The Burlington Fire Department will be offering free educational programs to the community thanks to a grant.
Chief Michael Patterson said he is pleased to announce that the department has been awarded $8,230 in grant funding to support fire safety and education programs.
The grant from the state Massachusetts Department of Fire Services will support fire prevention and education programs in schools and within Burlington’s senior community. The Student Awareness of Fire Education (S.A.F.E.) program was awarded $5,175, while the Senior S.A.F.E. program received $3,055
The funding gives fire departments the opportunity to work directly with students and senior citizens to educate them about fire safety. The safety lessons range from fire and life-safety presentations, and what to do if a fire alarm goes off. Each program is tailored to the common issues of each age group including general fire prevention reminders and safe practices in the home.
The lessons taught in the school-based program are in line with the standards of both the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education Health Curriculum Frameworks and the state Department of Fire Services Curriculum Planning Guidebook.
Twenty-six years after the introduction of the S.A.F.E program within schools, the rate of annual child fire deaths have decreased by 78 percent, according to the state’s Department of Fire Services, which created and runs the program.
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