ACTON — Chief Anita Arnum is pleased to share that the Acton Fire Department has received multiple state grants that will enhance both community education and firefighter protection.
The department was awarded $9,140.81 under the Student Awareness of Fire Education (SAFE) program through the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, including $6,414.68 for the student SAFE program and $2,726.13 for the Senior SAFE program.
The SAFE program provides grants to local fire departments to teach fire and life safety to children in schools, including fire protection education lessons that increase in complexity with each grade level. Since the SAFE program began in 1996, child fire deaths have dropped significantly in Massachusetts, according to the Department of Fire Safety
Senior SAFE is a similar program that aims to reduce fire-related deaths among senior residents. Fire and life safety programs are shared at senior centers and councils on aging, and at home visits, and can include services like smoke and carbon monoxide alarm replacement, fall prevention education, and more.
In addition to the SAFE program grants, the department also received a $14,241.17 grant through the Department of Fire Services (DFS) Firefighter Safety Equipment Grant Program to improve safety equipment. The grant received by Acton was among $5 million in grants provided to fire departments across the Commonwealth to improve firefighter safety.
The funding will support the purchase of 4-gas meters, carbon monoxide meters, EMS extrication coats and personal safety lights.
“Having the resources to connect with and educate the community and equip our firefighters is an essential part of keeping Acton safe,” said Chief Arnum. “I would like to thank our state partners and the Department of Fire Services for awarding us this funding, which will reinforce our Department and strengthen the resources that we have available to us to best serve the community.”
To learn more about the SAFE program, click here.
To learn more about the DFS grant, click here.
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