Act Now for School Fire Safety

Act Now for School Fire Safety

Following the recent holocaust at Our Lady of the Angels School in Chicago, many fire officials as well as education and government authorities have reexamined the fire safety regulations of their respective areas. As crash campaigns to secure compliance with existing codes and ordinances reach their climax and gradually decrease, many persons will begin looking about for some criteria to judge their immediate future actions concerning legislation on the subject. Before final action is taken on any proposals, it is suggested that all persons, in and out of the fire service, first read the opening paragraph of the report by the coroner’s jury which investigated this fire.

The foreword states in part: “Proper fire protection is not a luxury—it is a necessity. It is just as important to a school as having a heating plant or proper desks. School officials have a moral responsibility to return the pupil safely to his home—education is not their sole function.” The conclusion of the paragraph quickly analyzes the problem which faces the public today. The jury states: “To get proper fire protection, all that is needed is (a) the desire to have it, (b) the money and (c) time. These recommendations are based primarily on safety to life, with property preservation of secondary importance.”