Staunton Fire Department honored for prevention efforts

The Staunton Fire and Rescue Department has been presented with a Life Safety Achievement Award for the year 2010 by the Residential Fire Safety Institute in partnership with the Grinnell Mutual Reinsurance Company.

For 19 years, the Life Safety Achievement Award has recognized local fire prevention efforts that have contributed to reducing the number of lives lost in residential fires.  The Staunton Fire and Rescue Department qualified for this award in year 2010 because it recorded zero fire deaths in structures. In addition, the department was able to demonstrate the existence of an active and effective fire prevention program and a clear commitment to reducing the number of fires in homes within the community.

Although residential fires in the U.S. account for only 20 percent of all fires, they result in 80 percent of all fire deaths.

The RFSI is a public interest group whose mission is to reduce residential fire deaths and injuries.  The RFSI advocates the use of residential fire sprinklers, smoke alarms, carbon monoxide detectors and teaching people fire-safe behavior.  The RFSI assists fire departments with implementing residential sprinkler/smoke alarm programs on a local basis.  The RFSI’s partners include the United States Fire Administration, the National Association of State Fire Marshals and private industry/associations with an interest in and commitment to residential fire safety.