Needham and Dedham fire departments can apply for a share of $1.8 million in state grants funding smoke alarm installations and fire safety education.

The Healey-Driscoll administration announced Sept. 13 that applications are open for the annual Student Awareness of Fire Education (SAFE) and Senior SAFE grant programs. The deadline is 5 p.m. Sept. 29.

The grants pay for trained firefighter-educators who teach fire safety in schools and to older residents. They also cover smoke and carbon monoxide alarms, teaching equipment and related costs.

"The SAFE and Senior SAFE grants are a vital part of that educational strategy," State Fire Marshal Jon M. Davine said in the announcement. "I strongly encourage every local fire department to apply."

Fire departments in every Massachusetts city, town and fire district are eligible, provided they meet requirements including mandatory fire data reporting. Application materials and eligibility details are posted on the Department of Fire Services website.

The program has a track record. Since the SAFE program launched in the mid-1990s, average annual child fire deaths in Massachusetts dropped 81%, falling from 22.3 per year to 4.3, according to the state's 2024 fire incident report.

Older adults remain the age group most at risk. People 65 and older accounted for 43% of all fire deaths and 51% of residential fire deaths statewide in 2024, the same report found. The Senior SAFE program, created in 2014, targets that gap with education and alarm installations for older residents.

Even as the state's older adult population grew roughly 28% since 2017, per capita fire deaths among older adults fell nearly 29%, according to the state.

In the most recent prior grant cycle, announced in April, the administration awarded $1.9 million to 229 fire departments statewide. It is not clear from state records whether Needham or Dedham received funding in that round.

Five optional informational webinars are scheduled on five dates between Sept. 21 and Sept. 28 on Microsoft Teams. Departments whose fire chief, SAFE educator or grant manager completes a webinar receive 20 bonus points on their application.

Award announcements are expected the week of Oct. 26. The grant performance period runs through June 30, 2027.