'Hamilton Rocks!': 5th Graders Win 'Smoke Detector Project' Contest (With Video)

Staff Technician Chuck Roberts made a special trip to Wednesday morning to give special recognition to the school's fifth graders, who were recently named winners of this year's “Fifth Grade Smoke Detector Project.”

The voluntary project began in the spring of 2009 as part of the Troy Fire Department’s Safe At Home fire safety program, which is conducted annually within the elementary schools. The project compels fifth-grade students district wide to "inspect" their home and the homes of neighbors and family to ensure that working smoke detectors are present.

When the students complete the inspections, they return them to their teachers. The students’ participation is voluntary, and there is no physical prize for winning. The school that turns in the most surveys receives a plaque from the Troy Fire Department for their achievement.

As this year's winners, Hamilton Elementary's fifth graders returned more than 100 completed surveys, beating out two-time winner . The grand total for all of the elementary schools in the was just under 800.

"You did it on your own," Roberts told the students Wednesday. "Thank you for stepping up and being really good citizens."

Roberts added that working smoke detectors save lives and are a key component of this project, and the Troy Fire Department commends the students, teachers, and school administration for their commitment to this community service project and home fire safety.