Photo by Graham Cullen R. Wayne Powell speaks to members of the Maryland Municipal League at the NETC campus in Emmitsburg.

Powell, a former U.S. fire administrator, has worked to influence public policy on matters of fire and life safety at the local, state, national and international levels. He was guest speaker for the MML.

The group of Maryland government officials was visiting Emmitsburg for an abbreviated version of its annual board workshop.

Powell encouraged his audience to learn more about Fire Corps, an initiative of citizens helping fire and emergency management, and Integrated Emergency Management Courses, a four-day, exercise-based training activity that places emergency operations center personnel in realistic crisis simulations within a structured learning environment.

"IEMC build relations and cooperation so when a disaster hits, relations are already established that can be drawn upon," Powell said.

Water mist technology, used on vegetables at grocery stores, is a cost-effective fire prevention device that can be retrofitted in houses and hotels, Powell said.

The meeting at the National Emergency Training Center was attended by U.S. Fire Administrator Kelvin Cochran and Deputy Fire Administrator Glenn Gaines.

"I have a passion for this place," Powell said. "I fight for it."

He said that sometimes he makes people angry, "but I don't care. I don't have to be politically correct."

There's an entirely new attitude across the NETC campus, and it is appreciated, Powell said.

Cochran welcomed the MML and described Powell as an icon.

"Everything that takes place here is geared toward ensuring domestic tranquility," Cochran said.

Powell, who is also a fire protection and life safety specialist for Marriott International, recalled parts of the fire industry's history.

Two-thirds of what was Emmitsburg was destroyed by fire in 1863. After the fire, more than 70 percent of the town's men had to leave to find work, Powell said.

Nationally, bouts of severe drought in the 1800s ignited fires in many major cities, prompting jurisdictions to put resources into fire prevention, he said.

Any able-bodied man was expected to fight fire by throwing buckets of water, Powell said.

Hampstead Town Councilman Chris Nevin said he was particularly interested in the misting fire suppression system Powell mentioned.

"It was an informative presentation. This is not something we normally get involved in so it's always good to get a new perspective," Nevin said.

Frostburg Commissioner Susan Keller said she will take some of Powell's information back to her city and pursue firefighting training programs and funding.

He invited his audience to attend the 125th anniversary of Vigilant Hose Co. at 1 p.m. Oct. 25. The event will include a dedication of the fire company's expanded and renovated facility and open house.

"It is our tradition to gear the workshop around the president's theme, and since Craig's emphasis is on volunteerism and emergency management, Emmitsburg was chosen," said Wendy K. Powers, executive assistant to the MML executive director.

Craig A. Moe is the MML president and mayor of Laurel.