(28 October 2016 – Landrum, SC) The Landrum Area Fire and Rescue District was recently presented with a Life Safety Achievement Award for its fire prevention accomplishments in 2015 by the National Association of State Fire Marshals (NASFM) Fire Research and Education Foundation in partnership with Grinnell Mutual Reinsurance Company. The award was announced by H. Butch Browning, President of the NASFM Fire Research and Education Foundation.
“When we hear the fire truck coming down the street and see its lights, we know firefighters are responding to someone in trouble. What we don’t know is that these unsung heroes are doing a lot of things behind the scenes that save lives,” said David Miller, Assistant Vice President of Special Investigations at Grinnell Mutual. “The Life Safety Achievement Award recognizes fire departments for their fire prevention programs that have been proven to save lives year after year.”
Congratulating the District for its efforts, South Carolina Governor Nikki Haley wrote, “It’s a great day in South Carolina when you, our everyday heroes, receive recognition for your hard work and commitment to the safety of our citizens and communities. Michael and I are grateful for your willingness to put your lives on the line to save others.”
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 Landrum Area Fire and Rescue District is one of 160 fire departments across the United States to receive the award this year for recording zero fire deaths in 2015 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.
“Nationwide, residential fires account for only 20 percent of fires, but they result in 80 percent of fire fatalities,” according to Chief Warren Ashmore of the Landrum Area Fire and Rescue District. “Prevention efforts are key to reducing that number, and we are honored to be recognized for the work we’ve done in the Landrum area.”
“Experience tells us that fire prevention activity and public education can significantly reduce life and property loss from residential fires,” Browning said. “Prevention and education are very cost effective compared to the traditional approach of relying on fire suppression. The Life Safety Achievement Award recognizes fire departments for their fire prevention efforts and encourages them to continually improve upon those efforts.”
Pam Hilsman, chairwoman of the Landrum Area Fire and Rescue District added praise for local personnel. “Chief Ashmore and our firefighters are dedicated to prevention and education efforts. They work directly with businesses, churches, schools, and other organizations interested in reducing risk factors before they become problems that require our trucks to arrive with lights and sirens. The culture of the Landrum Area Fire and Rescue District is that we are ‘Neighbors Protecting Neighbors’, and this national recognition illustrates how our department continues to go above and beyond to keep the Landrum area safe.”
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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 Reinsurance Company, in business since 1909, provides reinsurance for farm mutual insurance companies and property and casualty insurance products through more than 1,600 independent agents in 12 Midwestern states. Grinnell Mutual is the 123rd largest property-casualty insurance company in the United States and the largest primary reinsurer of farm mutual companies in North America.
About the Landrum Area Fire and Rescue District
The Landrum Area Fire and Rescue District was created on June 3, 2015 by Act 48 of the South Carolina General Assembly to address evolving fire and emergency needs of the coverage area of the former Landrum Fire Department that included the incorporated City of Landrum, a contract area in Spartanburg County outside (but adjacent to) the city, and approximately 22% of the Foothills Fire Service Area in Greenville County. The district was created to transition from a part-time paid department relying primarily on volunteers to a full-time paid staff of fire fighters with emergency response personnel augmented by volunteers. For more information about the Landrum Area Fire and Rescue District, visit www.LandrumFire.com.
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This news release contains or may contain forward-looking statements that are or may be subject to certain risks and uncertainties which could cause actual results or facts to differ materially from such statements for a variety of reasons. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date on which they are made. The Landrum Area Fire and Rescue District undertakes no obligation to update publicly or revise any forward-looking statements.
