Safety is always the top priority for Mad River Valley businesses—and for good reason. Business owners care deeply about the well-being of their guests, employees, and neighbors. At the same time, understanding and navigating fire and life safety rules can be challenging. Codes are complex, interpretations can vary, and it’s not always clear what is required, what is recommended, and how best to plan for compliance in a way that is both safe and sustainable.

In an effort to “clear up the smoke,” the Mad River Valley Chamber of Commerce is hosting a Fire & Life Safety Roundtable on:

📅 Wednesday, January 7
🕞 3:30–5:00 pm
📍 Yestermorrow Design/Build School Campus

This roundtable is designed to create an open, respectful, and informative conversation between business owners and state public safety officials—focused on clarity, consistency, and shared goals.

Featured Speakers

The discussion will feature:

• Landon A. Wheeler, Deputy Director
  Vermont Department of Public Safety – Division of Fire Safety

• Ben Moffatt, Regional Manager
  Waterbury Regional Office, Department of Public Safety

The conversation will be moderated by Eric Friedman, Executive Director of the Mad River Valley Chamber of Commerce.

What We’ll Be Talking About

Across the Mad River Valley, businesses of all sizes—inns, restaurants, lodges, contractors and property managers—are navigating how best to meet safety standards while remaining financially viable and operationally stable. This roundtable is not about blame or complaints; it’s about understanding, communication, and problem-solving.

Topics we hope to explore together include:

• Understanding the codes
  How fire and life safety regulations are structured, what they’re intended to accomplish, and how they are applied in real-world settings.

• Clarity around expectations
  How inspections work, what business owners should expect during and after an inspection, and how to interpret findings and next steps.

• Consistency and continuity
  How inspections may differ over time or between inspectors, and how businesses can better plan for long-term compliance.

• Practical pathways to compliance
  Discussing approaches that prioritize safety while recognizing the realities of historic buildings, small-scale operations, and seasonal businesses.

• Preserving what makes Vermont special
  Exploring how safety upgrades can coexist with the historic, rustic character that defines many Mad River Valley properties and attracts visitors.

• Creating a level playing field
  Understanding how safety oversight applies across different types of lodging and visitor accommodations.

Why This Matters

A strong Mad River Valley depends on businesses that are safe, resilient, and able to thrive. When rules are clearly understood and applied consistently, business owners can plan ahead, make smart investments, and focus on delivering great experiences to residents and visitors alike.

This roundtable is an opportunity to ask questions, hear directly from state officials, and build a shared understanding that supports public safety, business sustainability, and the long-term health of our local economy.

We encourage business owners, property managers, and anyone navigating fire and life safety regulations to attend and take part in this important conversation.

Let’s clear up the smoke—together.