LAN ASSOCIATES PARTNERS WITH CITY OF NEWARK TO PROVIDE FIRE PREVENTION MATERIALS TO THOUSANDS OF NEWARK SCHOOL CHILDREN

October 13, 2017

In support of National Fire Prevention Week, LAN Associates partnered with the City of Newark and the Newark Fire Department to teach local school children the importance of fire safety and preparedness.

(From Left to Right) – Newark Fire Fighter Fernandes, Newark Deputy Chief Witte, LAN CEO Ron Panicucci, Principal Garrison, Newark Fire Chief Rufus Jackson, Newark Firefighter Thomas, and Newark Fire Captain Mustafa Al-Mutazzim

More than two hundred second and third grade students at Camden Street School participated in a program on fire safety and prevention presented by LAN Associates and the Newark Fire Department. In addition to the presentation, LAN Associates – a full-service architectural and engineering firm based in Midland Park, NJ — supplied National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) approved educational fire prevention materials for 2,000 additional Newark second and third grade students.

“As architects and engineers, we find it especially important and rewarding to educate children on the importance of fire safety and prevention,” said Kim Vierheilig, AIA. “It is important students know what to do when an emergency arises at home or in school, and that starts with proactive fire safety presentations such as the one today.”

Since 1922, National Fire Prevention Week has been held annually to educate, spread awareness, and commemorate the Great Chicago Fire of 1871.  This year’s NFPA campaign is “Every Second Counts: Plan 2 Ways Out!”, and reinforces why having a varied escape plan is so important in the event of a fire.

“Partnering with LAN Associates to provide a top-notch fire prevention education program is something we strive for in Newark,” said Fire Chief Rufus Jackson. “This is a public-private partnership on the grassroots level – and it works to enhance the culture of learning in our public schools.”

Onque praised the Newark Public Safety Fire Division for its year-long community outreach efforts, including the varied Fire Prevention Week events which will last throughout the month of October.

“On behalf of Newark Mayor Ras Baraka, the City is grateful to continue this partnership with LAN Associates to bring a remarkably high-quality fire prevention and preparedness program to our youngest students” said Onque. “Our hope is that students will go home and discuss this important program and the materials with their families.”

Firefighters Thomas and Fernandes led an engaging dialogue on safety tips like stop, drop, and roll, escape plans in the event of a fire, and proper usage of smoke and carbon monoxide detectors. The presentation concluded with student touring the fire truck outside the school, where firefighters gave a demonstration on how the fire department responds to 911 calls and the 80lb of equipment they wear.

According to a recent NFPA study, 3,390 civilian fire deaths occurred in 2016. NFPA estimates that one civilian death occurred every 2 hours and 35 minutes during that same year.

By Stacey Ruhle Kliesch, AIA, AIA NJ Advocacy Consultant | Posted in AIA-NJ News, Codes & Regulations, Members & the Community, Uncategorized | Tagged: #FPW, #KimVierheiligAIA, #LANAssociates, #NationalFirePreventionWeek, #NFPA, #NFPW, marketing, Newark | Comments (0)