Papa Gino's Celebrates 10th Anniversary of Supporting Fire Safety and Fire Departments Throughout New England.

Business Editors

DEDHAM, Mass.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Oct. 3, 2003

120 New England Fire Stations To Hold Fire Safety Open Houses

Throughout October to Kick off

National Fire Prevention Week, Oct. 5-11

Celebrating its 10th anniversary of supporting fire safety throughout New England, Papa Gino's, the Dedham, Mass.-based pizza chain and 120 New England fire departments have teamed up to educate families. National Fire Prevention Week kicks off on Sunday, Oct. 5, 2003. And this year 120 Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire and Rhode Island fire departments will host Fire Safety Open Houses to teach families about fire prevention. Since the inception of the Papa Gino's Open House Sponsorship Program, New England fire departments and Papa Gino's have educated more than 1 million New Englanders on the dangers of various household fires. To find a fire safety open house in your area, please visit www.papaginos.com.

At the open houses, families will be treated to a number of fire safety demonstrations and free Papa Gino's pizza. The goal of the event is to provide families with the opportunity to teach their children the importance of fire prevention and safety. Children will receive fire prevention activity sheets and will be asked to fill out a fire evacuation plan with their families. As part of this community relations program, Papa Gino's will provide more than 10,000 pizzas and 120,000 children's fire safety coloring sheets and fire hats to local fire stations during the month of October. Over the past 10 years, Papa Gino's has donated more than 100,000 pizzas and more than 1 million fire safety coloring sheets and fire hats to help raise awareness for fire safety. Papa Gino's will also provide a free slice of pizza at local Papa Gino's restaurants with the completion of a home escape plan, provided in the fire safety materials throughout the month of October.

In addition to sponsoring the open houses, Papa Gino's has also teamed up with the Leary Firefighters Foundation and recently sponsored the 4th Annual Celebrity Hat Trick Event.

"We're proud to assist New England fire departments in their quest to educate families on fire safety practices," said Tom Galligan, Papa Gino's President and CEO. "We commend the firefighters who take the time to ensure our youngest children understand the dangers of fire and how to prevent them."

"Papa Gino's continues to support fire departments throughout New England, especially in Massachusetts," said Fire Marshal Stephen Coan. "We appreciate their continued support over the past 10 years and look forward to working with them in the future. The open houses are well received by the fire departments and community and give us the opportunity to spread important fire safety messages."

National Fire Prevention Week is officially sponsored by the international non-profit National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) of Quincy, Mass. This year's theme, "When Fire Strikes: Get Out! Stay Out! (TM)" stresses the importance of immediately leaving at the first sign of a fire. The NFPA's campaign promotes the use of fire alarms and home escape plans to prepare your family to get out safely if a fire should strike.

According to the NFPA, 94 percent or 15 of every 16 homes have at least one smoke alarm. One-half of home fire deaths occur in the 6 percent of homes with no smoke alarms. Furthermore, homes with smoke alarms, whether or not they are operational, typically have a death rate that is 40 - 50 percent less than the rate for homes without alarms. In 3 of every 10 reported fires in homes equipped with smoke alarms, the devices did not work. Households with non-working smoke alarms now outnumber those with no smoke alarm. Home fire escape plan worksheets are available at your local fire department and on the official Fire Prevention Week Web site at www.firepreventionweek.org.

Papa Gino's is the leading New England quick service Italian restaurant chain with more than 160 locations. Papa Gino's offers a casual family dining atmosphere and has provided New England residents with high-quality Italian food for more than 40 years.

For more information about an open house in your coverage area, please contact Marianne Sabella at 508-435-2020.