The award, which was presented at a ceremony Dec. 1 in Richmond Hill, is given for: leadership in promoting and supporting fire, emergency service and life safety issues; professionalism; strengthening fire safety through the development of fire prevention programs; acting as a catalyst to improve fire service; and a good relationship with the community and its organizations.

Members of the Fire/Life Safety Division are: Division Chief George Hitchcock, Assistant Division Chief Debbie Campbell and Fire/Life Safety Education Officers Chris Gougeon, Tina Hickey and Bob Manson.

"I would like to extend my congratulations to the Fire/Life Safety Division in receiving this award," said Terry Irwin, Fire Chief, Brampton Fire and Emergency Services. "They have worked hard to receive this honour and we are all proud of their accomplishments."

Brampton and Fire Emergency Services continues to be a leader in providing public awareness on fire and safety education to the residents of Brampton through innovative approaches. Stephanie's Place, an interactive apartment at the Brampton Fire/Life Safety Education Centre, teaches children about household hazards. For students who can't visit the Centre, the Fire/Life Safety Division distributes an educational DVD on Stephanie's Place to more than 130 schools each year to teach students about fire and life safety.

After the success of the Stephanie's Place DVD, the Fire/Life Safety staff introduced a second instructional DVD titled "Is Your Child Safe and Secure? … Tips On Car Seats and Booster Seats", to teach parents and care givers about the correct use of booster and car seats.

Fire/Life Safety Division is responsible for the delivery of many other programs such as: Risk Watch Injury Prevention Program; Peel Injury Prevention Coalition for Adults and Children; Carbon Monoxide Awareness program; Home Safe Home; and, the Arson Prevention Program.