Amherst Fire Seeks Materials For Fire Safety Education

Next week is Fire Prevention Week, and the Amherst Fire Department needs your help with stocking up on materials to spread awareness in their community outreach programs.

The fire department will be visiting the Clark/Wilkins Elementary schools later this month to educate kids on fire safety and prevention, but are in need of materials. Last year's default budget cut the majority of funding for fire prevention and education materials in order to make up for increases in fuel and heating costs.

"Our firefighters volunteer their time to visit the schools but we are in need of materials for this program and other programs we run throughout the years," said fire chief Mark Boynton in an email.

The National Fire Prevention Association has created a wish list section on there web site where fire departments list their needs and members of the public can purchase the materials. The Amherst Fire Department has posted their wish list here.

Items include booklets on home fire safety, Sparky fire hats and fire prevention week stickers.

"Times are lean and help is needed to educate children and remind adults about fire prevention and what to do in the event of a fire," said Boynton.

Fire Prevention Week runs all next week, with this year’s theme being "Practice Your Escape Plan." More information can be found on the New Hampshire Department of Safety website.