Community Safety Division Fire Prevention Specialist and Public Education Coordinator Penni Overstreet-Murphy received the Mary Erickson-Rattan Award at the 19th Annual California Fire Prevention Institute in Buellton, California. This distinguished award was presented during the California Fire Prevention Officers Installation Banquet held March 19th. The Mary Erickson-Rattan Award recognizes outstanding efforts of and contributions of professionals in the field of fire prevention.

The award states: Your leadership as a fully engaged, Workshop Committee Chair, Public Education Committee Chair, Executive Board Member, and President, set the highest professional standard of dedication and service - 2009.

Penni has been with San Bernardino County Fire Department since December 1990. Throughout Penni's tenure with County Fire she has conducted Public Education Programs, Fire Inspections, and has assisted the Public Information Office and the Emergency Operations Center operations. Penni has also been an adjunct instructor at Crafton Hills College in the Fire Technology Department for over 16 years.

Just a few of the Fire Prevention organizations that Penni has been an outstanding member of (usually as an officer) include, California Juvenile Firesetter Coalition, Inland Empire Burn Institute, San Bernardino County Court Appointed Special Advocate, Cal Chiefs/Southern California Fire Prevention Officers, California Fire Prevention Institute, San Bernardino County Fire Prevention Officers Association, San Bernardino County Drowning Prevention Network, and the Inland Empire Safe Kids Coalition.

Please join me in congratulating Penni for an outstanding job representing the San Bernardino County Fire Department and the Community Safety Division as well as promoting our Vision Statement of "Providing Premier Fire Services"!