The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) Fire Sprinkler Initiative and the Home Fire Sprinkler Coalition (HFSC) have awarded Michael Wos with the 2022 Bringing Safety Home Award. Wos is the executive director of the Professional Fire Fighters of Wisconsin Charitable Foundation.
This award recognizes outstanding efforts by a safety advocate who diligently promotes the importance of home fire sprinklers. It honors members of the fire service and other fire sprinkler advocates in North America who use HFSC educational material, NFPA data, and Fire Sprinkler Initiative resources to educate decision-makers about the importance of home fire sprinklers.
Wos, who is also a firefighter/paramedic with the City of Oshkosh, chairs the Wisconsin Fire Sprinkler Coalition and has been a champion for the lifesaving benefits of fire sprinklers for many years. He was nominated by City of Madison Fire Department Fire Marshal Ed Ruckriegel, also an active member of the Coalition. Specifically, Wos is recognized for his efforts educating state agencies responsible for the development of building codes and increasing agency personnel interest in learning more about fire sprinklers.
“Mike’s varied public educational efforts and his work with coalition partners demonstrates his commitment to making new homes safer from fire,” said Lorraine Carli, NFPA Vice President of Outreach and Advocacy and HFSC president. “There are so many stakeholders who aren’t aware of the role home fire sprinklers play in saving lives.”
Wos has steered the Wisconsin Fire Sprinkler Coalition through educational and legislative activities in many communities. Among his advocacy work, he has included home fire sprinkler information in the Newspapers in Education program every year, reaching more than 500,000 readers, including students in 2,000 schools. He worked with coalition partners to build a 700-square foot educational structure with installed home fire sprinklers at the Metropolitan Builders Association Home Show. Wos has conducted live fire sprinkler demonstrations at the State Capitol and at Madison’s Brat Fest, which is attended by more than 150,000 people.
“Wos works hard to keep the Coalition active,” Carli added. “Home fire sprinkler advocacy work is challenging but Mike remains undaunted by this. His determination ensures that Wisconsin will ultimately have safer communities.”
As the Bringing Safety Home Award recipient, Wos was awarded a $1000 grant to further fire sprinkler advocacy and educational efforts throughout Wisconsin.