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Date: 3/2/2022
NORTHAMPTON – A couple of weeks ago, the Baker-Polio Administration announced that 234 municipal fire departments received $1.8 million in grant funding to support fire education program for children and older adults across Massachusetts.
Northampton, Goshen and Williamsburg were among the three fire departments to receive Student Awareness of Fire Education (S.A.F.E.) and Senior SAFE grants to fund education programs and other mechanisms involving fire safety.
According to the state-provided list, the Northampton Fire Department received $5,175 for “monthly visits teaching fire safety to grades 3 and 6,” as well as $3,055 for other presentations, battery replacements and smoke/CO alarm installations.
According to Northampton Chief John Davine, this program has been a popular staple within the city for over a couple of decades. Currently, according to Davine, Firefighter Eric Toia is in charge of the S.A.F.E. program, while Deputy Chief Mike Hatch coordinates the Senior S.A.F.E. program.
This year, Toia came up with the idea to purchase some lock boxes and smoke detectors, and the fire department plans to complete home inspections for seniors who may have outdated smoke detectors or unattended hazards that could cause fires. The department is planning on implementing the lock boxes at seniors’ homes so seniors can put their keys in them in case of a medical or other emergency. This way, the department can have access if an emergency does occur, and the resident calls them. “[Smoke detectors] max out at 10 years,” said Davine. “So, if seniors need new ones, we’re happy to install them.”
According to Davine, the department still needs to work out the logistics, but he anticipates this being a “cool” new addition to a generational program. The department will also continue to conduct the “salt and sand” program that they usually do each year, where they help deliver salt and sand to the elderly residents.
“We want to take care of our elderly residents,” said Davine. “If we can go in and do a quick inspection, and give them some advice, and help them move some stuff around … I think it’s a home run.”
Because of COVID-19, the department has not been able to re-enter schools and teach the students the fire safety curriculum face-to-face. In the program’s place, Davine said the department is thinking of using some S.A.F.E. money to buy fire safety books for children to interact with. Davine said they could then partner with Forbes Library to make them easily accessible.
“We’re trying to be innovative and come up with new ideas on how we can still get that message out to the kids,” said Davine. “We have to spend the money, so we will come up with ways to get it done.”
Goshen, meanwhile, received $3,675 to teach pre-K to grade 6 students about fire safety lessons five times throughout the year and $2,555 for senior center presentations and home visits with smoke/CO alarm installations.
According to Goshen fire lieutenant Steve Estelle, who is in charge of these programs, the town has been participating in this state program for over 20 years.
For the S.A.F.E. portion, the department visits New Hingham Regional Elementary School, which covers Goshen and Chesterfield students. The senior center visits, meanwhile, usually focus on Goshen residents.
According to Estelle, home escape plans are usually the biggest focus in the lesson plan for students when the department visits the school. “We try to make our children aware of having two exits, what to do when the alarms go off, and how to get out of the house,” said Estelle. “And actually, we have a homework assignment for them where they actually build their own escape plans, and they practice them.” After that, the department will go over home hazards, space heaters, candles, ice safety and other topics.
The department is usually able to visit the senior center twice a year for presentations to go over potential cooking risks for seniors and other potential fall hazards. According to Estelle, the fire department also installs smoke and CO detectors for free by using the grant money. Much like in Northampton, they will send a firefighter out to check a senior’s home for safety issues and to make sure that they have a smoke detector inside and outside their bedroom, as well as a CO detector on every livable floor. Additionally, Goshen also utilizes lock boxes across town.
“Most senior injuries and deaths happen during the night,” said Estelle. “If they have an alarm, it tends to become a lot safer.”
Williamsburg also received $3,675 to partner with the local school system to teach fire safety, as well as $2,555 for senior center presentations, smoke/CO alarm installations and lock box installations. The department was unable to be reached, as of press time.