Fire Prevention Week, 2011

Vol. 76

Thursday,

No. 198

October 13, 2011

Part IV

The President

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Proclamation 8732--Fire Prevention Week, 2011

Proclamation 8733--National School Lunch Week, 2011

Proclamation 8734--Leif Erikson Day, 2011

Proclamation 8735--Columbus Day, 2011

Executive Order 13587--Structural Reforms To Improve the Security of
Classified Networks and the Responsible Sharing and Safeguarding of
Classified Information

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Title 3--
The President

Proclamation 8732 of October 7, 2011

Fire Prevention Week, 2011

By the President of the United States of America

A Proclamation

Fires, whether caused by people or nature, can have
devastating effects. Hundreds of thousands of fires
happen in and around American homes every year, killing
or injuring thousands of people and causing untold
damage to families and communities. This week, we honor
the selfless first responders who put themselves on the
line to safeguard us all from fire, and we reaffirm the
need for Americans to practice fire safety throughout
the year.

This year's Fire Prevention Week theme, ``Protect Your
Family from Fire,'' encourages all Americans to promote
fire prevention awareness both inside and outside the
home. Everyone can take significant steps to mitigate
the risk of fire, from installing and maintaining smoke
alarms on every level of their home to practicing safe
cooking behaviors. Families can help protect themselves
by designing and practicing an escape plan that
includes an outside meeting place with multiple exit
paths out of each room. And, with the help of local
safety officials, families can work together to protect
their neighborhood with a Community Wildfire Protection
Plan.

In 2011, Federal firefighting grants have been provided
to 16 States to assist with wildfires that have caused
destruction to families, farms, and businesses. Those
living with the threat of wildfire can safeguard their
houses by mowing dry grasses to two inches or less, and
by clearing brush, leaves, green grass, and lumber from
around their homes. By taking precautionary steps, and
by discussing and practicing evacuation plans with our
families, we can empower ourselves and our communities
with the tools to prevent fires, and to save lives,
property, and livestock when fires do occur.

This week, our Nation honors the dedicated firefighters
and other first responders who do the hard, dangerous
work of keeping our communities safe from fire. Many
have laid down their lives to save our friends and
neighbors, and their selfless sacrifice defines the
nature of courage. As we pay tribute to their memories,
let us resolve to maintain our vigilance and take
proactive steps to stop fire emergencies before they
begin.

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, 2011, as Fire Prevention Week. On Sunday,
October 16, 2011, in accordance with Public Law 107-51,
the flag of the United States will be flown at half-
staff on 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 eleven, and of the Independence of the United
States of America the two hundred and thirty-sixth.