Fire Prevention Week, 1996

Proclamation 6930 of October 5, 1996

Fire Prevention Week, 1996

By the President of the United States of America

A Proclamation

Our Nation has a long tradition of unity in the face of
adversity, and Americans have always stood together to
fight one of our most terrifying and preventable
problems--fire. We are fortunate to have so many
dedicated public and private organizations working
diligently to promote fire prevention and safety. Each
October, Fire Prevention Week gives us an opportunity
to remember family and friends who have been the
victims of fire, and to redouble our efforts to prevent
these tragedies.

Uncontrolled, fire can destroy homes, livelihoods, and
lives. This year, in the wake of one of the most
serious wildland fire seasons in history and a
troubling series of arsons at houses of worship, we
must join together and rededicate ourselves to fire
prevention efforts. Whether working to stop church
arsons or to avoid accidental fires in the home, we all
have an important role to play.

The National Fire Protection Association has selected
``Let's Hear it for Fire Safety: Test Your Detectors!''
as the theme for Fire Prevention Week, 1996, and joins
with the Federal Emergency Management Agency to
communicate this lifesaving message. This year's theme
focuses on a vital and simple element of home fire
protection--smoke detectors.

Smoke detectors can provide early warning and reduce
the risk of dying in a home fire by almost half. The
theme of this year's Fire Prevention Week reinforces
the need for regular testing of home smoke detectors.
The combination of a working smoke detector with a
well-rehearsed escape plan can enable people to exit
safely and quickly in the event of a fire.

Thanks to the commitment and support of our Nation's
fire and emergency services, we continue to make fire
prevention and fire safety a top priority in America.
Too often, these dedicated champions of fire safety pay
the ultimate price in service to their communities.
Last year, 102 firefighters died, and more than 94,500
were injured. On Sunday, October 13, 1996, we will pay
our respects to these courageous men and women at the
National Fallen Firefighters Memorial 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 6 through October
12, 1996, as Fire Prevention Week. I encourage the
people of the United States to take an active role in
fire prevention not only this week, but also throughout
the year. I also call upon every citizen to pay tribute
to the members of our fire 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
fifth day of October, in the year of our Lord nineteen
hundred and ninety-six, and of the Independence of the
United States of America the two hundred and twenty-
first.