Lafourche pushes free eNotification system for updates
October 14, 2014Fines a stiff reminder to fix fire alarms
October 14, 2014
For the second year in a row, a local volunteer fire department has been recognized for accomplishing its most important goal – saving lives.
The National Association of State Fire Marshalls Fire Research and Education Foundation (NASFM) in conjunction with the Grinnell Mutual Reinsurance Company presented the 2013 Life Safety Achievement Award to the Schriever Volunteer Fire Department.
The department, consisting of about 35 volunteers, also won the award last year.
The award is presented to all fire districts across America that either have zero fire deaths or reduce its number of fire deaths by 10 percent during the calendar year. Additionally, award recipients must document active and effective fire prevention programs as well as a clear commitment to reducing the number of house fires in the community.
Schriever Volunteer Fire Department Chief Kenneth Pitre said there has not been a fire death in his boundaries, which cmore than 48 square miles of northern Terrebonne Parish, since about 2001.
He said the only reason his group has only gotten the award two years in a row is because they’ve only sent in the adequate paperwork the last two years.
“We’re all appreciative of all the work our members do as volunteers,” Pitre said. “Nobody gets a paycheck so we appreciate their dedication to the community and how much they mean to the people. Even though they may not get a thank you directly from the public, the public does very much appreciate what they do and the time they take the respond to these calls and do their training. I appreciate it as fire chief, and I know the public does appreciate it also.”
Apart from the evidence of zero fatalities, which of course is the most important factor, some of the preventative measures behind the zero fatalities is also why the Schriever Volunteer Fire Department won the award.
Volunteers hold education programs at elementary schools, middle schools and day cares as well as any other organization that would like to have a presentation.
“The heroic efforts of our local fire service aren’t limited to rushing into burning buildings to save families. They also present educational information to local schools and other community groups to make sure people know how to respond to fires and how to prevent them in the first place,” Alan Clark, assistant vice president of Special Investigations for Grinnell Mutual said in a release. “The Life Safety Achievement Award recognizes fire departments for their fire prevention programs that have been proven to save lives year after year.”
Pitre said the volunteer fire district has holding education programs at schools for at least 25 years.
“All the hard work they’re doing is paying off. The time that we take out of our busy, daily schedule and go and work with these fire prevention programs and kids and all of that is working,” Pitre said.
Believe it or not, Pitre said teaching children the benefits of fire safety presents better results.
“We’ve actually had some house fires where the alarm went off, people were notified, they got out or they had the fire extinguishers, were able to knock the fire out on the stove, and it was all because a kid came home and said, ‘Grandma or mamma, fire department said you’re supposed to have fire alarms and a fire extinguisher.’ At least three houses were saved just because of that program we do kindergarten and fifth grade in the schools,” Pitre said.
Additionally, Pitre said the volunteer fire district puts fire alarms in people’s houses upon request.
“We’re actually using the fire detectors that we received from the state fire marshal’s office, which is actually a 10-year life. It has new lithium batteries and has a 10-year life,” Pitre explained.
The Schriever Volunteer Fire Department was one of 142 fire departments nationwide to receive the 2013 award. There are an estimated 30,100 fire departments in America, according to a 2012 National Fire Protection Association study.
“Experience tells us that fire prevention activity and public education can significantly reduce life and property loss from residential fires,” NASFM Foundation President Butch Browning said in a release. “Prevention and education are very cost effective compared to the traditional approach of relying on fire suppression.”
— richard@rushing-media.com
Youngsters with Mary’s Little Lamb Day Care visit the Schriever Volunteer Fire Department. The SVFD was recently presented with the 2013 Life Safety Achievement Award.
