According to Federal Government Statistics, almost 1.6 million fires were reported in the U.S. in 2003, contributing to over $12 billion in direct property losses.
As a result of these substantial losses, the federal government has provided grants to assist state, regional, national or local organizations to address fire prevention.
As part of the program, the Society of Fire Protection Engineers (SFPE) has been awarded a grant to develop three college level courses in the subject of fire protection engineering. These courses will be used in colleges throughout the U.S. that offer fire science programs at the associate's and bachelor's degree levels.
Additionally, as part of this grant, SFPE will develop two engineering guides. The first will summarize methods that predict fire hazards, and the second will provide a framework for conducting fire risk assessments. SFPE will also develop a web-based distance learning program for the fire service on the topic of fire risk assessment.
