NFPA Journal - November/December 2019 - 8
Editor's Note by Scott Sutherland
Executive Editor, NFPA Journal
A Fire Story
mantra among editorial
types is that it takes a village
to assemble a magazine-not
exactly an original notion,
but an apt one nevertheless.
Here's another mantra: Everyone in the
village has a story.
Not all of those stories are ready for
prime time at any given moment. A story
may not have a time hook, the thing that
helps readers understand why they're looking at a particular article right now. There
might not be enough at stake to convey the
urgency the topic demands. The story may
not have simmered long enough to yield a
larger story or a big-picture takeaway that
can sometimes hold universal truths.
But when a villager offers up a story and
those elements (and many more) are present, it can lead to something special.
Matthew Foley's cover story on the Worcester cold storage fire is a good example.
That piece began its life as a Dispatches
article for this issue, one intended to mark
the anniversary of the 1999 fire in an
abandoned warehouse that killed six firefighters in Worcester, Massachusetts, and
left a lasting imprint on the nation's fire
service. As I talked to Matt about the piece,
though, a different kind of story began to
present itself. It emerged that he actually
A
Scott Sutherland
ssutherland@nfpa.org
witnessed the fire-he was a kid growing
up nearby, had family in Worcester, and he
and his Dad saw the blaze from I-290, the
highway that ran just yards from the hulking old building. More details emerged: his
Dad was a longtime friend of one of the
firefighters who perished; the fire played a
part in Matt's decision to pursue a graduate
degree in fire protection engineering; and
the blaze helped shape the career path that
led him to NFPA, which he joined last year
as a researcher in the Applied Research
Division. The fire, in short, changed his life.
Sometimes the best thing to do when
faced with the inevitable is to simply step
out of its way. For Journal, that meant
shifting some things around as a section
story became a feature story, and as a feature story became a cover story. For Matt, it
meant intertwining his own story with the
story of the fire and its long aftermath. You
can read the result on page 30.
I should also note that Matt is something
of a one-man village in this issue: he was
responsible not only for the cover story,
but also co-authored the 2018 large-loss
fires report that appears on page 44. He
also wrote the "Looking Back" article, on
the tenth anniversary of a deadly Russian
nightclub fire, that appears on page 88.
Thanks, Matt-you can take a break now.
THE NFPA JOURNAL MISSION It is the mission of NFPA Journal to provide
NFPA members and other stakeholders with important information on fire,
electrical, and life safety topics and on issues related to NFPA's codes and
standards development, education initiatives, and advocacy efforts. We will
do this by identifying stories that are relevant and timely for our readers; upholding the highest journalistic standards of thoroughness and accuracy; and
conveying that information in an attractive, well-designed publication across
all platforms. The content of NFPA Journal solely reflects the personal opinions
of the contributors and does not necessarily represent the official position of
NFPA; the meaning and intent of NFPA codes and standards can be obtained
only through NFPA's published procedures for requesting formal interpretations. The contents of this magazine may not be reprinted without the written
permission of NFPA. NFPA Journal is a registered trademark of NFPA.
8 | NFPA JOURNAL * N O V E M B E R / D E C E M B E R 2 0 1 9
EXECUTIVE EDITOR
NFPA JOURNAL
An award-winning
member of Association
Media & Publishing
ART DIRECTOR
Doug Sternberg
dsternberg@nfpa.org
ASSOCIATE EDITOR
Jesse Roman
jroman@nfpa.org
STAFF WRITER
Angelo Verzoni
averzoni@nfpa.org
PRODUCTION MANAGER
Adrienne M. Albrecht
PROOFREADERS
Ellen M. Cosgrove
DIRECTOR OF SALES
Bill Mello
wmello@nfpa.org
ADVERTISING SYSTEMS MANAGER
Susan Richard
ONLINE ADVERTISING
Lynne Grant
lygrant@nfpa.org
MARKETING/PERIODICALS
CIRCULATION MANAGER
Michael Carinci
VICE PRESIDENT
OUTREACH AND ADVOCACY
Lorraine Carli
COPYRIGHT © 2019 NFPA. All rights reserved.
