Senator Patrick O’Connor (R-Weymouth) and Representative Joan Meschino (D-Hull) have announced that the Executive Office of Public Safety and Security has awarded the Town of Hingham $4,565 in grant funds for the Student Awareness of Fire Education (SAFE) program and an additional $2,552 for the Senior SAFE program.
The SAFE program was created in 1995 to provide resources to local fire departments to conduct fire and life safety education programs in grades K-12. The average number of children dying in fires annually has dropped by 76% since the SAFE 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.
“This is great program that has proven to be a lifesaving tool,” said Senator Patrick O’Connor. “It’s important that we continue to provide as much fire safety training as possible to our students and seniors so they’re made aware of the risks and take necessary precautions.”
“The SAFE programs save lives, young and old, in our community,” said Representative Meschino. “It is critical that we support our firefighters in their ongoing prevention work.”
The SAFE 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.