Year 2004 Fire Prevention Poster Contest Winners Awarded

View list of all winners and posters!

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 Night held in the Auditorium at Shelton City Hall on January 12, 2005. Winners are as follows:

Mackenzie Brighindi, 4th Grade, Elizabeth Shelton School

Jason Fernandes, 5th Grade, Long Hill School

Mayor Mark A. Lauretti presented each with a metal and cash award of $50. In addition all finalists, who included a first and second place winner from the each 4th and 5th grade representing each of Shelton’s public and parochial schools, received a cash award of $50 1^st place and $25 2^nd place from Mayor Lauretti. In addition to cash awards, Deputy Fire Marshal Robert Rockwell, and Firefighter Bob Simon presented all students at the awards ceremony with a tee shirt depicting the contest theme, "Fire Prevention Everyone/Everyday." Fire Prevention Bureau members, Fire Inspector/Firefighter Mike Kellet, and Firefighter Ben McGorty were also present to congratulate this years winners.

The contest 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.

Nearly 1,000 posters were submitted this year from Booth Hill, Elizabeth Shelton, Lafayette, Long Hill, Mohegan, St. Joseph, St. Lawrence and Sunnyside schools. Each student will receive a Certificate of Appreciation and a pen from the Connecticut Fire Prevention Poster Committee. Judging was held on December 8, 2004 with city Alderman and firefighters serving as judges. All first place posters will be displayed over the next year at schools, public buildings and events using the Fire Prevention Bureau’s new traveling display.

Ted Pisciotta, Assistant Chief – Fire Prevention, thanked all students, teachers, parents and principals for the enthusiastic participation from all schools. 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 1,000 posters and essays it becomes apparent where we have made a great impact and also areas where special focus may be needed to improve our educational efforts.