AFSA proudly announces that John August Denhardt, P.E., FSFPE, vice president of engineering and technical services, has received the Distinguished Alumni Award from the University of Maryland Fire Protection Engineering Department (UMDFPE). UMDFPE Chair Arnaud Trouvé, Ph.D., presented Denhardt with the award at the Distinguished Alumni Dinner during NFPA’s 2025 Conference & Expo.
“Congratulations to John for the recognition by his peers and fellow alumni. This award acknowledges him as a premier industry speaker and personality,” says AFSA President Bob Caputo, CFPS. “His many years of service in the code development process and sharing his knowledge and experience are unsurpassed.”
The award honors those in the Department of Fire Protection Engineering who have contributed to the mission and ideals of the department. Candidates should have accomplished one or more of the following:
Contributed truly exceptional service to their community, the Department of Fire Protection Engineering, the profession, and/or the public, or;
Enhanced the student experience, research scholarship, academic excellence, technology commercialization, national and international reputation, and impact of the Department of Fire Protection Engineering or;
Made significant accomplishments in the theory and practice of fire protection engineering, or;
Managed or directed an organization that has made noteworthy national or international contributions in design, construction, production, or service delivery by applying complex fire protection engineering principles.
