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Sparks Named Executive Director of
Tennessee State Fire Academy
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We are proud to announce the promotion of Jason Sparks to the role of executive director of the Tennessee State
Fire Service and Codes Enforcement Academy (TFACA).
Mr. Sparks, who has nearly 30 years of professional experience in the fire
service and emergency management, has served since 2020 as TFACA’s Fire Program Director. In that role, Mr. Sparks excelled at statewide training operations, supported curriculum modernization that aligned with national standards, and strengthened instructor
workforce development, among other duties.
“Jason has a proven leadership track record, a comprehensive knowledge
of all aspects of fire safety and emergency management, and a vision for creating even greater success at TFACA in the future,” said State Fire Marshal and Tennessee Department of Commerce & Insurance Commissioner Carter Lawrence. “In this new role as TFACA’s
executive director, Jason will continue to advance training at the Academy to better protect firefighters and the communities they serve.”
Congratulations, Jason!
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2026 NFPA Fire
Safety Summit Highlights
Tennessee recently played host to the
2026 NFPA Fire Safety Summits — in Knoxville
on March 31 and Clarksville on April 2 — by bringing together fire safety professionals, first responders, community leaders, vendors, and multiple expert speakers who are focused on advancing community risk reduction efforts.
Organized by the Tennessee State Fire Marshal’s Office in partnership with the NFPA, State Farm Insurance, and the Tennessee Public Fire
Educators Association, these one-day events featured informative presentations, interactive workshops, and networking sessions covering the latest trends, technologies, and strategies in fire prevention, safety regulations, and emergency response. Attendees
benefited from practical insights and resources aimed at enhancing fire prevention initiatives, strengthening carbon monoxide safety, and addressing emerging challenges, such as lithium-ion battery fires and broader community risk reduction practices.
This year’s sessions also emphasized the growing concern around
wildland‑urban interface
(WUI) conditions, noting that Tennessee’s extremely dry weather patterns mirror past high‑fire years and increase the potential for significant
wildland fire activity.
Thank you to all the attendees!
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Learn More About Community Risk Reduction (CRR)
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Meet Adam Wodzinski (left), SFMO-Community Risk Reduction Coordinator, and Greg Johnson (right), Fire Prevention
Geopatial Analyst.
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SFMO Community Risk Assessment (CRA) / Community Risk Reduction (CRR) Program
Overview
The State Fire Marshal’s Office CRA program helps fire departments identify and prioritize community risks by collecting data, analyzing
conditions, and finding preventable hazards. It supports creating tailored, evidence-based Community Risk Reduction plans.
Adam’s
role is to assist fire departments through this process by providing direct guidance, resources, and support during the development of their
CRA and CRR plans. This includes helping departments interpret risk data, identify target hazards, align their strategies with national CRR models, and develop achievable action steps. The goal is to ensure every department—regardless of size or resources—has
a clear, practical pathway to reducing risk and improving community safety.
Greg’s role as the GIS Analyst is essential
to the CRA process. He transforms raw information into data-based geographic insights that help departments clearly understand where risks exist and what factors contribute to them. Greg’s mapping and visualization work also helps departments create the story
they share with their residents and elected officials. By turning complex data into clear, intuitive maps and graphics, he helps departments explain why certain risks matter, where interventions are most needed, and how targeted CRR efforts will improve community
safety. His contributions give leaders a compelling, evidence‑supported narrative that strengthens communication, improves decision‑making, and builds community trust.
To schedule an appointment to develop your Fire Department's CRA and CRR plans, contact Adam Wodzinski at
adam.wo...@tn.gov.
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TFCA SPRING Conference May 5 - 8, 2026
Get more conference details including reserving a room and a conference agenda
at this link.
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