NIST and USFA to coordinate research
The Commerce Department`s National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) and the Federal Emergency Management Agency`s (FEMA) U.S. Fire Administration (USFA) will join forces to initiate research and evaluation procedures that will improve fire prevention and protection nationwide, explains USFA Administrator Carrye B. Brown. Noting that “NIST and the USFA have always been partners in efforts to reduce national fire losses,” NIST Acting Director Robert E. Hebner said the memorandum of understanding recently signed by the two agencies will coordinate research critical to the country`s fire safety community.
Among the provisions of the agreement is that the two agencies will hold an annual conference on fire prevention and control. Participants will include representatives from the fire research community, fire service, and federal agencies and other end users or customers, who will help establish an agenda for national fire research and the development of technology.
The two agencies will coordinate library and web site services and share acquisition lists and related fire information.
