Fire safety will be the focus of a three-day event next week in light of fire safety concerns on campuses across the state, including UW-Platteville.

The first Fire Safety Week will take place April 22 - 24. President’s Council organized the event.

During the three days, a table will be set up in Heritage Hall of the Pioneer Student Center where free batteries for smoke detectors will be handed out to students, Frank Moullet, Student Senate president, said. Up to two batteries will be handed out for every house, depending on the floors of the house.

To further emphasize proper fire alarm maintenance, President’s Council will randomly visit houses that received free batteries following the week’s activities, Moullet said. If alarms are properly maintained, the residents will receive a coupon for a free pizza.

Dave Langkamp, assistant fire chief for the City of Platteville, will be present during the week to give lessons on using a fire extinguisher, Moullet said. Participants will head behind Russell Hall after a half-hour lesson for hands-on training with the fire extinguishers.

“We’ll have enough extinguishers for over 100 people for personal training with the extinguishers,” Moullet said. “A firetruck will also be down there.”

A fog simulation will also be held at an out-of-use house owned by the university across from the Pioneer Tower, Moullet said. Groups will be led into the house, which will be engulfed in fog safely simulated by a fog machine. Participants will learn what an actual fire is like, and practice evacuating.

“It’s important for young homeowners to be aware of fire safety and the risk of potential fires,” Kenny Brotheridge, Student Senate Vice President, said.

Sign-up is encouraged for all events, but not required, Moullet said. All students are encouraged to participate, even if they live on campus.

“Right now students on campus don’t have to worry about fire safety because everything is built in, but eventually, when they move off-campus, or own their own house, they should know these skills,” Emily Niebuhr, Residence Hall Association president, said.

“I really encourage people to get involved and be apart of this program,” Moullet said. “It’s all funded for, so it’s free to the students.”

Almost tabled to next year, President’s Council decided to go through with the activities after the recent fire that occurred at an off-campus house at UW-Stout, Moullet said.

“We want to educate as many students as we can on the importance about fire safety,” Moullet said.