STONEHAM — Chief Matthew Grafton is pleased to announce that the Stoneham Fire Department was awarded $6,658 in grant funding to support fire safety and education programs for students and seniors.
Two grants from the state Massachusetts Department of Fire Services will support fire prevention and education programs in schools and within Stoneham’s senior community. The Student Awareness of Fire Education (S.A.F.E) program was awarded $4,381, while the Senior SAFE program received $2,277.
The funding gives fire departments the opportunity to work directly with students and senior citizens to educate them about fire safety. The safety lessons include topics such as fire and life-safety presentations, and what to do if a fire alarm goes off. Each program is tailored to the common issues of each age group including general fire prevention reminders and safe practices in the home.
“These grant funds will enable us to continue our efforts to educate both students and seniors about the dangers of fire and how to protect themselves,” said Chief Grafton. “We are grateful for the continued support of the Department of Fire Services.”
The lessons taught in the school-based program are in line with the standards of both the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education Health Curriculum Frameworks and the state Department of Fire Services Curriculum Planning Guidebook.
Twenty-seven years after the introduction of the S.A.F.E program within schools, the rate of annual child fire deaths has decreased by 78%, according to the state’s Department of Fire Services, which created and runs the program.
To learn more about the Massachusetts Department of Fire Services’ S.A.F.E program, click here.