Marion Fire Department earns Life Safety Achievement Award

The Marion Fire Department was recently awarded the 2011 Life Safety Achievement Award, presented jointly by the National Association of State Fire Marshals Fire Research & Education Foundation and Grinnell Mutual Reinsurance Company.

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 Marion Fire Department qualified for this award in 2011 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 the homes in their community.

“It is humbling to know that our continuing efforts in fire prevention and community safety have been recognized,” said Jason Hansen, District Chief/Fire Marshal. “The City of Marion strives to be one of the safest communities in Iowa and it is nice to know the Fire Department is doing our part to reach that goal.”

The Marion Fire Department is a combination department with 29 career staff and 25 volunteers committed to protecting nearly 35,000 citizens and over 60 square miles of the Marion Township.

In 2011, the Fire Department dedicated over 1,600 hours to fire prevention activities. The Fire Prevention Bureau focuses its efforts on education, plan review, inspection, code enforcement and fire investigations. Last year they expanded their educational offerings to include a residential sprinkler trailer, “Play Safe! Be Safe!” kits, new educational handouts, and initiated junior high outreach programs. The number of public education contacts increased 11 percent over the prior year to 6,179. This equates to reaching 18 percent of the city's population.

For more information about the Marion Fire Department's public education program, visit www.cityofmarion.org and click on Fire Department and Public Education or call (319) 377-8237.