The New Lenox Fire Protection District was recently presented with a Life Safety Achievement Award for its fire prevention accomplishments in 2017 by the National Association of State Fire Marshals (NASFM) Fire Research and Education Foundation. Award recipients were announced by Julius Halas, president of the NASFM Fire Research & Education Foundation. The award is sponsored by a grant from Grinnell Mutual.

“When we hear the fire truck coming down the street and see its lights, we know firefighters are responding to someone in trouble,” said David Miller, assistant vice president of Special Investigations at Grinnell Mutual. “What we want to recognize is that these heroes are doing a lot of things behind the scenes that save lives. The Life Safety Achievement Award recognizes fire departments for their fire prevention programs that have been proven to save lives year after year.”

Since 1994, 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 New Lenox Fire Protection District is one of 31 fire departments across the United States to receive the award this year for recording zero fire deaths in 2017 or reducing fire deaths by at least 10 percent during the year. In addition, award recipients documented active and effective fire prevention programs as well as a clear commitment to reducing the number of house fires in 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 NASFM Fire Research and Education Foundation is committed to reducing that number.

“Experience tells us that fire prevention activity and public education can significantly reduce life and property loss from residential fires,” Halas said. “Prevention and education are very cost effective compared to the traditional approach of relying on fire suppression.”

About NASFM Fire Research & Education Foundation
The NASFM Fire Research & Education Foundation is a public interest group whose mission is to reduce residential fire deaths and injuries. The Foundation advocates the use of residential fire sprinklers, smoke alarms, carbon monoxide detectors and teaching people fire-safe behavior. The Foundation assists fire departments with implementing residential sprinkler/smoke alarm programs on a local basis. The Foundation’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.

About Grinnell Mutual
Grinnell Mutual, in business since 1909, is the 109th-largest property casualty insurance company in the United States and the largest primary reinsurer of farm mutual companies in North America. Its products are available in 15 states.

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FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT:
Jim Narva, Executive Director
NASFM Fire Research & Education Foundation
jnarva@narvaassociates.com
www.firemarshals.org