The Healey-Driscoll Administration has awarded $1.9 million in grants to 229 local fire departments across Massachusetts to fund life safety education for children and older adults.
These funds support two specific initiatives managed by the Massachusetts Department of Fire Services (DFS).
The Student Awareness of Fire Safety (SAFE) program provides firefighter-educators for school-based lessons.
The Senior SAFE program delivers fire and fall prevention education through senior centers and home visits.
Governor Maura Healey announced the funding to help nearly 230 communities protect families through trusted local firefighters.
Lieutenant Governor Kim Driscoll stated: “We know that education and prevention save lives.”
“The SAFE program has helped drive down child fire deaths for decades, and we’re building on that success by reaching more families and older adults across Massachusetts.”
“This is how we prevent tragedies and keep our communities safe.”
State officials have increased the total award amount by $300,000 compared to the previous year to address groups most vulnerable to residential fire incidents.
Older adults currently represent approximately 50% of annual fire deaths in Massachusetts and across the United States.
Public Safety and Security Secretary Gina K. Kwon explained that Senior SAFE grants allow departments to conduct home safety assessments and install smoke or carbon monoxide alarms.
State Fire Marshal Davine noted that while the grants focus on prevention, they also teach residents the necessary steps for surviving a home fire.
Funding for the SAFE program totals nearly $1.3 million and will be shared among 215 cities and towns.
An additional 226 departments will divide approximately $610,000 in Senior SAFE funding.
State Fire Marshal Davine said: “Any firefighter will tell you that we’d rather prevent a fire than fight one.”
“And we’d much rather fight a fire than respond after a tragedy.”
“The SAFE and Senior SAFE grants are geared toward prevention, but they also help kids and seniors recognize the steps to surviving a fire at home.”
The SAFE program has been active since the mid-1990s and has coincided with record low child fire fatalities in the state.
