BISMARCK, N.D. (NDIC) – Community Risk Reduction Week in North Dakota runs now through January 20th, highlighting the various ways local fire departments help mitigate risks across the state.

Community Risk Reduction (CRR) is a data-driven initiative to identify and prioritize local fire risks, followed by a strategic investment of resources to reduce the occurrence and impact of fires.

“CRR work is being done all around us, with some efforts being more visual than others,” said Doug Nelson, North Dakota Fire Marshal. “These efforts can include local fire departments visiting local schools to educate students about fires, or perhaps something more elaborate like providing grants and incentives for businesses to install sprinkler systems. Many of these efforts are happening at local fire departments across North Dakota.”

“CRR week is an excellent opportunity to highlight the work local fire departments are doing to make our communities safer. Having a coordinated and strategic framework to reduce risk, such as CRR efforts, is vital to the safety and success of all of us,” said North Dakota Insurance Commissioner Jon Godfread.

CRR is comprised of five components: education, engineering, enforcement, economic incentive and emergency response. These elements are utilized to influence efforts in communities to reduce risks caused by fires.

The goal of CRR is to build healthy, safe and resilient communities by reducing the occurrence and impact of emergency events for both members of the community and emergency responders.