North Reading Receives Fire and Life Safety Education Funding

North Reading is receiving more than $7,000 for fire and life safety education from the commonwealth of Massachusetts, according to House Minority Leader Bradley H. Jones, Jr. (R-North Reading) and Senate Minority Leader Bruce Tarr (R-Gloucester).

North Reading has been awarded $4,423 in funding through the Student Awareness of Fire Education (S.A.F.E.) Program, and $2,795 in funding through the recently-established Senior S.A.F.E. Program for fiscal year 2015.

“The S.A.F.E. program gives our children, and now our seniors, the tools and education they need to react in a dangerous situation,” said Rep. Jones. “I am grateful North Reading is a recipient of funds through this critically important program.”

“The S.A.F.E. program is a statewide initiative that provides resources and funding to local fire departments to conduct fire and life safety education programs for students in grades K-12. The mission is to enable students to recognize the dangers of fire and more specifically the fire hazards tobacco products pose,” according to a press release announcing the funding.

“Educating students about fire hazards, including smoking, is a powerful tool that can prevent tragedy and serious injuries,” said Sen. Tarr. “Through S.A.F.E. program funding state government can support the important classroom work being done in North Reading by dedicated firefighters and local officials.”

According to the press release:

“As a result of continued financial support, the S.A.F.E. program has been expanded to include fire safety for seniors. This most recent initiative was created to educate seniors on fire prevention, general home safety and how to be better prepared in the event of a fire.

“The S.A.F.E. program, combined with other fire education and prevention initiatives, has led to a 70% decrease in child fire deaths.”