Fire Equipment Manufacturers’ Association Announces Winner of 2007 Life Safety Award

Individual Recognized for Outstanding Achievement in Fire Protection

CLEVELAND, Ohio – The Fire Equipment Manufacturers’ Association (FEMA, The Life Safety Group) today presented its 2007 Life Safety Award to Joseph Martin, an outstanding employee who quickly extinguished a fire with a portable fire extinguisher when a small fire erupted in a locker at the George Washington Intermediate Elementary School in New Castle, Pennsylvania.

The Fire Equipment Manufacturers’ Association’s Life Safety Award is designed to honor individuals who have implemented a perfect response to a fire: notifying the fire department, demonstrating quick-thinking, making a smart safety decision and, in this case, saving lives and protecting property from fire.

Joseph Martin’s achievement in fire safety is an excellent example of how one individual can make a difference in hundreds of lives when he/she is prepared, educated and trained in fire protection.

“We selected Joseph Martin as the recipient of FEMA’s Life Safety Award because he demonstrated quick thinking and smart fire protection sense when he put out a fire at an elementary school,” says Joe Beranek, President of the Fire Equipment Manufacturers’ Association. “We present him with this award so that he may inspire others to learn how and when to use a fire extinguisher at a time of need. His actions are commendable and we hope to focus all eyes on his quick response and on fire safety.”

“We are happy that Joseph did the right thing and reacted fast to put out the fire,” says Mark Elisco, Principal of George Washington Intermediate Elementary School. “Otherwise, students could have been injured and property could have been damaged.”

According to Fire Chief Thomas Bulisco, a student lit a locker on fire, burning some papers and clothes. Firefighters helped extinguish the fire and cleared out the smoke. The call to the fire department was received at 1:19 p.m.

The FEMA, Life Safety Award is an annual award that was created to further the mission of the Fire Equipment Manufacturers’ Association: to educate others about balanced fire protection and to demonstrate how first-defense fire protection products are a critical component of fire protection design.

About the Fire Equipment Manufacturers’ Association
The Fire Equipment Manufacturers’ Association is a more than 60-year-old non-profit trade association dedicated to saving lives and protecting property by providing education of a balanced fire protection design. For additional information, including videos, interactive questionnaires and training websites about fire safety and protection, visit www.femalifesafety.org or call 216-241-7333. For a complete listing of member companies, visit the Member Profiles page of the association’s website at Membership.

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