The Chimney Safety Institute of America and Fireman’s Fund, a major property nsurance company, are partnering to bring more awareness of chimney safety and the need for chimney inspections to Fireman’s Fund clients.

“The partnership the Chimney Safety Institute of America has with the Fireman’s Fund Insurance Company will benefit their clients by making them aware of risks associated with their chimney,” said Frances L. Kelly, executive director of the CSIA. “Many homeowners are unfamiliar with what goes on inside their chimney and the CSIA Certified Chimney Sweep is the appropriate specialist to educate them about their use.”

With about 1,500 CSIA Certified Chimney Sweeps in 49 states, Fireman’s Fund policy holders will have many options available to them when they use csia.org/search to locate a CSIA professional in their zip code. If there is not a CSIA professional close by, the policy holders can still find a bevy of resources on the CSIA homeowners’ page to guide them to what they should be looking for as they seek an inspection.

Since July, CSIA has collaborated with Matt Hunter, Loss Prevention Leader, Personal Risk Services, of Fireman’s Fund, and his colleagues. Their goal was to produce their own white paper as well as other digital and print materials, using our expertise to aid in their reporting. CSIA committed more than a dozen staff hours to aiding Fireman’s Fund in their research.

“Fireman’s Fund recognizes that CSIA Certified Chimney Sweeps are qualified inspectors and are often prepared to provide the services required to correct problems with the venting system,” said Ashley Eldridge, director of education with CSIA. “We were happy to be contacted to participate in their white paper

and other publications, and appreciate that they refer to CSIA Certified Chimney Sweeps as their primary resource.

“Chimney sweeps are doing much more than sweeping chimneys,” Eldridge continues. “They can guide consumers to an appropriate fuel-burning appliance and make recommendations for the venting system. We’re getting across to customers of this influential insurance company that having their chimney inspected and any necessary corrections made will reduce the risk of fire and make it possible to lower insurance premiums and increase confidence and enjoyment of their fireplace.”

The Fireman’s Fund collaboration continues an important ongoing initiative from the CSIA Board of Directors for the staff to collaborate with influential third parties such as insurance companies, home inspectors, firefighters and other affiliated trades.

“We are trying to get out our name out there as the go-to source, and Fireman’s Fund is just the start of what we hope will be a rich collaboration between CSIA and more insurance companies to come,” said Steve Pietila, a CSIA Board Member and Past President who heads our affiliated trades committee.

CSIA has also enjoyed seeing social media mentions from smaller insurers such as Amica (of Rhode Island), Capital Insurance Group of California, Zinc (of Cleveland, Ohio) and Property Casualty, the premier property casualty trade assocation of the U.S. While not in official partnerships, these companies have referred to CSIA’s homeowner resources page.

READ MORE: bit.ly/CSIA_FFund

CSIA Affiliated Trades report

PA, CT POLS RECOGNIZE CSIA Thanks to the Pennsylvania Office of Attorney General for the great consumer tips on on avoiding all aspects of winter scams, published in December. AG Kathleen Kane specifically recommended in that post, “Check and see if your contractor is affiliated with any nationally recognized groups, such as the Chimney Safety Institute of America,” according to the news release. Several media outlets in Pennsylvania provided coverage. It was nice recognition for us, and we have thanked her office for the recommendation. In fact, CSIA has subsequently reached out to other attorney generals with the same offer. Winter is just underway and it’s a time when unfortunately we hear about so many scams.

We at the Chimney Safety Institute of America also thank staff with the Office of Connecticut State Senator Kevin Witkos (along with the Connecticut Department of Consumer Protection) for informing the public about best practices for chimney care. Included in his article, published in December on a half-dozen media outlets, are links to find CSIA Certified Chimney Sweeps, as well as companies that are members of the National Chimney Sweep Guild.

CSIA Update www.CSIA.orgJANUARY 2015 REPORT

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CSIA partnering with insurerFireman’s Fund is our first major collaboration, including a white paper, and it won’t be our last!

