By Jennifer Edwards
The Cincinnati Enquirer

FAIRFIELD - One of the city's fire stations was recognized Tuesday with the 2002 Gold Star Chili Firehouse of the Year Award for education initiatives, particularly with youth.

In a luncheon at the Cincinnati Museum Center, John Sullivan, Gold Star Chili chief executive officer, presented Fire Chief Don Bennett with a $1,000 check for Fire Station #1 on Nilles Road.

"We are blessed with the cooperation and affiliation of a lot of organizations in the community that allow us to help them," Chief Bennett said.

The firehouse plans to use the money for one of its fire and safety educational programs, the chief said. Many of the fire department's efforts are in partnership with groups such as the Kiwanis Club, Special Olympics and Fairfield public schools.

The department holds adult and children's fire academies and has a smoke detector program with Butler County's American Red Cross chapter, including a new initiative this year targeting children's home safety with smoke detectors for toddlers and infants.

Last spring, the department's Safety House hit the streets. The 34-foot trailer teaches children fire and storm safety and is available for tours at schools, day care centers, churches and community events. The trailer cost the city $34,800 but $6,893.50 of that came from small donations from community organizations such as Kiwanis, Rotary, Firefighters Local 4010 and businesses.

Since 1995, Gold Star Chili - which has more than 100 restaurants in the Tristate - has supported fire safety prevention and education, company officials said this week in a news release.

E-mail jedwards@enquirer.com.