Scouts Pursue Fire Safety Merit Badge

Know the parts of the fire tetrahedron? What would you do to extinguish a grease pan fire? How do you safely melt wax?

Thanks to a new partnership between the Mattapoisett Fire Department – the Mattapoisett Boy Scout Troop 53 will become experts on all of these questions and more as part of their undertaking of the Fire Safety Merit Badge.

Mattapoisett Fire Department Lt. Patrick Saltmarsh spearheaded the effort after noticing Cub Scouts at the department’s open house during Fire Safety Month last October. He reached out to them after learning about the Fire Safety Merit Badge, and offered to lead classes to the troop, which includes about 16 to 22 scouts.

“I’m excited about this. This is a good group of boys,” said the fire inspector, noting the commendable accomplishments of scouts, in particular Eagle Scouts. He hopes to impart knowledge that may benefit them in their future careers.

Lt. Saltmarsh led the first fire safety class on Tuesday, January 10 at the Mattapoisett Congregational Church to go over fire basics. Later, he plans to bring the troop on a tour of the Fire Station and show them the tools they use. “We’ll see how much they know,” he said in predicting how long it will take for them to acquire the badge.

Matthew Buckley, a scout father, said the partnership with the fire department and Lt. Saltmarsh is a great opportunity for the troop.

“It’s great to see people in the community volunteer with the scouts, and know it is a good cause,” Mr. Buckley said.

By Laura Fedak Pedulli