The National Fire Protection Association has selected the North Charleston (S.C.) Fire Department as the winner of the 2007 Rolf H. Jensen Memorial Public Education Award. The $5,000 will support an ongoing smoke alarm installation and inspection project.

NFPA gives the award annually to support a community-wide fire and life-safety education program or campaign.

North Charleston Fire Department will use the award to support its ongoing Smoke Alarm Assistance Program, which aims to reduce the home fire death and injury rates in the community by identifying areas at the highest risk for residential fires and providing smoke alarm inspection and installation in these areas. Database information and mapping technology are used for a targeted and systematic approach to identify neighborhoods at highest risk where approximately 180 suppression personnel assess needs and provide alarms by conducting door-to-door visits.

The Jensen Award was named for the founder of one of the largest fire protection consulting firms in the world. Recipients are chosen based on these criteria: demonstration of a plan to implement a community-wide fire and life safety program/campaign aimed at the general public or a targeted group; clearly stated goals and objectives; staff assigned to implement the program/campaign; and a final report, including an overview of the project, number of people reached, media coverage, life saves and more.