Watertown Public Schools and the Watertown Fire Department have partnered on a critical fire education program targeted at the youngest learners in our community.

WFD Lieutenant Bryan Hopkins worked with school leaders at the Hosmer, Lowell, and Cunniff Elementary Schools to design and implement lesson plans on fire safety. Lt. Hopkins, along with teammates from WFD, including firefighter Olivia Cobe, then held assembles and lessons at each school and worked with students on the best ways to keep safe from fire at home.

Lessons were held for every Watertown student and classroom K-5.

The effort is made possible by the state-funded S.A.F.E. grant program, which stands for Student Awareness of Fire Education. The program teaches students how to recognize fire dangers and hazards in age-appropriate ways.

According to the Massachusetts Department of Fire Services, childhood fire-related deaths have dropped significantly since the implementation of the S.A.F.E. program in 1996. The state also has a similar grant program designed to work with senior citizens on fire safety. 

Photo credit: Watertown Fire Department