New York Colleges Must Give Students Fire Safety Info

A new law requires public and private colleges in New York to give every student written information about fire safety in dorms and off-campus housing they operate.

Gov. Andrew Cuomo signed the law last week, saying it goes beyond the current requirement for colleges to publish fire safety information in annual reports to the federal government.

The notices to students will include descriptions of safety systems, including sprinklers, in their housing so they’re more aware about how to react if there is a fire.

The law is named the Kerry Rose Fire Sprinkler Notification Act after Kerry Rose Fitzsimons, one of three Marist College students who died in fire at their off-campus housing in January 2012.

The law takes effect immediately.