FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: Ed Comeau, Publisher
 Campus Firewatch

www.campus-firewatch.com

413-323-6002 (tel)
413-896-5718 (cell)

ecomeau@campus-firewatch.com

 

Campus Fire Safety Right-to-Know Act of 2007 reintroduced in Congress

Legislation reintroduced on the seventh anniversary of the tragic fire at Seton Hall University that killed three freshmen and in the wake of Saturday’s fire that killed three students and two siblings in Huntington, West Virginia

 BELCHERTOWN, Mass., January 19, 2007— The Campus Fire Safety Right-to-Know Act of 2007, reintroduced today in Congress, calls upon colleges and universities to report information on the level of fire safety on their campuses to the U.S. Department of Education and to the public.  This legislation passed the U.S. House of Representatives in 2006.

Since January 2000, there have been 99 campus-related fire deaths across the country, with almost 90 percent of them occurring in off-campus and Greek housing.

“Just within the past week, tragedy has struck at Marshall University where three students and two siblings were killed in an off-campus fire,” said Ed Comeau, publisher of Campus Firewatch.  “Schools have an incredibly valuable opportunity to educate students about how they can protect themselves by selecting fire-safe housing and practicing fire safety every day.  This legislation will help parents identify schools that put a strong emphasis on fire safety so that no parent has to receive a call telling them their child will never be coming home again.  I commend Congress for their leadership in helping combat this problem.”

The Campus Fire Safety Right-to-Know Act of 2007 is being introduced in the House by Representatives Bill Pascrell (D-NJ) and Joe Wilson (R-SC) and it will be introduce in the Senate on Monday by Senator Frank Lautenberg (D-NJ).  Fourteen major fire safety organizations co-signed a letter that was sent to every Member of Congress asking for their support (a copy of the letter and the legislation is available at www.campus-firewatch.com).

"The Campus Fire Safety Right-to-Know Act is a common-sense measure that I am proud to reintroduce,” said Representative Pascrell.  “The House recognized the critical importance of campus fire safety by passing this bill last year, and I will fight for the same results in the new session of Congress.  Far too many students are being killed in fires at our nation's colleges and universities.  When selecting a school, students and parents must also consider the school's track record when it comes to fire safety.  The Campus Fire Safety Right-to-Know Act will provide them with the vital information they need to make an informed decision."

 “There’s safety in information.  Parents and students need to know that a campus is doing all it can to keep students safe,” Senator Frank R. Lautenberg said.  “We’ve got to do all we can to prevent a tragedy like the Seton Hall fire from occurring in the future.”

Organizations supporting this legislation include: 

 

Campus Firewatch is a monthly, electronic newsletter focusing on the complex issues and a leader in campus fire safety.  More information, including an updated Campus Fire Safety Information Sheet and Firelog Compilation can be found at www.campus-firewatch.com.

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