Bill Text: NJ SJR40 | 2024-2025 | Regular Session | Introduced
Bill Title: Designates October of each year as "Fire Prevention Awareness Month."
Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 1-0)
Status: (Introduced) 2024-01-09 - Introduced in the Senate, Referred to Senate Law and Public Safety Committee [SJR40 Detail]
Download: New_Jersey-2024-SJR40-Introduced.html
No. 40
STATE OF NEW JERSEY
221st LEGISLATURE
PRE-FILED FOR INTRODUCTION IN THE 2024 SESSION
Sponsored by:
Senator BRITNEE N. TIMBERLAKE
District 34 (Essex)
SYNOPSIS
Designates October of each year as "Fire Prevention Awareness Month."
CURRENT VERSION OF TEXT
Introduced Pending Technical Review by Legislative Counsel.
A Joint Resolution designating the month of October of each year as "Fire Prevention Awareness Month" in New Jersey.
Whereas, Fires cause significant physical and economic damage, and inflict long-lasting emotional scars on individuals who are injured or lose loved ones in fires; and
Whereas, In 2017, there were 1,319,500 fires in the United States causing 3,400 fire deaths, 14,670 fire-related injuries, and $23 billion in economic losses; and
Whereas, According to the New Jersey Division of Fire Safety within the Department of Community Affairs, 27,409 fires were reported in the State of New Jersey in 2015, five firefighters died in the line of duty, 77 civilians lost their lives as a result of fires, and 2,352 acres of land were reported burned; and
Whereas, A fire department responds to a fire somewhere in the nation every 24 seconds, thereby making it imperative that the public possess knowledge of fire safety and prevention measures in order to save lives; and
Whereas, Careless actions such as leaving stoves unattended or not properly disposing of cigarettes caused 17.5 percent of fatal residential building fires in 2016 and 11.4 percent of residential building fires that caused injuries in 2016; and
Whereas, New Jersey law requires schools to schedule at least one fire drill and one security drill each month within school hours so that children are aware of what to do in case of a fire; and
Whereas, September and October are the peak months for fires in college dormitory properties, which are the first months of a college school year; and
Whereas, October 2nd is statutorily designated as Firefighter Recognition Day in New Jersey; and in memory of the Great Chicago Fire of 1871, National Fire Prevention Week has been observed nationwide every year since 1922 during the week that includes October 9th to raise awareness about the dangers of fires and the need for fire prevention education; and
Whereas, In order to enhance public safety and encourage fire prevention, it is important to raise public awareness about the dangers of fires and how to prevent them; now, therefore,
Be It Resolved by the Senate and General Assembly of the State of New Jersey:
1. The month of October of each year is designated as "Fire Prevention Awareness Month" in the State of New Jersey to raise public awareness about the dangers and the preventable nature of fires and to highlight the importance of fire prevention.
2. The Governor is requested to annually issue a proclamation calling upon public officials and the citizens of New Jersey to observe "Fire Prevention Awareness Month" with appropriate activities and programs.
3. This joint resolution shall take effect immediately.
STATEMENT
This joint resolution designates the month of October of each year as "Fire Prevention Awareness Month" in New Jersey.
Fires cause significant physical and economic damage and inflict emotional scars on people who are injured or lose loved ones. A fire department has to respond to a fire somewhere in the nation every 24 seconds. In 2017, fires killed 3,400 people and injured about 14,670 people in the United States. New Jersey reported 27,409 fires in 2015, and lost 77 civilians as a result of fires. Furthermore, five firefighters lost their lives in the line of duty in New Jersey in 2015.
Raising awareness about fire prevention can prevent fires and save lives. 17.5 percent of building fires that resulted in fatalities, and 11.4 percent of building fires that caused injuries, were the result of careless actions such as leaving stoves unattended or not properly disposing of cigarettes. New Jersey law requires schools hold at least one fire drill per month to prepare for a potential fire.
October is a peak month for college campus dormitory fires, and October 9th is the anniversary of the Great Chicago Fire of 1871, which started National Fire Prevention Week. In order to enhance public safety and encourage fire prevention, it is important to raise public awareness about the dangers of fires and how to prevent them.
