FROSTBURG — Each year, members of the Frostburg Volunteer Fire Department visit schools, senior centers and attend community events to share tips and facts about fire prevention. Their goal is simple — to save lives.

These volunteers can never be certain if their messages are received, but their work was validated Jan. 20, when a young girl helped save the lives of her family after an electrical fire broke out in their East Main Street home.

Lauren Kerr, 11, was sleeping in a bedroom on the second floor of their three-story house when she woke suddenly at 3 a.m.

“I don’t know why I woke up; I couldn’t smell anything because I had a stuffy nose, but something woke me up and I saw smoke and realized there was a fire,” she said.

Kerr immediately woke up her younger sister and then ran to wake up her grandfather and alert him of the fire.    

She showed her grandfather where the smoke was coming from and they soon realized it was an electrical fire. Her fire prevention education came into play when she stopped her grandfather from taking action that could have caused even more of a problem.

“He was going to throw water on the fire when I told him to stop — you shouldn’t put water on an electrical fire.”

Kerr said she did not stop to consider her actions, she simply acted, following instructions she had learned from fire prevention presentations in elementary school and reinforcement from her father and grandfather.

The fire prevention presentation she saw in third grade has stayed with her, Kerr said, and she knew exactly what she had to do to help her family.

“I have always been told that if there were any problems to get my pap or my dad, call 911 and get everyone out of the house,” she said.

The Maryland State Fire Marshal’s Office confirmed the fire was electrical and caused in excess of $50,000 damage to the home. Smoke detectors were present but it was not known if they activated, according to the fire marshal’s office.

Frostburg Chief Nathan Blubaugh said the fire was contained quickly and it was not until much later that the firefighters learned that a potential diaster had been avoided due to the quick thinking of a young girl.

“We try to make sure everyone is educated about what to do but we are never sure if the message is coming across. This time we know it was received,” Blubaugh said.

Public outreach and education programs are organized by Jay Hovatter, fire prevention chairman and deputy chief. Hovatter said he has been working with area students for more than 10 years, and while he hopes students never have to experience a fire, he is pleased to know that these programs are having an impact.

To honor Kerr’s courage, Hovatter presented her with his badge and named her an honorary deputy chief of the Frostburg Volunteer Fire Department in a ceremony held Wednesday evening.

“Your quick thinking may have prevented lives from being lost and to know that our message is being heard is the reward,” he added.    

 Kerr and her family will be the guests of honor at the 134th Frostburg VFD annual banquet this spring and she will also be honored by the city of Frostburg.

“As firefighters, our mission is always to preserve life and property. In addition, we hope to promote public safety and instill courage and leadership in the community we serve. Lauren, you are a shining example of that exact kind of courage and leadership,” Erik Phillips, the department’s assistant chief, said. “Your quick thinking and bold actions helped save the lives of your family members and possibly those of your neighbors. We want to recognize the importance and our gratitude of your actions.”

Mayor W. Robert Flanigan also congratulated Lauren on her quick response, calling her brave and smart. His words of praise were accompanied by several gifts from his sons to Kerr and her sister.

“We heard that you lost your iPod in the fire and we wanted to replace that for you,” Brady Flanigan said.

Flanigan also commended the fire department on its quick response and dedication to the safety of the community.

“These volunteers are so willing to help and do so much more than firefighting,” Flanigan said.

Despite the extensive damage to their home, the Kerrs are very much aware of how lucky they were to have escaped without injury.

“We were so lucky and people have been so kind and generous to us,” Kerr said. “We just lost stuff, and stuff can be replaced. The real loss was for the families that lost loved ones in the fire in Cumberland that same day.”

The Frostburg VFD dedicated approximately 2,500 man-hours to fire prevention in 2011 to more than 700 area residents. The department is emphasizing the need for every home to have operational smoke detectors. Hovatter said that at least one smoke detector be located on every floor of a residence and be located in or near every bedroom.

Smoke detectors are available, free of charge, by calling 301-689-8444.

Contact Angie Brant at abrant@times-news.com.