The Bennettsville Fire Department will be partnering with the Marlboro County School District for a fire prevention initiative, following the announcement of a new grant.
The Marlboro County Board of Education discussed the Firefighter Safety Program Grant at its meeting Monday evening.
The district tells News13 that the fire department will help educate young children and help protect children and their families from house fires.
According to the district, nearly 3,000 people die in house fires in the United States every year. The Marlboro County School District was identified by the South Carolina Office of State Fire Marshals as one of the five districts in the state that presents the highest risk for children being injured or perishing in a house fire.
Bennettsville Fire Chief James Jackson III said the “Sound Off” curriculum is aimed at second and third graders at Bennettsville Primary School and Bennettsville Intermediate School. He says it will include having students/families test their home smoke alarms, checking for various dangers (heaters, candles, etc.) and creating a home fire escape plan.
The department will also provide free smoke alarms to families who need them. Alarms for the hearing impaired will also be available.
Chief Jackson says the kick-off for the program will be in February or March.
Connie Anderson with Marlboro County Schools says the program is made possible through a grant to the Michigan Public Health Institute from DHS/FEMA’s Grant Program Directorate and the Assistance to Firefighters Grant Program-Fire Prevention and Safety Grants.
