FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Friday, May 19, 2017

 

 TRENTON – The New Jersey Division of Fire Safety (NJDFS) and the New Jersey Fire Prevention and Protection Association (NJFPPA) have announced this year’s winners of the NJDFS-NJFPPA Scholastic Fire Safety Poster Contest. The poster contest is cooperatively organized by the DCA’s Division of Fire Safety and the New Jersey Fire Prevention and Protection Association. 

As children return to school each year the NJFPPA asks students grade K-12 to apply their artistic talents to the theme advanced annually by the NJFPPA. This year, with instructor guidance, student artists from school districts in 21 counties focused their art on the theme, ‘Don’t Wait Check the Date, Replace Your Smoke Alarm Every 10 Years.’ 

“I congratulate Jaslyn Tu and the other six division winners on turning such an important message into compelling artwork,” said DCA Commissioner Charles A. Richman. “Smoke alarms are critical to protecting people and property.” 

The artwork of the overall winner will grace the cover of the yearly NJDFS and NJFPPA Fire Safety calendar, which promotes fire prevention awareness. The calendar includes reminders such as the annual time change to check and replace smoke alarm batteries, the dates for significant fire safety events such as National Fire Prevention Week, and seasonal cautions concerning fire safety throughout the year. The calendar is distributed statewide to advance community risk reduction awareness. Winning posters from each division and runners-up are also placed throughout the calendar. 

“We are indeed proud and privileged to participate with the NJFPPA and especially President Richard Silvia who takes a personal hand in collecting and judging the entrants each year,” said Acting Director and Acting State Fire Marshal Louis Kilmer of the New Jersey Division of Fire Safety. “Our congratulations go out to the student artists, their schools who sponsor the competition, and of course, parents and guardians. This poster contest is a worthwhile and possibly life-saving experience for all.” 

The 2016-17 contest winners are as follows: 

Division 1 - Zara Hamil, PS #11 886 Bergen Ave., Jersey City, Hudson County   

Division 2 - Anabella Cossaboon, Vineland Public Charter School, Vineland, Cumberland County    

Division 3 & Overall  Winner - Jaslyn Tu, Robert L. Craig Elementary School, Moonachie, Bergen County

Division 4 - Patrick Villavert, Belleville High, Belleville, Essex County                  

Division 5 - Nyland Powers, Cumberland County Technical Education Center, Vineland, Cumberland County

Division 6 - David Deconde, Lake Riviera Middle School, Brick, Ocean County                                      

Division 7 - Simon Matos, The Calais School, Whippany, Morris County                                                                                                                                             

 

The contest is the longest running community-risk-reduction public education program in the state. The contest grew out of the New Jersey Fire Safety Commission, which has, since 1983 by legislative mandate, sought to reduce the instance of civilian and firefighter fatality statewide. Part of this mandate includes participation by schoolchildren resulting in the development of the Poster Contest. 

The Division of Fire Safety serves as the central fire service agency in the State. The Division is responsible for the development and enforcement of the State Uniform Fire Code, as well as for implementing community risk reduction strategies and firefighter training programs.

 

CONTACT:
Tammori Petty
or Emike Omogbai
(609) 292-6055