Cause born in loss

A North Lewis Elementary School fourth-grade teacher and an insurance salesman went to Washington in late September and played the part of Congressional lobbyists for a day.

Kurt and Lettie Latiolais of New Iberia lost their 22-year-old son Kurt Latiolais II., who died Oct. 18, 2003, in a tragic apartment fire in Baton Rouge, where he was a student at Louisiana State University. It could have been prevented, they said, as their son’s apartment complex had no sprinkler system, working smoke detectors and only two out-of-date fire extinguishers for 10 apartments.

“It’s amazing how quickly a fire can start, spread and overwhelm you,” Lettie Latiolais said. “Kids think it can’t happen to them, but it does.”

In the years since their son’s death, the Latiolaises, who still get extremely emotional speaking about their loss, believe education is the key and have taken up the crusade in memory of their son.

The couple went with a group of other parents who also lost children in campus fires, and students from several universities around the country to lobby Congress for the passage of legislation that provides incentives to landlords to install automatic fire sprinkler systems and another that provides a funding stream to schools to assist in installing life-safety systems (automatic sprinklers, fire alarms etc.) in residence halls and fraternity housing on campus.

The couple met with representatives from the Louisiana delegation in Washington, including aides for U.S. Sens. Mary Landrieu, D-New Orleans, David Vitter, R-Metairie and U.S. Rep. Charlie Melancon, D-Napoleonville.

“Lobbying on the Hill is interesting,” Lettie Latiolais said. “I went there feeling like there is a disconnect between Washington and where our Congressmen come from, like they forget the people that put them there. I came back with a positive attitude because they listened attentively to us, even took notes. It renewed my faith in government and made me realize they do want to know what we are thinking and how we are feeling.”

Kurt Latiolais said the purpose of the trip was to get as many other Congressmen on board with the proposed legislation as the group could.

“Our trip really motivated us to see where there are things we can do more on the local and state level that will complement what they are doing in Washington,” he said.

They also spoke about the importance of educating children on the local level beyond the mandatory Fire Prevention Week acknowledged in elementary school.

“Our local fire department really does a good job with safety and education with the little kids,” Lettie Latiolais said. “But, that’s it, the end. Maybe we should also be addressing the high school seniors or college freshman, who could be exposed to the same kind of training.”

Increasing these types of educational opportunities are exactly what the Latiolaises are committed to.

“You have to be proactive about your safety,” Kurt Latiolais said. “We will be working on the local and state level to find ways to make kids more aware of their surroundings.”

The Latiolaises, since their son’s death, have given smoke alarms as gifts to every young person they could.

“Most of the time, they realize what is behind us giving them these gifts,” he said.

“It’s a reminder to them to be aware and usually their reaction is positive because it makes them think if even for a moment.”

Lettie Latiolais, working with other parents around the country, has also been successful getting governors to proclaim September as Campus Fire Safety Month, steps that have to be repeated year after year.

There was also a Congressional proclamation five years ago making September National Campus Fire Safety Month, which now includes the annual trip to Washington from concerned parents, peers and professionals.

For the Latiolaises, the hard work has a two-fold benefit.

“We just don’t want other people to experience the tragedy we did,” Lettie Latiolais said.

“And, I don’t want anyone to forget (my son). He was so funny and so much fun to be around. He was such a joy to everyone who was part of his life, and I want them to remember all the good things.”