Our president sees to it that he attends the NFPA convention for continuous knowledge enhancement about our industry, so he can pass unto us here what he learns there. He has been a member since 1984 and resumed active membership in 1994. He has been attending the yearly conventions since then and many associates have already went with him to NFPA held in various states of the US, giving them the outlook and feel of fire safety and awareness in the first-world countries heir highly technical and professional firefighting industry. This year, ELY CONCEPCION of the Bulacan group went to the NFPA with him.

The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) is an international organization based in the USA and is composed of 70,000 members around the world. It provides the standards and codes for fire safety and security that are accepted and implemented worldwide. Aside from its publications and magazines, it also provides seminars and training on fire safety and related courses. It holds a conference and exposition twice a year where new standards, codes and results of research and product development of its Technical Committee are relayed to its members and voted upon.

JGF and Ely left for the US in May 14 aboard the Northwest Airlines bound for Los Angeles, California via Tokyo, Japan to take a glimpse of Disneyland and Universal Studios. From Los Angeles, they went to Minneapolis, MN where the convention site was located. After paying a handsome registration fee of $500 ($450 for members), the duo quenched their thirst for learning with the varied and numerous ongoing seminars and sessions. They feasted upon the exhibits and booths of manufacturers and innovators of fire safety and other related products. JGF and Ely stayed in Wisconsin—a two-hour drive from MN. They resided in a mansion beside the lake, which has its own golf course! JGF would drive with Ely everyday for about 90 miles, but to no regret for he drove Chevalier and Mercury cars.

From WI, the two cowboys went to Chicago, Illinois to visit JGF's sister in Huntley, IL. Then JGF went to San Francisco, CA to enjoy the view of Golden Gate, Alcatraz and Pier 39 with his sister, Carmel. While Ely went back to Los Angeles, CA to visit his relatives and gave himself a grand vacation.

As exciting and enjoyable the trip may be, there is still no other place that they would long for than home. JGF and Ely met again in Narita, Japan to board United Airlines bound for home. In June 6, they arrived Manila. Back to work again after an invigorating learning experience.