Get Fired Up in Las Vegas
Beneath the surface of Las Vegas—a city known for its extraneous opulence and flashy architecture—lies an extensive array of advanced fire- and life-safety systems. Behind every casino, theater, and hotel is a complex combination of egress routes, alarm systems, and security personnel who monitor the structures 24/7 and are prepared to act in case of an emergency.
Take for example the city’s most colossal complex to date, CityCenter, the largest privately financed development in the country. Built on 67 acres, the 18 million square foot complex comprised of hotels, theaters, stores, and residences, boasts one of the city’s most technologically advanced fire- and life-safety systems. CityCenter’s fire command center has an integrated fire alarm system that shows detailed layouts and positions of every alarm, smoke detector and sprinkler system, a main fire pump room with a centralized feed, a backup pump room, a deluge sprinkler system, and more.
With its vast network of fire safety systems, Las Vegas is the perfect location for the National Fire Protection Association’s Conference and Expo. The fire and life safety event will take place at the Mandalay Bay Convention Center June 7-10, with the Expo beginning Tuesday, June 8.
This year’s conference features more than 130 education sessions, as well as pre-conference one-, two and three-day seminar offerings. Conference tracks focus on topics ranging from codes and standards, electrical safety, public education, and emergency preparedness/business continuity.
The General Session on Monday, June 7, will open with remarks from Jim Shannon, NFPA’s president and Paul M. Fitzgerald, NFPA’s chairman of the board of directors. Gerry McCambridge, creator and producer of the prime-time network TV show “The Mentalist” will entertain attendees with interpretations of body language and nonverbal communication.
Kevin Cochran, U.S. fire administrator for FEMA, will discuss the administration’s national initiatives during the Conference’s feature presentation, “Putting the ‘Fire’ Back in the U.S. Fire Administration—Shaping the Future.”
Five spotlight sessions will be offered from 11 a.m. to noon on Wednesday, June 9. Highlights include “Cowboys Stadium—A Public/Private Partnership,” with Russ Mower, Telgian Corp. and Robin Paulsgrove, Arlington Fire Department; “The Perfect Storm—How a Struggling Economy Can Affect Life Safety in Your Community,” Meggan VanNess, Clark County Fire Department, and Sherry Wilcox, Las Vegas Fire Department; and “Environmental Benefit of Residential Sprinklers,” with Gary Keith, NFPA, and Christopher J. Wieczorek, FM Global.
In addition to the educational opportunities, participating attendees can benefit from interaction with the supplier community and see demonstrations of the latest fire and safety-related products and services. More than 300 industry-leading suppliers will be exhibiting in the 120,000 square foot expo. A variety of companies, including System Sensor, Fike, Siemens, FireFlex, and Bosch, will offer 45-minute sessions about the latest industry products and services.