Deputy Fire Marshal Townsend Link briefed the Board of Commissioners Oct. 20 on the Pender County Fire Marshal’s Office community‑risk‑reduction and fire‑prevention programs, describing a data‑driven approach aimed at preventing fires and other emergencies rather than reacting to them.

Link outlined the office’s four pillars — investigation, prevention, inspection and education — and summarized a suite of targeted programs. Highlights included smoke‑alarm canvassing and installations focused on high‑risk areas; outreach for fall prevention among seniors; bike and pedestrian safety education; a teacher‐focused fire safety training pilot in private schools; and a Safe Kids Pender County coalition that has distributed car seats and conducted car‑seat checks.

The Fire Marshal’s Office also introduced a 30×15 inflatable “Fire Prevention House,” a mobile education structure that simulates kitchen, living room and bedroom hazards and allows guided or self‑guided walkthroughs for people of all ages. Link said the office had received materials from State Farm valued at about $1,100 to support Fire Prevention Week and obtained 66 car seats through a state grant; the office has installed 16 of those seats and checked over 50 more this year.

Statistics provided by Link: the office reported roughly 1,838 organic face‑to‑face contacts this year from the Fire Marshal’s Office alone and about 455,728 social media and online impressions attributed to their outreach efforts (figures changed during the meeting). Link said these prevention activities also contribute to Insurance Services Office (ISO) points that can help lower homeowners insurance costs in fire districts.

Why it matters: fire‑prevention and community‑risk‑reduction programs are intended to lower risk for seniors and children, reduce emergency response demand, and produce long‑term savings through avoided losses and lower insurance ratings.

What’s next: Link asked for continued support for the office’s prevention efforts and noted plans to expand outreach to all corners of the county as population growth continues.