April 7, 2001

Media Advisory

What:

Residence Hall Fire Safety Simulation
Actual-size model of residence hall room to be set on fire

Where:

South Field
Ramapo College of New Jersey

When:

Thursday, April 26 (weather permitting)
1 p.m.

Who:

Ramapo staff and students, the Mahwah Fire and Police Department, Bergen County Law and Public Safety Institute and the Department of Community Affairs Fire Division

Contact Person:

Bonnie D. Franklin, (201) 684-6844
Gina Mayer-Costa, (201) 684-7531

The Facilities Department at Ramapo College of New Jersey will construct an actual-size model of a residence hall room complete with typical furnishings such as furniture, computer and smoke alarm. The DCA has inspected the site and issued a permit. In addition, personnel from the Mahwah Fire and Police departments and the Bergen County Law and Public Safety Institute will be on hand as will video photographers.

The simulation, a fire-safety educational event open to all students and the public, is scheduled to coincide with Greek Week

Fire Safety Awareness Event

A bedroom typical in dimensions of Ramapo College apartments will be constructed and set on fire. The purpose of the event is to educate students to the realities of fire and motivate fire-safe behavior. The fire also will emphasize the importance of sprinklers. This room, unlike our residence halls, will not be sprinklered and therefore will illustrate the ferocity of a fire in a room without sprinklers.

The event is based on a combined effort of Ramapo staff and students, Mahwah Fire and Police Department, Bergen County Law and Public Safety Institute and the Department of Community Affairs Fire Division. Ramapo Department of Facilities personnel will frame out the room including a floor, roof, door and window and provide furnishings (bed, table and chairs). The Center for Computing and Information Systems will donate old computers and printers. The Media Center will video record the room being built and burning (both inside and outside the room). Marketing and Institutional Relations will take photographs. Residence Life will finish the room (spackle, paint, carpet) and Fraternities and Sororities will decorate the room with personal effects. This event will take place as a scheduled activity during Greek Week, which is the last week of April.

A burn permit was obtained from the Department of Community Affairs (DCA) Fire Division for the South Field. The Mahwah Volunteer Fire Department (Co. 2) has agreed to put out the fire. The DCA Fire Division will be in attendance as well as the Bergen County Law and Public Safety Institute. This event will be incorporated into a video as part of a fire safety educational program. This program is being developed by the Bergen County Law and Public Safety Institute and will be presented throughout New Jersey.