Every year, Dartmouth Fire District 1 and District 3 are awarded funds from the state for the Student Awareness of Fire Education Program and Senior SAFE Program.

For Fiscal Year 2024, the District 1 received $4,700 for SAFE and $2,200 for Senior SAFE, according to Chief Peter Andrade.

District 3 received $5,700 for SAFE and $2,400 for Senior Safe, according to Chief Richard Arruda.

The funding, which comes from Massachusetts Department of Fire Services, gives local fire departments the opportunity to work directly with students and senior citizens to educate them about fire safety. Lessons range from fire and life-safety presentations, and what to do if a fire alarm goes off. Each program is tailored to the common issues of each age group including general fire prevention reminders and safe practices in the home.

According to the state’s Department of Fire Services, the average number of children who die in fires annually has dropped by nearly 80% since the S.A.F.E. program began in fiscal year 1996, and Massachusetts a few years ago went nearly three years without losing a child to fire.

The Senior S.A.F.E program was launched in fiscal year 2014, funding fire safety education for another vulnerable population. According to the state, seniors face a disproportionate risk of dying in a fire at home.