Newark, NJ - Mayor Cory A. Booker, Fire Director David Giordano and Newark Public Schools dignitaries unveiled the winning entries of the annual Fire Safety Poster Contest during a luncheon ceremony Thursday in the City Hall Rotunda at 920 Broad Street.
During the program, Mayor Booker attributed a reduction in fire-related accidents and deaths to community outreach and educational programs such as the annual fire poster contest, which teach children and families about fire prevention and safety.
"These posters show that our children are aware of the dangers of fire. Every single Newark child who participated in this contest is a winner, for what they have learned about fire prevention and safety," Booker said. "This is an issue that affects every Newark resident, regardless of age. Through programs like this we are building a stronger, safer and prouder City."
Giordano said the annual contest enables students to learn important life lessons about fire safety and fire protection, and express these concepts artistically.
"By participating in this contest, they become vital components of our struggle to protect our residents from fire. I congratulate all the students and teachers who participated in this contest," he said.
The director noted that his own Barringer High School art teacher, Salvatore DiGerlando, had two winners in this year's contest. Director Giordano graduated from Barringer in 1977.
The Newark Fire Department partners with Newark Public Schools for the contest which is held during Fire Prevention Week in October. The contest challenges students from grades kindergarten through 12 to create posters that offer messages on fire prevention and safety. Winners for each grade are chosen in December.
All 14 posters representing the best in each grade were displayed during the ceremony, and the students were presented award certificates and a $50 gift certificate to the Newark Art Supply Store. The theme for this year's contest was "Stay Fire Smart. Don't Get Burned!"
East Side High School 11th Grade Student Jhonson Solano won the highest category of "Best Overall" poster and a $100 gift certificate to the Newark Art Supply Store.
Solano, born in Ecuador, came to America at age six, and lives in the East Ward. He has won a number of poster competitions, and one of his acrylic paintings is on display in a teenagers' exhibit at The Newark Museum. He is also captain of the East Side High Boys' Cross-Country team, competes on the wrestling squad and has a 3.5 Grade Point Average. He is a student in Elaine Zinna's art class and plans a career in art.
"I learned to draw from my mother," Solano said. "She taught me how to use a pencil. I could draw before I could walk. She would hold the pencil and I just enjoyed drawing - more than video games."
Since 2006, the Newark Fire Department, under the leadership of Giordano, has opened new and renovated fire stations and added new vehicles to its inventory. In 2008, the Department graduated the 39th Recruit Class of 18 recruits from the Fire Academy.
In October 2009, the Newark Fire Department unveiled its new 41-foot-long Hazmat truck which will provide firefighters with a wide array of state-of-the-art equipment, including a 9,000-pound winch, a 9,000-watt light tower, a Robotic Search Camera to investigate disasters areas difficult to access, and extrication tools for car crashes.
The Newark Fire Department also has a number of specialized units, including an Arson Unit, a Hazardous Materials Unit, a fireboat, a Confined Space Rescue Team, a foam tanker, and a Cascade Unit, which responds to emergency scenes to fill air bottles.
In addition, the Department is one of nine in the state whose Metro Strike Team has a Collapse Unit to deal with collapsed buildings. Most of the Department's specialized units are assigned for regional response, to assist neighboring communities that lack such equipment and training.
Residents with questions about any City of Newark initiatives, programs or policies should contact the Non-Emergency Call Center at (973) 733-4311.
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