The contest, hosted by the Philadelphia chapter of the CPCU Society, will take place in the elementary schools of the Council Rock School District during National Fire Prevention Week, Oct. 7–15
The Times
The Philadelphia chapter of the CPCU Society (Chartered Property Casualty Underwriters) will conduct its 35th annual “Fire Safety in the Home” contest in the elementary schools of the Council Rock School District during National Fire Prevention Week, Oct. 7–15.
The contest has been held each year since 1984 in conjunction with the school district. Students are asked to write an essay or do a creative work or poster on fire safety during National Fire Prevention Week. The panel of judges will be comprised of Council Rock school board director Joseph Hildago, former Northampton supervisor Pete Palestina, who will also represent the CPCU, and Northampton Township fire marshal Frank Fenton.
The contest was first introduced by the CPCU in 1984 through the efforts of Palestina, who was readily involved with public safety issues in the community while a township supervisor.
“We hope that the children understand and learn about fire safety so that their family and the entire community benefits from a fire safety aspect” said Palestina. “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 contest is open to all Council Rock elementary school students, grades 1 through 6. Each school will have a staffer assigned as a coordinator for which questions from students or parents can be addressed. 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 $100 cash, movie passes and a plaque. Second, third and fourth place finishers will receive $50 cash, movie passes and a plaque. In addition, citations are expected to be presented from the Pennsylvania Senate by Senators Tommy Tomlinson and Charles McIlhinney, from the PA House by Representatives by Helen Tai and Perry Warren and from the U.S. Congress by Congressman Brian Fitzpatrick.
At this time, the awards are scheduled to be presented Nov. 15 at the Council Rock school board meeting and on Dec. 19 at the Northampton Township board of supervisors meeting. Council Rock’s municipalities are Newtown Borough and the townships of Northampton, Newtown, Wrightstown and Upper Makefield.
