Fire Prevention Week, 2001

Proclamation 7480 of October 5, 2001

Fire Prevention Week, 2001

By the President of the United States of America

A Proclamation

The well-being of our Nation's citizens requires that
families, communities, emergency workers, and health
professionals work together to ensure the highest
levels of public safety. This goal is particularly
important with respect to fire prevention. The 2000
National Fire Experience Survey, conducted by the
National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), reveals
that fire claimed more than 4,000 American lives last
year. In 2000, fire killed someone every 130 minutes
and injured someone every 24 minutes. Fire also takes a
significant economic toll on America, accounting for
more than $11 billion in property loss last year.

In the United States, fires caused by cooking, heating,
or electricity amount to almost half of all home fires.
These accidental fires, though common, are also among
the most preventable. Their high rates of occurrence
point to the vital importance of safety and knowledge
in helping to prevent these types of fires and thereby
avoid the tragic deaths and serious injuries that they
can cause.

This year marks the annual observance of Fire
Prevention Week, sponsored by the National Fire
Protection Association. The event's theme, ``Cover the
Bases and Strike Out Fire,'' encourages children and
families to take an active role in preventing home
fires and the injuries and deaths they cause, by
conducting home fire safety inspections and preparing
and practicing home fire drills. The NFPA is joining
forces with the Federal Emergency Management Agency,
through the United States Fire Administration, and with
fire departments throughout the country to raise
awareness of the leading causes of home fires and
encourage the actions that may be taken to prevent
them. I urge all Americans to learn more about fire
prevention and to take steps to better ensure the
safety of our homes, places of work, and other public
structures.

During this year's observance, I also call on Americans
to join me in expressing appreciation for the devotion
and dedication of our Nation's firefighters and other
emergency response personnel. These brave men and women
provide the first line of emergency response to a
multitude of disasters and risk their own security and
well-being to save the lives of others. As recent
events in our Nation have demonstrated, these fine
Americans truly exemplify selfless service and heroism.
They serve to make our towns, cities, and communities
safer places for all.

NOW, THEREFORE, I, GEORGE W. BUSH, President of the
United States of America, by virtue of the authority
vested in me by the Constitution and laws of the United
States, do hereby proclaim October 7 through October
13, 2001, as Fire Prevention Week. I call upon the
people of the United States to observe this day with
appropriate programs and activities and to renew
efforts to prevent fires and their tragic consequences
for human health and safety.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this
fifth day of October, in the year of our Lord two
thousand one, and of the Independence of the United
States of America the two hundred and twenty-sixth.

(Presidential Sig.)B