Bryan County Emergency Services recently received the 2015 Fire Prevention Program of the Year Award from Ralph Hudgens, the state insurance and safety fire commissioner.

BCES members attended a luncheon Oct. 29 at the Georgia Public Safety Training Center in Forsyth. The award celebrated the achievements by first responders through educational and entertaining shows put on by BCES employees and volunteers.  

BCES employees won grants from Georgia Power, Coastal Electric Cooperative and Canoochee Electric Membership Corporation that allowed the department to buy Sparky the Fire Dog costume and puppets, and build a puppet stage that looks like a fire truck.  

Over two years BCES personnel have visited all Bryan County schools, teaching fire and life safety messages. Also, during October’s Fire Prevention Month, with the support of Dairy Queen in Richmond Hill and Pembroke, The Ice Cream Shop and the Bryan County Board of Education, a coloring sheet was distributed to all students. Once the sheet was colored it could be redeemed at those businesses for ice cream.

BCES also spread the fire-prevention message with the help of Deano’s Pizza in Pembroke and That’s Italian and Papa’s Pizza in Richmond Hill. Every pizza bought had a fire-prevention flier taped to the box with a reminder about smoke alarms and exit plans.

BCES employees also have other fire-safety programs and activities.

“BCES accepts this award on behalf of all citizens who participated in and benefited by these activities and would like to thank all of the companies who partnered with us and have contributed to the success of this program,” department Chief Freddy Howell said.