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Item 1.D.
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| City Council Regular | |
| Date: | 10/13/2025 |
| Title: | Acceptance of Billings Community Foundation Grant |
| Presented by: | Sara Naylor |
| Department: | Fire |
| Presentation: | No |
| Legal Review: | No |
| Project Number: | N/A |
RECOMMENDATION
Approve acceptance of grant funds for Fire Prevention and the Safety Squad Program.
BACKGROUND (Consistency with Adopted Plans and Policies, if applicable)
The Billings Fire Department has been awarded a $5,000 grant from the Billings Community Foundation to support the Fire Prevention and Safety Squad program for the 2025–2026 school year. This award addresses a critical funding gap for student take-home safety items that reinforce life-saving fire safety lessons.
The Fire Prevention and Safety Squad visits 28 elementary schools across Billings, including School District 2, private, independent, and homeschools. Each year, the program reaches approximately 8,500 students in grades K–6, providing age-appropriate fire safety, injury prevention, and situational awareness education.
A proven element of the program is the distribution of take-home safety items (such as bracelets, stickers, or other reminders). These tangible tools act as memory aids, reinforcing classroom lessons and prompting safety discussions at home. Budget reductions have eliminated funding for these items, making the grant essential for program continuation.
The Fire Prevention and Safety Squad visits 28 elementary schools across Billings, including School District 2, private, independent, and homeschools. Each year, the program reaches approximately 8,500 students in grades K–6, providing age-appropriate fire safety, injury prevention, and situational awareness education.
A proven element of the program is the distribution of take-home safety items (such as bracelets, stickers, or other reminders). These tangible tools act as memory aids, reinforcing classroom lessons and prompting safety discussions at home. Budget reductions have eliminated funding for these items, making the grant essential for program continuation.
ALTERNATIVES
City Council may:
- Approve; or,
- Not Approve
FISCAL EFFECTS
These funds will be used to ensure every participating student receives a take-home safety item reinforcing classroom fire safety education.