The Haverhill Fire Department on Saturday accepted a $10,000 donation from the American Legion to be used for community education.
Senior Vice Commander Fred A. Simmons of the Sons of the American Legion was among those who presented the check, which represents proceeds the organization received from a raffle held earlier this year. Lt. Brian Ray, who is in charge of public education at the department, typically provides fire education to early elementary school students with money from the state. He said the money is expended “quickly,” and the additional funding will allow the department to reach more students in the city.
“We’re really going to be able to reach out to more middle school and high school age kids, that way we can really teach foundational fire safety,” he said.
He said the department could teach fire safety topics that are “very important” to students, such as how to safely cook their meals among other topics.
Accepting the check for the city were Fire Chief Robert M. O’Brien and Mayor Melinda E. Barrett. O’Brien said he is “very grateful” for the donation. “It really is going to be put to good use,” he said.