Memo- Hopkins Fire Dept Awards6 Hopkins Fire Department Earns 2009 Life Safety Achievement Award
The Hopkins Fire Department has been presented with a Life Safety
Achievement Award for the year 2009 by the Residential Fire Safety
Institute (RFSI) in partnership with the Grinnell Mutual Reinsurance
Company.
For 19 years, the Life Safety Achievement Award has recognized local fire
prevention efforts that have contributed to reducing the number of lives lost
in residential fires. The Hopkins Fire Department qualified for this award in
year 2009 because it recorded zero fire deaths in structures during the year.
In addition, the department was able to demonstrate the existence of an
active and effective fire prevention program and a clear commitment to
reducing the number of fires in the homes in their community.
Although residential fires in the U.S. account for only 20 percent of all fires,
they result in 80 percent of all fire deaths. The RFSI is committed to
reducing that number.
• "Experience tells us that fire prevention activity and public education can
significantly reduce life and property loss from residential fires", the
Residential. Fire Safety Institute said. "The Life Safety Achievement Award
recognizes fire departments for their fire prevention efforts and encourages
them to continually improve those efforts."
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Fire Chief Wins Award
The Minnesota State Fire Chiefs Association has named Hopkins' Fire Chief
Dale Specken as the Minnesota Fire Officer of the Year for 2010.
The following is from the nomination information provided by the Fire
Chief of the Excelsior Fire District: "Chief Specken is known for his
Leadership and "can do Attitude". He is Highly Respected, Dedicated,
Fiercely Loyal and Fair. Dale's history and knowledge in the Fire
Department and in the City of Hopkins make him virtually indispensable to
the City and the fire service. Chief Specken is a gifted and frequently
requested instructor in the fire service. He is a team player and works well
with other departments, always offering assistance whenever possible. Chief
Specken cares about doing the right thing. Chief Specken is a leader as a
• teacher and trailblazer. He cares about fire prevention. He trusts the people
in his department to do their job and does not micro -manage. Chief Specken
has created an outstanding work culture in the Fire Department. Chief
Specken is known for going above and beyond the call of duty with
firefighter, co-workers, and the Community."
Dale Specken joined the Hopkins Fire Department in March of 1981. He
was appointed as the full time Fire Chief in 2005. He also serves as the
Emergency Manager and Fire Marshal for the City of Hopkins.