An effort that began in the summer to keep Herkimer Elementary students safe has just received a boost from a local business.
The Brett Saunders Fire Safety Program began when Brett brought $250 to the Herkimer Fire Station in August because his classmate was one of three boys who lost their lives in a January fire in the village. Brett’s initial donation was matched by funds from the fire department union, Local No. 2484, and the donation of smoke detectors from Guardian Protection, so that each HES student could receive one.
But the program got another lift from Hummel’s Office Plus in January, when Chief Executive Officer Justin Hummel visited the Herkimer Fire Station to present a donation of nine dozen smoke alarms. The donation marked the one-year anniversary of the 2019 fire that resulted in three deaths. Brett and several firefighters were on hand to accept the donation, the Times-Telegram reported.