Photo courtesy of the Shrewsbury Fire DepartmentThe Shrewsbury Fire Department received two grants to support fire safety and education programs in the community.
The grant, from the Massachusetts Department of Fire Services, will support fire prevention and education programs in schools and within Shrewsbury’s senior community. The Student Awareness of Fire Education (S.A.F.E.) program was awarded $6,275, while the Senior S.A.F.E. program received $3,255, Fire Chief James Vuona announced in a statement.
The funding allows fire departments to work directly with students and senior citizens to educate them about fire safety. The safety lessons range from fire and life-safety presentations, what to do if a fire alarm goes off, general fire prevention reminders, and safe practices in the home.
According to the agency, 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.
The rate of annual child fire deaths has decreased by 78% since the introduction of the S.A.F.E. program 26 years ago, according to the state’s Department of Fire Services.
In the statement, the Shrewsbury Fire Department expressed its gratitude to “all legislators for supporting this critical fire and life safety initiative.”
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