Mother of Dominic Passantino asks: Please Do Not Repeal!
Dear
Mayor
Hindman and
City Council
Members,
January 7,
2008, you
have an
extremely
important
decision to
make as you
possibly
hold the
lives of
many
students
over many
years in
your hands.Â
You heard my
story this
same time
last year
and have
seen
"Dominic's
Story", but
I find
myself once
again making
a
plea
to
you...........please
do not
repeal your Ordinance
requiring
fire
sprinkler
systems in
all Greek
housing by
December
2012.
Last year
was one of
the most
deadly years
on record
for fires in
college
living
quarters and
this school years
numbers
continues to
rise.Â
We
know there
will be
another
fire..............please
don't let
their be
another
fatality,
not on your
watch!Â
We have
already lost
one year,
please
stand strong,
the time
frame given
the Greeks
and the cost
involved to
sprinkle are
nothing
compared to
the cost of
a child's
life. As
the mother
of Dominic
Passantino,
I must tell
you that
time does
not ease the
pain and
heartbreak!
Since
Dominic's
death, I
have
spent
many
hours
researching
fire
safety
in
college
living
quarters,
speaking
to
groups
on fire
safety,
assisting
anyway I
can with
the
National
Fire
Sprinkler
Association,
Ed
Comeau
of
Center
for
Campus
Fire
Safety
and the
advocate
group of
Common
Voices
to help
make our
Nation a
safer
place
not only
for our
children,
but for
everyone.Â
Since
January
2000,
there
have
been
over 125
deaths
in
college
living
quarters
and that
number
is
rising.Â
Countless
others
have
been
injured
and lost
their
housing.Â
Sprinklers
are
recognized
as the
single
most
effective
method
for
limiting
the
spread
of fires
in their
early
stages
preventing
death
and
injury,
reducing
property
damage
and the
absence
of such
systems
result
in
tragic
consequences.Â
The
candle
in
Dominic's
room
that
ignited
his
bedding
would
have
triggered
a
sprinkler
head.Â
Early
suppression
by a
sprinkler
system,
often
within
seconds,
is going
to stop
the
spread
of fire
from
beyond
the room
of
origin
and
certainly
stop the
smoke
production.Â
A vast
majority
of fire
deaths
in all
occupancies
are from
smoke
inhalation,
which
means
that
anything
that
stops
the
smoke
will
save
lives.
Â
Due to
the
attitudes
and
activities
of
students,
a higher
degree
of
danger
exists
in
college
living
quarters.Â
Students
do not
always
make the
safest
choices,
but
sprinklers
act
independently
of human
action.Â
The
level of
safety
afforded
to the
students
should
be our
number
one
concern.Â
I never
dreamed
that the
room I
envisioned
as a
safe
haven
would
contribute
to my
sons
tragic
death.Â
I can't
tell you
the pain
I endure
every
time I
hear of
another
student
losing
their
life due
to a
fire.Â
There is
an
answer,
fire
sprinklers
save
lives!!Â
Â
Once
again, l
urge you
to
NOT
repeal
the City
Ordinance
mandating
fire
sprinklers
for
Greek
Housing
and let
this
Ordinance
stand
as is!  As
parents,
as
councilmen
and
women,
mayors,
legislatures,
educators
of
higher
education,
it is
all our
responsibility
to
ensure
that our
children
are safe
and
protected
from
fires in
college
living
quarters........no
less is
acceptable! Â
Â
Thank
you, God
Bless
and
Happy
New
Year.
Sincerely,
Donna
Passantino
Henson
Mother
of
Dominic
Passantino
6534
Summit
Kansas
City,
MOÂ
64113
816/561-4506
