Arson Awareness Week

WHEREAS, the theme for 2015 Arson Awareness Week is Accelerant Detection Canines – Sniffing Out Arson; and

WHEREAS, according to the United States Fire Administration, from 2010 through 2012, an estimated 17,400 intentionally set fires in residential buildings were reported, resulting in 275 civilian deaths, 800 civilian injuries and $513 million in property loss; and

WHEREAS, according to the Federal Bureau of Investigation, during the last five years, there has been an average of 53,127 arsons reported with an average dollar loss of $15,086 per incident; and

WHEREAS, an accelerant detection canine saves time and money, there are fewer but more accurate evidence samples, which reduce expenditures at the lab, speeding up investigations and providing a higher conviction rate:

NOW, THEREFORE, I, Robert Bentley, Governor of Alabama, do hereby proclaim May 3 through 9, 2015, as

Arson Awareness Week

in the state of Alabama.