Jim Dalton
2007 Dr. Anne W. Phillips Award for Leadership in Fire Safety Education

The Home Safety Council awarded the inaugural Dr. Anne W. Phillips Award for Leadership in Fire Safety Education to Jim Dalton, Director of Public Fire Protection for the National Fire Sprinkler Association (NFSA). Dalton will receive the award during the Congressional Fire Services Institute's (CFSI) National Fire and Emergency Services Dinner in Washington, DC on Thursday, March 29, 2007.

Throughout his career, Dalton has been a national leader committed to keeping people safe from fire through his efforts to advance fire safety education. Dalton rose through the ranks of the fire service in Washington, DC and then Montgomery County, Maryland, where he was named Assistant Chief and eventually Chief Fire Marshal for Montgomery County. As the Fire Marshal for the Montgomery County Fire Department, Dalton was instrumental in passing and implementing the nation's first smoke alarm ordinance.

After retiring from active fire service duty, he went on to manage influential public education and awareness programs for the U.S Fire Administration and the International Association of Fire Chiefs, including "Partnerships Against Fire" and "Operation Life Safety."

"We are honored to recognize Jim Dalton for his lifetime achievement in fire safety education with the first Dr. Anne W. Phillips Award for Leadership in Fire Safety Education," said Meri-K Appy, president of the Home Safety Council. "His relentless efforts to promote fire safety education and increase awareness for the importance of home fire sprinklers have been instrumental in advancing the public education movement and helping to reduce the toll of fire injures and deaths in our country."

Presently, as the Director of Public Fire Protection for NFSA, Dalton supports community fire sprinkler initiatives across the nation and has become the driving force behind efforts to pass the Fire Sprinkler Incentive Act. Under his leadership, NFSA has also developed a comprehensive guide to help local fire officials adopt residential and retrofit fire sprinkler ordinances. Dalton serves on the Steering Committee of the nonprofit Home Fire Sprinkler Coalition where he furthers his work to inform the public about the importance of home fire sprinklers. He also remains active with the National Fire Protection Association where he serves on the Board of the NFPA Education Section.