Two rural fire departments recently received grants to promote fire safety.

The Pottawatomie Township Fire Department and Richmond Consolidated Fire Department were given grants from the Fire Education Association of Kansas earlier this month. The departments were two of nine Kansas fire departments to be awarded the funds, which were to be used last week during fire prevention week.

Two rural fire departments recently received grants to promote fire safety.

The Pottawatomie Township Fire Department and Richmond Consolidated Fire Department were given grants from the Fire Education Association of Kansas earlier this month. The departments were two of nine Kansas fire departments to be awarded the funds, which were to be used last week during fire prevention week.

The grant consists of education materials for 100 adults and 100 children, which includes a large Fire Prevention Week banner, posters, brochures for adults and kids, stickers, magnets, fire fact newsletters and Sparky the Fire Dog bags.

“Awards like this are a great way to get fire safety information to fellow Kansans.” Mike Hall, Fire Education Association of Kansas president, said in a news release. “We applaud the safety and prevention efforts of all organizations who work to make Kansas a safer place to live.”

Pottawatomie Fire Chief James Savage said the grant materials were taken to Central Heights Elementary School to be distributed to fifth-grade students. For about seven years, the rural fire department has played host to a fire safety and education program at Central Heights. The grant allowed the department to save some money on the supplies it uses for the education program, which cost about $550 a year, he said.  

“The program seems to go over real good, especially for the kids,” Savage, an 11-year veteran of the department, said.

In addition, Savage said, as part of fire safety education, the department provides smoke detectors for low-income residents. The department also has planned a program at Central Heights Middle School on smoke detectors, their use and what to do if a smoke detector alarm goes off.

The Richmond Consolidated Fire District scheduled a fire prevention and education program in recognition of National Fire Prevention Week. Children and adults had the opportunity to learn the importance of having a home escape plan that includes “2 Ways Out!” and the value of working smoke alarms. The Richmond department also served pulled-pork sandwiches and hot dogs, in addition to teach residents about fire safety.