Students and facility to participate in fire safety training and observe a realistic dorm room burning demo.

Training led by the Division’s Office of Fire Prevention and Control and coordinated in partnership with University at Albany, and the Albany Fire Department

The New York State Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Services (DHSES) today announced that the University at Albany will host a Campus Fire Safety Day event for students and facility on Wednesday, October 14, 2015 at its Washington Avenue campus.  Highlights of the event will include fire safety training, interactive displays, and a live burn demonstration.

Event participants include the New York State Office of Fire Prevention and Control (OFPC), the State University at Albany, and the City of Albany Fire Department.  OFPC, an office of DHSES, conducts annual Fire and Life Safety inspections for all community, public and private colleges and universities across New York State, with the exception of private colleges and universities in New York City.

"Fire Safety Day is an example of how students can learn and take responsibility for their own safety and well-being," said University at Albany President Robert J. Jones. "Through programs such as this and the efforts of our partners the NY Office of Fire Prevention and Control, the Office of Emergency Management, the City of Albany Fire Department, and the McKownville Fire Department, the preparedness of our students has reached essential new levels."

“Campus Fire Safety Day is a great opportunity for students and university staff to learn more about the very real dangers of fires,” said DHSES Commissioner John Melville.  “I encourage all those who work at or attend classes at the University at Albany to participate in this important event and learn how to stay safe.”

“Many people assume that fire happens somewhere else to someone else, but the reality is that fire kills more Americans than all natural disasters combined, and it does its deadly work where we feel safest – in our residences,” said State Fire Administrator Bryant Stevens.  “Almost every one of those deaths is preventable.  Campus Fire Safety Day is a unique opportunity for students and faculty to gain vital information so they possess the knowledge and skills to have a fire-safe college career.”

City of Albany Mayor Kathy M. Sheehan said, “This type of training and awareness is vitally important to students now, and as they go forward in life.  I am grateful to SUNY Albany, DHSES and the Albany Fire Department for taking the time to teach our students at U Albany these life-saving skills and I wish our students a happy and healthy school year.”

Albany Fire Department Chief Warren W. Abriel, Jr. said, “This annual event gives the Albany Fire Department and its partners a great opportunity to remind students to take fire safety on campus seriously. It is important that students know that when a smoke alarm or fire alarm sounds, to get out of the building quickly and stay out.”

The event begins at 1:00 pm at the University’s Collins Circle with opening remarks from University officials and local dignitaries.  A variety of educational activities will be offered, including fire extinguisher training, evacuation from smoke-filled environments, interaction with fire professionals, static fire department displays, and other fire safety education opportunities.  A highlight of the event includes a live burn demonstration involving a mock dormitory room to show the smoke, heat, and speed of fire, and to emphasize the need for fire prevention and proper, immediate response should a fire emergency occur.

Campus Fire Safety Day supports Campus Fire Safety Month, a nationwide campaign that puts campus fire safety issues in the spotlight.  More than a dozen Campus Fire Safety Day events are conducted across the State each year.

The NYS Office of Fire Prevention and Control has developed and conducted Campus Fire Safety Day events for more than a decade as part of the State’s comprehensive campus fire safety educational campaign.  These events are held annually at many colleges and universities across New York State, and each event can ready hundreds of members of a campus community.  Through the extensive work of university residence life, administration, and environmental health and safety, Campus Fire Safety Days provide important life-saving information and demonstrate the University’s commitment to student welfare and safety.

 About the Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Services

DHSES and its four offices – Emergency Management, Fire Prevention and Control, Interoperable and Emergency Communications, and Counter Terrorism – provide leadership, coordination and support for efforts to prevent, protect against, prepare for, respond to, and recover from terrorism and other man-made and natural disasters, threats, fires and other emergencies. For more information, visit the DHSES Facebook page, follow @NYSDHSES on Twitter, or visit dhses.ny.gov.