ERVING – The Fire Department was awarded $1,754 for the SAFE program and $2,100 for the Senior SAFE program, which continues programming like fire safety and home assessments.
The Fire Department uses the money to continue educational programs in both the Erving Elementary School and the Senior and Community Center to bring fire prevention and awareness to these vulnerable groups.
Erving Fire Chief Philip Wonkka said not only does the grant help to keep vulnerable populations safe, it also allows for the firefighters to become familiar faces to the community.
“When we show up in a fire truck with the sirens on and our gear – it can be pretty scary,” Wonkka said. “These programs allow us to get acquainted with children and let them know we’re friendly and trying to help them.”
He said similarly, senior residents sometimes fear the fire department will take them from their homes, but Wonkka said that is not the case.
“We want to help senior residents maintain their independence safely,” Wonkka said. “So that might mean installing hand rails.”
The Senior SAFE program was established four years ago to expand the education power of the local communities to educate the older adults on fire prevention. Seniors are the most vulnerable of the population at risk of fire deaths.
The S.A.F.E. Student Awareness of Fire Education and Senior SAFE grants are awarded each year to assist departments in educating elementary school children on fire safety topics.
Wonkka said educating children helps to keep their whole family safe. Wonkka joked he knows first hand how children can help to “pester” their parents.
“We have children pester their parents into checking the batteries in their smoke alarms, which are the first line of defense against a fire,” Wonkka said. “They make escape plans in case of a fire. Kids help remind their families of these important things.”
And it works. Wonkka said the grant has been awarded over the past 24 years in the state, helping to reduce the number of children fatalities by 74 percent.