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September marks the beginning of the academic year as students move into new living spaces like dorms and apartments, making it a crucial time for fire safety education.
To raise awareness about fire safety during this important time, September has been designated as National Campus Fire Safety Month.
The incidence of fires on college campuses and in dormitories often peaks in September and October as students return to college campuses.
Organizations like the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) use this month to share fire safety tips for students, focusing on safe cooking habits and preparedness. During this month, we encourage students to take proactive measures to protect
themselves, family members, and peers from fire.
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Remember: Know and practice the building’s evacuation plan, as well as alternate routes.
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Cook in intended areas only, and never leave cooking equipment unattended when in use, even briefly.
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Test smoke alarms monthly in an apartment or a house. Ensure smoke alarms are installed in all sleeping areas, outside of all sleeping areas, and on every level of the apartment or house. NEVER remove or disable
smoke alarms.
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Keep combustible items away from heat sources and never overload electrical outlets, extension cords, or power strips. Many fires are caused by portable light and heat sources, like space heaters and halogen
lamps.
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Keep common areas and hallways free of possessions and debris. Never block exit routes.
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The State Fire Marshal's Office Poster
Contest Receives Over 400 Entries
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September 15 was the final day that entries were accepted in the annual poster contest. This year, we had a strong response with over
400 entries. We are thankful for all our local partners who help promote the contest and encourage good fire safety habits.
The contest is open to all Tennessee students in kindergarten through 12th Grade. A total of 14 winners will be chosen, including the Commissioner’s Award. Students were encouraged to submit their entry through their local fire department and submit their artwork
directly to the Tennessee State Fire Marshal’s Office (SFMO). The contest was 100% virtual again this year.
Upcoming Dates:
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September 2025. Judging conducted.
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October 2025. Winners announced.
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November 8, 2025. Awards ceremony held in Nashville. (Location to be announced.)
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Tennessee Fire Loss Symposium
Sept. 24-25, 2025
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Presented by the Tennessee State Fire Marshal’s Office, this free two-day symposium focuses on reducing fire loss, saving lives, and sharing real-world solutions with fire service leaders from across Tennessee.
When: Wednesday, September 24 – Thursday, September 25, 2025
Where: Doubletree Hotel, 1770 Highway 45 Bypass, Jackson, TN 38305
Keynote Speaker: Wildland Fire Expert Mike Jensen. This free 8-hour training will provide a Wildland Fire CEU credit
Biography: Mike has worked for more than 35 years with the Cooperative Extension Service, his day job. He has worked in Michigan, Florida, and now Washington State. Mike is an Associate Professor whose research wheelhouse includes “if it can bite you,
burn you or kill you! Mike conducts research and teaching in Bear Awareness and safety in bear Country, Wildland Fire Mitigation, Asian Giant Hornet, and Firefighter Cancer Awareness. He has worked with thousands of volunteers and hundreds of communities
on issues, and mitigation of those issues, including Wildland Fire.
Mike was a member of the L'Anse Fire Department while working in Michigan, and authored more than $2 million of local and regional grants for structural and wildland fire protection. He was a member of the pilot for Ready, Set,
Go,(IAFC) and facilitated the development of Michigan's first county-wide CWPP. Mike has worked as volunteer as a firefighter, EMT, and wildland firefighter, while continuing to work as a consultant instructing national level certification courses in Community
Wildfire Mitigation. Mike's passion for working with fire departmenrts and communities on mitigating wildfire is fueled by his personal cancer journey.
Want to sign up? Follow the QR Code below.
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September 25-27, 2025
The 92nd Annual Tennessee Firemen's Association (TFA) Convention and First Responder Conference link.
Address: Doubletree Hotel
1770 Highway 45 Bypass, Jackson, Tennessee 38305
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NERIS Platform Transition Update
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As of now, 84% of Tennessee departments have acknowledged NERIS, with 57 actively reporting and nearly 4,000 incidents logged in the system. Thank you to everyone who has contributed to making this rollout a success. Let’s keep up the momentum!
If your department has not yet completed the NERIS account setup and onboarding, we strongly encourage you to do so as soon as possible. While some may be considering waiting until year-end, onboarding
today helps avoid holiday season delays and potential overlap with other FEMA regions.
Plus, getting started early ensures a smoother transition and allows your department to fully benefit from NERIS resources and support.
Please take a moment to access the NERIS
Signup and begin onboarding. If you need assistance, we’re here to help every step of the way.
We recognize that some departments may be waiting for their reporting vendor to become compatible with NERIS. To support those efforts, a list of current approved integration partners is available at
neris.fsri.org/integration-partners.
To learn more, see our press release
here.
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