TVSFPE News

Register Now! - 2026 TVSFPE Seminar

David DeVinney — Wed, 28 Jan 2026 14:36:39 GMT

The 2026 Annual Seminar has been scheduled for April 6-7. We are please to announce our speaker will be John Swanson (NFSA). It will be hosted at the Bearden Banquet Hall in Knoxville.

Topics include Fire Sprinkler Plan Review (Full Day), IFC Requirements for Flammable/Combustible Liquids (Half Day), and Rough & Final Inspections of Fire Sprinkler Systems (Half Day).

Registration can be found here! Hope to see you there!

2026-2027 Scholarship - Now Open!

David DeVinney — Wed, 28 Jan 2026 14:35:17 GMT

The TVSFPE Scholarship Committee is excited to announce the opening of the application period for the 2026-2027 academic year. The application can be found at https://tvsfpe.org/Scholarship.

The application period ends April 30, 2026. Please contact the TVSFPE Scholarship Committee Chair with any questions.

2025 Gold ACE Award for TVSFPE

Channing Walmsley — Mon, 07 Jul 2025 01:57:36 GMT

We are thrilled to announce that the TVSFPE has been awarded the prestigious Gold 2025 SFPE Chapter Excellence Award (ACE)!

The award will be formally presented during the Chapter Leadership Forum on October 21, 2025, from 2:30 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. as part of the 2025 Annual Conference in Vancouver, Canada.

You can visit https://www.sfpe.org/annual25/schedule for the further details.

Please let David DeVinney (president@tvsfpe.org) know if you plan on attending this years' conference.

Amy Kurr passes P.E. Exam!

David DeVinney — Mon, 12 May 2025 15:00:37 GMT

We're thrilled to announce that TVSFPE member Amy Kurr has successfully passed their fire protection Professional Engineer (PE) exam! This is a significant achievement that reflects their hardwork, dedication, and expertise. Join us in congratulating Amy Kurr on this well-deserved accomplishment!

Order Now! - TVSFPE Polos

David DeVinney — Thu, 27 Feb 2025 13:32:03 GMT

TVSPFE branded polos are now available for pre-order. Options include men's and women's styles in multiple sizes. Orders close on 4/7/2025 and will be available for pick-up at future events or a coordinated local meet-up. Shipping is available for an additional cost.

Find them in our store! Contact David DeVinney for any questions.

GAC SFPE Conference - PE Study Class

David DeVinney — Tue, 18 Feb 2025 17:43:33 GMT

The Greater Atlanta SFPE chapter’s annual conference is coming up next month and is offering a PE Exam prep class. If you are interested in attending, please register at the link below. Attendance will require conference registration Wednesday.

2025 Annual Fire Safety Conference – March 11-12 | SFPE Atlanta

For any questions, reach out to Ralph Foster.

2025-2026 TVSFPE Scholarship

David DeVinney — Wed, 05 Feb 2025 20:01:11 GMT

The TVSFPE Scholarship Committee is excited to announce the opening of the application period for the 2025-2026 academic year. The application can be found at https://tvsfpe.org/Scholarship.

The application period ends April 30, 2025. Please contact the TVSFPE Scholarship Committee Chair with any questions.

TVSFPE Scholarship Award Announcement

David DeVinney — Wed, 31 Jul 2024 21:25:09 GMT

The TVSFPE Scholarship Committee is pleased to announce that the following individuals earned scholarships for the 2024-2025 academic year:

Jessica Gallo, University of Maryland - Tom Christman Honorary Scholarship
Tobias Proulx, Oklahoma State University – Shay Massey Honorary Scholarship
Halena Shirran, Eastern Kentucky University - Tom Christman Honorary Scholarship
Leonardo Vargas, Eastern Kentucky University - Tom Christman Honorary Scholarship

A total of $23,000 in scholarships were awarded for the 2024-2025 academic year. Congratulations to all the students on their hard work!