PRINTED IN USA. NFPA Journal (ISSN 1054-8793) is a
membership magazine published bimonthly by NFPA,
One Batterymarch Park, Quincy, Massachusetts 021697471. NFPA annual dues are $175, which include a $45
subscription to NFPA Journal. Periodicals postage rates
paid at Boston, Massachusetts, and at additional mailing
offices. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to NFPA
Journal, National Fire Protection Association, P.O. Box
9101, Quincy, Massachusetts 02269-9101. All issues of
NFPA Journal are available in microfilm from University
Microfilms, International, 300 North Zeeb Road, Ann
Arbor, Michigan 48106.
NFPA Journal - November/December 2019
Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of NFPA Journal - November/December 2019
Contents
NFPA Journal - November/December 2019 - Cover1
NFPA Journal - November/December 2019 - Cover2
NFPA Journal - November/December 2019 - 1
NFPA Journal - November/December 2019 - 2
NFPA Journal - November/December 2019 - 3
NFPA Journal - November/December 2019 - Contents
NFPA Journal - November/December 2019 - 5
NFPA Journal - November/December 2019 - 6
NFPA Journal - November/December 2019 - 7
NFPA Journal - November/December 2019 - 8
NFPA Journal - November/December 2019 - 9
NFPA Journal - November/December 2019 - 10
NFPA Journal - November/December 2019 - 11
NFPA Journal - November/December 2019 - 12
NFPA Journal - November/December 2019 - 13
NFPA Journal - November/December 2019 - 14
NFPA Journal - November/December 2019 - 15
NFPA Journal - November/December 2019 - 16
NFPA Journal - November/December 2019 - 17
NFPA Journal - November/December 2019 - 18
NFPA Journal - November/December 2019 - 19
NFPA Journal - November/December 2019 - 20
NFPA Journal - November/December 2019 - 21
NFPA Journal - November/December 2019 - 22
NFPA Journal - November/December 2019 - 23
NFPA Journal - November/December 2019 - 24
NFPA Journal - November/December 2019 - 25
NFPA Journal - November/December 2019 - 26
NFPA Journal - November/December 2019 - 27
NFPA Journal - November/December 2019 - 28
NFPA Journal - November/December 2019 - 29
NFPA Journal - November/December 2019 - 30
NFPA Journal - November/December 2019 - 31
NFPA Journal - November/December 2019 - 32
NFPA Journal - November/December 2019 - 33
NFPA Journal - November/December 2019 - 34
NFPA Journal - November/December 2019 - 35
NFPA Journal - November/December 2019 - 36
NFPA Journal - November/December 2019 - 37
NFPA Journal - November/December 2019 - 38
NFPA Journal - November/December 2019 - 39
NFPA Journal - November/December 2019 - 40
NFPA Journal - November/December 2019 - 41
NFPA Journal - November/December 2019 - 42
NFPA Journal - November/December 2019 - 43
NFPA Journal - November/December 2019 - 44
NFPA Journal - November/December 2019 - 45
NFPA Journal - November/December 2019 - 46
NFPA Journal - November/December 2019 - 47
NFPA Journal - November/December 2019 - 48
NFPA Journal - November/December 2019 - 49
NFPA Journal - November/December 2019 - 50
NFPA Journal - November/December 2019 - 51
NFPA Journal - November/December 2019 - 52
NFPA Journal - November/December 2019 - 53
NFPA Journal - November/December 2019 - 54
NFPA Journal - November/December 2019 - 55
NFPA Journal - November/December 2019 - 56
NFPA Journal - November/December 2019 - 57
NFPA Journal - November/December 2019 - 58
NFPA Journal - November/December 2019 - 59
NFPA Journal - November/December 2019 - 60
NFPA Journal - November/December 2019 - 61
NFPA Journal - November/December 2019 - 62
NFPA Journal - November/December 2019 - 63
NFPA Journal - November/December 2019 - 64
NFPA Journal - November/December 2019 - 65
NFPA Journal - November/December 2019 - 66
NFPA Journal - November/December 2019 - 67
NFPA Journal - November/December 2019 - 68
NFPA Journal - November/December 2019 - 69
NFPA Journal - November/December 2019 - 70
NFPA Journal - November/December 2019 - 71
NFPA Journal - November/December 2019 - 72
NFPA Journal - November/December 2019 - 73
NFPA Journal - November/December 2019 - 74
NFPA Journal - November/December 2019 - 75
NFPA Journal - November/December 2019 - 76
NFPA Journal - November/December 2019 - 77
NFPA Journal - November/December 2019 - 78
NFPA Journal - November/December 2019 - 79
NFPA Journal - November/December 2019 - 80
NFPA Journal - November/December 2019 - 81
NFPA Journal - November/December 2019 - 82
NFPA Journal - November/December 2019 - 83
NFPA Journal - November/December 2019 - 84
NFPA Journal - November/December 2019 - 85
NFPA Journal - November/December 2019 - 86
NFPA Journal - November/December 2019 - 87
NFPA Journal - November/December 2019 - 88
NFPA Journal - November/December 2019 - Cover3
NFPA Journal - November/December 2019 - Cover4
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/nfpa/journal_2024fall
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/nfpa/journal_2024summer
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/nfpa/journal_2024spring
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/nfpa/journal_2023winter
