Smith Named Fire Sprinkler Advocate of the Year AHJ’s Tireless Devotion to Residential Sprinkler Education REBECCA HERRING | American Fire Sprinkler Association
For Richard Smith fire protection has always been an important part of everyday life. Born in Oxford, Maryland, Smith recalls having an interest in fire protection extremely early on because he lived just down the road from a fire company and recalls, “as a young man there wasn’t a lot to do around here and everything that did happen, happened at the fire company.” The fire company served as not just a place of protection, but a place where relationships were made and friendships were formed in the city. Throughout his life Smith’s respect, adoration, and commitment to fire and life safety through volunteer firefighting and the promotion of fire sprinkler legislation in Maryland has always been front and center just like that fire company was in Oxford. While Smith continues his long and distinguished career filled with many important accomplishments, the American Fire Sprinkler Association (AFSA) is proud to honor him for all of his contributions so far, as well as those yet to come, as its 2018 Fire Sprinkler Advocate of the Year award recipient. Humble Beginnings Smith’s volunteer firefighting career began in 1965 and this career would ultimately lead to his introduction to fire sprinkler efforts. He joined the Oxford, Maryland fire company, following in his brother’s footsteps and joining many of his friends in becoming a volunteer firefighter. Much of Maryland utilizes volunteer firefighting instead of career firefighters, even to this day. Just one short year after joining the fire service, in 1966, Smith left for a year to serve as an infantryman for the U.S. Army and returned from service in 1967. Upon his return, Smith quickly found himself elected second lieutenant of the fire company. He strongly credits this election to the president of the fire company at the time, Price Sinclair. However, it didn’t stop there. From that election, Smith recognized his need for further education on both firefighting and other methods of fire protection and began to meet with an instructor from the University of Maryland who taught him more about both subjects. While developing and honing his skills, Smith proceeded to continue to work his way up through leadership until he became the fire chief in 1975. As firefighting was volunteer only, not career, Smith continued to hold a “second” job at a printing company to support his family as well as being a firefighter. He worked at the printing company for 24 years before leaving and finding 10 Sprinkler Age | July/August 2018
AFSA is proud to honor Richard Smith as its 2018 Fire Sprinkler Advocate of the Year recipient.
new work in a furniture business with one of his close friends. In addition to his other responsibilities, his new furniture job required him to travel. But Smith didn’t let that deter him from continuing to travel on behalf of his passion, fire protection. He continued to travel on behalf of the Maryland State Firemen’s Association (MSFA) guaranteeing he was kept busy and engaged year-round. There is a lot to be said for the fact that Smith didn’t let his passion for fire protection stop at just the volunteer firefighting level, though. Despite being where it began, it was only the tip of the iceberg. During his tenure serving as fire chief, Smith recalls that “believe it or not, even back in those days they talked about commercial fire sprinklers.” He continues, “even years ago sprinklers were there, you just didn’t hear
