September 1, 2008—The American Society of Safety Engineers (ASSE) recently announced the establishment of the Fire Protection Practice Specialty (PS) due to the growth in this area for safety and health professionals. Prior to its new status as a PS, the Fire Protection group was a branch of the ASSE Engineering Practice Specialty.
The initial goals of the PS are to continuously improve upon the groups technical publication Fireline, sent to ASSE Fire Protection PS members; build Web page resources in conjunction with key issues identified by its members; as well as develop a resource network of technical experts who can participate on a list serve system to assist members with finding answers to challenging questions.
In order for a branch to become an ASSE practice specialty, the branch has to have at least 500 members and have published three newsletters in a previous year. A branch also has to have a chair and vice chair and a strategic plan in order to be considered for practice specialty status.
ASSE now has 14 practice specialties, which include academics, construction, engineering, environment, fire protection, healthcare, industrial hygiene (with the ergonomics branch), international, management (with the hospitality, human resources and manufacturing branches), mining, public sector, risk management and insurance (with the training and communications branch), and transportation (with the oil and gas branch).
Founded in 1911, the Des Plaines, IL-based ASSE is committed to protecting people, property and the environment. For more information, see the Web site.
