MARION — The Massachusetts Department of Fire Services awarded the the Fire Department got a $3,065 grant for its Student Awareness of Fire Education (S.A.F.E.) Program and $2,055 for the Senior SAFE Program. 

“Our firefighters enjoy working closely with our school teachers to help youngsters learn what they can do to prevent fires, to survive those that do occur, and how to respond correctly to fires and other emergencies,” Marion Chief Brian Jackvony said.

The S.A.F.E. Program has been expanded to offer funds to local communities.

“Seniors are the age group most at risk of dying in a fire. This program educates seniors on fire prevention, general home safety and how to be better prepared in the event of a fire,” Jackvony said.

The S.A.F.E. Program provides $1.2 million through the Executive Office of Public Safety and Security to local fire departments. The Senior SAFE Program is funded from fees paid by tobacco companies to the Fire Standard Compliant Cigarette Program to ensure their products meet the fire safety requirements to be sold in Massachusetts.

Key to both programs are specially trained fire educators who work with classroom teachers and seniors to deliver age-appropriate lessons on fire and life safety. 

For more information about the Student Awareness of Fire Education or Senior SAFE Programs, call Jackvony at 508-748-1177 or go to www.mass.gov/dfs and type “SAFE” in the “search this organization” box.