Haverhill, Methuen and Others Receive Student and Senior Fire and Life Safety Education Grants

(WHAV News file photograph.)

Haverhill, Methuen and other area communities are receiving grants to educate students and seniors about fire and safety.

Haverhill Fire Department is receiving $6,963 for the Student Awareness of Fire Education—or SAFE—program and $2,930 for Senior SAFE. For the programs, Methuen also receives $5,663 and $2,730; North Andover, $4,565 and $2,552 and Groveland and Georgetown each $3,965 and $2,348.

“Since 1995, the SAFE program has brought fire education to hundreds of thousands of students in the Commonwealth,” said Gov. Charlie Baker. “This program allows firefighters and teachers to work together to provide fire and life safety education to young people.”

The Baker-Polito Administration said Wednesday 248 fire departments across the state will share in nearly $2 million in grants to pay for programs geared toward children and older adults across Massachusetts. The programs are administered by the state’s Department of Fire Services.

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 sixth year, providing firefighters with the funding to deliver fire safety education to another vulnerable population.

“Home visits, smoke and CO alarm installations, and fire safety presentations at senior centers by firefighters with senior agencies help older adults develop strategies to stay safe at home for longer,” said Lt. Gov. Karyn Polito.

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.”

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