The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) has named Montgomery County Fire and Rescue Service of Maryland as the winner of the 2009 Rolf H. Jensen Memorial Public Education Grant, according to an NFPA press release. The $5,000 award will support the fire and rescue service’s training program to provide outreach on fire safety for adults over the age of 65.

NFPA gives the award annually to support a community-wide fire and life safety education program or campaign. Montgomery County Fire and Rescue Service will use the grant to support its Fire Safety Awareness Training Program. Throughout the program, representatives of local government agencies and direct service providers, who meet regularly in the homes of residents 65 years of age and older, will receive training through an instructional DVD and Web-based program on how to identify and mitigate fire safety hazards and other risks in the homes of older adults. Participating residents will receive smoke alarms and educational brochures.

The Jensen Grant was named for Rolf H. Jensen, founder of RJA Group, Inc., 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, materials used or developed, media coverage, life saves, etc.