Committee’s selection represents fourth American vice president elected in modern history
October 1, 2015 – The Comité Technique Internationale de Prévention et d’Extinction du Feu – commonly referred to as CTIF – recently named Donald P. Bliss, the National Fire Protection Association’s (NFPA) vice president of field operations, as vice president for CTIF’s Executive Committee. This appointment marks the fourth time in modern history that an American has been voted vice president of the CTIF committee. Bliss follows Ron Coleman, Russ Sanders, and Luther Fincher, each of whom has previously served as CTIF vice president.
“It is a great honor to be elected vice president of CTIF by my peers from around the globe,” Donald Bliss said. “I am committed to furthering fire prevention and suppression efforts worldwide; and look forward to sharing the information and knowledge that NFPA has developed through more than 100 years of research, analysis and collaboration, as well as learning much from this esteemed group.”
Bliss was elected to a four-year term and can serve two full terms. The Executive Committee is comprised of a president, secretary general, treasurer and six vice presidents. There are three other new vice presidents on the executive committee: Zdenek Nytra (Czech Republic), Ole Hansen (Norway), and Milan Dubravac (Slovenia). Croatia’s Ante Sanader was re-elected as a vice president.
CTIF was founded in 1900 to encourage international cooperation among fire experts. Membership is made up of 36 countries each with one vote and close to 50 associate member private and public organizations.
Each CTIF member country has its own president. Before his new election, Bliss was previously president of the U.S. delegation, a role that will now be filled by Russ Sanders, NFPA’s central region director. Sanders leaves the role of representing the U.S. on CTIF’s Training and Education Working Group and Fire Prevention Commission, and will be succeeded by Ryan Depew, emergency services specialist of NFPA’s Public Fire Protection division.
The English translation for the group is the International Technical Committee for the Prevention and Suppression of Fire, although the working title for the organization is the International Association of Fire and Rescue Services (IAFRS).
About the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA)
Founded in 1896, NFPA is a global, nonprofit organization devoted to eliminating death, injury, property and economic loss due to fire, electrical and related hazards. The association delivers information and knowledge through more than 300 consensus codes and standards, research, training, education, outreach and advocacy; and by partnering with others who share an interest in furthering the NFPA mission. For more information visit
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Contact: Lorraine Carli, Public Affairs Office: +1 617 984-7275