- Department of Fire Services
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Jake Wark, Public Information Officer
STOW — Three Boston Latin Academy seniors were honored this week for their prize-winning submissions in the Massachusetts Department of Fire Services’ annual Burn Awareness Video Contest, State Fire Marshal Jon M. Davine said.
“Kids and teens suffer about 20% of the serious burn injuries reported each year in Massachusetts,” said State Fire Marshal Davine. “Awareness, education, and avoiding risky behavior can help prevent many of these painful and even life-altering incidents. All the students who participated in this year’s contest are helping to inform and protect their peers, and I especially want to recognize our winners.”
Jensen Nguyen won first place with his submission, “Fire Awareness and Safety,” which focused on fire prevention in the kitchen – the most common area of origin for residential fires in Massachusetts and nationwide.
Gerard Medua of the Massachusetts Property Insurance Underwriters Association presented Jensen with the grand prize – a 4K Ultra HD video camera – during an April 16 ceremony at Boston Latin Academy. Also on hand were Michelle DeVivo and Erin McDonald of Shriners Children’s Boston, a contest co-sponsor and the longest running exclusively pediatric, verified burn center in New England; Julie Bergeron and Derryl Dion of the Department of Fire Services’ Fire Safety Division; and Lt. Henry Perkins of the Boston Fire Department, who presented each of the finalists with certificates of recognition.
“All of us at the Massachusetts Property Insurance Underwriters Association recognize the importance of lifelong fire safety and burn prevention education,” said MPIUA President and CEO Barbara Peterson Law. “We’re proud to sponsor this annual contest and excited to see these students being recognized for their hard work and informative submissions.”
“Shriners Children’s Boston is pleased to recognize Boston Latin Academy for their creativity in educating the public through their burn awareness videos. A pillar of the Shriners Children’s mission is education, including teaching how to minimize burn injuries at home, school, and in the community,” said Shriners Children’s Boston Administrator Frances Marthone, Ph.D., RN. “The Annual Burn Awareness Video Contest held by the Department of Fire Services aligns with our mission, and we are honored to celebrate the creativity of these high school students.”
“The Boston Fire Department would like to congratulate the students and faculty of Boston Latin Academy on winning the Massachusetts Department of Fire Services’ annual Burn Awareness Video Contest,” said Boston Fire Commissioner Paul F. Burke. “Your participation, hard work, and dedication to creating videos not only showed your creativity but also your understanding of the importance of fire safety education for all ages. Your videos are a powerful and imaginative way to share a lifesaving message. Well done to all involved!”
Joseph Bello won second place for “Hoverboard Safety.” This video examines the fire hazards associated with hoverboards and other devices powered by lithium-ion batteries. Michelle DeVivo and Erin McDonald of Shriners Children’s Boston presented him with a $100 Best Buy gift card.
Third place went to Arden Eclipse for “Cook Smart, Stay Safe,” a collection of cooking safety tips to prevent the leading causes of accidental fires at home. She received a $50 Best Buy gift card from Shriners Children’s Boston.
All three videos will be featured in a playlist on the DFS YouTube channel.
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