[Federal Register Volume 62, Number 195 (Wednesday, October 8, 1997)]
[Presidential Documents]
[Pages 52471-52472]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 97-26823]


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  Federal Register / Vol. 62, No. 195 / Wednesday, October 8, 1997 / 
Presidential Documents  

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 Title 3--
 The President

[[Page 52471]]

                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.

[[Page 52472]]

                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.

                    (Presidential Sig.)

[FR Doc. 97-26823
Filed 10-7-97; 8:45 am]
Billing code 3195-01-P