Jeff Lundquist was looking to get involved with something new when he signed up to be a volunteer firefighter with the Spring Lake Park-Blaine-Mounds View department six years ago.

It wasn't long before Lundquist, 44, a truck driver by day, became passionate not just about fighting fires, but about preventing them, too. Lundquist regularly performs home safety surveys — pointing out fire hazards at people's homes — and he speaks about fire safety at schools and other community sites.

His efforts have been noticed, and in October, the Minnesota State Fire Chiefs Association honored Lundquist with its Public Education Award for 2014.

The Mounds View resident spoke with us recently about his work and about fire safety tips, especially during the holiday season.

Q: What do you enjoy about firefighting, including the prevention side of things?

A: Just getting out in the community, generally helping people in need. I like talking to people.

I wish I had thought about this when I was in my 20s. I'm a very active, outgoing kind of guy who likes physical work.

A little excitement never hurts, either. It's exciting when the pager goes off and you don't know what you're going to.

It's pretty fast-paced. There have been times when my pager has gone off, when I'm in the middle of something with my wife. I look at her for a second to ask, "Is this OK?" I've left her at grocery stores and restaurants and elsewhere.

Once you get into the station, though, the excitement takes a back seat. You have to concentrate on what you have to do.

Q: What makes the home safety surveys fun or interesting?

A: I like to hear about what's on the homeowner's mind. I like it when they ask questions and I can keep them interested.

One question that comes up a lot is about how heavy our gear is. It's close to 70 pounds, fully suited. …

Kids always seem to ask about if we save pets like cats, dogs, fish and snakes. Yes to all of them. Children also want to know how fast we can get our gear on. The answer is under one minute. They also wonder if we have a firedog, which we don't.

Q: The fire department received a $1,200 grant for fire prevention initiatives, thanks to your award. Can you describe what you're doing with that?

A: I like being able to think of something unique. I came up with the idea for pillowcases with a fire truck design and the words, "Know your way out." We'll give the pillowcases away to kids during the home safety surveys.

I was just trying to think of something for the kids that would be long lasting, not like a coloring book that would get tossed out. I wanted something to be a visual reminder for the kids and their parents every time they go to their room. They see the pillowcase and hopefully it gets them thinking about fire safety.

I printed out a sample and I showed it to my kids. They thought it was cool.

Q: The fire department canvasses neighborhoods but you suggested targeting areas that have recently been hit by a fire. What's the benefit of that?

A: The whole neighborhood knows that a house nearby was on fire and if we hit the area soon after that, offering to check smoke alarms, or do a home safety survey for people, we get good participation.

Everybody is just more alert to it and so more willing to have us come in. If you pick a random time in a neighborhood, the turnout isn't great. It also works better to let people know in advance when we're coming.

Anna Pratt is a Minneapolis freelance writer. She can be reached at annaprattjournalist@gmail.com.