Letters to the Editor
DEPARTMENTS
Keeping Public Awareness Alive
Friday, May 11, 1984, will be entered in the books as another sad day in the history of fire safety. The tragic deaths of eight teenagers at the Great Adventure Haunted Castle, will place it among other unfortunate dates on which multiple deaths from fire occured in America. This horror story from Jackson Township, NJ, has once again awakened public awareness to the need for stronger fire safety codes and enforcement. If only we could keep that awareness alive! Although the families and friends of those who died will never forget that day, how sad it is that for most of us, it will soon become a distant and vague memory. Because the tragedy has not touched our own lives or loved ones, we are not motivated to extend our sympathy and concern beyond the fleeting emotions we experience as we follow the story. As public interest wanes, so will the news media provide less and less coverage. We need to ask ourselves ‘what if it had been one of my children or one of my friends?’
New Jersey Senator John Caufield, along with organizations such as the New Jersey Fire Prevention and Protection Association, have worked diligently for several decades to pass legislation which will help to substantially reduce our embarassing fire statistics. The New Jersey Uniform Construction Code Act of 1977 was a major breakthrough, which significantly increased fire protection in all new construction. An even brighter star shines on the horizon in the form of the New Jersey State Fire Safety Act of 1983, which is scheduled for statewide implementation in 1985. Senator Caufield, who is also chairman of the new State Fire Safety Commission, has labeled this legislation as a remedial set of regulations which will become a model for other states to follow. At long last, we will have a State Fire Safety Code which requires the retrofitting of existing life hazard buildings and occupancies with fire protection systems and regulations, and which carries swift and severe penalties for those who would continue to endanger the public safety. Municipal fire safety programs will receive a strong boost from amended budget regulations, which will enable our towns to employ sorely needed fire safety inspectors.
New Jersey’s fire protection and fire safety codes will undoubtedly have a profound effect in the years to come. In my opinion however, there remains one critical area requiring action. We must identify and implement improved methods for public fire safety education. Priority should be placed on regulations mandating comprehensive fire safety education at all levels of our educational system. Educators should be required to provide our children with solid foundation fire safety knowledge. Although some elementary schools already provide limited coverage of this area, it is not assigned the priority it requires. Many schools, nursery though college level, provide little or no opportunity for adequate fire safety education. Excellent tools such as the National Fire Protection Association’s Learn Not to Burn curriculum and Sesame Street’s Fire Safety project are available for use right now, but are only utilized on a limited basis because the citizens of our state and country have not demanded implementation on a wider scale.
Regulations governing structural provisions for fire safety such as adequate and safe exits, and fire detection and suppression systems, are unquestionably essential for the safe evacuation of a building when a fire occurs. But we must go one step further, and ask ourselves ‘what caused this fire, and what could have prevented it?’ I am firmly convinced the answers to these key questions can only be found in a modern and comprehensive program for public fire safety education.
E. John Baab
Fire Inspector,
Township of Franklin, Somerset County, N] President,
Somerset County Fire Safety Association
Training to Breathe
Paul McFadden’s article, “Training Lets You Breathe Easier” (June 1984, FIRE ENGINEERING), was of great interest to me. We at National Draeger do agree with your statement that “Training is the key to reduced air usage.” As manufacturers of breathing apparatus, we recognize the importance of both training and service for respiratory protection equipment.
Les Boord
Vice President
Safety Division
National Draeger Inc., PA
