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Fire department launches 'Senior at HomeSafe' program to help Charlton seniors stay safe at home
Summary
Charlton's fire department briefed the Select Board on a new 'Senior at HomeSafe' program to improve seniors' in-home safety and independence; the program will pilot electronic MOLS forms, distribute outreach materials and rely partly on small donations for equipment.
Fire Chief Rob Barton told the Select Board on Dec. 9 that the Charlton Fire Department will roll out a 'Senior at HomeSafe' program in January to help seniors remain safely in their homes.
The program will focus on reducing preventable injuries, improving fire-safety compliance and connecting seniors to services. Captain Bousquet will serve as the program liaison; staff said they will assist seniors in filling out 'file of life' forms and pilot eMOLS electronic forms to provide digital access for first responders. The department plans outreach through the senior center and partner stakeholders; modest donations will cover some equipment costs until grant funds are available.
Why it matters: The program aims to reduce emergency calls related to preventable hazards among a population that local officials said is large but sometimes hard to reach. Staff emphasized outreach challenges and the need to partner with the senior center, police liaisons and community groups to identify eligible residents.
Key details - Launch: January 2026. - Liaison: Captain Bousquet will coordinate the program. - Digital pilot: Charlton will pilot eMOLS (electronic MOLS) so completed forms can be accessed digitally by responders. - Funding: Some small equipment purchases will be covered by donations while the town awaits the next Senior Safe grant cycle.
Quote - Fire Chief Rob Barton: "The idea behind it is to enhance the safety, independence, and well-being of our senior residents... to try to ensure that they stay in their homes," (Dec. 9).
Implementation and follow-up The department said it will hand out flyers and index cards and work with sergeant Madel and senior-center staff to identify residents who could benefit. The board did not need to take formal action on the presentation; chiefs Dowd and Barton were available to answer questions about grant funding and program details.
