The Student Awareness of Fire Education (SAFE) program is a grant initiative that places trained firefighter educators in classrooms to provide fire safety education to students from Pre-K through 12th grade. The primary goal of SAFE is to help students understand the risks associated with fire and the hazards of tobacco products. This program equips firefighters with the necessary training to deliver age- appropriate fire and life safety lessons in collaboration with classroom teachers and health educators.
The funding provided by the Massachusetts Department of Fire Services gives the department the opportunity to work directly with students in schools and seniors to educate them about fire safety and prevention. Each program is tailored to the common needs of each age group and includes general fire prevention reminders and safe practices in the home. Lessons feature many safety topics including steps to take if a fire alarm goes off.
The lessons taught in the school-based program are in line with the standards of the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education Health Curriculum Frameworks and the state Department of Fire Services Curriculum Planning Guidebook.
Twenty-seven years after the introduction of the S.A.F.E program within schools, the rate of annual child fire deaths has decreased by 78%, according to the state’s Department of Fire Services, which administers the two programs.