Fire Prevention Week, 2016

Proclamation 9517 of October 7, 2016

Fire Prevention Week, 2016

By the President of the United States of America

A Proclamation

More than 1 million fires occur each year in the United
States. Throughout the past decade, the number of
fires--and of resulting deaths and injuries--has gone
down. But residential fires still damage homes across
our country, causing a higher percentage of fire
deaths, injuries, and economic loss than any other
fires, and wildfires continue to devastate our forests
and threaten nearby homes and businesses. During Fire
Prevention Week, we strive to increase our preparedness
for fires and commit to giving dedicated firefighters
the support they need to keep us safe.

Every moment counts during a fire, and smoke alarms
help save lives. However, many people do not know that
their smoke alarms should be replaced every 10 years--
after 10 years, they tend to become unreliable. I
encourage everyone to check the manufacturing dates of
their smoke alarms to see if they need replacing.
Families and businesses should also develop and
practice evacuation plans in case of emergencies and
should prepare communication strategies in case of a
fire. All Americans can learn more about steps they can
take to prepare for fires by visiting www.Ready.gov.

In recent years, we have experienced some of the most
severe wildfire seasons in American history, including
roughly 50,000 wildfires and over 9 million acres
burned last year alone. Climate change exacerbates
wildfire risks through drier landscapes and higher
temperatures--we must recognize the effects our
changing climate has on fire risks and help fire
professionals and community leaders take action to
enhance community resilience against these risks. Last
year, my Administration brought together fire chiefs
from around our country to identify key lessons learned
from fires at the wildland-urban interface and actions
that can be taken to reduce the harm to people and
property associated with wildfires in these areas,
where fighting fires is especially complicated,
expensive, and dangerous. We need to be smarter about
where we build, and we must work to better understand
how fires behave so our firefighters can work more
safely and effectively--we owe these heroic
professionals nothing less.

This week presents opportunities for businesses,
families, and communities to learn about ways to
protect themselves in case of fire and helps raise
awareness of steps we can all take to prevent fires.
During Fire Prevention Week, we also pause to honor our
first responders and firefighters, including those who
have sacrificed their own lives to save the lives of
people they had never met. Let us salute them and pay
tribute to all firefighters whose bravery, sense of
duty, and love of country make our Nation a stronger,
safer place.

NOW, THEREFORE, I, BARACK OBAMA, President of the
United States of America, by virtue of the authority
vested in me by the Constitution and the laws of the
United States, do hereby proclaim October 9 through
October 15, 2016, as Fire Prevention Week. On Sunday,
October 9, 2016, in accordance with Public Law 107-51,
the flag of the United States will be flown at half-
staff at all Federal office buildings in honor of the
National Fallen Firefighters Memorial Service. I call
on all Americans to participate

in this observance with appropriate programs and
activities and by renewing their efforts to prevent
fires and their tragic consequences.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this
seventh day of October, in the year of our Lord two
thousand sixteen, and of the Independence of the United
States of America the two hundred and forty-first.