Code Interpretation for Life Safety

Andrew Tinsley — Wed, 03 Jul 2024 00:04:47 GMT

Our own Leonard Miller presented a few months back to the chapter on his self-published text for Code Interpretation for Life Safety. He has agreed to let us host a copy on our website. You can find it here if you wish to read it in greater detail.

Thank you Leonard!!

2024 ACE Award

Andrew Tinsley — Tue, 02 Jul 2024 23:53:12 GMT

TVSFPE received the 2024 Silver Award for Chapter Excellence for our "oustanding contributions in meeting the needs of its members and the Society." Thank you to everyone for all the efforts that allowed us to earn this award.

Passing of Gaines Bruce

Andrew Tinsley — Fri, 24 May 2024 00:33:40 GMT

Mr. Gaines Bruce passed away earlier in May. He was a long time member of the chapter. Apologies for the lateness of the notification, but we were just informed today.

Obituary can be found here. Please keep his family in your thoughts and prayers.

https://obits.woodhavenfh.com/obituary/gaines-bruce

2024-2025 TVSFPE Scholarship

David DeVinney — Thu, 01 Feb 2024 14:37:55 GMT

The TVSFPE Scholarship Committee is excited to announce the opening of the application period for the 2024-2025 academic year. The application can be found at https://tvsfpe.org/Scholarship.

The application period ends April 30, 2024. Please contact the TVSFPE Scholarship Committee Chair with any questions.

Tom Christman Recipient of 2023 David A. Lucht Award for Contributions to Education

Michael Shehane — Mon, 09 Oct 2023 19:33:19 GMT

Longtime TVSFPE Member and SFPE Fellow, Tom Christman, recieved the SFPE Lucht Award for Contributions to Education at this year’s annual conference. More information on the award and past recipients can be found at the link below.

Please join us in congratulating Tom and thanking him for being a great representative of our chapter!!!

Tom Christman Recipient of 2023 David A. Lucht Award for Contributions to Education

Justin Gardner — Fri, 25 Aug 2023 10:49:21 GMT

Longtime TVSFPE Member and SFPE Fellow, Tom Christman, will receive the SFPE Lucht Award for Contributions to Education at this year’s annual conference. More information on the award and past recipients can be found at the link below.

Congrats to Tom and thanks for being a great representative of our chapter!!!

https://www.sfpe.org/membership/awards/awardshonors/luchtrecipients

TVSFPE Scholarship Award Announcement

David DeVinney — Tue, 08 Aug 2023 18:46:04 GMT

The TVSFPE is pleased to announce that the following individuals earned scholarships for the 2023-2024 academic year:

Kendra Cadena, Oklahoma State University – Shay Massey Honorary Scholarship
Leonardo Vargas, Eastern Kentucky University - Tom Christman Honorary Scholarship

A total of $14,000 in scholarships were awarded for the 2023-2024 academic year. Congratulations to all the students on their hard work!

2023 TVSFPE Annual Seminar Registration Open

Michael Shehane — Wed, 01 Mar 2023 18:28:42 GMT

The TVSFPE Seminar is available for registration!

See TVSFPE 2023 Annual Seminar Flyer

New Officers Elected for 2023

Joseph Sellers — Tue, 03 Jan 2023 16:01:47 GMT

Congratulations to our newly elected officers for 2023!

President – Andrew Tinsley

Vice President – David Devinney

Past President – Scott Frazer

Treasurer – Michael Shehane

Secretary – Justin Gardner

Executive Board Member – Jimmy Landmesser, Jr.

2022 GOLD!

Scott Frazer — Tue, 08 Nov 2022 00:26:43 GMT

The TVSFPE Chapter recently earned a GOLD A.C.E. Award. The award was presented to the chapter at the 2022 SFPE Annual Conference in Detroit.

Chapter attendees at the annual conference included Jimmy Landmesser, Jr, Ken Dungan, and Scott Frazer.

During the annual conference, the TVSFPE Chapter also contributed $500 to the SFPE Foundation.

