Safety Under Assault: NFPA's Jim Pauley on Protecting America's Safety Standards

For more than 125 years, the National Fire Protection Association has been the quiet guardian of American safety, developing the codes and standards that protect us in our homes, workplaces, and public spaces. But according to NFPA President and CEO Jim Pauley, this proven system faces an unprecedented threat—and most Americans have no idea.

In a recent podcast interview, Pauley discussed NFPA's groundbreaking "Don't Chance Safety" campaign and revealed the disturbing trends threatening the safety infrastructure that has dramatically reduced fire deaths across America.

The Campaign That's Changing the Conversation

NFPA's campaign launched with a clever hook: a "Reverse Renovations" video featuring HGTV star Jonathan Scott touring a home stripped of every safety feature. No carbon monoxide alarms. Lead pipes. Missing handrails. Removed fire-rated walls.

"We wanted folks to sort of look backwards a little bit at what could have been in their own home had it not been for safety codes and standards," Pauley explained. The tongue-in-cheek video makes a serious point about a critical knowledge gap.

When NFPA surveyed Americans about safety codes and standards, they discovered something alarming: most people assume government officials simply make up these requirements. Few understand the rigorous, consensus-based process involving thousands of volunteer experts who dedicate their time to keeping communities safe.

"We interviewed people and said, where do you think these things come from?" Pauley noted. "The comment was, well, we assume the government just creates these things or the local official has made these things up. People weren't realizing there's a 100-year-old system that we have put in place that's consensus-based, that has experts involved."

The campaign educates Americans with a simple principle: "You are not more than three feet away from something that is impacted by a safety code or standard, wherever you are."

A Code for Every Moment™

From the exits in our workplaces to the wiring in our homes, safety standards shape the way we live—often without us realizing it. You are never more than three feet away from something impacted by a safety code or standard. These standards are the foundation of public safety—developed by private, independent organizations like NFPA through consensus, expertise, and decades of research.

A Shocking Disparity in Protection

Perhaps the most startling revelation from the interview: the massive gap in safety protection across America.

"The National Electrical Code is now in its 2026 edition," Pauley said. "We have parts of the country still using the 2011 edition. Do you know how many things have electrically happened over that time period that that code is so far behind on?"

This 15-year gap isn't just about outdated regulations—it's about life-threatening exposure. Modern challenges like lithium-ion battery fires didn't exist when those 2011 codes were written. Communities using outdated standards are essentially unprotected from emerging hazards.

The problem extends beyond electrical codes. Some states are limiting fire marshal authority or prohibiting code updates entirely. Others adopt building codes but deliberately exclude critical provisions—like wildfire protection measures in western states facing escalating fire threats.

"We're starting to see in some states fire marshals being limited in their authority," Pauley explained. "Either their authority to have codes in place or their authority to inspect and make sure these things are being implemented correctly."

Even more troubling: some communities that try to adopt stronger safety standards face lawsuits from builders and developers, effectively chilling local safety efforts.

History's Urgent Warning

Pauley drew a direct line from historical tragedies to current vulnerabilities. The Triangle Shirtwaist Factory fire killed 146 workers in 1911 because they couldn't escape—inadequate egress. The Ghost Ship fire in Oakland killed 36 people in 2016 for the exact same reason.

"It's 105 years later, and we're still having the same problem," Pauley emphasized. "That's the lesson that we should have learned from Triangle Shirtwaist—we need to make sure that people can get out of buildings when there's an emergency."

He also referenced the Grenfell Tower disaster in London, where flammable cladding contributed to 72 deaths. Buildings in the United States have similar cladding right now, yet nothing is being done until another tragedy strikes.

"We know what causes these problems. We know how to fix them," Pauley stressed. "For us to sit back and wait for a tragedy to occur and then go, why did we let this happen? We shouldn't be in that place anymore. We shouldn't be reactive. We should be proactive."

The Pro Codes Act: Protecting the System

At the heart of NFPA's advocacy is the Pro Codes Act, bipartisan federal legislation designed to protect the standards development system itself.

The issue centers on copyright protection for safety standards that communities voluntarily incorporate into law. Some interests argue that once a standard becomes part of a law, it should be public domain—free to access and use.

"Which sounds great. I mean, who doesn't like free, right?" Pauley acknowledged. "But the reality is, if these standards become free, the organizations that develop them don't have revenue to be able to continue to develop them. And so the system collapses."

This isn't theoretical. NFPA updates its standards every three years on average because technology and hazards evolve rapidly. Without sustainable funding, this continuous improvement ends.

Pauley emphasized that NFPA already provides free access to all its codes and standards online—anyone can read, download, or print them without cost. The only fees apply to commercial enterprises making money from the standards.

