2012 President Takes Office at SFPE

BETHESDA, MD – Professor James A. Milke, chair of the department of fire protection engineering at the University of Maryland, has taken office as President of the Society of Fire Protection Engineers (SFPE) for 2012.

Milke has served on the Society’s Board of Directors since 2004 and is an SFPE Fellow. SFPE Fellows represent a distinguished group of members who have attained significant stature and accomplishment in engineering. In 2009, he received the SFPE John L. Bryan Mentor Award and the Harold E. Nelson Award in 2002.

“At the University of Maryland, Milke has made significant contributions to the profession of fire protection engineering by advancing the science and technology that makes people and property safe from fire,” said SFPE Engineering Program Manager Chris Jelenewicz. “He is widely recognized throughout the world for his work in structural fire protection and smoke management systems.”

In 1981, Milke became a faculty member in the university’s department of fire protection engineering, and was promoted to department head in 2011. Over this time, he co-authored two books on the design of smoke management systems and authored chapters in the SFPE Handbook of Fire Protection Engineering in subjects related to smoke management and the fire resistance of structural steel.

Milke holds a Ph.D. in aerospace engineering, an M.S. in mechanical engineering and a B.S. in fire protection engineering. In addition, he has a B.S. in physics from Ursinus College. He is a licensed professional engineer in the State of Delaware.

What is a Fire Protection Engineer?

According to the Society of Fire Protection Engineers, a fire protection engineer applies science and engineering principles to protect people, homes, workplaces, the economy and the environment from the devastating effects of fires. They analyze how buildings are used, how fires start and grow, and how fires affect people and property. They use the latest technologies to design systems to control fires, alert people to danger, and provide means for escape.

Fire protection engineers also work closely with other professionals, including engineers of other disciplines, architects, state and local building officials, and local fire departments to build fire safe communities. Fire protection engineers are in high demand. The number of available jobs far exceeds the supply.

Organized in 1950, the Society of Fire Protection Engineers (SFPE) is the professional organization that represents engineers engaged in fire protection worldwide. More information about SFPE can be found at www.sfpe.org or by e-mailing education@sfpe.org.