Calif. Fire Marshal Earns Excellence in Fire and Life Safety Award

Fairfax, Va. – California Fire Marshal Tonya L. Hoover will be honored with the 2014 Excellence in Fire and Life Safety Award for her history of courage, determination and dedication to fire and life safety.

The International Code Council and the Fire & Life Safety Section of the IAFC developed the award. It honors individuals who have dedicated themselves to saving lives and property through their work on building codes, fire-prevention practices, legislative efforts and strong leadership.

"Fire Marshal Hoover is a fire service leader who truly values our mission and provides the support to get things done," said Chief Adolf Zubia, IAFC Fire & Life Safety Section chair. “She has the courage to tackle the most significant fire and life-safety issues facing the state and the ability to translate complex risk-mitigation issues to long-term strategies.”

ICC Board President Stephen D. Jones, CBO, said Hoover’s spirit and accomplishments exemplify what the Excellence in Fire and Life Safety Award is all about. “Tonya Hoover’s work in fire safety and prevention undoubtedly has saved countless lives,” Jones said. “Her dedication has been inspirational to many. Tonya is a hero in every sense of the word.”

Previous recipients of the award are Sean DeCrane, Anthony Apfelbeck, George Michehl, John Mueller, Ed Comeau, Michael Love and Ozzie Mirkhah.

In nominating Hoover for the award, Laura Blaul, Orange County, Calif., retired fire marshal and assistant chief, said Hoover has been indefatigable in her quest to make sure people and buildings are as safe from fire as possible.

“The majority of fires, fire deaths and injuries occur in the home, and Tonya works tirelessly to reduce these losses,” Blaul wrote. “To this end, she has championed and facilitated many fire and life safety initiatives that target home fire and life safety.

Blaul said the nomination focuses on four solutions to California’s fire problem:

• Residential fire sprinklers
• Wildfire ignition resistant construction and design
• Photovoltaic design
• Smoke alarm technologies

“It can be done,” Hoover said. “It takes hard work, willingness to listen, patience and keeping your eye on the ball. But we can succeed.”

Hoover has been actively involved in fire prevention, public education and risk mitigation for more than 20 years. She served as California's acting state fire marshal from July 2009 until being appointed to the position in November 2011. She was confirmed in May 2012.

Hoover holds several state fire marshal certifications, including certified Fire Marshal and a lifetime teaching credential. An ICC member, Hoover served as the vice chair on the ICC International Fire Code Development Committee. She currently is on the ICC Codes & Standards Council and the Fire Service Membership Council Governing Committee.