Mass. fire department receives grant for fire education programs

Community Advocate

MARLBOROUGH, Mass. — The Marlborough Fire Department has been awarded two grants in the amount of $5,786 and $3,217 by the Executive Office of Public Safety and Security. The City Council formally accepted the funding which was announced in a communication from Mayor Arthur Vigeant at the council’s Jan. 13 meeting.

One grant is for the Student Awareness Fire Education program and the second grant is for the Senior Awareness Fire Education.  Both programs, known as S.A.F.E., will be instrumental in educating multi-generational populations in the city on a variety of fire safety techniques and protection.

In his communication to the mayor confirming their request for the funding was approved, Fire Chief James Fortin included a memo from State Fire Marshal Stephen Coan proclaiming the effectiveness of the S.A.F.E. program. “Nineteen years ago, the fire service advocated to the legislature for the creation of the S.A.F.E. program.  Since that time average annual child fire deaths have been reduced by 70 percent,” stated Coan.

Full story: Marlborough Fire Department receives grants to educate youths and seniors