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Published on 09/07/1998 All articles from this issue

Lempert pushing for fire detection systems at schools

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Town Crier Staff Report

Assemblyman Ted Lempert, who represents Los Altos and Los Altos Hills in the 21st district, urged Gov. Pete Wilson Monday to sign his bill ensuring schools statewide are equipped with fire detection systems.

"Most parents would be amazed to learn that our public schools do not have automatic fire alarms or smoke detectors to get kids out of a classroom when a fire starts," Lempert said. "Hopefully, California will have in place a process to place smoke detectors in classrooms just as we have them in homes and businesses."

Under current law, schools are required to have a "fire warning system," but it can be an old-fashioned, pull-alarm system, Lempert said. Last year, he introduced a bill to require all newly constructed or modernized public schools to have an automatic smoke and heat detection system in the classroom. To help local schools with the cost of modernizing equipment, he suggested statewide school bond funds could be used for the upgrade.

Wilson vetoed that bill due to his concern regarding the use of the statewide bond measure.

In response to that veto, Lempert sponsored a similar measure, AB 1687. To address the governor's concerns, the bill would become operative six months after the passage of the November school construction bond.

Lempert cited Green Oaks school in East Palo Alto as an example of a site that could have benefited from his proposal. The school suffered serious fire damage in April 1997. Lempert said that damage could have been minimalized if the school had a modern detection system.

Wilson has until Oct. 1 to decide whether to sign SB 1687.