By KERI CHAMPION

Staff Reporter

LAPLACE- The LaPlace Volunteer Fire Department has been awarded the 2005 Life Safety Achievement Award by the Residential Fire Safety Institute (RFSI).

The award recognizes local fire prevention activities that have helped reduce the number of lives lost in residential fires. No lives were lost in he LaPlace Volunteer Fire Department as a result of residential fires last year.

The LaPlace Volunteer Fire Department is one of 769 departments in five countries to receive the award.

Residential fires only account for 20% of all fires but 80% of lives lost are from residential fires.

It is the goal of the (RFSI) to reduce the number of injuries and lives lost in residential fires. They promote the use of residential fire sprinklers, smoke alarms, carbon monoxide detectors and fire prevention programs that teach fire-safe behaviors.

RFSI assists in the implementation of sprinkler and smoke alarm systems at local fire departments and membership includes the United States Fire Administration, National Association of Fire Marshals, and private industry and associations with an interest and commitment to fire safety.

The Life Safety Achievement Award has recognized local fire departments with good safety records for the last 13 years.