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Media Contact:

Jeff Levine
Communications Manager
845-451-1372
j_levine@culinary.edu

Hyde Park, NY – Before college students return for the fall semester, the Residence Life staff at The Culinary Institute of America received hands-on training in fire prevention and suppression with the goal of keeping students safe in their residence halls. On August 14, the CIA, in conjunction with the Roosevelt Fire District in Hyde Park and the New York State Office of Fire Prevention and Control, held its 10th Annual RA Fire Academy.

The first-of-its-kind program in New York State involves more than five hours of College Fire Safety classroom sessions and hands-on training stations. Resident Assistants (RAs) are drilled on fire extinguisher use, escaping a smoke-filled building, and controlling a medical emergency while awaiting the arrival of an ambulance.

During the last decade, more than 500 RAs and other CIA staff have participated in this training. For this year’s 10th anniversary, elected officials from the state, county, and local level also learned how to use an extinguisher.

“Another important component of the Academy is to form camaraderie between the CIA’s Residence Life staff and the Roosevelt Fire Department,” says Kathy Way of the NYS Office of Fire Prevention and Control. “RAs got a feel for what the firefighters do by donning personal protective equipment and practicing the rescue of a trapped victim.”

The Fire Academy is a preface to a week of events for the full campus community as part of National Campus Fire Safety Month in September. During that week, freshly trained RAs—alongside members of the Roosevelt Fire District—conduct fire safety events for fellow students.

Every year, fires both on and off campus claim student lives around the United States—and the Hudson Valley has not been immune to such tragedies. The RA Fire Academy and Fire Safety Month events illustrate the CIA’s proactive dedication to the health, safety and welfare of its students, faculty, staff, and guests.

Photo Captions:

Photo 1 (top photo): Resident Assistants (RAs) at The Culinary Institute of America observe how a sprinkler system works to suppress a fire as part of the college's 10th annual RA Fire Academy on August 14, 2015. (Photo credit: CIA/Phil Mansfield)

Photo 2: New York State Senator Sue Serino (R-Hyde Park) practices putting out a fire with a fire extinguisher, under the tutelage of officials from the New York State Office of Fire Prevention and Control. Sen. Serino and several other elected officials attended the 10th annual RA Fire Academy at The Culinary Institute of America on August 14, 2015. (Photo credit: CIA/Phil Mansfield)

Founded in 1946, The Culinary Institute of America is the world’s premier culinary college. Dedicated to driving leadership development for the foodservice and hospitality industry, the independent, not-for-profit CIA offers associate degrees in culinary arts and baking and pastry arts; bachelor’s degree majors in management, culinary science, and applied food studies; and executive education through its Food Business School. Its conferences and consulting services have made the CIA the think tank of the food industry in the areas of health & wellness, sustainability, world cuisines & cultures, and professional excellence & innovation. The college also offers certificate programs and courses for professionals and enthusiasts. Its worldwide network of 48,000 alumni includes leaders in every area of foodservice and hospitality. The CIA has campuses in New York, California, Texas, and Singapore.

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