Q: How many fires have occurred on campus in the past year?

A: The following is a breakdown of fire incidents between January 1, 2007 and May 17, 2007: Brush fires–2; Vehicle Fires–1; Dumpster or Trash can fires (outside of structure)–2; Building Fires-0

Q: How many fires have occurred on campus in the past two years?

A: The following is a breakdown of fire incidents between January 1, 2006 and May 17, 2007: Brush fires-3; Vehicle Fires-1; Dumpster or Trash can fires (Outside of structure)-2; Dryer Fires in structure-1; Overheated Light Ballast-1; Grease Fire in structure-1.

Q: How many students have been injured on campus, as a result of fire in the past five years?

A: Zero

Q: How many students have been killed on campus as a result of fire in the past five years?

A: Zero

Q: Are all of the residence halls equipped with complete fire sprinkler systems?

A: No, two of the residence halls, Lenape Hall and Esopus Hall, have complete automatic fire sprinkler systems in place. The remaining residence halls were built prior to 1984, and therefore have limited sprinkler coverage that includes the basement recycling areas.

Q: Are there any plans for the installation of fire sprinkler systems to those residence halls that don’t currently have them?

A: Yes, the college has in place a plan to add complete automatic fire sprinkler systems to College and Shango Halls by January 1, 2009, Bouton Hall by January 1, 2010, and Gage Hall by January 1, 2011.

Q: Does every student’s room have a smoke detector?

A: Yes. Each room has a smoke detector, and each suite area has a smoke detector. In addition, there are more than 5,000 other smoke detectors located in buildings across campus.

Q: Do all of the smoke and heat detectors automatically send an alarm notification to a 24-hour dispatch center for Fire Department dispatch?

A: Yes, all alarm activations are automatically reported via electronic notification to the New York State University Police Station on campus. New York State University Police then notify 911 to have the Fire Department dispatched, as well as respond with a New York State University Police Officer.

Q: How many false fire alarms have occurred in the residence halls in the last year?

A: Between January 1, 2007 and May 17, 2007 there have been 67 false alarm activations, 16 of which were a result of malicious false pull boxes.

Q: How many false fire alarms have occurred in the residence halls in the last two   years?

A: Between January 1, 2006 and May 17, 2007 there have been 312 false fire alarm activations; 45 of which were as a result of malicious pull boxes, and one was as a result of a malicious 911 call falsely reporting a fire.

Q: Is the Fire Department immediately dispatched to all fire alarm activations on campus?

A: Yes, every fire alarm activation requires a response from the Fire Department, as per campus policy.

Q: Are smoking, candles, incense, and halogen lamps prohibited in the residence halls?

A: Yes, the danger of fire caused by these items is too severe and students are informed to not bring these items with them to school. Smoking is the leading cause of fires in residence halls.

Q: Does the school require electrical appliances be tested and certified as safe and reliable before being permitted in the residence halls?

A: SUNY New Paltz requires all electrical appliances to be UL listed. UL, (Underwriter’s Laboratory), tests and certifies electrical equipment and issues a UL Hologram which is affixed to the cord prior to sale. Products without this hologram, or with forged holograms, are prohibited on campus.

Q: How much fire prevention training does the residence hall staff receive?

A: Residence hall staff receive annual fire extinguisher training, as well as annual fire safety training, as per the NYS Office of Fire Prevention and Control Training Guidelines.

Q: How often are fire drills conducted?

A: Fire drills are conducted twice a semester in each residence hall; one during the daylight hours and one during the nighttime hours; and once a semester in all other academic buildings.

Q: What is the school’s disciplinary policies towards students that cause false fire alarms, fail to evacuate during drills or alarms, or tamper with portions of a fire safety system such as a fire extinguisher or a sprinkler system?

A: The school takes fire safety very seriously and any act that compromises the health and safety of students, staff, or visitors will result in strict disciplinary action, possibly including suspension, dismissal, or arrest.