Bayonne officials honored student winners at the Bayonne Fire Department’s 2025 poster-contest award ceremony, where department leaders and Mayor James Davis highlighted fire-prevention messages and presented prizes to top artists from schools across the city.

Chief Weaver, speaking for the Bayonne Fire Department, said the contest is a long-running joint effort with the Bayonne Board of Education and “Today, we honor the winners from this year's poster contest and promote the message of fire safety in our community.” He thanked Mayor James Davis, Public Safety Director Robert Kubert, Superintendent John Neese, department leaders and program coordinators for supporting the program.

Mayor James Davis commended students, teachers and parents and stressed adult responsibility for fire safety: “It’s up to us as the adults in the room to make sure that we’re using that,” he said, echoing the department’s safety pitch about smoke detectors and precautions that can prevent needless fire deaths.

The department called students up by school and division to receive certificates and photographs. Winners were named from elementary through high-school divisions across Bayonne schools, and Tim Lynch (Fire Official) announced the city-division grand winners. Lynch said all division winners receive an iPad as a prize.

Chief Weaver and department staff used the platform to repeat concrete safety steps: check smoke and carbon monoxide alarms, be careful with cooking appliances, candles, live holiday trees and electrical cords, and take extra caution with lithium-ion batteries and battery-powered devices. “They are the most important defense to protect you and your family within your home,” Chief Weaver said about alarms.

The ceremony closed with thanks to participating students, teachers and parents and an invitation to view the posters after the awards. Tim Lynch concluded, “Thank you everyone for coming. We'll see you next year.”

The event combined celebration with public-safety outreach; there were no motions or votes and no formal policy actions recorded.