Governor Corzine, DCA and DOE Recognize Fire Prevention Month

Review Fire Safety Information & Video With Students

BAYONNE, N.J. – As part of National Fire Prevention Month, Governor Jon S. Corzine, Department of Community Affairs (DCA) Commissioner Joseph Doria, Department of Education (DOE) Commissioner Lucille E. Davy and the New Jersey Fireman’s Benevolent Association today discussed a fire safety education awareness campaign geared toward middle and high school age students. This included viewing of the fire safety video “Fire Is…” for sixth through eighth grade students at the Horace Mann School in Bayonne.

“Fire Safety Education is paramount to preventing unnecessary tragedies from occurring,” said Governor Corzine. “It is critical that our children are aware of what to do in a fire emergency and this new program provides students with a new learning tool and a heightened sense of awareness.”

The DVD, “Fire Is…,” is an effort to change fire safety education in all school districts from an exercise that in the past has been superficial and entertaining to a focused, organized program that is educational, serious and age appropriate.  This video was produced and written by Dr. Frank Field.

“This video is a powerful educational tool that provides a straight-talking fire safety message to the young and old alike,” said Commissioner Doria.  “Fire Is…” is the best public fire education tool available.  Its message is extremely effective and will save lives.”

The NJFMBA is providing this video on its website, in English and Spanish, to all New Jersey school districts and it is recommended for grade 5 and older students.  The video can be accessed online at www.njfmba.org.  As the NJFMBA website fills the screen, users can click on the “Fire Is…” video icon in the left margin of the screen.  Schools can download any one of five segments of this video by clicking the appropriate title at the bottom of the screen.  Each segment is divided into two parts, each of which is approximately 8-9 minutes in length. The segments are:  “Fire is Black,” “Fire is Hot,” “Fire is Smoke and Gas,” “Fire is Fast” and “Fire is Emergency.”

It is anticipated that local fire departments and school administrations across the state will use this video as a training tool, not just in the month of October, but all through the school year.

“We at DOE believe that every middle school student in New Jersey should see this important video,” said Commissioner Davy.  “Lives could depend upon what they learn from it, and we are proud to partner with DCA and the NJFMBA in getting that message out to school districts.”