Steve Pietila

www.CSIA.orgJANUARY 2015 REPORT

New CSIA Certified Chimney Sweeps

Illinois

Mike Findley and Dave Hathway|Lindemann Chimney|Lake Bluff

Indiana

David Dickenson Chimney & Masonry Outfitters|Indianapolis

Landon Rothbauer|Olde Towne Chimney Sweeps|Jeffersonville

Greg Thatcher|Chimney Sweeps of America|Lebanon

Iowa

Matt Showalter | Top Hat Fireplace & Chimney Services Hampton

Kansas

Stephanie Loving, Paul Metzger, II, and Dan Weisbrod | The Fluesbrothers Chimney Service | Kansas City

Samuel Berry and Jacob Shields|Full Service Chimney |Olathe

Kentucky

Lance Monroe|Barnhill Chimney Company |Lexington

Michigan

Jacob Castorena | Doctor Flue, Inc. | Tecumseh

New York

Jeremy Rocco |Dale’s Chimney Sweep |Ellicottville

North Carolina

John (Wes) Russell |Chimneys Plus, Inc. | Pittsboro

Chris Stacy|Sir Vent of Charlotte|Cleveland

Vermont

Michael Hopkins |Chimney Care |Cavendish

Florida

George Elias| Young’s Chimney Ser-vice|Deltona

Massachusetts

David Watt|Chimney Savers|Saugus

Minnesota

Jim Collar| London Aire Services LLC|For-est Lake

Pennsylvania

Randy Sabo | PA Chimney Doctor | Bedford

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CSIA.ORG sets record Most of you in the chimney in-dustry had a record 2014, includ-ing our No. 1 website — csia.org. We surpassed 940,000 annual page views and 419,000 unique visitors through Dec. 26. We have positioned ourselves as a go-to resource for the con-sumer, from our blog to social media channels, with loads of helpful videos. We write and broadcast so that CSIA credentialed professionals (and their em-ployers) can share them to their customers. Our “authority” then gives us a high organic page ranking on search engine sites. Simply put, when they find CSIA, they find YOU. Because just a few referrals pays the cost of your annual maintenance fee. It’s the best form of advertise-ment. It can work for you, too.

PRESIDENT’S NOTE

CSIA Certified Chimney Sweeps, Renewed With CEUs

Get smarter Fellow sweeps, make sure and take advantage of all that CSIA has to offer in per-son at our Technology Center in Plainfield, Indiana. These classes offer CEUs and icons that you can add to your profile on csia.org’s zip code locator, making you stand out. The lineup includes masonry repair as well as Chimney Physics all the way up to Installing and Troubleshooting Gas Hearth Appli-ances. Plan now. Don’t miss out.Pirate gear We are looking forward to the CSIA Benefit Auction Friday, Feb. 20 as part of the 2015 National Chimney Sweep Guild Convention. Although costumes are not required, our theme is “pirates of Lancaster” and we hope that you will bring an eye patch and any other festive attire. Enjoy heavy appetizers and a cash bar while betting on one-of-a-kind items, chimney sweep collectables, and unbeatable deals on chimney supplies! Auction reg-istration and preview will start at 7:30 p.m. and we’ll begin auction-ing off items at 8 p.m. The event ends at 11 p.m.

Mark A. Stoner,CSIA President

New CSIA Certified Dryer Exhaust TechnicansMinnesota

Christopher Bently|Duct Doctor, Ltd |New Richland

Indiana

Justin Smallwood|Mite-E-Ducts|Zionsville

Benito Rivera|Mite-E-Ducts|Zionsville

www.CSIA.orgJANUARY 2015 REPORT

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Trade show upgrades were strategic in design

Booth basics

This year, CSIA’s board of directors authorized staff to upgrade the de-sign and scope of the 8-by-10 booth that we take on the road with us to trade shows. Our goal was to make CSIA be in-stantly recognizable at these events. We encounter many attendees have never thought of chimney sweeping as a certified profession, but are hap-py to hear there’s a nonprofit organi-zation committed to helping reduce unwanted chimney fires.“By the time they’ve walked away, they completely understand our

mission and focus,” said Tom Spald-ing, director of communications and marketing for CSIA. “And when we’ve done our job correctly, these visitors understand the integrity and training behind our credential and will start using csia.org/search.” The trade show booth has to be versatile to be effective at a variety of shows, from home inspectors to insurers to HPBA and firefighter events. Our new booth makes its de-but early this month in Philadelphia, PA at ASHI.

