BOSTON — The Executive Office of Public Safety and Security Department of Fire Services has announced the FY2017 grant funds for Student Awareness of Fire Education (S.A.F.E.) and Senior Safe programs.
Fire departments from Lynn, Lynnfield, Marblehead, Nahant, Saugus and Swampscott all received funding.
The S.A.F.E. program teaches students in grades K-12 about the dangers of smoking and other fire safety hazards. The Senior Safe program educates seniors on the topics of fire prevention, general home safety and how to be better prepared for a fire.
“It is tremendously important that we continue to education citizens, in particular our children and seniors, on the importance of fire safety in an effort to prevent fire-related tragedies,” said Sen. Thomas McGee (D-Lynn) in a statement.
The Lynn Fire Department has been awarded $10,643 for the S.A.F.E. Program and $3,396 for the Senior Safe Program.
“With the recent number of significant fires impacting families in the city of Lynn, this state grant could not have come at a better time,” said state Rep. Daniel Cahill (D-Lynn) in a statement. “Educating seniors and children on fire prevention safety saves lives.”
The Nahant Fire Department was awarded $1,970 for the S.A.F.E. program and $2,295 for the Senior Safe program.
“The SAFE program has prevented countless fires and saved many lives since it began 22 years ago,” said state Rep. Brendan Crighton (D-Lynn) in a statement. “It has a proven record of making communities safer and we are very thankful for this funding.
The Swampscott Fire Department has been awarded $3,951 for the S.A.F.E. program and $2,596 for the Senior Safe program. The Marblehead Fire Department has been awarded $4,540 and $2,796 for each program respectively.
“With a vital focus on prevention and preparedness, this grant will raise awareness among seniors and children,” said state Rep. Lori Ehrlich (D-Marblehead) in a statement. “When seconds count, this program can be the difference between life or death.”
The Saugus Fire Department has been awarded $4,540 for the S.A.F.E. program and $2,796 for the Senior Safe program.
“We are very grateful to be receiving these funds from the S.A.F.E. program,” said state Rep. Donald Wong (R-Saugus) in a statement. “Fire-related tragedies seem to be happening more frequently, so anything we can do to educate the citizens in our communities, especially seniors, is welcoming,”
The Lynnfield Fire Department will receive $3,951 for the S.A.F.E. program and $2,596 for the Senior Safe program.
“The S.A.F.E. program and the Senior SAFE program together help educate our children and seniors about the importance of preventing fires and how to react in a dangerous situation,” said House Minority Leader Bradley H. Jones Jr. (R-North Reading) in a statement. “I am proud to support this important program and I know the town of Lynnfield will put this grant money to good use.”
Since the S.A.F.E. program was created 22 years ago, there has been a 70 percent reduction in average annual child fire deaths. The program was expanded to seniors four years ago, who are among the most at-risk population for fire-related deaths, according to a press release.