Fire Prevention Week, 1999

Proclamation 7231 of October 1, 1999

Fire Prevention Week, 1999

By the President of the United States of America

A Proclamation

Of the many disasters that affect our communities in a
given year, fire is one that Americans can actually
prevent; and, through early warning and appropriate
response, we can minimize the havoc fire wreaks when it
does occur. In 1998, U.S. fire departments responded to
nearly 1.8 million fires, with three-quarters of them
occurring in residences. Fire cost our Nation some $8.6
billion in property loss last year, and it took a
staggering human toll: more than 4,000 civilians died,
and 91 firefighters lost their lives in the line of
duty.

The place where Americans feel safest--at home--is the
very place where we are at greatest risk from fire.
Eighty percent of all U.S. fire deaths occur at home.
If Americans knew more about fire prevention and better
understood how to react quickly and sensibly when fire
breaks out, we could greatly reduce such deaths.

Because knowledge of simple fire safety precautions is
so vital to saving lives, the National Fire Protection
Association (NFPA) launched a 3-year initiative to
teach the importance of planning and practicing how to
escape from fire. In partnership with the Federal
Emergency Management Agency, through its United States
Fire Administration, and our Nation's fire services,
NFPA has again selected, ``Fire Drills: The Great
Escape!'' as the theme of this year's Fire Prevention
Week.

Fire spreads quickly, making a fast response essential
to survival. I urge every family to develop a home fire
escape plan and to practice it at least twice a year.
The elements of a good plan include installing working
smoke alarms on every level of the home, establishing
two ways out of each room, and establishing a meeting
place outside the home.

Each of us can take these simple steps to plan and
practice our own ``great escape'' from fire and
significantly improve our chance of survival if fire
occurs. By doing so, we can pay fitting tribute to the
selfless service of our Nation's firefighters. The
extraordinary personal sacrifice made by firefighters
throughout America, and the dedication of all men and
women who serve in our Nation's fire services, will be
honored on Sunday, October 10, 1999, at the National
Fallen Firefighters Memorial Service in Emmitsburg,
Maryland.

NOW, THEREFORE, I, WILLIAM J. CLINTON, 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 3 through October 9,
1999, as Fire Prevention Week. I encourage the people
of the United States to take an active role in fire
prevention not only during this week, but also
throughout the year. I also call upon every citizen to
pay tribute to the members of our fire and emergency
services who have lost their lives or been injured in
service to their communities, and to those men and
women who carry on their noble tradition.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this
first day of October, in the year of our Lord nineteen
hundred and ninety-nine, and

of the Independence of the United States of America the
two hundred and twenty-fourth.