MCLA Receives Fema Grant
NORTH ADAMS – The U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) recently awarded a fire fighters grant to Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts (MCLA).The “Assistance to Firefighters” grant of $14,040 went to MCLA’s Public Safety Office to enhance its response capabilities and to promote the protection of the health and safety of the public with respect to fire and other hazards.
The grant will provide fire safety equipment, as well as reflective all weather signs for the campus townhouses, to assist emergency responders in locating the exact apartment they are called to. Each townhouse also will receive a special fire retardant blanket designed to prevent the spread of a grease or small fire.
Funding also was allocated to a Community Safety Awareness Day planned to educate faculty, staff and students in fire prevention and safety. This event will include a mock dorm room being burned to demonstrate how quickly certain materials ignite and the importance of exiting immediately upon activation of the alarm systems.
The Department of Public Safety partnered with the North Adams Fire Department for this event and the implementation of educational seminars focused on educating resident, commuter and Greek Organizations regarding fire safety tips for their homes. These seminars will be conducted in the beginning of the 2008/2009 school year and continue throughout the year. “The Assistance to Firefighters Grants program has been instrumental in building capacity and providing needed resources for our nation’s firefighters,” said FEMA Administrator R. David Paulison. “From the purchase of equipment to first responder training, the AFG program has helped improve response capabilities and saved lives and property in communities throughout the United States.”
Since 2004, AFG has provided almost $3.1 billion in grants to fire departments and first responder organizations to purchase response equipment, personal protective equipment, vehicles and fire prevention activities. AFG is administered cooperatively by two FEMA components: the National Preparedness Directorate and the United States Fire Administration.
For more information, go to www.mcla.edu
