Berkshire Fire Departments Awarded Fire Safety Grants

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PITTSFIELD, Mass. — The state awarded Pittsfield, North Adams, and Lanesborough Fire Safety Grants to support fire and life safety education for school-age children and older adults.

Since 1995, the Department of Fire Services' Student Awareness of Fire Education (SAFE) grant program has supported firefighter-educators who deliver age-appropriate fire safety education to kids and teens across Massachusetts. In that time, the number of children who die in fires has dropped to historically low levels, from two dozen or more per year to zero for nearly three consecutive years.  

In 2014, DFS launched the Senior SAFE program, which is geared toward another vulnerable population – older adults, who face a disproportionate risk of death or serious injury in a fire.

"The SAFE grants have been helping local fire departments deliver life-saving lessons to Massachusetts' young people for nearly 30 years," said Governor Maura Healey. "This year's awards continue that legacy of fire safety education for our most vulnerable residents and their families. Our Administration is committed to helping every community protect its residents through public safety programs like this one."

  • The state awarded Pittsfield a 7,200 Safe Program Grant and a $2,600 Senior Safe Program grant.
  • The state awarded North Adams a $4,699 Safe Program Grant and a $2,193 Senior Safe Program grant.
  • The state awarded Lanesborough a $3,599.02 Safe Program Grant and a $1,799 Senior Safe Program grant.

14 municipal fire departments across Massachusetts shared $1.6 million in competitive grants.

In FY24, 214 municipal fire departments will split $1,138,565.58 in SAFE funding and/or $492,179.29 in Senior SAFE funding. Another 12 departments will share funding for regional SAFE and/or Senior SAFE programs.

The S.A.F.E. and Senior SAFE programs are funded through legislative earmarks to the Executive Office of the Public Safety & Security, and they are administered by the Department of Fire Services.

 


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Hinsdale OKs Police Department Audit After Fatal Shooting

By Brittany PolitoiBerkshires Staff

HINSDALE, Mass. — The town has approved $25,000 for an administrative review of the police department, more than two months after police fatally shot 27-year-old Biagio Kauvil during a mental health crisis. 

Town Administrator Robert Graves said the shooting on Jan. 7 is not the only focus of the audit, and it will be several months before the Select Board receives a final report. 

During a special town meeting on March 11, an article appropriating $25,000 from free cash for an independent consultant to conduct a professional evaluation and audit of the Town's Police Department was approved. The audit includes a review of the department's policies, protocols, operations, and procedures, and concludes with a written report. 

"The Berkshire County District Attorney's Office and Massachusetts State Police are investigating the shooting, and we await their conclusions.  As we look to move forward, the International Association of Chiefs of Police, our insurance company (MIIA/Cabot Risk), and our legal counsel have recommended that the town hire an independent law enforcement consultant or firm to conduct a comprehensive administrative review of our police operation," Graves wrote in an email to iBerkshires on Friday. 

"This event is not their focus; they will assess the overall operation. We want a written assessment of our police operation's strengths and weaknesses to help Hinsdale make future changes and improvements." 

He said after completing the procurement process and signing a contract with a reputable consultant or business, it will most likely be several months before the Select Board receives the final report. 

"Still, it will help the town and police department move forward," Graves wrote. 

Last weekend, family and friends of Kauvil stood in Park Square asking for justice. A flier for the standout reads "Biagio was killed by police while experiencing a mental health crisis. Now, over seven weeks later, authorities have not yet provided any updates.

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