[Federal Register Volume 65, Number 198 (Thursday, October 12, 2000)]
[Presidential Documents]
[Pages 60571-60572]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 00-26392]


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  Federal Register / Vol. 65, No. 198 / Thursday, October 12, 2000 / 
Presidential Documents  

[[Page 60571]]


                Proclamation 7354 of October 6, 2000

                
Fire Prevention Week, 2000

                By the President of the United States of America

                A Proclamation

                Each year, fire takes a heavy toll on the lives and 
                property of thousands of Americans. Approximately 100 
                firefighters and 4,000 civilians die in fires annually; 
                some 25,000 civilians sustain injuries and an average 
                of $8 billion in property is destroyed. Last year 
                alone, America's fire departments responded to almost 2 
                million fires. Most of these fires occurred in homes, 
                as did 80 percent of last year's fire fatalities. It is 
                clear from these tragic statistics that if we can 
                better educate Americans about fire safety and 
                prevention, we can save thousands of lives every year.

                The most important lesson we can teach about fire is 
                how rapidly it can spread. From the time a smoke alarm 
                sounds in a typical home, a family may have as little 
                as 2 minutes to escape safely. Knowing how to use those 
                minutes wisely is the key to survival. I urge every 
                American to develop and practice regularly a home fire 
                escape plan that identifies two ways out of each room 
                and establishes a meeting place where household members 
                can reunite outside the home. In addition, it is 
                crucial that smoke alarms be installed and properly 
                maintained on every level of the home.

                To raise public awareness of the importance of home 
                fire escape plans, the National Fire Protection 
                Association, in partnership with the Federal Emergency 
                Management Agency through its United States Fire 
                Administration and America's fire departments, launched 
                a 3-year program in 1998 called ``Fire Drills: The 
                Great Escape!'' To date, this program is credited with 
                saving at least 58 lives. In support of this program, 
                on Wednesday, October 11, at 7:00 p.m. local time, fire 
                departments in communities across America will sound 
                the alarm signaling the start of ``The Great Escape'' 
                fire drill to test the effectiveness of families' fire 
                escape plans. I encourage all Americans to participate 
                in this important and potentially lifesaving event.

                As we observe this week, let us also express our pride 
                in and gratitude for the devoted service of our 
                Nation's firefighters and emergency response personnel. 
                They uphold our country's finest values--commitment and 
                community, teamwork and trust, courage and sacrifice. 
                Day in and day out, these extraordinary men and women 
                put their lives on the line to protect our families and 
                our property from the devastating effects of fire, and 
                many of them pay the ultimate price for their devotion. 
                We will honor their memory on Sunday, October 8, 2000, 
                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 8 through October 
                14, 2000, 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 call upon every citizen to pay 
                tribute to our firefighters and emergency response 
                personnel who have lost their lives or been injured in 
                the line of duty and to those brave men and women who 
                carry on their noble tradition of service.

[[Page 60572]]

                IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this 
                sixth day of October, in the year of our Lord two 
                thousand, and of the Independence of the United States 
                of America the two hundred and twenty-fifth.

                    (Presidential Sig.)

[FR Doc. 00-26392
Filed 10-11-00; 8:45 am]
Billing code 3195-01-P