New Bedford Guide Your Guide to New Bedford and South Coast, MA
The New Bedford Fire Department was awarded $13,586 in grants; $10,386 for the S.A.F.E. program and $3,200 in Senior SAFE funds.
The Baker-Polito Administration announced that 246 fire departments have been awarded public fire education grants. Two hundred-forty five fire departments will receive Student Awareness of Fire Education (S.A.F.E.) Program grants to work with classroom teachers to deliver fire and life safety lessons. Of these, 240 fire departments will also receive a Senior SAFE Program grant to work with older adults on fire and life safety. One community will receive a Senior SAFE grant only.
“The S.A.F.E. Program has been instrumental in educating the next generation of fire safe children for 24 years,” said Governor Baker, “The program is a great example of state and local governments collaborating with teachers to provide fire safety education to young people.” The average number of children dying in fires annually has dropped by 74% since the S.A.F.E. Program began.
“In its 5th year, the Senior SAFE Program is supporting fire educators who deliver fire safety education to seniors who are most at risk of dying in fires in Massachusetts,” said Lt. Governor Karyn Polito. “Firefighters use these funds to take opportunities to visit older adults in their homes and provide safety education and strategies on how to survive a fire,” she added. Fire departments partner with local senior service agencies.
State Fire Marshal Peter J. Ostroskey said, “The S.A.F.E. and Senior SAFE programs are having a great impact on the fire and life safety of our most vulnerable populations – children and elders.” He added, “The fire departments being supported in these public education efforts are increasing the safety of the people in their communities.”
The S.A.F.E. Program provides $1.2M 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 companies 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.
