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The American Fire Sprinkler Association, VA Chapter
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AFSA VA Chapter
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2012 AFSA - VA Chapter Essay Contest Results
By Ron Reynolds, AFSA-Virginia Essay Chairman
There were 132 entries in this year’s contest! Some of the most creative essays were submitted this year. High school seniors were asked to: “Write a creative, interesting and convincing essay where the characters can be historical or cultural, past or present, or completely fictional, that depicts the history and importance of automatic sprinklers.”
As usual, the essays had to be 700 to 1000 words long, with a bibliography and application included. The essays were judged on accuracy, content, and creativity. Spelling, grammar, and punctuation were also considered.The winning essays were as follows:
 First Place, $1500
Austin Shepherd, of Albemarle High School, Charlottesville, VA
Austin wrote an interesting story where the main character was fire itself, where fire was giving a “Fireside Chat.” The story later says that sprinklers work so well that fire may consider “retirement.” Download/Read the essay
Second Place, $750
Kelly Sanborn, of Westfield High School in Chantilly, VA
Kelly’s essay was written from the perspective of “flames.” The flames lament that humans allow them to help cook or warm their home, but otherwise will try to exterminate them when a flame “acts on its own volition.” Download/Read the essay
Third Place, $500
Luke Quigley of Abingdon High School in Abingdon, VA
Luke’s essay was truly out of this world! It involves the “first civilian transport” to the planet Mars. A fire occurred, that was extinguished by an automatic sprinkler. Download/Read the essay
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April Meeting Report
Steve Muncy, President of National AFSA, giving a presentation on the state of national AFSA and the Fire Sprinkler Industry
John Davis of FIKE making a presentation on alternative fire suppression systems
AFSA Board at work with Steve Muncy of National AFSA in attendance
Anthony Spencer of Lubrizol giving members an update on Lubrizol product issues
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February Meeting Report
Members in attendence.
Mike Meehan, AFSA Chapter President, giving the “Fire Sprinklers Saves Lives” award to Chief Robbie Dawson for his hard work trying to get Residential Sprinkler required in Virginia. Chesterfield Fire Chief Edward Senter is standing by Chief Dawson.
Chief Robbie Dawson giving presentation on the Virginia Residential
Fire Sprinkler Initiative in 2012
Jim Schwander of TYCO/ANSUL giving a presentation of Foam protection systems
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The Importance Of The VA Chapter Golf Tourney To The Central Virginia Burn Camp
The AFSA Virginia Chapter Golf Committee worked tirelessly for an entire year to make the 18th Annual Burn Survivors Golf Tournament a success. Members, vendors, friends and supporters all pulled together, despite the challenging economy, to make this the most successful tournament to date. The Central Virginia Burn Camp is one of the grateful recipients of an extremely generous donation from the golf tournament. During the tournament itself, I was able to greet the golf tournament participants as they drove their golf carts up to the first hole. The players, while certainly enjoying a beautiful day on the golf course, expressed genuine caring and enthusiasm for supporting burn camp. When the time came that evening for the checks to be presented and I was presented a $25,000 check, I was truly speechless. Not only does this amount of money represent over 75% of camp's operating budget for the entire year, it was presented with such heartfelt generosity by the members of the golf tournament.
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Teamwork Makes Virginia Chapter Golf Tourney Successful in 2011
The AFSA Virginia Chapter Golf Fundraiser in October, 2011 was a strong success in a tough industry year, contributing $50,000 to charities in 2011-----up almost 20% from the $42,000 in 2010! These funds raised were split evenly between the Central Virginia Burn Camp (a camp for children burn victims in conjunction with fire officials) and the Evans Hayes Medical College of Virginia Burn Center (again in conjunction with fire officials).
Many golf fund raisers in the industry have been postponed or seen reduced participation and contributions, so the question was asked of how the Virginia AFSA grew the tourney. The Virginia chapter’s success was built upon three pillars:
1) Broad, Strong Cooperative, Formal Committee: A key success factor was that the golf tourney Committee was broad based, serious about the mission and cooperative as a group. The tourney had three Chairmen and twelve total members. The Committee members included:
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