CLEVELAND, Ohio (October 29, 2019) – The Fire Equipment Manufacturers’ Association has selected Jim Tidwell, 30-plus year veteran of the fire service and a former leader at the International Code Council, for its 2019 Life Safety Advocate Award.
The annual Life Safety Advocate Award is given to a fire safety professional who has demonstrated a commitment to enhancing the safety of the public through innovative efforts, including legislative, educational, enforcement or other effective means. Tidwell has spent his career advocating for fire and life safety issues in local, state, and federal legislative processes, along with international fire and building codes.
“As the Fire Equipment Manufacturers’ Association’s code consultant, Jim developed relationships with key personnel in the fire protection industry around North America and acted as a liaison with fire authorities across the country,” said Jeff Saunders, president of the Fire Equipment Manufacturers’ Association. “The association values the professional experience Jim has brought, along with his dedication to preserving life and property through effective fire protection. We thank him for his service and congratulate him on this award.”
Tidwell spent more than 30 years of his career as a firefighter, serving in every capacity from fire marshal to interim fire chief of a metropolitan fire department. He later helped draft the first International Fire Code and served in several leadership positions at the International Code Council in their Government Relations Department.
Tidwell has authored several books and published numerous articles targeting fire prevention and life safety topics. He currently operates Tidwell Consulting Corporation where he advocates for clients in the code development arena, works to assure appropriate fire and life safety provisions are included in construction projects, and leads efforts to develop programs related to sustainability and fire safety.
Throughout his career, Tidwell has received numerous awards, including the President’s Award from the International Association of Fire Chiefs (IAFC), the Excellence in Fire and Life Safety Award from the Fire and Life Safety Section of the IAFC, the Robert Gain Award from the Western Fire Chiefs Association, and the ICC Fire Service Award. He was formally presented with the Life Safety Advocate Award during the Fire Equipment Manufacturers’ Association’s Annual Meeting in October. A headshot of Jim Tidwell is available upon request.
About the Fire Equipment Manufacturers’ Association The Fire Equipment Manufacturers’ Association is a more than 80-year-old non-profit trade association dedicated to saving lives and protecting property by providing education of a balanced fire protection design. For additional information, including videos, interactive questionnaires and training websites about fire safety and protection, visit www.femalifesafety.org or call 216-241-7333. For a complete listing of member companies, visit the Member Profiles page of the association’s website at www.femalifesafety.org/membership.html.
