Worcester Fire Gets Grant For S.A.F.E. Programs

WORCESTER, MA—The Worcester Fire Department was among 253 in the state awarded public fire education grants.

Two hundred-fifty fire departments received 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, 238 fire departments also receive a Senior SAFE program grant to work with older adults on fire and life safety. Three communities receive Senior SAFE grants only.

Worcester received $10,401 toward the S.A.F.E. program and $3,209 for Senior S.A.F.E.

“The S.A.F.E. Program has played an important role in educating the next generation of fire safe children for 23 years,” said Governor Baker in a statement. “The program is a great example of state and local governments collaborating alongside teachers to improve the lives of young people.” The average number of children dying in fires annually has dropped by 72 percent since the S.A.F.E. Program began, said the announcement.

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.

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