On Thursday, Dec. 6, Branford Deputy Fire Marshal Robert Dobuzinsky announced Branford fourth grader Daniel Diaz was named the first place local winner for this year's Connecticut Fire Prevention Poster Recognition Program; and fourth grader Gabriella Morocho was named the second place local winner.

The winning posters will now be submitted for judging on the county level. Two county winners from each grade will be chosen and a state winner will be chosen from this selection. The state winner's poster will be used to promote fire prevention throughout the State of Connecticut and will be the Official State Poster.

All winning posters on the county level will be exhibited at the State Capitol during the month of October, 2019. The county winners will be awarded a $150 check; in addition, the state winner will also receive a $750 check. In addition, a matching grant will be awarded to the state winner's school.

On Dec. 6, Dobuzinsky helped honor Branford's winning students at their school, Mary Tisko Elementary Schol, where Daniel is a student in Mr. Fonicello's class and Gabriella is a student in Mrs. Budz class. As the first place local winner, Daniel received a $100 gift card to Barnes & Noble. As the second place local winner, Gabriella received a $50 gift card to Barnes & Noble.

All Branford students' posters submitted to Deputy Fire Marshal Dobuzinsky will be on display in the main lobby at Branford Fire Headquarters, 45 North Main St., until the end of December.

The Connecticut Fire Prevention Poster Recognition Program is a cooperative effort of the Office of the State Fire Marshal, the Connecticut Fire Marshals Association, Connecticut Department of Energy & Environmental Protection, Connecticut Fire Chiefs Association, Connecticut States Board of Education, and the Connecticut FAIR Plan (representing the insurance industry).