PRESS RELEASE
MARION, Massachusetts — Chief Brian Jackvony is pleased to announce that the Marion Fire Department was recently awarded a fire safety grant and received 23 self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA) for firefighters.
FY24 SAFE and Senior SAFE Grant
On Wednesday, May 29 the Town of Marion was awarded a $6,893.22 grant from the Department of Fire Services as part of the FY24 Student Awareness of Fire Education (SAFE) Program and Senior SAFE Grant program.
As part of the program, the Town of Marion received $4,693.49 for the Student SAFE Program and $2,199.73 for the Senior SAFE Program in FY24.
The funding gives the department the opportunity to work directly with students in schools and seniors to educate them about fire safety and prevention. Each program is tailored to the common needs of each age group and includes general fire prevention reminders and safe practices in the home. Lessons feature many safety topics including steps to take if a fire alarm goes off.
The lessons taught in the school-based program are in line with the standards of the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education Health Curriculum Frameworks and the state Department of Fire Services Curriculum Planning Guidebook.
To learn more about the Massachusetts Department of Fire Services’ S.A.F.E program, click here.
Assistance to Firefighters Grant
The Marion Fire Department recently received 23 SCBA for firefighters.
An SCBA provides breathable air to firefighters in environments with oxygen deficiency, smoke, dangerous gases and other airborne contaminants.
In August 2023, the department was awarded a $190,476.19 Assistance to Firefighters Grant (AFG) from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to purchase the new equipment.
The breathing apparatus arrived in March and firefighters have been trained on their use. They will replace the department’s aging units.
“On behalf of the entire department, I would like to thank the Federal Emergency Management Agency for the grant funding that allowed us to purchase these new units,” said Chief Jackvony. “This new equipment will help us continue to serve the Marion community in a way that is both safe and effective.”
Assistance to Firefighters Grants are allocated to fire departments nationally to fund and aid the firefighting and emergency response needs of fire departments and non-affiliated emergency medical service organizations.
The federal grants help firefighters and other first responders obtain critically needed equipment, protective gear, emergency vehicles, training and other resources necessary for protecting the public and emergency personnel from fire and related hazards.
For more information on the AFG program, click here.
