Fire Prevention Week, 1997

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Title 3--
The President

Proclamation 7032 of October 3, 1997

Fire Prevention Week, 1997

By the President of the United States of America

A Proclamation

Of all the disasters that confront Americans every
year, few cause more loss of life and property than
fire. Across the country each day, fire threatens our
communities, our livelihoods, and our lives. Last year
alone, almost 5,000 men, women, and children perished
in fires, and nearly 80 percent of these deaths
occurred in homes. This tragic statistic is a call to
action for all of us, not only to remain vigilant in
our efforts to prevent fires, but also to learn how to
react quickly and sensibly when fires occur.

Many people do not understand the speed at which fire
can spread, the intensity of its heat, or the toxic
power of its smoke. Because a quick, decisive response
often means the difference between life and death, it
is important to learn about fire, to recognize how
deadly a threat it is, and to react to it immediately.
The National Fire Protection Association, in
partnership with the Federal Emergency Management
Agency and our Nation's fire services, has selected
``Know When to Go! React Fast To Fire!'' as the theme
of this year's Fire Prevention Week. This theme
reinforces a simple but essential element of fire
safety: escape planning.

Because approximately 80 percent of last year's fatal
fires occurred in the home, every family should develop
a home escape plan. If a smoke or fire alarm sounds,
everyone must react quickly. When away from home, we
need to make it a habit to locate the nearest exit in
any building we occupy. Most important, we must never
reenter a burning building.

By following these basic safety rules, we can save
lives and reduce the risks to our Nation's
firefighters. Every 16 seconds, a fire department
responds to a fire somewhere in the United States. Last
year, thousands of firefighters were injured, and 92
made the ultimate sacrifice in the line of duty. Our
Nation will acknowledge the extraordinary dedication of
these valiant men and women by paying tribute to
America's career and volunteer firefighters on Sunday,
October 5, 1997, 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 5 through October
11, 1997, 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
throughout the year. I also call upon all Americans to
honor the courageous members of our Nation's fire and
emergency services by learning about the dangers posed
by fire and by preparing their friends and family
members to react immediately and safely to fires when
they occur.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this
third day of October, in the year of our Lord nineteen
hundred and ninety-seven, and of the Independence of
the United States of America the two hundred and
twenty-second.