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/nfpa/journal_2023fall
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/nfpa/journal_2023summer
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/nfpa/journal_2023spring
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/nfpa/journal_2022winter
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/nfpa/journal_2022fall
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/nfpa/journal_2022summer
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/nfpa/journal_2022spring
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/nfpa/journal_2021winter
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/nfpa/journal_2021fall
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/nfpa/journal_2021summer
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/nfpa/journal_2021spring
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/nfpa/journal_20201112
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/nfpa/journal_20200910
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/nfpa/journal_20200708
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/nfpa/journal_20200506
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/nfpa/journal_20200304
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/nfpa/journal_20200102
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/nfpa/journal_20191112
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/nfpa/journal_20190910
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/nfpa/journal_20190708
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/nfpa/journal_20190506
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/nfpa/journal_20190304
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/nfpa/journal_20190102
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/nfpa/journal_20181112
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/nfpa/journal_20180910
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/nfpa/journal_20180708
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/nfpa/journal_20180506
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/nfpa/journal_20180304
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/nfpa/journal_20180102
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/nfpa/journal_20171112
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/nfpa/journal_20170910
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/nfpa/journal_20170708
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/nfpa/journal_20170506
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/nfpa/journal_20170304
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/nfpa/journal_20170102
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/nfpa/journal_20161112
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/nfpa/journal_201610_sprinkler
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/nfpa/journal_20160910
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/nfpa/journal_20160708
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/nfpa/journal_20160506
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/nfpa/journal_20160304
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/nfpa/journal_20160102
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/nfpa/journal_20151112
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/nfpa/journal_20150910
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/nfpa/journal_20150708
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/nfpa/journal_20150506
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/nfpa/journal_20150304
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/nfpa/journal_201501
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/nfpa/journal_20141112
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/nfpa/journal_20140910
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/nfpa/journal_20140708
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/nfpa/journal_20140506
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/nfpa/journal_20140304
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/nfpa/journal_20140102
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/nfpa/journal_20131112
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/nfpa/journal_20130910
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/nfpa/journal_20130708
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/nfpa/journal_20130506
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/nfpa/journal_20130304
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/nfpa/journal_20130102
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/nfpa/journal_20121112
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/nfpa/journal_20120910
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/nfpa/journal_20120708
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/nfpa/journal_20120506
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/nfpa/journal_20120304
https://www.nxtbookmedia.com