SOUTHBRIDGE — Brockton Firefighter Peter Reardon received the 2026 Fire & Life Safety Educator of the Year Award today in recognition of his extensive contributions to community fire safety in the City of Champions. He was honored during the Department of Fire Services’ 31st annual Fire & Life Safety Education Conference.
“Massachusetts continues to lead the nation in fire safety because of the great work of the Department of Fire Services and local leaders like Firefighter Peter Reardon,” said Governor Maura Healey. “Pete’s work is helping keep children, older adults and families safe in Brockton, and this award is a well-deserved recognition of his commitment to his community. We’re proud to support firefighters and educators across Massachusetts who are working every day to prevent fires and save lives.”
“Firefighter Pete, as he’s known to residents, visits the Council on Aging every month to deliver fire safety education,” said State Fire Marshal Jon M. Davine. “Just about every week, he meets with a senior walking group for informal talks on staying safe at home. He’s enlisted the help of translators to ensure that every resident gets this important information – no matter where they’re from or what language they speak. But that’s not all. He also visited over 250 elementary school classrooms last year, connecting with about 6,300 students. And those connections have made a difference – fire safety test scores have doubled since he became his department’s Public Education Officer.”
Firefighter Reardon’s award capped off a two-day conference that brought hundreds of firefighters, educators, service providers, and other professionals together for dozens of dynamic workshops and featured speakers, all focused on fire and life safety across Massachusetts. In addition to public safety officials, the program included representatives of the Executive Office of Aging & Independence (AGE), National Fire Protection Association, Clear Guidance, and UMass Amherst who led presentations on fire safety, fall prevention, and other issues affecting older adults.
According to the US Fire Administration, Massachusetts had the second-lowest rate of fire deaths in the nation in 2023, the most recent year for which data is available. Overall, fires in Massachusetts fell to a 25-year low in 2025, with injuries to residents and firefighters reaching their second-lowest levels in modern history. State Fire Marshal Davine said consistent, statewide fire and life safety education for vulnerable residents like kids and older adults has played a role in these declines.
“We put a premium on firefighter training in Massachusetts,” the Marshal told conference attendees. “We’re proud of our strong and forward-thinking Fire Code. But your work as fire and life safety educators is helping us prevent fires and get better outcomes when they happen.”
The conference followed this week’s announcement that the Healey-Driscoll Administration has made nearly $2 million in funding available for the annual Student Awareness of Fire Education (SAFE) and Senior SAFE grant programs. The grants support targeted, age-appropriate fire and life safety education for school-age children and senior citizens, including smoke and carbon monoxide alarm installation and other services for older adults.