Norfolk, Plainville,Wrentham Receive Fire Safety Education Grants

Senator Richard J. Ross (R-Wrentham) and Representative Daniel B. Winslow are announce that Norfolk, Plainville and Wrentham have each been awarded $4,625 in grant funding through the Student Awareness of Fire Education (S.A.F.E.) Program for the 2013 fiscal year. The funding will be used to implement fire safety education programs in the schools.

 “These programs play a vital role in educating children about fire safety and prevention,” said Senator Ross. “Students will have the opportunity to learn valuable lessons on protecting themselves and their families during an emergency.”

Winslow stated, “I am pleased to join Senator Ross in congratulating our communities, and I look forward to working for more successes in the future.”

The S.A.F.E. Program seeks to educate students on the dangers of fire by providing local fire departments with resources to hold fire and life safety education programs in schools. Firefighters are trained as educators and work closely with classroom teachers and health educators to provide age-appropriate fire safety lessons to students. The program focuses on key behaviors like “Stop, Drop, and Roll,” “Making and Practicing Home Escape Plans,” and “Reporting Fires and Emergencies.”

In conjunction with other fire education and prevention programs, the S.A.F.E. Program has led to a decrease of 70% in child fire deaths – down from an average of 18 per year to five per year. In addition, Massachusetts has documented 259 Young Heroes, children who utilized the lessons learned in fire and life safety education classes during real emergencies.

Contact the office of Senator Ross with any questions or concerns at (617) 722-1555 orRichard.Ross@masenate.gov.