Wayland Awarded State Fire Safety Grants For Schools, Seniors

WAYLAND, MA — The Town of Wayland is among 229 communities to receive state fire safety grants.

Wayland was awarded a $5,995.22 SAFE Grant and a $2,746 Senior Safe Grant, the Healey-Driscoll administration announced Tuesday. The funding is part of $1.9 million distributed statewide to help local fire departments provide critical safety education to school-aged children and older adults.

The grants will support two longstanding programs. The Student Awareness of Fire Education (SAFE) program sends firefighter-educators into schools to deliver consistent fire safety lessons to students. The Senior SAFE program focuses on older adults, offering education through senior centers, councils on aging, and home visits.

“No family should have to experience the tragedy of a preventable fire,” said Governor Maura Healey. “That’s why we’re making sure kids, families, and older adults across Massachusetts have the knowledge and support they need to stay safe at home — working with the firefighters they know and trust. We’re proud to deliver this support to nearly 230 communities and help protect families across our state.”

The SAFE program was launched in the mid-1990s after child fire fatalities rose into the dozens each year. Since then, Massachusetts has reported some of the lowest numbers on record, according to the state.

This year’s total funding exceeds last year’s by about $300,000.

This comes less than a month after the Wayland Fire Department was awarded funding to purchase new safety equipment.

Wayland was awarded a $15,110 grant to purchase equipment, including protective gear and other tools, to keep firefighters safe on the job, and to strengthen public safety and protect first responders. The grant was part of $5 million in grant funding to fire departments across the state.

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