CHICOPEE/SPRINGFIELD – The Chicopee and Springfield Fire Departments are receiving Student Awareness of Fire Education (S.A.F.E.) and Senior SAFE grants for fiscal year 2023 (FY23). The state awards are distributed annually to help communities extend their robust fire safety programs.

Gov. Charlie Baker and Lt. Gov. Karyn Polito announced the grants on Jan. 3 as one of their final acts in office. A total of $1.9 million in grant funding is being distributed across 266 fire departments. Chicopee is set to receive $6,781 for student awareness and $2,667 for senior awareness, while Springfield is receiving $10,481 and $2,887 for their programs.

Since the youth S.A.F.E program began with fiscal year 1996, the number of children who have died in a fire has declined by 80 percent. An adult SAFE program was later introduced in 2014 for funding fire safety education for another vulnerable population – seniors – who face a disproportionate risk of dying in a fire at home, according to a Department of Fire Services press release.

Baker highlighted the positive impact S.A.F.E. continues to have with the youth population.

“For more than 25 years, the S.A.F.E. grant program has provided hundreds of thousands of Massachusetts students with fire and life safety lessons that last a lifetime … We are glad that this year’s awards will support consistent, statewide, professional safety education in a record number of communities,” said Baker.

Polito discussed how the S.A.F.E. grant program has benefited the senior population.

“The Senior SAFE grants support home visits, smoke and carbon monoxide alarm installations, and fire safety presentations delivered by firefighters in partnership with service providers … This valuable program gives older adults the tools, knowledge, and strategies to stay safe and independent at home,” said Polito.

Captain Richard Martin is the Fire Marshal for Springfield’s Fire Prevention Division. He and Springfield Fire Department’s Lead Public Education Officer Eric Rosen oversee the department’s programs.

Rosen said the youth programs range from pre-K to high school students. Curriculum at the younger levels focuses on straightforward instruction, like stop, drop and roll. As students reach higher grade levels, instruction is focused on developing an exit strategy in a fire situation and regularly checking smoke detectors.

“Based on the age group, we do alternate the programs that we do teach and teach it based on the age,” said Rosen in an interview with Reminder Publishing.

Rosen additionally works to make sure each Springfield Public School features up to date fire prevention technology. Fire education is reinforced to students through classroom visits and various citywide events.
Senior fire safety efforts reinforce several key fire prevention concepts. Martin said the Springfield Fire Department began emergency preparedness training four years ago, which encompasses training for fires, power outages and hazardous weather.

“It’s a one-stop shop for home safety,” said Martin in an interview with Reminder Publishing.

Martin said his department also has enjoyed a partnership with American Red Cross called Sound the Alarm over the last five years. The organizations collaborate on the installation of smoke detectors and carbon monoxide detectors.

“We do installations throughout the community and do a whole fire safety check as well,” said Martin. The safety check examines 12 items across households, including checking vents and electric outlets.
Rosen said education is also reinforced with seniors alongside the safety checks.

“We have a few kitchen safety tips and takeaways to keep [seniors] aware of what they are doing in the home and where the hazards are,” said Rosen.

The Chicopee City Council voted to accept their annual S.A.F.E. grants during its Jan. 17 meeting. Mayor John Vieau’s Chief of Staff Michael Pise said the funds will further bolster the Chicopee Fire Department’s senior education programs.

“It helps us with the smoke detectors, carbon monoxide detectors and helps our seniors get information on how to prevent fires,” said Pise.

For student fire awareness, Pise said the grant award benefits in Chicopee Public Schools and throughout the community.

“This one is to help us with students and to help our student awareness of fire prevention. It also helps us with different programs we have in schools and in the community,” said Pise.

The S.A.F.E. programs are funded through legislative earmarks to the Executive Office of Public Safety & Security. They are administered by the Massachusetts Department of Fire Services.

Reminder Publishing reached out to Chicopee Fire Department Community Risk Reduction Officer Lt. Katie Kalbaugh but did not receive a comment by press time.