TVSFPE Scholarship Award Announcement

David DeVinney — Wed, 17 Aug 2022 15:32:32 GMT

The TVSFPE is pleased to announce that the following individuals earned scholarships for the 2022-2023 academic year:

Eliazar Garza, Oklahoma State University – Shay Massey Honorary Scholarship
Lindsay Newman, University of Maryland - Tom Christman Honorary Scholarship
Mark Tulay, Eastern Kentucky University - Tom Christman Honorary Scholarship

A total of $15,000 in scholarships were awarded for the 2022-2023 academic year. Congratulations to all the students on their hard work!

OK State Fire Protection Discovery Camp

Michael Shehane — Thu, 31 Mar 2022 18:17:53 GMT

Oklahoma State is hosting a Fire Protection Discovery Summer Camp from June 27-July 1. It is for high school students grades 9^th through 12^th.

The cost is $499, which includes housing, food, and supplies for the projects (see 2022 Fire Protection Camp Flyer.pdf).

If you would like more information, you can contact Brandy May (Brandy.Mays@okstate.edu) or Wendy Johnson (wendy.s.johnson@okstate.edu). If you have a student that you would like to register, you can register them here

hxxps://ceat.okstate.edu/extension/professional-development/courses/stem/fire-protection-discovery.html

2022-2023 TVSFPE Scholarship Application Available

Jimmy Landmesser — Wed, 09 Mar 2022 04:44:30 GMT

Applications for the 2022-2023 TVSFPE Scholarships are available online here:

2022-2023 TVSFPE Scholarship

Applications are due to TVSFPE by April 30, 2022.

Jimmy Landmesser Jr. awarded the SFPE Hat's Off Award

Michael Shehane — Thu, 09 Sep 2021 19:26:32 GMT

The Hats Off Award, first awarded in 1981, recognizes Society members who have contributed exemplary service to the Society.

Previous local winners include the TVSFPE chapter (1991), Tom Christman (2005), and Scott Rockwell (2020).

https://www.sfpe.org/about-sfpe/awardshonors/hatsoffrecipients

The award was presented to Jimmy at the SFPE Annual Conference and Expo in Baltimore, MD.

TVSFPE Scholarship Award Anouncement

Michael Shehane — Wed, 28 Jul 2021 14:13:30 GMT

The TVSFPE is pleased to announce that the following individuals are recipients of a 2021 Tom Christman Honorary Scholarship Award:

Kelliann Lee, University of Maryland
Bryce Bathras, University of Maryland

Mark Tulay, graduate of Bearden High School, Eastern Kentucky University
Leonardo Vargas, graduate of Knoxville Catholic High School, Eastern Kentucky University

A total of $15,000 in scholarships were awarded for the 2021-2022 academic year. Congratulations to all the students on their hard work!

2021 TVSFPE Scholarship Application Available

Jimmy Landmesser — Tue, 23 Mar 2021 14:49:11 GMT

Applications for the 2021-2022 TVSFPE Scholarships are available online here:

2021-2022 TVSFPE Scholarship

Applications are due to TVSFPE by May 14, 2021.

TVSFPE Donates $7500 to Sprinkler Trailer for ORFD

Joseph Sellers — Fri, 28 Feb 2020 23:45:18 GMT

On Wednesday February 19, the Tennessee Valley Chapter of the Society of Fire Protection Engineers (TVSFPE) provided a $7,500 contribution towards a Side-by-Side Fire Sprinkler Demo burn trailer that was provided by the National Fire Sprinkler Association. This contribution will go towards rebuilding and buying supplies for the trailer.

