In honor of Campus Fire Safety Month, the University of Arkansas at Little Rock will participate by installing new surge protectors provided by the Little Rock Fire Department.

Earlier in the year, the Little Rock Fire Department Fire Prevention Division was awarded a $4,000 grant from the Arkansas Fire Prevention Commission. The Fire Prevention Division will use the grant to purchase fire extinguishers for its Operation Safe Kitchen initiative and surge protectors for students at UALR, Philander Smith College, and Arkansas Baptist College.

Little Rock Fire Department will present UALR with 50 surge protectors at 9 a.m. Friday, Sept. 30, in the West Hall basement.

“This is important not only for the safety of our buildings, but for the safety of our students,” said Marc Glidden, UALR director of campus living and assistant dean of students. “There are multiple issues across the United States with fires and short circuiting in residence halls, especially older ones.”

Surge protectors can reduce the risk of modern devices such as gaming systems, computers and TVs overloading electrical outlets, said Joseph Gray, chief fire marshal.

If an electrical overload does occur, the surge protectors are designed to shut off.

“Even though the amount will not cover all of campus living, it will be beneficial in the long run,” Glidden said. “This will encourage students to provide their own surge protectors in years to come and also educate them on the benefits of having them in the residence halls.”

Along with the fire safety initiative, the Little Rock Fire Department is seeking  to develop an ongoing partnership with the city’s three major colleges and universities.

“We’re really excited that the Little Rock Fire Department is coming out to present the surge protectors,” Glidden said. “Not only is it a great opportunity, but it shows that the city supports its universities. The due diligence of them not only applying for this grant, but obtaining it and the thought behind it to partner with the universities is tremendous. We are definitely looking forward to continuing a great relationship with the Little Rock Fire Department.”

For more details, contact Marc Glidden at mdglidden@ualr.edu.