For Immediate Release
August 22, 2007
 

SMCC Receives FEMA Grant to Promote Juvenile Fire Prevention and Safety

South Portland – Southern Maine Community College has been awarded a $360,974 Fire Prevention and Safety grant from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). The grant will provide start-up funding for the Maine Juvenile Fire Safety program, which Maine State Fire Marshal John C. Dean said, “will be the most comprehensive initiative ever undertaken in Maine to address the problem of juveniles who are involved in fires.”

Dean said ten percent of Maine fires involve a child setting the blaze and that more juveniles are arrested each year for arson than adults. The Fire Marshal said 59% of all Maine arson charges involve someone under the age of 18. According to a study conducted by the Maine State Fire Marshal’s Office, in 2004 Maine fire departments responded to 377 incidents in which juveniles were involved with the ignition of a fire, causing more than $11 million in direct property loss.

The effort will involve the Fire Marshal’s Office, Southern Maine Community College, local fire departments, county and state fire organizations, local and county juvenile fire safety groups, social and child protective services, juvenile justice, schools and a number of private and public sector organizations who are in contact with juveniles and their families to reduce fire-related tragedies among children under the age of 18.

“This grant gives Maine child-safety leaders the opportunity to not only develop the most effective programs to make Maine children and their families safer from fire, but also to institutionalize the programs to ensure that future generations benefit,” said Steve Willis, Director of Public Safety Education and Leadership Initiatives at SMCC.

The grant funds will support program activities such as:

• Increasing coordination and communication among public, private and volunteer organizations involved in making Maine children and families safer from fire;
• Providing risk reduction education and training to hundreds of family members, caregivers, and support agency personnel;
• Expanding data collection, management and analysis capabilities of the State Fire Marshal’s Office;
• Development and strengthening of local/county juvenile fire safety collaborative in 8 of Maine’s counties;
• Providing prevention, response and intervention services targeted for those at greatest risk statewide.
  
  
   

  Southern Maine Community College empowers students to respond to a changing world and enhances economic and cultural development in Southern Maine by providing a variety of educational opportunities and partnerships.

  
   

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  Carol Hammond
  Dean of Communications
  Southern Maine Community College
  2 Fort Rd.
  S. Portland ME 04106
  207.741.5574, fax: 207.741.5751