Fire Prevention Week

WHEREAS, the State of Alabama is committed to ensuring the safety and security of all those living in and visiting our state; and

 WHEREAS, fire is a serious public safety concern both locally and nationally, and homes are the locations where people are at greatest risk from fire; and

 WHEREAS, home fires killed more than 2,500 people in the United States in 2009, and fire departments in the United States responded to more than 360,000 home fires; and

 WHEREAS, cooking equipment is the leading cause of home structure fires and associated injuries, and the third leading cause of home fire deaths; and

 WHEREAS, heating and electrical equipment and smoking materials are among the leading causes of all reported home fires; and home candle fires are reported to a US fire department every 30 minutes, on average; and

 WHEREAS, the risk of dying in a home structure fire caused by smoking materials rises with age; and working smoke alarms cut the risk of dying in reported home fires in half; and automatic fire sprinkler systems cut the risk of dying in a home fire by about 80%; and

 WHEREAS, Alabama’s residents are responsive to public education measures and are able to take personal steps to increase their safety from fire, especially in their homes; and

 WHEREAS, residents who have planned and practiced a home fire escape plan are more prepared and will therefore be more likely to survive a fire; and

WHEREAS, Alabama’s first responders are dedicated to reducing the occurrence of home fires and home fire injuries through prevention and protection education; and

WHEREAS, the local efforts of the fire service are supported by the activities of the Alabama Association of Volunteer Fire Departments, Inc., the Alabama Rural Community Fire Protection Institute and the office of the State Fire Marshal; and

WHEREAS, the 2011 Fire Prevention Week theme, “It’s Fire Prevention Week. Protect your Family from Fire!” effectively serves to remind us all of the simple actions we can take to keep our homes and families safe from fire during Fire Prevention Week and year-round:

NOW, THEREFORE, I, Robert Bentley, Governor of Alabama, do hereby proclaim October 9 through 15, 2011, as

Fire Prevention Week

in the State of the Alabama, and I urge all the people of Alabama to protect their homes and families by heeding the important safety messages of Fire Prevention Week 2011, and to support the many public safety activities and efforts of Alabama’s fire and emergency services.

Given Under My Hand and the Great Seal of the Office of the Governor at the State Capitol in the City of Montgomery on the 18th day of October 2011.

 

                                                                                 _______Governor Robert Bentley