COEUR d'ALENE - Helping kids and families stay safe is a job they take seriously, and that attitude has earned the men and women of Kootenai County Fire and Rescue national recognition.

The National Head Start Association awarded the local firefighting organization its 2010 Corporate Award, an honor given each year since 1992 to an agency that demonstrates a commitment to Head Start's goal of helping disadvantaged children and their families.

"It's a real honor because of the many people involved in this, who work so hard to improve the lives of children," said Fire Chief Ron Sampert. "It's pretty humbling, actually."

The award was presented May 6 during an award ceremony that was part of NHSA's 37th annual conference in Dallas.

The national honor comes on the heels of Kootenai County Fire and Rescue's receipt of the regional award in March.

Beth Ann Fuller, director of the North Idaho College Head Start program, praised the agency for its work with their young clients, and the far-reaching effects of their efforts outside the classroom.

"They give the families such dignity," Fuller said in March. "Even when they're having to talk about a serious, hard issue with a family, such as a juvenile fire starter, for example, or a family that has a safety issue in their home that is so profound that it really has to be taken care of immediately or there might be great risk to the family."

Chief Sampert said his people are just doing their jobs.

"The partnership that we have established with the Head Start folks is one that I hope will help to empower these families to become stronger and safer within the community, and hopefully that will make a difference long-term in their lives," Sampert said.