The Town of Cheshire was awarded a special federal four-year grant, totaling $665,962, by the United States Department of Homeland Security. The purpose of this grant, known as the SAFER (Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response) Grant is to recruit and retain fire and emergency services personnel in towns that operate a volunteer fire department.
At the start of the grant in May, 2007, a committee of firefighters and community members was formed to implement the purpose of the grant. The Fire Life And Medical Emergency (FLAME) team meets monthly to brainstorm ideas, plan activities, and track the progress of what has been done. Some of our major accomplishments are listed below:
- Development and implementation of this website
- Development and implementation of courses at Hoosac Valley High School in the areas of emergency aid and fire safety
- Sponsorship of a comprehensive Firefighter I and II training program for members of the Cheshire Fire Department and seven other mutual aid towns
- Sponsorship of on-going training for firefighters and EMT’s
- Sponsorship of National Fire Safety Week at Cheshire Elementary and Hoosac Valley High Schools
- Sponsorship of scholarship awards to graduating, college-bound seniors from Hoosac Valley High School and McCann Technical School
- Sponsorship of scholarships to members of the fire department who are continuing their education
- Development and implementation of various marketing strategies to encourage enrollment in our volunteer fire department.
We are pleased that after two years in existence, membership in the Cheshire Fire Department has increased by more than 30%.
SAFER Committee Members
Tom Francesconi, Fire Chief
Jason Mendonca, Assistant Chief
Tim Garner, Police Chief, Firefighter
Bill Lewis, Firefighter/EMT
Barry Emery, Auxiliary Member
Greta Facchetti, Community Member
Karen McHugh, Community Member
James Pasquini, Community Member
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