As a local fire chief/fire official, I am concerned with the changes to the Statewide Fire Prevention Code as published by the Board of Housing and Community Development. I believe that if the the changes, as published, are imposed and if there is not the necessary additional work done on this code it will be at the safety detriment of the citizens, businesses and visitors of the Commonwealth as well as our firefighters. Therefore, I support the petition of the Virginia Fire Chiefs Association as well as the comments that have been submitted on behalf of the Virginia Fire Service Council and ask for additional consideration bu the Virginia Board of Housing and Community Development..

Thanks for the opportunity to address this critical life safety issue.

Sincerely.

Stephen P. Kopczynski

Fire Chief/Director

York County (VA) Department of Fire and Life Safety