Instruction in fire and arson prevention

§ 808. Instruction in fire and arson prevention. 1. The commissioner is hereby directed to provide and prescribe a course of instruction in fire and arson prevention, injury prevention and life safety education relating to the protection against injury or death and protection of property against loss or damage as a result of criminally initiated or other preventable fire, for use in the schools of the state, as prescribed by this section. Such course of instruction shall include materials to educate children on the dangers of falsely reporting a criminal incident, an impending explosion or fire emergency involving danger to life or property, an impending catastrophe, or a life safety emergency.

2. The board of education, trustees, principal or other person in charge of every public, private and parochial school in the state shall arrange for giving such course of instruction in every school under its or his control or direction. Such instruction shall be given to all of the pupils in every such school for a period of not less than forty-five minutes in each month during which such school is in session.