New Bedford Fire Department to Receive $13,780 in Student Awareness of Fire Education grants

The Baker-Polito Administration today announced that 248 municipal fire departments will receive nearly $2 million in grants to fund fire safety programs geared toward children and older adults across Massachusetts. The New Bedford Fire Department will receive $10,655 for Student Awareness of Fire Education (S.A.F.E) and $3,125 for Senior SAFE.

Fire departments in 235 communities will receive S.A.F.E and Senior SAFE grants; six communities will receive S.A.F.E. grants only; and seven communities will receive Senior SAFE grants only.

“Since 1995, the S.A.F.E. program has brought fire education to hundreds of thousands of students in the Commonwealth,” said Governor Charlie Baker. “This program allows firefighters and teachers to work together to provide fire and life safety education to young people.”

The average number of children dying in fires annually has dropped by 76% since the S.A.F.E. Program began. The Senior SAFE program is in its 6th year, providing firefighters with the funding to deliver fire safety education to another vulnerable population – seniors.

“Home visits, smoke and CO alarm installations, and fire safety presentations at senior centers by firefighters with senior agencies help older adults develop strategies to stay safe at home for longer,” said Lt. Governor Karyn Polito.

State Fire Marshal Peter J. Ostroskey said, “The S.A.F.E. and Senior SAFE programs are successful because we have trained firefighters who deliver education to children and older adults. 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 $1.2 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 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’s Department of Fire Services.