Tom Spalding

HIGHLIGHTS

•The twisted chimney, a photo of our rooftop icon at CSIA head-quarters, is a powerful symbol.

•Like the chimney, the headline “Qualified, Certified, Ethical” represents the three pillars of CSIA education.

•We have a TV screen that will show video of CSIA events.

•The pictures showcase aspects of CSIA’s safety misison, our manual, our hands-on edu-cation, our 14 brochures, our desire to prevent fires, and the joy of a sweep getting a badge.

CSIA 2015Education CalendarAs of 12/26/14 - Schedule subject to change. Please contact the Chimney Safety Institute of America prior to making travel arrangements.

National Chimney Sweep Training School March 23 – 28 | CSIA Technology Center

June 22 – 27 | CSIA Technology Center

August 24 – 29 | CSIA Technology Center

Sept. 28 – Oct. 3 | CSIA Technology Center

Fundamentals of sweeping and inspection of chimney systems, equipment operation, health and safety considerations and step-by-step instruction in codes, clearances, standards and practices. CCS CEUs: 4-T, 4-CS, 4-CL, 4-HS NFI CEUs: 16 T

Installing and Troubleshooting Gas Hearth AppliancesJuly 20 – 24 | CSIA Technology Center

Service and installation, including appliance standards, combustion requirements, pipe sizing and installation, troubleshooting, carbon monoxide testing and fuel conversion.

CSIA CEUs: 4-T, 4-CS, 4-HS, 4-CL NFI CEUs: 16 T

Chimney Physics April 16 – 17 | CSIA Technology Center

August 10 – 11 | CSIA Technology Center

Diagnosis and resolution of chimney performance issues, solving air pressure problems, identifying the symptoms of indoor air pollutants, determining combustion air requirements for vented appliances. CSIA CEUs: 3-T, 3-CS, 3-HS, 3-CL NFI CEUs: 4 E

Inspection and Report WritingMay 11 – 12 | CSIA Technology CenterOct. 15 – 16 | CSIA Technology CenterChimney inspections and evaluations, report writing including regional and environmental influences, effective photo documentation, digital organization and admininstrative procedures. CSIA CEUs: 4-T, 4-CS, 4-CL NFI CEUs: 12 T

CSIA Certified Chimney Sweep® Review & ExamJanuary 16 | CSIA Technology Center, Plainfield, IN

February 17 | Lancaster, PA [part of NCSG 2015 Convention]

March 13 | CSIA Technology Center, Plainfield, IN

May 15 | Scranton, PA

June 5 | CSIA Technology Center, Plainfield, IN

July 31 | CSIA Technology Center, Plainfield, IN

September 18 | Atlantic City, NJ

October 16 | Albany, NY

November 13 | CSIA Technology Center

In-person intensive review sessions help candidates prepare for the exams. The review sessions are not a substitute for advanced study. CSIA CEUs: 1.50-T, 1.50-CS, 1.50-HS, 1.50-CL NFI CEUS: 6T

CSIA Certified Dryer Exhaust Technician® 2-Day Workshop/ Exam July 29 – 30 | CSIA Technology Center

November 5 – 6 | CSIA Technology Center

In-person intensive review sessions, along with hands-on instruction, help candidates prepare for the exam. CSIA CEUs: 9-T, .5-CS, .5-HS, 1-CL

Online classes anytime access | csia.org

Over 70 courses to choose from, with a bevy of CEUs. Curriculum is online, so you can sign up and start learning at the convenience of home or work!

Register today at www.CSIA.org or call us at (317) 837-5362.

CSIA Certified Dryer Exhaust Technician® 1-Day Review / Exam February 17 | Lancaster, PA [part of NCSG 2015 Convention]

March 20 | Independence, MO [hosted by Midwest Chimney Safety Council]

In-person intensive review sessions help candidates prepare for the exam. CSIA CEUs: 1.25-T, 1.25-CS, 1-HS, .1-CL

Masonry Repair for Chimney Professionals [2-Day]August 13 – 14 | CSIA Technology Center

An intensive class combining a short period of classroom theory followed by hands-on projects. Students will learn how to mix mortar and how to lay brick as well as learning joint finishing, tools of the trade, and all aspects of chimney reapir. CSIA CEUs: 12-T