Description
The Department of Fire Services is offering grant funding for the Student Awareness of Fire Education (SAFE) and Senior SAFE programs. The objective of the program is to reduce the number of injuries and fatalities in vulnerable populations by providing fire and life safety education to school-aged children and senior citizens. The grant is available to fire departments in every city, town, fire district, and eligible state authority across the Commonwealth. Key aspects of the program include:
* The program supports the delivery of fire and life safety education to school-aged children and senior citizens.
* The objective of the program is to reduce the number of injuries and fatalities in these vulnerable populations.
* The grant is available to fire departments in every city, town, fire district, and eligible state authority across the Commonwealth.
* Applications must be submitted by March 5, 2026, at 5:00 PM.
* Award announcements are estimated to be made the week of March 30, 2026.
* The grant performance period is from the date of award to August 31, 2026.
* An end-of-year report is due by September 30, 2026.
* Unexpended funds must be returned to the Department of Fire Services within 30 calendar days of notification.
* Some notable requirements and restrictions include:
• Departments must be in compliance with the Massachusetts Fire Incident Reporting System (MFIRS) for calendar year 2024 and onboard with the National Emergency Response Information System (NERIS) by the time of application submission deadline.
• The receipt of grant funds is contingent upon the grantee being able to certify that it will comply with the Massachusetts General Laws, including G.L. c. 40A, § 3A, the MBTA Communities Act.
• Planning grants are available for departments that have not been awarded SAFE Program funding during Fiscal Years 2021-2025.
• Planning grant funds may be used to send fire department personnel to relevant training, collaborate with school officials to develop curriculum plans, and obtain equipment/supplies for educational activities.
* Some notable benefits and incentives include:
• Applications that receive 80% or more of the total points available will be prioritized for funding.
• Applications that receive less than 20% of the available points will not be awarded.
• Attendance at one of the webinars scheduled during the application period is strongly encouraged, and applications in which one of the required individuals has completed the webinar will receive 20 points.