The Cranberry Township fire department received an award for fire prevention this week.

CRANBERRY TWP — Whether it be a young student or those who work in an office building, knowing how to prevent fires from happening is the first goal of any fire department.

For the Cranberry Township Volunteer Fire Company, that includes hands-on demonstrations and conversations with all residents.

This week, the department was honored for its fire prevention education program, earning a first place award from the Western Pennsylvania Firemen's Association. The award recognizes the department's programs, which work to prevent or reduce the likelihood of fires that could cause death, injury or property damage.

The department uses its fire safety trailer and house to drive home that point. The trailer has examples of household dangers that can cause fires, and walks small groups through the scenarios they could find themselves in. The three-story pop-up house simulates even more of those potential problems in a larger scale.

Other elements of the fire prevention program include visits to neighborhood events, fire station tours, fire escape planning, fire extinguisher training, home inspections and corporate fire training. The department also works to teach children not to be frightened by firefighters in full gear.

Read the full story in the Butler Eagle.