Contributed photo
Contributed photo
Sprinkler Fitters Local 281 Business Manager Tom Collins has been appointed to the Illinois Fire Advisory Commission, named to a three-year term by Governor J.B. Pritzker.
The 20-member board advises the state fire marshal on fire protection, investigation, prevention and other duties required by law. Collins filled the commission position reserved for a representative of a registered U.S. Department of Labor Apprenticeship Program primarily involved with instructing in the installation of fire extinguishing systems.
"I'm honored to have been appointed to the Illinois Fire Advisory Commission," Collins said. "This will allow for input from the built-in fire protection side of the fire service. It will also allow for a great exchange of information on more than 100 fire code tradeoffs for fire sprinklers in the building codes along with grants and tax incentives currently available because of local and federal legislation."
The members of Sprinkler Fitters Local 281 install, repair and maintain all types of fire extinguishing systems. Sprinkler fitters in Chicago date back to 1886 with early records noting Sprinkler Fitters Union 6087.
"Having the fire sprinkler industry represented on the advisory commission is a great benefit for firefighters and the citizens of Illinois," Collins said. He added, "This will enable us to dispel the misconceptions on the cost of sprinklers along with being able to share the 95 percent effective rate for fire sprinklers controlling and suppressing fires in their earliest stages."
Local 281 currently has 866 journeymen, 120 apprentices and more than 400 retired members.
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