Fire safety grants for schools

Fire Prevention Week 2022 was held from October 12-15. It is not ironic that Halloween and Fire Prevention Week are both in October - uncontrolled fires and Halloween are both spooky. Fire prevention week (FPW) is celebrating its 100th birthday with the National Fire Prevention Association (NFPA) and this year’s FPW campaign. “Fire won’t wait. Plan your escape” works to educate everyone about simple but important actions they can take to keep themselves and those around them safe from house fires.

There’s one small problem though; we don’t need to only educate about fire safety at home, We also need to focus on fire safety and prevention at school with the Learn not to Burn Program. FEMA’s U.S. Fire Administration has also created a ready-to-use educational fire safety program for teachers and preschools. According to the NFPA, from 2014–2018, U.S. fire departments responded to an average of 3,230 structure fires in schools each year. These fires caused annual averages of one civilian death, 39 civilian injuries, and $37 million in direct property damage.

This large amount of money spent on repairing damages could be spent proactively on fire prevention education and fire safety resources. The following five grants can help your school with fire safety and prevention:

1. The FEMA Fire Prevention and Safety (FP&S) Grants are part of the Assistance to Firefighters Grants (AFG) and support projects that enhance the safety of the public and firefighters from fire and related hazards.
2. The Firefighters Charitable Foundation provides funding that funds fire safety programs, first aid education, and helps children in need.
3. The FM Global Fire Prevention Grant Program supports organizations working to combat fire in the United States. Fire departments and brigades, as well as national, state, regional, local, and community organizations can apply for funding to support a wide array of fire prevention education, preparedness, and control efforts.
4. The Firehouse Subs Public Safety Foundation impacts the life-saving capabilities and the lives of local heroes and their communities. The focus is on prevention educational tools to the public about the importance of fire safety, public safety, and natural disaster preparedness in order to prevent disasters in the home and community.
5. The National Fire Prevention Association (NFPA) Fire and Life Safety Educator of the Year Award recognizes educators who take the lead role in making their communities safe.