HOME SAFETY COUNCIL® PRESIDENT RECEIVES NATIONAL HONOR FOR LEADERSHIP IN FIRE SERVICE TRAINING

International Fire Service Training Association Selects Meri-K Appy for Everett E. Hudiburg Award

The International Fire Service Training Association (IFSTA) has selected Home Safety Council President, Meri-K Appy to receive its 2009 Everett E. Hudiburg Award for leadership in the training of fire service professionals. Appy accepted the honor at the 2009 IFSTA Validation Conference in July.

The Everett E. Hudiberg Award recognizes an individual who has made a significant contribution to IFSTA’s mission of providing educational materials and opportunities to fire service personnel across the United States. Appy has dedicated more than 25 years of her career to working in the areas of Fire and Life Safety Education and Fire Prevention. In both her current position as Home Safety Council President and in her previous position as Vice President for Public Education at the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), Appy has developed and implemented innovative training programs to help the fire service reach out to their communities with effective educational messages and programs.

“I don’t know of anyone more deserving of this honor and recognition than Meri-K Appy,” said Chief Dennis Compton of the International Fire Service Training Association and Fire Protection Publications at Oklahoma State University. “Her successful advocacy at the national level for fire service issues, outstanding communications and training skills, and unique and contagious passion for her work has contributed greatly to the mission of the fire service by literally saving lives…the lives of the public as well as the lives of firefighters.”

Appy’s unparalleled ability to build coalitions with related disciplines and organizations also sets her apart as one of the leading experts and trainers in the field. Through her tireless dedication and commitment, Appy has successfully demonstrated the critical role of fire and life safety education and fire prevention within the nation’s fire management systems and has helped bring national attention to the important role education plays in fire prevention and survival.

International Fire Service Training Association (IFSTA)

The International Fire Service Training Association (IFSTA) was established in 1934. The mission of IFSTA is to identify areas of need for training materials and foster the development and validation of training materials for the fire service and related areas. IFSTA is an association of fire service personnel who are dedicated to upgrading fire fighting techniques and safety through training.