The first steps in an action plan to improve fire safety for Berkeley students living in rental houses were taken last week by Chancellor Berdahl and officials from Berkeley and Oakland. A significant portion of Berkeley students live in private rental housing. Berdahl called the special meeting Feb. 9 following last month's Oakland house fire that claimed the life of Bradley Evans, 23. The Jan. 28 fire was the second fire of the school year in which a Berkeley student died. Both fires occurred in single-family homes rented by students.
Safety is the number one concern in all of our cities.
One of the most effective ways we can act is through a strong program of education - knowing what to look for and contacting us when something is wrong. Others in attendance were Berkeley City Manager Weldon Rucker, Berkeley Fire Chief Reginald Garcia, Oakland Fire Marshal Leroy Griffin, campus Fire Marshal Dennis Mueting and campus housing and student affairs officials. Students will be educated on where to place smoke detectors and which are most effective. Students will be directed to contact local fire departments for inspections if they do not believe their rentals meet fire safety requirements. Oakland and Berkeley fire departments and the campus's fire marshal will explore funding grants from the Federal Emergency Management Agency to enhance fire prevention, safety and inspection programs.