St. Paul Fire Department Presents Fire Safety Expo Oct. 4 on John P. Monahan Plaza

Members of the St. Paul Fire Department will present an expo promoting campus fire safety from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 4 on the John P. Monahan Plaza at the University of St. Thomas.

Tim Butler

Tim Butler

The SPFD will conduct a series of fire demonstrations, including a dormitory room fire and two grease fires. The department also will provide turnout (firefighter) gear for students to try on, table top displays and a fire truck to explore. St. Paul Fire Chief Tim Butler will speak at the event, along with Jane Canney, vice president for student affairs at St. Thomas.

The event is free and open to the public, and ice cream treats will be provided, compliments of Undergraduate Student Government.

The university's Wellness Center will distribute information on smoking cessation as well as free Quit Kits. In addition, a raffle wll be held for students to win weather radios and other fire safety equipment.

Michael Larson

Michael Larson

Funding for this event was provided by the Michael Larson Memorial Fund, established by Larson’s family to promote fire prevention and smoking cessation programs. Larson, 20, was a St. Thomas sophomore who died Dec. 11 last year in a house fire caused by a cigarette.

Last week, a house occupied by several St. Thomas students and located near the house where Larson was killed also burned from a fire that began on the front porch.

The St. Paul Fire Department offers these tips for preventing cigarette fires:

  • Smoke outside
  • Do not snuff cigarette butts in potted plant soil; it ignites easily
  • Use large, deep ashtrays
  • Place butts in sand or water
  • Never smoke in bed
  • Never smoke while drinking or taking drugs, especially when sleepy
  • Quit smoking

More information on campus fire safety can be found here.