CRANSTON, RI – The Cranston Fire Department has been recognized by the National Fire Protection Association with its Community Risk Reduction Award for innovative community safety programs that have significantly reduced fire-related injuries and deaths in the city.

The department's flagship program, the Home Fire Safety Initiative, has installed over 2,000 smoke alarms and carbon monoxide detectors in homes across Cranston over the past three years, with a particular focus on elderly residents and families in older housing stock. The program has been credited with saving at least three lives.

"Our firefighters don't just respond to emergencies—they work to prevent them," said Fire Chief James Donahue. "This award is a recognition of the dedication and innovation of our entire department."

The Home Fire Safety Initiative is just one of several community safety programs operated by the Cranston Fire Department. The department also runs a juvenile fire-setter intervention program, a car seat installation program, and a CPR training initiative that has certified hundreds of Cranston residents.

The NFPA award comes with a $10,000 grant that the department plans to use to expand its smoke alarm installation program to additional neighborhoods.

"We're particularly focused on reaching the neighborhoods with the oldest housing stock, where the risk of fire is highest," Chief Donahue said. "We want every Cranston family to have working smoke alarms and to know what to do in case of a fire."

Mayor Hopkins praised the department's recognition, noting that it reflects the city's broader commitment to public safety. "Our fire department is one of the best in the state, and this award confirms what Cranston residents already know," he said.