FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Pennsylvania Fire & Emergency Services Institute
CONTACT: John Brenner
PHONE:  (717) 236-5995

“Look Up for Safety” Press Conference

HARRISBURG (April 18, 2001)– The New Jersey resident assistant who was
burned
in the Seton Hall University dormitory fire has been invited to attend a
special press conference to promote fire sprinkler systems in Pennsylvania
college dormitories and all student housing.  The press conference is
scheduled for Tuesday, April 24, 10:30 AM in the Capitol Media Center.

Fire and emergency service leaders throughout Pennsylvania have endorsed a
proposal to place automatic fire sprinkler systems in college
dormitories. The Pennsylvania House of Representatives is expected to
consider House Bill 209.  The Institute’s Statewide Advisory Board,
representing over 100 county, regional and state fire & emergency service
organizations is recommending that the bill be amended to include off-campus
housing, especially fraternity houses.

“Sprinklers should be installed in dormitories and all off campus housing,”
said John Brenner, executive director of the Pennsylvania Fire & Emergency
Services Institute.  Brenner said, “parents should be asking university
officials about fire protection systems in student housing.”  He continued,
“life-saving sprinklers will better protect college students and help
prevent
tragedies such as the fire fatalities in Bloomsburg.”

New Jersey recently adopted a mandatory sprinkler law for dormitories
following the deaths of three students at Seton Hall University.  The Seton
Hall University Resident Assistant, Dana Christmas, who assisted students
during the fire in New Jersey, will make a special presentation.  Rep. Mike
McGeehan, sponsor of the legislation will address the bill’s current status.
Ed Comeau of Campus Firewatch, a monthly electronic newsletter that covers
campus fire safety, will discuss this problem from a national perspective.

The Institute is a statewide nonprofit group, which educates state officials
about fire and life safety issues.

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Ed Comeau
writer-tech.com
PO Box 1046
Belchertown, MA  01007
http://www.writer-tech.com
mailto:[log in to unmask]
1-413-323-6002 (tel)
1-413-323-5295 (fax)
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