New Jersey Division of Fire Safety Scholastic F.I.R.E. Bowl Brings Fun and Awareness to Students
15 Schools Compete in Eighth Annual Knowledge Challenge

UNION, N.J. – The New Jersey Department of Community Affairs’ (DCA) Division of Fire Safety joined Kean University in hosting the 2013 Fire Information and Rescue Education (F.I.R.E.) Bowl to promote fire safety education among elementary and middle school students.

“It is important that we educate the public on fire safety measures beginning at a young age,” said DCA Commissioner Richard E. Constable, III. “This event is a great way to keep students up-to-date on fire safety education and get them thinking about important fire prevention measures all while having fun and competing with their peers.”

Students from 15 schools in Bayonne, Camden, Freehold, and Jersey City formed teams and competed in the 2013 F.I.R.E Bowl. Students from the Nicholas Oresko School of Bayonne secured the title of 2013 state champions against the second place team from the Dwight D. Eisenhower School of Freehold. Although Nicholas Oresko School took the title, both teams went home with Kindle Fire tablets.

The contest, which was held at the Little Theater at Kean University for the eighth year, was conceived by former State Fire Marshal Lawrence Petrillo as a way to effectively teach important fire safety information to middle school students.

“The F.I.R.E Bowl is a great learning tool for students of all ages,” said Acting State Fire Marshal William Kramer. “We are pleased that we can help bring fire safety information in a fun and exciting environment.”

He noted that students in the early grades of elementary school receive the traditional “Stop, Drop and Roll” fire safety lessons from school visits by local fire departments. However, that is usually students’ last encounter with fire safety instruction until perhaps freshman orientation at college.

The F.I.R.E. Bowl strives to fill this fire safety educational gap with the participation of both older elementary school students and middle school students. This year the contest was greatly assisted through the donation of the actual textbooks used by New Jersey firefighters.

The New Jersey Division of Fire Safety serves as the central fire service agency in the State. The Division is responsible for the development and enforcement of the State Uniform Fire Code, as well as for implementing public education and firefighter training programs.

For more information, log on to http://www.nj.gov/dca/divisions/dfs/ on the DCA website.