Today, I was very proud to announce that the Brockton, Easton and West Bridgewater Fire Departments have been awarded grant funding totaling $21,745 from the Student Awareness of Fire Education (S.A.F.E) Program through the Massachusetts Executive Office of Public Safety and Security (EOPPS).

Established by the legislature in 1996, the S.A.F.E Program is a state initiative that was created to provide resources to local fire departments to conduct fire and life safety education programs to children in grades K-12 and members of the community. Its mission is to enable students, and all residents, to recognize the dangers of fire, as well as the fire hazards of tobacco products.

This year, the Brockton Fire Department will receive $11,515; the Easton Fire Department will receive $5,415; and the West Bridgewater Fire Department will receive $4,815 to continue their fire education programming.

The S.A.F.E Program is a great example of a true—and time-proven—partnership between the Commonwealth and local fire departments that has had an extraordinary impact on protecting our children, families and communities. I'm extremely proud to continue making this program a top-priority for our fire departments.

“I am very pleased the Brockton Fire Department is receiving this funding,” added Brockton Mayor Linda M. Balzotti. “These dollars will help continue a vital program that touches the lives of many residents in the city.”