On December 3, 2009 Wildfire Today told you that the NFPA selected Dave Nuss as the Manager of their Wildland Fire Protection Division, succeeding Jim Smalley who retired in September after serving in that position for 13 years.
Today the NFPA issued a press release announcing the appointment. Here is an excerpt:
February 19, 2010 –The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) has named Dave Nuss the Wildland Fire Protection Division Manager. He will manage all of NFPA’s wildland fire activities, including the well-known Firewise Communities program and will expand NFPA’s role in national and international wildfire partnerships. Nuss was promoted from NFPA’s Denver Region where he provided support and outreach in a 10 state region to NFPA members, fire service professionals, code officials, and other health and safety advocates since 1999.
“Dave is a tireless champion of fire safety and public education. He was a natural choice to head NFPA’s growing involvement in wildfire challenges as fires continue to burn hotter and faster than ever before,” said Gary Keith, NFPA vice president field operations and education.
In his new position, Nuss will oversee NFPA’s wildfire codes and standards for public safety, coordinate a new advisory board of federal, state and non-profit representatives and expand wildfire safety and training opportunities for fire service professionals.
“I’ve devoted my career to fire safety and prevention,” said Nuss. “In my next chapter, I will enhance NFPA’s wildfire initiatives to not only provide critical fire safety training, but to increase promotion of Firewise principals in community and building design.”
Nuss is a career firefighter and progressed through the ranks to deputy chief; he has over 22 years of service in Colorado and Oregon. As a firefighter, he served on various state and national committees regarding technical fire code development and public education and outreach. A graduate of the National Fire Academy’s Executive Fire Officer Program, Nuss holds an undergraduate degree in Technical Management from Regis University in Denver and a graduate degree in Public Administration from the University of Colorado-Denver School of Public Affairs.