Maryland State Fire Marshal
News Release



CROWD MANAGER TRAINING PROGRAM AVAILABLE ON LINE

PIKESVILLE, MD (October 30, 2008) -- State, County, and Municipal Fire Marshals of the State of Maryland jointly developed a web-based Crowd Manager Training Program. The program focuses on occupant safety wherever people gather and takes approximately 30 minutes to complete. Certificates of completion are available once a passing score is obtained.

All places of public assembly where 50 or more people gather must designate a trained crowd manager to assure safety and compliance with requirements of the State Fire Prevention Code. This training is essential in understanding the importance of Crowd Managers and of their obligation to protect the patrons that are in their establishment.

Assembly operators can help increase their patrons chances of exiting a building fire or other emergency when the Crowd Manager:
Points out the designated exits
Ensures all exits are unlocked and clear of obstructions or storage both inside and outside
Ensures the building occupancy has not exceeded the posted occupant load
Ensures aisles are clear and are a minimum of 36” wide
Ensures fire alarms and sprinkler systems are properly maintained
Ensures that emergency lighting will work properly in case of an outage

Tragedies in the past have lead to the development of codes in order to protect the public. This free interactive program will help you train your employees thereby making you compliant with this essential regulation.

To take the Crowd Manager program simply log on to www.firemarshal.state.md.us and click on Crowd Manager.

Assembly operators should check with the fire authority in their jurisdiction for additional information or questions.

Media contact: Jane W. Edwards, Program Manager; 443-324-0818

Your call to serve

The Judge’s Uncle Sam is looking for you…
That’s right, our presiding old Judge has called in his famous uncle to help recruit candidates for election to the 2010 MAAFS Board of Directors. Let’s not let him down, you know how cranky he can get!

There are two openings on the MAAFS Board of Directors for 2010. Candidates are being sought to be nominated to those positions for election at the annual convention coming up in November.

Let’s start thinking about this now, rather than waiting until later when we are occupied with planning for our fairs or preparing for the actual convention. Please bring this up for discussion at your local board meetings now.

There are no formal requirements for service on the MAAFS Board of Directors, except a willingness to strive for the betterment of member fairs, shows and festivals. You will need to attend about six evening meetings a year. Board members assist in the planning of the association’s two major events…the Spring Forum and the Annual Convention. Beyond the work accomplished by the association, serving on the board provides a great networking opportunity for participating fairs…and besides, it can be just plain fun!

The Nominating Committee would like to hear from anyone with an interest in being a candidate no later than August 15. No formal application is necessary, just contact Dennis Hazzard, Nominating Committee Chair, via email at djfairman@verizon.net, or via phone at 302-422-6774.

Champions For Green Award Program

Maryland Association of Agriculture Fairs Shows and Festivals (MAAFS) has launched the "Lead with Green" Champions for Green award program. The award will honor the Maryland agriculture organization which prompted action and contributed to reducing the environmental footprint of our events.

Nominate your Maryland Show, Fair or Festival for the 2009 “Lead With Green” Grand Champions for Green Award. Nominations are open to all Maryland Fairs, Shows and Festivals.

Judging will be based on the highest degree of impact to the community, impact on agriculture, and impact on the environment. Awards will be presented at “Tell It To The Judge” on Sunday, November 9, 2009 in Ocean City, Maryland. MAAFS will award all participants with a souvenir “Champions for Green” Ribbon.

For details of the program and to view entries, visit the "go green" page on our website.

Go With Green! It's good for business, good for the visitor, good for the country and good for the environment!