Fire prevention

One in Four Deaths Caused by Children Playing with Matches or Lighters

May 29, 2008 -- Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg, Council Speaker Christine C. Quinn, Health Commissioner Thomas R. Frieden and Fire Commissioner Nicholas Scoppetta today released the second annual Child Fatality Report, a review of preventable fatalities among children ages one to 12 years that found that fires are the second leading cause of child deaths from injuries in New York City after motor vehicle accidents.

An apartment fire on Flatbush Ave., Brooklyn: Photo by Michael Williams (CC)    » read more »

Statement By Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg On Council Passage Of New Fire Code For New York City

May 28, 2008 -- "The City Council today adopted a new Fire Code, the first comprehensive revision of the Fire Code since 1913, which will make this City safer for both New Yorkers and the firefighters that protect us.

The Fire Code governs the use of building safety systems like sprinkler systems and extinguishers, the permit and inspection process, fire-detection and extinguishing systems, and emergency preparedness and planning.    » read more »

July 27, 2007 -- Thirteen fire districts and EMS units in Kansas have been selected to receive grants from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, Governor Kathleen Sebelius said today.

“This support is critical to public safety and will help Kansas firefighters and emergency responders protect their communities,” said Sebelius.    » read more »

July 10, 2007 -- OLYMPIA – Thousands of Washington apartment homes and hotels may be especially vulnerable to fire. The Washington State Fire Marshal’s Office says up to 500,000 fire sprinkler heads in Washington may be defective – and officials don’t know where they are located.

“Somewhere in our state, there are 500,000 sprinkler heads that may fail in an actual fire,” said Assistant State Fire Marshal Anjela Foster. “We think they are in hotels, apartments and homes. It’s a serious threat to homes and occupants.    » read more »