State Awards Fire Education Grants

State Awards Fire Education Grants 229 fire departments to get funds for safety programs

‘Seniors are most at risk of dying in fires in Massachusetts, and the Senior SAFE Program works to change that statistic.’ — Karyn Polito, lieutenant governor BOSTON — The Baker-Polito administration an­nounc­ed Wed­nesday that 229 fire departments around the state have been awarded public fire education grants, with 228 fire departments to receive Student Awareness of Fire Education (SAFE) Program grants to work with classroom teachers to deliver fire and life safety lessons. Of these, 212 fire departments will also receive a Senior SAFE Program grant to work with older adults on fire and life safety. The following area communities received grants: Ashburnham – $4,237 (SAFE), $2,716 (Senior SAFE) Gardner – $4,837 (SAFE), $2,917 (Senior SAFE) Hubbardston – $3,337 (SAFE), $2,417 (Senior SAFE) Phillipston – $3,337 (SAFE), $2,417 (Senior SAFE) Templeton – $4,237 (SAFE), $2,716 (Senior SAFE) Westminster – $4,237 (SAFE), $2,716 (Senior SAFE) “This is the 21st year of the SAFE Program in Mass­achusetts and we are truly reaching our goal of raising a fire-safe generation of children,” said Gov. Charlie Baker. “The average number of children who die in fires each year in Massachusetts has dropped by over 70 percent.” The SAFE Program allows trained firefighter-educators to work with teachers to deliver age-appropriate fire and life safety lessons that also meet the requirements of the Depart­ment of Elementary and Secondary Education’s Health Curriculum Frameworks. “Seniors are most at risk of dying in fires in Massachusetts, and the Senior SAFE Program works to change that statistic,” said Lt. Gov. Karyn Polito. “Firefighters use these funds to better educate seniors on fire prevention, general home safety, and how to be better prepared to survive a fire,” she added. Fire departments work with local senior service agencies. State Fire Marshal Stephen D. Coan said, “The SAFE and Senior SAFE programs are having a huge impact on the fire and life safety of our most vulnerable populations – children and elders.” Coan also said, “The fire departments engaged in these public education programs are increasing the safety of the people in their communities.” The SAFE Program provides $1.25 million through the Executive Office of the Public Safety and Security to local fire departments. The Senior SAFE program provides $600,000 in grant funds from fees paid by tobacco programs to the Fire Standard Compliant Cigarette Program to ensure their products meet the fire safety requirements to be sold in Massachusetts. The programs are administered by the state Department of Fire Services.