Essay Contest Encourages Fire Safety

In coordination with Fire Prevention Week from Oct. 9 to 15, Council Rock elementary students are invited to participate in a "Fire Safety in the Home" essay contest.

The 28th annual contest is sponsored by the Philadelphia Chapter of the CPCU Society (Chartered Property Casualty Underwriters). Students are asked to write an essay of no more than 1,000 words on the topic of fire safety in the home.

In its place, or as a combination, students can choose to create a poster or other creative item. All submissions are due to homeroom teachers by Monday, Oct. 10 and parent involvement is prohibited. 

Submissions will be first judged by school and then at the district level by School Board Director Bernadette Heenan, former Northampton Supervisor Pete Palestina, CPCU, representing the CPCU Society’s Philadelphia Chapter and Northampton Township Fire Marshal Frank Fenton.

There will be three levels of competition: first and second graders, third and fourth graders, and fifth and sixth graders. First place finishers in each level of competition will receive a $200 savings bond and a plaque. Second, third and fourth place finishers will receive a $100 savings bond and a plaque. There will be 12 winners in all.

In addition, Pennsylvania Senators Tommy Tomlinson and Charles McIlhinney, Representatives Scott Petri and Steve Santarsiero and U.S. Congressman Mike Fitzpatrick will present the winners with commendations. 

CPCU first introduced the contest in 1984 by Palestina, who was readily involved with public safety issues in the community while a Township Supervisor.  

“We hope that the children remember what they research and write about so that their family and the entire community benefits from a fire safety aspect,” Palestina said. “Too often we read about the loss of lives and property from a fire and if we can save but one life, it makes programs such as this contest well worth the effort”.  

The awards are expected to be presented Nov. 17 at the Council Rock School Board meeting and on Dec. 7 at the Northampton Township Board of Supervisors meeting. 

To learn more about the CPCU Society visit www.cpcusociety.org.