episode

Aug 2026

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EN-US

About the show

This is a bi-weekly podcast of the International Fire Marshals Association, to enhance communication, share best practices, and promote collaboration among the fire prevention, investigation, and fire code enforcement community. Any feedback, comments, or questions email IFMA@NFPA.org

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25 recent

August 26, 2026Episode 2445 min

Episode 24: The 2026 IFMA Officers

Show Notes: During the National Association of State Fire Marshals Conference in Orange County, California, we were able to get the thoughts and plans of the IFMA leadership for 2026. Joining us in this conversation are Justin Fianan, current IFMA President, Nick Dawe, current IFMA First Vice President, and Immediate Past President Laurie Christensen discussion partnerships, politics, and code development among other topics. As always, we welcome comments, questions, and suggestions to the email address IFMA@nfpa.org .

August 11, 2026Episode 2322 min

Episode 23: NFPA Fire Marshal of the Year – Jared Nisch, Lansing, Michigan

NFPA recognizes an IFMA Member as "Fire Marshal of the Year" at the NFPA Conference and Expo every year since 2025. This year's honoree is the Fire Mashal from the Lansing, Michigan Fire Department – Jared Nisch. Fire Marshal Nisch has taken a community and collaborative approach to fire prevention and Community Risk Reduction and shares some of those philosophies with us in this episode. As always, we welcome comments, questions, and suggestions to the email address IFMA@nfpa.org .

August 3, 2026Episode 2231 min

Episode 22: IFMA Chapter of the Year 2026 – Fire Marshals Association of Minnesota

Show Notes: We were all excited for the Fire Marshals Association of Minnesota being recognized as the Chapter of the Year back in June at the NFPA Conference and Expo and IFMA Chapters Meetings. They are a small but impressive group of professionals getting it done. Visit their website at www.fmam.org As always, we welcome comments, questions, and suggestions to the email address IFMA@nfpa.org .

July 27, 2026Episode 2129 min

Episode 21: Fire Prevention Week 2026 with Kelly Ransdell

Show Notes: We are happy to welcome once more Kelly Ransdell, NFPA's Director of Public Education, to share some updates on that NFPA Division and what's coming up for Fire Prevention Week 2026. Make sure you register for the Fire Prevention Week webinar scheduled for August 13 by visiting www.fpw.org . As always, we welcome comments, questions, and suggestions to the email address IFMA@nfpa.org .

June 22, 2026Episode 2031 min

Episode 20: IFMA Chapter Recognition with Ron Farr, Steve Peavey, and Ed Altizer

Over the past three years, the IFMA Board of Directors ha ve made effort s to recognize one of the 34 IFMA Chapters from across the US and Canada for their work in supporting the mission of IFMA as well as their members. The process for selecting the chapter to be recognized has been assigned to several of our Past IFMA Presidents, and three of them are here with me today to talk a little more about the Chapter Recognition award and their thought process in selecting the past three award recipients. We not only discuss their criteria for selecting the recipients, but overall benefits of being an IFMA Chapter.

February 2, 2026Episode 1930 min

Episode 19: NFPA 715 Fuel Gas Detection with Richard Roberts

Recent incidents of fuel gas leaking into homes and businesses and the resulting fires and explosions ha s motivated legislatures to take action to monitor for and alert occupants to these hazards. The fuel gas industry saw the need for a new standard that prescribed how to accomplish this goal and NFPA 715 was born. Richard Roberts an Industry Affairs Manager for Honeywell Building Automation and has been involved in the development of NFPA 715 and other documents. He shares his insight into the why and how this standard is developed and what a Fire Marshal should know going forward. You can contact Richard directly at Richard.Roberts@systemsensor.com

December 8, 2025Episode 1822 min

Episode 18: NFPA's Public Education Rising Stars Program

IFMA focuses on three things: Code Enforcement, Fire Investigations, and Public Education. In this episode I'm joined by Kelly Ransdell, Public Education Director for NFPA and an Elizabeth Willi from Palm Harbor Fire/Rescue (FL) who was an NFPA Public Education "Rising Star" at the 2025 NFPA Conference and Expo. If you know of a Rising Star in Fire and Life Safety Public Education, you can nominate them to participate in the 2026 Rising Stars Program. Contact your NFPA Regional Director or email me at IFMA@NFPA.org for more information. If you want to connect with Liz, her Instagram handle is @ Liz_onfire.

November 24, 2025Episode 1725 min

Episode 17: NFPA 420 Soon to be Published Standard on Cannabis

NFPA 420 – A new standard addressing the unique hazards and environment associated with cannabis growing and processing is anticipated to be published in 2027. Joining me today with a preview of what that standard may be covering is Johnathan Carl, Senior Application Specialist for Fire Protection with Victaulic. Johnathan's fire service background and passion for fire safety led him to be involved in the standards development process, and shares some of his personal insights about this new standard on the horizon. Get in touch with Johnathan by email at Johnathan.Carl@victaulic.com To see the first draft of the NFPA 420 document go to www.nfpa.org/420 Any feedback, comments, or questions email IFMA@NFPA.org

August 19, 2025Episode 1635 min

Episode 16: ATPIQ Quebec, Canada Chapter Highlight

Our newest IFMA Chapter is truly International. From the Provence of Quebec, Canada, the Fire Prevention Technicians Association of Quebec is growing thanks to an innovative approach to getting new fire safety professionals in the game. ATPIQ website: www. atpiq.org Don't Chance Safety Campaign: www.dontchancesafety.org Any feedback, comments, or questions email IFMA@NFPA.org

August 4, 2025Episode 1537 min

Episode 15 California Chapters

California has two IFMA Chapters representing the Northern and Southern regions of the state. Joining me today are Nick Otis and Nicole Pasqueira , the Presidents of their respective Chapters. Check out the YouTube video of the California Battery ESS Symposium here – https://www.youtube.com/live/Q1yZFtaykiA www.firepreventionofficers.org is their website. Any feedback, comments, or questions email IFMA@NFPA.org