The Town of Riverhead Fire Marshal’s Office received a $4,044 fire prevention grant from FM Global, one of the world’s largest commercial property insurers. The award will be used to purchase an additional digital camera, as well as remote area lighting system to assist with fire investigations. Information gained during the investigation process plays a vital role in helping to prevent future fires.
“This grant award will give all of our fire investigators the ability to document and investigate fire scenes more effectively.” said Riverhead Chief Fire Marshal Craig Zitek.
Liam Keating, a fire prevention inspector with the Town, was able to secure the grant through FM Global. “With this new battery-operated equipment, we will be more self-sufficient in providing scene lighting,” he said.
Fire continues to be the leading cause of property damage worldwide. “At FM Global, we strongly believe the majority of property damage is preventable, not inevitable,” said FM Global Assistant Vice President Michael Spaziani, who manages the fire prevention grant program. “Far too often, inadequate budgets prevent those organizations working to prevent fire from being as proactive as they would like to be. With additional financial support, grant recipients are actively helping to improve property risk in the communities they serve.”
Supervisor Tim Hubbard aded, “We are so appreciative of FM Global for their generous grant to the Riverhead Fire Marshal’s office. Our fire marshals are extremely busy and the new equipment will be well-used.”