On Thursday, Dec. 12, Branford Deputy Fire Marshal Robert Dobuzinsky visited two local elementary schools for a very special reason: to meet the four student artists selected as the local winners of this year's Connecticut Fire Prevention Poster Recognition Program.

The poster program's a cooperative effort of the Office of the State Fire Marshal,  CT Fire Marshals Association, CT Department of Energy & Environmental Protection, CT Fire Chiefs Association, the CT Board of Education, and CT FAIR Plan (representing the insurance industry), said Dobuzinsky. This year's theme is "Fire Prevention: Everyone, Every Day."

Branford's winning artists were selected from all posters submitted to Branford Fire Department by local fourth- and fifth-graders. The public is welcome view all of the posters submitted now through the end of December in a display in the lobby at Branford Fire Headquarters, 45 North Main St.

Branford's first-place fifth-grade winner, Scarlett DiAdamo, is a student of Stephanie Voytek at East Shoreline Catholic Academy (ESCA). DiAdamo's poster was certainly on-message, packing in no less than seven safety tips to remember when in a building fire. Second place went to ESCA fifth grader Christopher DePalma II, also a student of Voytek's.

Branford's first-place fourth grade winner is Miah Maharaj of Mary T. Murphy School, where her teacher is Nancy Ryan. Maharaj's poster includes a bold graphic and artwork reflecting this year's theme.  Second place was awarded to ESCA fourth grade student Richard Mesiona, a member of Donna Pecoraro's class.

Barnes and Noble gift cards were given to all of the local winners, including $100 gift cards given to each of the first place winners and $50 gift cards to the second place winners.

Next, the winning posters will be submitted for judging among all student winners selected by participating fire departments in New Haven County. County winners from each grade will then go on to enter the statewide contest.  The winning student poster selected by state judges will be reproduced as the official Connecticut Fire Prevention poster, which will be used to promote fire prevention throughout the state in the coming year.

County winners will receive a check for $150, while the state winner will also receive a $750 check as well as having a $500 matching grant awarded to their school.