[Federal Register Volume 66, Number 196 (Wednesday, October 10, 2001)]
[Presidential Documents]
[Pages 51808-51809]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 01-25675]


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  Federal Register / Vol. 66, No. 196 / Wednesday, October 10, 2001 / 
Presidential Documents  

[[Page 51808]]


                Proclamation 7480 of October 5, 2001

                
Fire Prevention Week, 2001

                By the President of the United States of America

                A Proclamation

                The well-being of our Nation's citizens requires that 
                families, communities, emergency workers, and health 
                professionals work together to ensure the highest 
                levels of public safety. This goal is particularly 
                important with respect to fire prevention. The 2000 
                National Fire Experience Survey, conducted by the 
                National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), reveals 
                that fire claimed more than 4,000 American lives last 
                year. In 2000, fire killed someone every 130 minutes 
                and injured someone every 24 minutes. Fire also takes a 
                significant economic toll on America, accounting for 
                more than $11 billion in property loss last year.

                In the United States, fires caused by cooking, heating, 
                or electricity amount to almost half of all home fires. 
                These accidental fires, though common, are also among 
                the most preventable. Their high rates of occurrence 
                point to the vital importance of safety and knowledge 
                in helping to prevent these types of fires and thereby 
                avoid the tragic deaths and serious injuries that they 
                can cause.

                This year marks the annual observance of Fire 
                Prevention Week, sponsored by the National Fire 
                Protection Association. The event's theme, ``Cover the 
                Bases and Strike Out Fire,'' encourages children and 
                families to take an active role in preventing home 
                fires and the injuries and deaths they cause, by 
                conducting home fire safety inspections and preparing 
                and practicing home fire drills. The NFPA is joining 
                forces with the Federal Emergency Management Agency, 
                through the United States Fire Administration, and with 
                fire departments throughout the country to raise 
                awareness of the leading causes of home fires and 
                encourage the actions that may be taken to prevent 
                them. I urge all Americans to learn more about fire 
                prevention and to take steps to better ensure the 
                safety of our homes, places of work, and other public 
                structures.

                During this year's observance, I also call on Americans 
                to join me in expressing appreciation for the devotion 
                and dedication of our Nation's firefighters and other 
                emergency response personnel. These brave men and women 
                provide the first line of emergency response to a 
                multitude of disasters and risk their own security and 
                well-being to save the lives of others. As recent 
                events in our Nation have demonstrated, these fine 
                Americans truly exemplify selfless service and heroism. 
                They serve to make our towns, cities, and communities 
                safer places for all.

                NOW, THEREFORE, I, GEORGE W. BUSH, 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 7 through October 
                13, 2001, as Fire Prevention Week. I call upon the 
                people of the United States to observe this day with 
                appropriate programs and activities and to renew 
                efforts to prevent fires and their tragic consequences 
                for human health and safety.

[[Page 51809]]

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

                    (Presidential Sig.)B

[FR Doc. 01-25675
Filed 10-9-01; 12:11 pm]
Billing code 3195-01-P