Altamonte Springs, Fla., Building/Fire Safety Division Chief Anthony “Tony” Apfelbeck is the 2012 Excellence in Fire & Life Safety Award recipient. The award, sponsored by the International Code Council (ICC) and the Fire & Life Safety Section (FLSS) of the International Association of Fire Chiefs (IAFC), honors those who have dedicated themselves to saving lives and property through the development of codes, fire-prevention practices and leadership techniques. The award was presented during Fire-Rescue International 2012.
“Through active involvement in code development and service on several ICC committees, Anthony Apfelbeck demonstrates his sincere commitment to public and firefighter safety,” said ICC CEO Rick Weiland. “He has authored or co-authored hundreds of code change proposals, changes to Florida state statutes and IAFC position statements addressing home rule code adoption authority, consumer fireworks and residential sprinklers.”
As a division chief, Apfelbeck serves as the fire marshal and building official. His expertise includes code management, plan review, inspection, code compliance and fire investigation. He holds a host of ICC, Florida and Center for Public Safety Excellence licenses and certifications including Certified Building Official, Certified Fire Marshal, Fire Instructor and Chief Fire Officer Credential.
“I believe he [Apfelbeck] has been the driving force behind many, if not all, of the recent FLSS initiatives,” said nominator Adolf Zubia, South Carolina State Fire Marshal. “Without his energy, passion and initiative, the section would not have produced the positive results.”
Photo, from left: ICC CEO Rick Weiland; Building/Fire Safety Division Chief Anthony (Tony) Apfelbeck, Altamonte Springs, Fla.; IAFC First Vice President Chief William R. Metcalf