Shelton officials judge students' fire prevention posters

SHELTON - Several aldermen judged the Shelton Fire Prevention Bureau's annual fire prevention poster contest among fourth and fifth graders Wednesday night at City Hall. 

Alderman Jim Capra checks out posters. He said it was his first time judging.

Alderwoman Noreen McGorty and her daughter, Siobhan McGorty, also were on hand to judge posters for the first time. 

Longtime Alderman Jack Finn said he had been judging fire prevention posters since the program started 31 years ago.


Quoting from the fire prevention bureau's website:
"In addition to first and second place winners for each grade from each school, a first place winner is chosen for each grade to represent the city in the statewide contest. 
The poster contest is designed to develop fire safety awareness in youngsters and to encourage them to take the message home to their families. It is jointly sponsored by Connecticut FAIR Plan, representing the insurance industry in this state; the Connecticut Fire Marshals Association; Connecticut Board of Education; and the Office of State Fire Marshal.

The contest begins during fire prevention week in October with judging conducted in December."

I was at City Hall along with Valley Independent Sentinel reporter Ethan Fry to judge fifth and sixth grade students' fire prevention essays. 

There were only seven essays for us to read this year, and we chose the three we deemed the best. 
I cannot divulge the students' names here, but I can say the all did a great job with the subject matter.

An awards ceremony will be held in January at City Hall at a time and date to be determined.

Plaudits go to Ted Pisciotta, Assistant Chief, Fire Prevention, for coordinating this program every year!