Shrewsbury And Westborough Fire Departments Get Funds For SAFE Program

WESTBOROUGH, MA — Both Shrewsbury and Westborough fire departments are getting money to support their SAFE programs, which provides fire prevention training and fire preparedness education to children.

Representative Hannah Kane, R-Shrewsbury, announced that grants for FY2017 have been awarded to Shrewsbury and Westborough’s fire departments for the Student Awareness of Fire Education (S.A.F.E.) and Senior SAFE programs. The SAFE program was originally created 22 years ago.

Since then, the annual rate of children’s deaths due to fire has decreased by 70 percent, said the release.

“The SAFE and Senior SAFE programs provide an invaluable opportunity for our municipalities’ fire departments to form a partnership with our public schools, senior centers, and other community groups in order to provide comprehensive, lifesaving fire prevention training and fire response education,” said Kane in a statement. “The effectiveness of the program is evident, as the Shrewsbury community recently honored Little Colonials preschooler Bryce Babigian with the Young Hero Award for executing the fire safety skills Shrewsbury Firefighter Michael Guarino taught his class. Young Bryce alerted his mother of their home’s fire and helped evacuate his little sister, based on what he had learned."

Shrewsbury’s $5,641 SAFE grant and $2,996 Senior SAFE grant will provide significant aid to the program.

Shrewsbury Fire Chief Jim Vuona added in a statement, “the S.A.F.E. Program makes up a large part of our risk management effort in the Town of Shrewsbury. By educating school aged kids, senior citizens and their families about the devastating effects of fire, we are managing risk in the most effective and cost efficient way possible. Our department has been built on a foundation of proactive Fire Prevention and Public Education programs and I greatly appreciate the hard work and support of Representative Hannah Kane and the Governor's office to keep this vitally important program funded."

Westborough Fire Chief Patrick Purcell added, “by receiving these funds Westborough Firefighters are able to better support our mission statement by becoming an educational resource to our vulnerable populations. Being able to provide educational opportunities to children and older adults promotes an environment where we see a reduction of fire related injuries and an increase in home safety. Without the support of the Commonwealth with these programs we would likely not see the high return on the investment like we currently do.”

For FY2017, the town of Westborough was awarded $4,540 for the SAFE program, and $2,796 for the Senior SAFE program.

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