"Should commercial organizations be able to use them without providing some revenue back to the organizations that develop them so that those organizations can continue to develop and maintain them?" Pauley asked. "My perspective on that is, yeah, they should help contribute."

The Pro Codes Act would codify this "most successful public-private partnership in history," protecting the consensus-based system while ensuring continued development of life-saving standards.

The Volunteer Army

Behind every NFPA standard stands an army of dedicated volunteers—more than 9,000 technical experts who donate their time and expertise.

As someone who serves on NFPA's 1225 Technical Committee for emergency responder radio communication systems, I can attest to the rigorous process. Even for a relatively specialized standard, our committee includes diverse perspectives, and we spend countless hours ensuring every provision is technically sound and practically implementable.

"I spent about 23 years on technical committees before coming to NFPA," Pauley shared. "I loved it, but I know how much work and effort it takes. The best part is you get to meet with your peers, you do all the work, and then you come up with something that is used to keep people safe. What a great feeling and thing that you give back to your communities."

Significantly, volunteer participation is growing—a hopeful sign that more people recognize the importance of this work.

What's at Stake

The building and construction industry has deep pockets, professional lobbyists, and well-organized advocacy. The safety community operates differently.

"Our industry on the other side is not quite that way," Pauley admitted candidly. "But we've got safety on our side. And that's going to be the important part that makes the difference."

The stakes couldn't be higher. Without updated codes, communities remain vulnerable to known hazards. Without the consensus process, standards lose legitimacy and effectiveness. Without sustainable funding, the entire system collapses—and then nobody's safe.

A Call to Action

Pauley emphasized that timing matters urgently. The Pro Codes Act is in Congress now, but faces reset if not passed before the new year. Once the summer election cycle begins, legislative windows narrow dramatically.

"We're in a position where we've got people listening," Pauley said. "We just need to make sure there's a big voice."

That voice needs to come from fire chiefs, building officials, and concerned citizens. NFPA has created resources at DontChanceSafety.org including:

• Information about the Don't Chance Safety campaign
• Tools to contact members of Congress about the Pro Codes Act
• Resources for state and local advocacy
• Guidance on engaging with local elected officials about current code adoption

"Make sure that whoever you're supporting for local elections—whether it's city council or county commissioner or mayor—make sure they understand how important fire and electrical safety is to you, and that you want them to be supportive of adopting current codes and standards," Pauley urged.

Reason for Hope

Despite the challenges, Pauley remains optimistic—not because the fight is easy, but because of the people involved.

"Everywhere I go, there are people that care about what happens to other people," he reflected. "There are people that care about fire, life, and electrical safety. People wanting to participate in committees is growing for NFPA. That gives me hope."

He also finds encouragement in the campaign's impact. When NFPA surveyed people before explaining the consensus process, 62% said good safety codes were important. After learning how standards are actually developed, that number jumped to 84%.

"That's the knowledge gap," Pauley explained. "And we have to continue to close that, because we can get people on our side then, to be advocates for safety."

The closing message was characteristically direct: "One thing I know for sure—we can't give up."

The Safer Buildings Coalition Connection

At the Safer Buildings Coalition, we understand the critical importance of the standards development process. Our work advancing in-building public safety communications relies on the same consensus-based approach that NFPA pioneered.

When first responders need reliable radio communications inside buildings during emergencies, it's because standards like NFPA 1 (Fire Code) and the International Fire Code include provisions requiring those systems. These requirements didn't appear by accident—they resulted from technical committees evaluating evidence, considering stakeholder input, and reaching consensus on best practices.

The assault on safety standards threatens this entire ecosystem. If the Pro Codes Act fails, if copyright protections erode, if local officials face lawsuits for adopting stronger standards, the carefully constructed framework that protects lives begins to crumble.

We encourage our members and partners to:

1. Visit DontChanceSafety.org and learn about the campaign
2. Contact your representatives about the Pro Codes Act
3. Engage with local officials about current code adoption
4. Consider volunteering on a technical committee in your area of expertise
5. Share this message with colleagues, elected officials, and community leaders

Safety doesn't happen by chance. It happens because dedicated professionals—volunteers, fire marshals, building officials, and safety advocates—work tirelessly to protect communities through rigorous standards and consistent enforcement.

That system is under assault. It needs defending. And the time to act is now.

To watch the full interview with Jim Pauley, visit https://sbcfastlink.org/SafetyUnderAssault. For more information about NFPA's Don't Chance Safety campaign and to take action, visit DontChanceSafety.org.

John Foley is Managing Director of the Safer Buildings Coalition and serves on NFPA Technical Committee 1225 for Emergency Services Radio Communication Systems and Facilities.