PITTSFIELD, Mass. — The state awarded Pittsfield, North Adams, and Lanesborough Fire Safety Grants to support fire and life safety education for school-age children and older adults.

Since 1995, the Department of Fire Services' Student Awareness of Fire Education (SAFE) grant program has supported firefighter-educators who deliver age-appropriate fire safety education to kids and teens across Massachusetts. In that time, the number of children who die in fires has dropped to historically low levels, from two dozen or more per year to zero for nearly three consecutive years.  

In 2014, DFS launched the Senior SAFE program, which is geared toward another vulnerable population – older adults, who face a disproportionate risk of death or serious injury in a fire.

"The SAFE grants have been helping local fire departments deliver life-saving lessons to Massachusetts' young people for nearly 30 years," said Governor Maura Healey. "This year's awards continue that legacy of fire safety education for our most vulnerable residents and their families. Our Administration is committed to helping every community protect its residents through public safety programs like this one."

14 municipal fire departments across Massachusetts shared $1.6 million in competitive grants.

In FY24, 214 municipal fire departments will split $1,138,565.58 in SAFE funding and/or $492,179.29 in Senior SAFE funding. Another 12 departments will share funding for regional SAFE and/or Senior SAFE programs.

The S.A.F.E. and Senior SAFE programs are funded through legislative earmarks to the Executive Office of the Public Safety & Security, and they are administered by the Department of Fire Services.