By Shirley Barnes
Telegram.com

TEMPLETON, Ma. — Fire Chief Thomas Smith will use a $2,500 fire prevention grant to pinpoint danger spots in local community buildings. The information will help prevent fires and also help train local firefighters to control fires in these trouble spots.

Chief Smith said the grant would be used to purchase a computer, a digital camera and a program for fire prevention planning. He said he will use the equipment on his regular time to visit local buildings with possible problems, photograph the most dangerous areas, locate hydrants nearby or the lack of such protection, find spots where a fire could break out and create a training program for firefighters.

The chief said he would start with an old apartment building over a laundromat, and elderly housing buildings. The grant was given to the department by FM Global, a business property insurer. According to the press release from FM Global, fire continues to be the leading cause of commercial and industrial property damage worldwide.

Full story: Templeton fire chief outlines grant use