ST. LOUIS — An internationally recognized organization that establishes electrical code standards has elected Linda Little, PhD to chair its panel covering emergency systems. The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) named Dr. Little to chair the National Electrical Code (NEC) Panel 13 covering installations of generators, batteries, fire pumps, stand-by systems and other emergency-oriented electrical systems.

An instructor at the St. Louis Electrical Industry Training Center, Little is also a member of the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) Local One and the first woman from IBEW to chair a NEC panel. IBEW Local One partners with the St. Louis Chapter of the National Electrical Contractors Association to form the Electrical Connection to help advance “best practices” in following the NEC.

“We are extremely proud of Dr. Little,” said Frank Jacobs, business manager, IBEW Local One. “She has been a member of theNational Electrical Code Panel for more than a dozen years, helping set guidelines for safe electrical installations to accommodate the growing complexities of the electrical industry.”

Dr. Little brings her vast knowledge of the code to the Electrical Industry Training Center at 2300 Hampton Ave., where she has been an instructor since 1999. The training center has trained more electricians and communication technicians working in Missouri than any other training program.

”Dr. Little is the ultimate example of the quality of the men and women that rise to be the leaders within our industry to set the standard of excellence,” said Jim Curran, executive vice president of the Electrical Conneciton. “In our workforce development outreach to schools and communities, she serves as a great example of our training that is the foundation for great careers building Missouri’s energy future.”

Most recently, Dr. Little collaborated with another training center instructor, Jeff Holmes, in helping the IBEW/NECA National Joint Apprenticeship Training Committee (NJATC) develop a curriculum for an Electric Vehicle Infrastructure Training Program (EVITP). The curriculum is essential to support the electric vehicle industry which relies on safe and reliable charging stations. Holmes is also a member of the National Electrical Code Panel.

“Dr. Little’s knowledge of the National Electrical Code is unmatched,” said Doug Martin, executive vice president, St. Louis Chapter, NECA. “Moreover, she has helped sustain the reputation of our contractors as the most reliable by always anticipating how the code must meet the need for safe and quality installations demanded by the buyers of construction services.”

Dr. Little received her doctoral degree in curriculum and instruction from Saint Louis University, where her 100-page dissertation was on the “Impact of High School Math Preparation in an Electrical Trades Program.” Since then, she has been a prime advocate for elevating high school education to better prepare students for the trades.

Established in 1896, the nonprofit NFPA is the world’s leading advocate of fire prevention and an authoritative source on public safety. NFPA develops, publishes, and disseminates more than 300 consensus codes and standards intended to minimize the possibility and effects of fire and other risks. Its worldwide membership totals 70,000 individuals. For more information, visitwww.nfpa.org.

Members of the Electrical Connection provide safe and reliable electrical construction, maintenance, repair and replacement services across Missouri, the nation and the world. For more information, visit www.electricalconnection.org.