[Federal Register Volume 64, Number 194 (Thursday, October 7, 1999)]
[Presidential Documents]
[Pages 54755-54756]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 99-26379]



[[Page 54753]]

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Part III





The President





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Proclamation 7231--Fire Prevention Week, 1999



Proclamation 7232--Child Health Day, 1999
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  Federal Register / Vol. 64, No. 194 / Thursday, October 7, 1999 / 
Presidential Documents  

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 Title 3--
 The President

[[Page 54755]]

                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

[[Page 54756]]

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

                    (Presidential Sig.)

[FR Doc. 99-26379
Filed 10-6-99; 8:45 am]
Billing code 3195-01-P