Designates October of each year as "Fire Prevention Awareness Month."

AJR144

ASSEMBLY JOINT RESOLUTION

No. 144

STATE OF NEW JERSEY

222nd LEGISLATURE

�

INTRODUCED FEBRUARY 19, 2026

Sponsored by:

Assemblywoman� SHANIQUE SPEIGHT

District 29 (Essex and Hudson)

SYNOPSIS

���� Designates October of each year as �Fire Prevention
Awareness Month.�

CURRENT VERSION OF TEXT

���� As introduced.

��

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.