News

On July 24, the United States Senate passed the Campus Fire Safety Right-to-Know Act of 2007. Introduced by Senator Frank Lautenberg (D-NJ), the Act requires campuses to make their fire safety information public, as well as all fire-related events over the last two years.

Through the Campus Fire Safety Right-to-Know Act, colleges and universities must release statistics on the number of fires in each student housing facility, and the number of deaths, injuries, and structural damage resulting from these fires. The schools also need to provide facts about fire safety education, training provided to students, faculty, and staff, and any future plans for fire safety improvement. The Act requires universities and colleges to keep a log of all campus fire incidents, which will be made public. Fraternities and Sororities and the owners of their campus residences must also disclose all fire safety information and fire safety incidents.

The Campus Fire Safety Right-to-Know Act is a vital component to furthering the safety of the nation’s university and college campuses. Over the last 17 years, institutions of higher education have been releasing information on campus thefts, assaults, and sexual and capital crimes. Releasing information on fire-related incidents is the next step in ensuring the safety of campuses across the country.
"I'd like to thank Senator Lautenberg for introducing this important piece of legislation," said National Volunteer Fire Council Chairman Philip C. Stittleburg. "I urge all NVFC members and supporters of the volunteer fire and emergency services to contact their U.S. Representative and ask them to co-sponsor H.R. 592, the House version of the Campus Fire Safety Right-to-Know Act."