The American Fire Sprinkler Association (AFSA) announced its partnership with Homes For Our Troops (HFOT) as its exclusive fire sprinkler provider. In this role, AFSA, along with its local partners, will donate both the sprinkler systems as well as the install services for HFOT homes.

HFOT's mission is to build and donate specially adapted custom homes for severely injured post-9/11 veterans in order to enable them to rebuild their lives. Since its inception in 2004, HFOT has built 250 homes and currently has more than 90 projects underway nationwide.

"As we enter our 37^th year, AFSA is proud to continue its work with charitable organizations who share our passion for and commitment to life safety," AFSA Board of Director and Chair of the AFSA Public Education & Awareness Committee Jeff Phifer said. "We are thrilled to be working together with Homes For Our Troops and our nationwide network of chapters in this joint effort to make the homes of our Veterans and their families safer."

As the exclusive fire sprinkler provider for HFOT, AFSA and its local partners will team up to both donate and install the fire sprinkler systems. Systems will be installed in any home where required by law or in any home where the future homeowner requests fire sprinklers. This partnership will provide a robust safety addition to the already highly customized homes that HFOT provides to Veterans.

Approximately 4,000 Americans are killed and 20,000 are injured in fires each year. The risk of death or injury from fire is even greater for people with physical, mental or sensory disabilities. Through this partnership, AFSA hopes to protect these veterans in their homes, where roughly 80% of all fire deaths occur, and decrease their risk of dying in a home fire by 81% by installing fire sprinklers.

"HFOT relies on contributions from donors, supporters, and corporate partners for the building of each Veteran's home," HFOT Executive Director Bill Ivey said. "We are proud to partner with AFSA in an area that will truly make a positive impact in the lives of our Veterans and their families, and reduce our costs so we can build more homes to help our Veterans rebuild their lives."

HFOT is a privately funded 501(c) (3) nonprofit organization that builds and donates specially adapted custom homes nationwide for severely injured post - 9/11 veterans, to enable them to rebuild their lives. Most of these veterans have sustained injuries including multiple limb amputations, partial or full paralysis, and/or severe traumatic brain injury (TBI). These homes restore some of the freedom and independence to veterans who sacrificed while defending our country, and enable them to focus on family, recovery, and rebuilding their lives. For more information on how you can get involved, visit firesprinkler.org or hfotusa.org.