PARIS – When inspectors from the Maine Department of Labor swung by the Fire Department in February, they were at a loss for recommendations.

“As far as I remember, there weren’t any,” said David Wacker, state director of workplace safety and health. “They made it on the first try.”

“The place was immaculate,” said Jane Gilbert, deputy commissioner of the Department of Labor. “It was a first-class operation.”

Fire Chief Brad Frost said the inspectors made only one suggestion: to post a notice telling volunteers of the quality of the station’s air bottles. He said that was done before the inspectors were out the door.

Frost said the inspectors suggested he apply for the Safety & Health Award for Public Employers. On April 9, Frost and his department were presented the award at a selectmen’s meeting.

The SHAPE honor is part of SafetyWorks!, a voluntary outreach program the Department of Labor designed to improve workplace safety. To qualify for the award, employers must comply with recommendations made by an inspection team and improve safety at a site.

The state presents an average of seven of the awards each year. Four of the other recipients this year were fire departments, including the Farmingdale department, a volunteer station in Kennebec County. The other two recipients were a vocational school and recycling center.

As a SHAPE site, the Paris station is exempt from surprise inspections for the next year. Frost plans to request a renewal of the status next April.

Wacker said the award can go to any public-sector employer providing a safe and healthy environment, but that volunteer fire departments often don’t apply for it. He said this is due to the lengthy process of applying for the award and conducting the necessary training and inspections.

He described the Paris Fire Department as “a model station.”

Frost worked with Bancroft Contracting Corp. in Paris for 14 years as a safety coordinator.

Gilbert said the honor speaks to the town’s dedication to the department, and Frost agrees. When he accepted the award, he promptly thanked selectmen and town residents.

“They’re very, very supportive of the fire department,” he said.

Frost was especially appreciative of his crew of volunteers. He says that the award required the department to meet the same standards as a full-time station, and that volunteers had to sacrifice personal time to help the Paris station meet the necessary requirements.

The Fire Department has responded to 46 calls this month. Frost estimates that the normal monthly average is 25 calls, and that the higher rate is due to the Patriot’s Day storm.

“I’ve got the best crew in the state, as far as I’m concerned,” Frost said.