TRENTON – Legislation sponsored by Senator John A. Girgenti to teach children about fire safety was approved by the Senate Law, Public Safety and Veterans’ Affairs Committee today.
“One of our top priorities is to keep families safe from fires,” said Senator Girgenti, D-Bergen and Pasic and Chairman of the panel. “Most fires occur in the home and it’s important that our children know how to get out and reunite with loved ones quickly.”
Senator Girgenti noted that “The fire in the Pinelands last week highlight the importance of fire safety and prevention.”
The bill, S-234, would provide a supplemental appropriation of $85,000 in the FY 2008 budget for the Division of Fire Safety in the Department of Community Affairs. The funding would provide a fire safety juvenile response education program.
“The fire safety juvenile response education program will serve to instruct 10,000 children in the proper response to fire emergencies,” said Senator Girgenti. “This measure will help children in this State learn how to appropriately handle a fire. This educational program will serve, in a cost effective manner, to reduce the tragic consequences associated with fires.”
The bill now heads to the full Senate for consideration.