To: The Board of Housing and Community Development

Thank you for the opportunity to recommend to the Board of Housing and Community Development specific code language to be considered during final stage of the 2015 Statewide Fire Prevention Code Change Cycle.  As the Fire Marshal and Building Official for the City of Fairfax, and with over 30  years experience in fire prevention, I am an  advocate for the safety of all Virginians.  I hereby add my name in support of the proposal made by the Virginia Fire Prevention Association.

Having participated in many of the meetings held during the discussion of the proposed changes to this code, I can attest to the fact that the process used by the DHCD staff was flawed. I have been a part of this process for many years and have never seen a simiar process where industry (fire service) profssonals were ignored and their input was dismissed. 

I regret that I will not be available to adress you in person at your September meeting. 

We can, and must, do better for those we serve.

Thank you.

Andrew S. Wilson

Building Official/Fire Marshal

City of Fairfax, Virginia