Pictured from left to right:

Sam Barrack- TVSFPE Past President

Shay Massey- TVSFPE Treasurer

Jimmy Landmesser, Jr.- TVSFPE President

Darryl Kerley- ORFD Chief

Tom Christman- TVSFPE Member

Travis Solomon- ORFD Fire Marshal

Brian Biggs- NFSA Southeast Regional Manager

Scott Frazer- TVSFPE Vice-President

2020 TVSFPE Scholarship Application Available

Joseph Sellers — Wed, 15 Jan 2020 18:20:26 GMT

Applications for the 2020 TVSFPE Scholarships are available online here:

2020-2021 TVSFPE Scholarship

Applications are due to TVSFPE by March 31, 2020.

New Scholarship Created

Jimmy Landmesser — Mon, 02 Dec 2019 22:08:25 GMT

Thank you to Mr. Tom Christman for his unparalleled generosity to the Chapter. During the November 2019 meeting, he made a donation of $100,000 to create a new scholarship in honor of Mr. Shay Massey and his recent recognition as a Top 5 Fire Protection Engineer Under 35 in the world by SFPE. We will be working with Tom and Shay to formalize a name for the scholarship. As noted previously, Tom is also the 2019 recipient of the John L. Bryant, Mentor-of-the-Year Award. These awards, our member's continued generosity and dedication to the future of fire protection are proof of the excellence this Chapter represents.

Thank you all for everything you do to make TVSFPE a success!

SEP 2019 Secretary's Report

Joseph Sellers — Tue, 08 Oct 2019 16:12:10 GMT

Attached is the September 2019 Secretary's Report

19.9.10 Secretary's Report.pdf

TVSFPE's Tom Christman Awarded The John L. Bryan Mentoring Award

Michael Shehane — Sun, 01 Sep 2019 14:15:34 GMT

TVSFPE's Tom Christman Awarded The John L. Bryan Mentoring Award! Congratulations to Tom!!

The John L. Bryan Award, established in 2007, is in recognition of John L. Bryan and his more than fifty years of commitment and dedication to educating and mentoring students and practicing fire protection engineers. This award is presented to an individual who exemplifies commitment and dedication to educating, training and advising fire protection engineers.The recipients are recognized for freely and unselfishly providing their expertise to other individuals in order to assist them in enhancing their education, advancing their careers, and expanding their experience and knowledge in fire protection engineering.

https://www.sfpe.org/page/BryanRecipients

TVSFPE's Shay Massey Named Top 5 FPE Under 35

Joseph Sellers — Tue, 16 Jul 2019 18:16:47 GMT

TVSFPE's own Shay Massey won the inaugural SFPE's Top 5 Under 35 award. Congratulations Shay!

SFPE recently established the Emerging Professionals (EPS) as a subcommittee to the Continuing Professional Development Committee. The goal of EPS is to engage members who are early in their career by providing opportunities for networking, guidance, and continuing education. Additionally, EPS aims to advocate for their members to ensure wider representation amongst the other SFPE committees and the profession at large. Thus, they have recommended that SFPE recognize five individuals each year who best represent the industry’s top rising leaders who are giving back to the fire protection engineering profession and the community. The individuals chosen for recognition will receive complimentary registration to the SFPE Annual Conference and Expo, will be recognized during an EPS event at the conference, and will be recognized in the FPE magazine and website.

https://www.sfpe.org/page/5UNDER35

TVSFPE Announces 2019 Tom Christman Scholarship Awards

Joseph Sellers — Wed, 01 May 2019 04:00:00 GMT

The TVSFPE is pleased to announce that the following individuals are recipients of a 2019 Tom Christman Scholarship Award:

Channing Walmsley graduate of Farragut High School, Oklahoma State University
Zachary Edwards graduate of Lenoir City High School, Oklahoma State University

Hannah Livesey graduate of Oak Ridge High School, Eastern Kentucky University

A total of $7,300 in scholarships were awarded for the 2019-2020 academic year. Congratulations to all the students on their hard work!

SFPE Handbook for Fire Protection Engineering 5th Edition Now Available

Joseph Sellers — Tue, 01 Jan 2019 05:00:00 GMT

SFPE's 5th Edition of the Handbook for Fire Protection Engineering is now available. here:

http://www.springer.com/us/book/9781493925643