PITTSFIELD, Mass. — The Pittsfield and North Adams Fire Departments were awarded state grant funds for fire education programs for children and older adults.

 

Pittsfield and North Adams were two of 239 municipal fire departments to receive a portion of the $2 million in grants to fund fire education programs.

 

 "Since 1996, the SAFE 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. This collaboration contributed to a major accomplishment. No children died in fires in Massachusetts last year."

 

 Fire departments in 235 communities will receive Student Awareness of Fire Education (SAFE) and Senior SAFE grants; four communities will receive SAFE. grants only; and three communities will receive Senior SAFE grants only.

 

Pittsfield received $6,380 in SAFE funds and $2,880 in Senior SAFE Funds. North Adams received $4,692 in SAFE funds and $2,480 in Senior SAFE Funds

 

According to a press release, The average number of children dying in fires annually has dropped by 78 percent since the SAFE. Program began. The Senior SAFE Program is in its seventh year, providing firefighters with the funding to deliver fire safety education to another vulnerable population – seniors.

 

"The SAFE and Senior SAFE grants represent a smart investment in fire safety," said Thomas Turco, Public Safety and Homeland Security Secretary. "Youngsters and older adults are historically at greater risk in house fires, but that risk can be reduced through the targeted outreach, education, and awareness programs these grants help to fund," he added.

 

State Fire Marshal Peter J. Ostroskey said, "The SAFE. 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 SAFE. and Senior SAFE Programs provide $1.9 million through the Executive Office of the Public Safety and Security to local fire departments. The programs are administered by the state Department of Fire Services.