The Grinnell Fire Department was recently presented with a Life Safety Achievement Award for
its fire prevention accomplishments in 2012 by the National Association of State Fire Marshals(NASFM) Fire Research and Education Foundation in partnership with Grinnell Mutual
Reinsurance Company. The award was announced by J. William Degnan, president of theNASFM Fire Research and Education Foundation.

“When we hear the fire truck coming down the street and see its lights, we know firefighters
are responding to someone in trouble. What we don’t know is that these unsung heroes aredoing a lot of things behind the scenes that save lives,” said Alan Clark, assistant vice president
of Special Investigations at Grinnell Mutual. “The Life Safety Achievement Award recognizes firedepartments for their fire prevention programs that have been proven to save lives year after
year.”

Since 1994, the Life Safety Achievement Award has recognized local fire prevention efforts thathave contributed to reducing the number of lives lost in residential fires. Grinnell Fire
Department is one of 117 fire departments across the United States to receive the award this in2012. The award was received due to the department’s documented active and effective fire
prevention programs as well as a clear commitment to reducing the number of house fires inthe community.

Although residential fires in the U.S. account for only 20 percent of all fires, they result in 80
percent of all fire deaths. The NASFM Fire Research and Education Foundation is committed toreducing that number.

“Experience tells us that fire prevention activity and public education can significantly reduce
life and property loss from residential fires,” Degnan said. “Prevention and education are verycost effective compared to the traditional approach of relying on fire suppression. The Life
Safety Achievement Award recognizes fire departments for their fire prevention efforts andencourages them to continually improve upon those efforts.”

About NASFM Fire Research & Education Foundation

The NASFM Fire Research & Education Foundation is a public interest group whose mission is to
reduce residential fire deaths and injuries. The Foundation advocates the use of residential firesprinklers, smoke alarms, carbon monoxide detectors and teaching people fire-safe behavior.
The Foundation assists fire departments with implementing residential sprinkler/smoke alarmprograms on a local basis. The Foundation’s partners include the United States Fire
Administration, the National Association of State Fire Marshals and privateindustry/associations with an interest in and commitment to residential fire safety.

About Grinnell Mutual

Grinnell Mutual Reinsurance Company, in business since 1909, provides reinsurance for farm
mutual insurance companies and property and casualty insurance products through more than1,600 independent agents in 12 Midwestern states. Grinnell Mutual is the 123rd largest
property-casualty insurance company in the United States and the largest primary reinsurer offarm mutual companies in North America.

For more information about the Grinnell Fire Department and their fire prevention activities
please visit them on line at www.grinnellfd.com or on Face Book.