Latam PCI Assembly Summary, August 28, 2024 at Expo Fire Mexico.
On August 28, within the framework of ExpoFire Mexico 2024, organized by the Mexican Association of Automatic Sprinklers, AMRACI, the breakfast – General Session of Partners of the Latin American Fire Protection Network “Latam PCI” was held.
During this in-person and virtual session, we had the participation of representatives from the 15 countries that comprise us, and several of the 25 organizations that collaborate with us, highlighting for example the in-person participation of Mark Fessenden, Managing Director of IFSA (International Fire Suppression Alliance), a key organization that supports us in achieving our objectives.
This session had 05 main axes:
1. Welcome
Welcome remarks in person by our President Carlos Morett, and virtually by Bruce LaRue, who chairs our “Advisory Council” of international allied organizations.
2.Visibility Group
Project: Celebration of: “International Fire Prevention Day”
Eng. Morett was accompanied on this occasion virtually by Gary Strong, CEO of IFSS (International Fire Safety Standards). Both explained that on October 08, 2024, from the IFSS offices in London, England, a face-to-face and virtual conference will be held, where the entire Network that makes up Latam PCI and allied organizations will be invited, to give what we could consider, the starting flag to start several of the activities that will be carried out internationally to prepare for that great moment that will be the official inauguration by the United Nations "UN" of:
“International Fire Prevention Day”
Which will officially take place on October 08th, but in 2025. And for this important day, we will have delegates from all continents. Let's be prepared!
3.Regulation Group
Update study on the status of regulation in Latin America
This presentation was led by Maxi Wutzke, VP of CEMERA Argentina, who explained to us that this study in which 15 countries participated, was divided into 03 axes to identify, in this scope, the mandatory use of NFPA standards and other building codes for new buildings in at least one part of the country:
Axes:
a) What is the level of development of fire protection requirements in Latin America?
b) How is regulation organized according to its purpose in constructions?
c) How is the use and application of fire protection systems incorporated?
Also:
- Central aspects of the diagnosis were shown.
- Problems identified were presented
- Basic Recommendations were noted
Finally, Maxi shared with us the actions that continue forward regarding this study, such as:
- Inclusion of additional statistics
- Tight wording of the executive summary
- Final approval of document.
- Study translation: English, Portuguese.
- Media outreach plan
4.Education Group
Led by Marcelo Lima from ISB, Sprinkler Institute of Brazil, where he presented us with advances on what will be: “The Virtual Library” Latam PCI.
Marcelo showed us the graphs from the exit polls to identify the key issues, where both partners and allies voted for this chapter on Education as a priority aspect.
In addition, he reiterated, for everyone's clarity, what this development of the virtual library is and is not.
*We are NOT competition for the associations. On the contrary, we will be a channel for the dissemination of the quality material available.
We are talking about creating a “SINGLE ACCESS POINT” that “concentrates” the educational content of the “Que lo Deseño” ASSOCIATES, in Spanish and Portuguese from Canada to Argentina.
And in this way, PARTNERS can: show, offer, and channel their educational material for FREE.
This is a project that is already a reality and is in the process of being launched.
5.Certification Group
This very important axis, focused on developing a:
“Certification of competencies for PCI specialists in the region” is led by Cristóbal Mir, President of ANAPCI of Chile, for which we have 3 subgroups which work week by week:
*Sub-Group Deletion: Coordinated by Giorgio Silva of SNPCI, the National Fire Protection Society of Peru.
*Alarm and Detection Subgroup: Coordinated by Marcelo Oronoz of AUPCI Uruguayan Association of Fire Protection and Raúl Duarte of SNPCI National Society of Fire Protection of Peru.
*Passive Protection SubgroupCoordinated by Paloma Carralón from ANAPCI, Chile.
During his time at the session, Cristóbal and his coordinators presented us with a timeline that clearly showed the steps included in this certification for specialists, as well as the progress made in each subgroup.
It is important to highlight again that this specialist certification program will consider aspects of both knowledge and skills, which will be developed and therefore accepted by all participating countries, so that once completed, it will be a very valuable tool for the authorities (certifying bodies) of each country, and to initiate local procedures to achieve its validity and use.
A project that is also unique in its kind, and that requires the valuable participation of everyone.
The Session concluded with everyone's commitment to maintain efforts in the 04 "Groups" columns that we are successfully working on thanks to everyone's participation and commitment.
“All united for a Latin America without victims of fires”
Congratulations Latam PCI.
Roberto Rivera Mier
Executive Director Latam PCI
