PRESS RELEASE

For Immediate Release                          

January 19, 2007                                    

Contact:   

Christopher Bender (Lautenberg) (202) 224-3224

Caley Gray (Pascrell) (202) 468-3081

Kim Olive (Wilson) (202) 225-2452

WILSON JOINS LAUTENBERG AND PASCRELL TO REINTRODUCE CAMPUS FIRE SAFETY MEASURE

WASHINGTON- In recognition of the seventh anniversary of the fatal Seton Hall University fire, U.S. Senator Frank Lautenberg (D-NJ), U.S. Rep. Bill Pascrell, Jr. (D-NJ-08), and U.S. Rep. Joe Wilson (R-SC-02) reintroduced the Campus Fire Safety Act in Congress. 

Senator Frank Lautenberg, who will formally introduce the bill when the Senate convenes on Monday stated, "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."

Reps. Pascrell and Wilson expressed a strong sense of purpose and confidence upon introducing the legislation in the House of Representatives today;

"The Campus Fire Safety Right-to-Know Act is a common-sense measure that I am proud to reintroduce.  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," stated Rep. Pascrell. 

Rep. Wilson stated, "In my home state of South Carolina, there have been more than 15 reported campus fires since 2000.  Being affected by a fire is a horrific experience for anyone.  For college students, many of whom live far from their families, it is especially troubling.  Through education and disclosure we can reduce the number of school fires and protect our students from harm."

An important first step in increasing fire safety, the Campus Fire Safety Act would require campus fire safety information to be made public, and would provide a powerful incentive for colleges and universities to voluntarily upgrade their safety systems.  Highlights from the legislation include:

*        Dissemination of information on each student housing facility, including those owned, controlled, or occupied by fraternities, sororities, and other student groups, and whether these facilities are equipped with fire sprinklers or other fire safety systems such as fire alarms or smoke detectors;

*        Dissemination of statistics on the number of actual fires in each student housing facility, information on deaths, injuries, and structural damage over the previous two years; and information about fire safety education and training provided to students, faculty, and staff and any planned improvements in fire safety;

*        Directs the Secretary of Education to report back to Congress on the current status of fires safety systems at our nation's colleges and universities. 

On March 30, 2006, the Campus Fire Safety Right to Know Act was approved in the House of Representatives as a part of the College Access and Opportunity Act.

"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," Pascrell concluded.   

The Campus Fire Safety Right to Know Act carries the support of twenty-four bipartisan cosponsors in the House of Representatives, and three in the Senate. 

It is supported by the following organizations: Center for Campus Fire Safety, Congressional Fire Services Institute, International Association of Fire Chiefs, International Code Council, International Fire Marshals Association, National Association of State Fire Marshals, National Fire Protection Association, National Fire Sprinkler Association, Society of Fire Protection Engineers, and Underwriters Laboratories, Campus Firewatch, the National Electrical Manufacturers Association, and the National Volunteer Fire Council. 

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