Hamilton Fire Dept. Awarded Over $5,000 In Fire Safety Grants

HAMILTON, MA — Hamilton Fire Department is one of 248 municipal fire departments to receive state funding for fire safety programs. Hamilton was awarded over $5,000 for the SAFE and Senior SAFE fire safety programs.

Hamilton was awarded $3,965 for the Student Awareness of Fire Education (S.A.F.E) program and $2,348 for the Senior SAFE program.

"Since 1995, the S.A.F.E. program has brought fire education to hundreds of thousands of students in the Commonwealth," said Governor Charlie Baker. "This program allows firefighters and teachers to work together to provide fire and life safety education to young people."

The average number of children dying in fires annually has dropped by 76% since the S.A.F.E. Program began. The Senior SAFE program is in its 6th year, providing firefighters with the funding to deliver fire safety education to another vulnerable population – seniors.

"Home visits, smoke and CO alarm installations, and fire safety presentations at senior centers by firefighters with senior agencies help older adults develop strategies to stay safe at home for longer," said Lt. Governor Karyn Polito.

State Fire Marshal Peter J. Ostroskey said, "The S.A.F.E. and Senior SAFE programs are successful because we have trained firefighters who deliver education to children and older adults. The fire departments being supported in these public education efforts are increasing the safety of the people in their communities."

The S.A.F.E. Program provides $1.2 million through the Executive Office of the Public Safety and Security to local fire departments. The Senior SAFE program provides $600,000 in grant funds 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. The programs are administered by the state's Department of Fire Services.