The Office of the State Fire Marshal has opened a new challenge for Kansas residents to create an infographic on Fire Safety using Kansas fire data. The contest, Visualize Kansas Fire Safety, is open to all Kansas residents currently enrolled in a university, college or technical school with entries due by 8 a.m. on Nov. 3. Interested participants should visit www.ksfm.ks.gov/Visualize for more information.
The contest centers on the Kansas Fire Incident Reporting System (KFIRS) which collects information from fire departments and is highly useful for both public safety and the Fire Service. By allowing access to raw data the participants form their own conclusions and then present that information visually in infographic format.  
“We’re putting education in the hands of the audience we want to reach by giving them a behind the scenes look at where information starts. This has never been done before and our Office is excited to see what the products of this contest will be,” says State Fire Marshal Doug Jorgensen.
The winners will be announced Nov. 10. Prizes include $200, $100, and $50 for first, second, and third place respectively, as well as publication in the 2013 Annual KFIRS Report, an award certificate with letter for professional portfolios, and available opportunities to appear at a National Fire Incident Reporting System Workshop in Kansas City, Mo. and other conferences.