The two first place Fire Prevention Poster Contest winners, a fourth grade and a fifth grade winner, were announced during the annual Shelton Fire Prevention Contest Awards Ceremony held Jan. 29, at Shelton City Hall.
Following opening remarks from Assistant Chief Ted Pisciotta, who congratulated students and thanked parents, teachers, principles, and firefighters for their efforts, Mayor Mark A. Lauretti spoke about the benefit of this annual contest and his gratitude for all the many individuals that support this fire safety program.
Overall City of Shelton Winners were as follows:
4th Grade – Ryan Pereira of Booth Hill School
5th Grade – Daniel Ramos of St. Joseph School
Each of their posters will now advance to a state contest.
All first and second place winners from the 4th and 5th grade representing each of Shelton’s public and parochial schools then received a cash award of $75 and $50, respectively, from Mayor Lauretti.
The two, Overall City of Shelton Winners, were each presented a cash award of $100, a certificate, and a medal.
The annual poster contest, launched in 1984, is designed to develop fire safety awareness in youngsters and to encourage them to take the message home to their families.
It is jointly sponsored by Connecticut FAIR Plan, representing the insurance industry in this state; the Connecticut Fire marshals Association; Connecticut Board of Education and the Office of State Fire Marshal. The local contest is administered by the Shelton Fire Prevention Bureau.
Approximately 900 posters were submitted this year from Booth Hill, Elizabeth Shelton, Long Hill, Mohegan, Perry Hill, St. Joseph, St. Lawrence, and Sunnyside schools.
Each student who submitted a poster will receive a Certificate of Appreciation and a pen from the Connecticut Fire Prevention Poster Committee.
Judging was held on December 11, 2013 with representatives from the board of alderman as judges. All first place posters will be displayed over the next year at schools, public buildings, and events.
Mayor Lauretti also presented cash awards and certificates to winners of the Sixth Grade Essay/Public Service Announcement (PSA) Contest.
Classrooms, and each student author, received a cash award of $100, $75, and $50 for first, second, and third place, respectively.
The Bureau is thankful for the volunteer essay/PSA judge from the Valley Independent Sentinel and AAA Southern New England.
Since the contest began in 1996, its purpose has been to promote fire safety by having students research the topic while writing their PSA.
The fire department/fire prevention bureau would like to use the essay to help remind adults and children how important fire prevention is to Everyone/Everyday.
This year’s winners are:
1st Place
Mrs. Fenstermaker’s Class, Perry Hill School
Author: Kyla Hackett
2nd Place
Mrs. Vicidomino’s Class, Perry Hill School
Author: Lauren McKeon
3rd Place
Mrs. Sulik’s Class, Perry Hill School
Authors: Mark Gergely, Owen Corbett, Luca Breahna, Eric Modica
Students of both the poster and essay contests depicted many of the essential elements of preventing fire from ever occurring and of preparation and planning required to be ready for fire.
Chief Pisciotta is hopeful that the messages of posters and essays will be shared with everyone in the community to help further reduce needless damage to property, injury to persons and loss of life that can result from fire.
In addition to spreading information about fire safety, Chief Pisciotta also finds the contest helpful to measure the effectiveness educational programs of the fire prevention bureau.
From reviewing the nearly 900 posters and 40 essays it becomes apparent where we have made a great impact and have identified areas where special focus may be needed to improve our educational efforts.
For more information about fire safety, the public is encouraged to contact the Shelton Fire Prevention Bureau at 924‑1555 or on the web at www.cityofshelton.org.
