SANDWICH – State Representative Randy Hunt (R-Sandwich) announced last week that the Massachusetts Department of Fire Services (DFS) has awarded grants totaling $29,363 to fire departments in the communities of Barnstable, Bourne, Plymouth, and Sandwich.
Rep. Hunt said these S.A.F.E. grants support a broad range of fire safety efforts that will benefit local residents; especially seniors and young students. “Fire safety education saves lives at a nominal cost,” he said.
“Teaching children, young adults, and seniors about the basics–stop, drop, and roll; how to report fires and emergencies; and how to make and practice home escape plans–pays off big time.”
Since the S.A.F.E. program’s 1995 debut, the average number of child fire deaths in Massachusetts has fallen by 72%.
Following the success of S.A.F.E., Senior S.A.F.E. was established four years ago to offer funds to local communities for the purpose of educating seniors on fire prevention, fire preparedness, and general home safety. According to DFS statistics, seniors are the most vulnerable of populations at risk of fire-related deaths.
A comprehensive list of the S.A.F.E. and Senior S.A.F.E. grants awarded to fire departments within the 5th Barnstable District is below:
Fire Department
|
S.A.F.E.
|
Senior S.A.F.E.
|
Barnstable Fire Department
|
$1,207
|
N/A
|
Centerville-Osterville-
Fire Department |
$2,859
|
$1,735
|
Bourne Fire Department
|
$4,308
|
$2,615
|
Plymouth Fire Department
|
$6,707
|
$3,009
|
Sandwich Fire Department
|
$4,308
|
$2,615
|
|
GRAND TOTAL:
|
$29,363
|