Fairfax, Va., Wednesday, November 5, 2003...The ABC television network show Primetime Thursday is expected to air an investigative report focusing on nightclub fire safety on Thursday, Nov. 6 at 10 p.m. eastern time/9 p.m. central time.
The show's producers conducted a three-month investigation in various cities across the United States to determine what steps have been taken to improve nightclub fire safety since the Feb. 20 fire in West Warwick, R.I. that killed 100 people. The investigation discovered that most cities have made little or no changes to improve fire safety in these venues.
The IAFC anticipates that the program will focus on the investigation's finding that there has been little improvement in nightclub fire safety across the United States. IAFC Executive Director Garry Briese, who was interviewed for the program, said his comments reiterated the fact that fire departments, nightclub owners and local elected officials across the country can do much more to enhance fire safety in nightclubs.
Be prepared to answer questions
Because of the widespread audience of Primetime Thursday, the IAFC believes there may be additional local news media follow-up for many communities. It is strongly recommended that IAFC members watch the program and be prepared to discuss their own local situations with local media and local elected officials.
Specifically, be prepared to answer questions on what steps your fire department and community have taken over the last six months to address fire safety in your nightclubs and other assembly occupancies, including how your department conducts inspections of local businesses, after-hours exit checks and any new changes in the local fire or building codes.
Visit www.abc.com to find your local ABC station and local programming information.
