[Federal Register Volume 87, Number 197 (Thursday, October 13, 2022)]
[Presidential Documents]
[Pages 61949-61950]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2022-22405]


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  Federal Register / Vol. 87 , No. 197 / Thursday, October 13, 2022 / 
Presidential Documents  

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 Title 3--
 The President

[[Page 61949]]

                Proclamation 10469 of October 7, 2022

                
Fire Prevention Week, 2022

                By the President of the United States of America

                A Proclamation

                In 1920, President Woodrow Wilson proclaimed October 
                9th the first Fire Prevention Day, calling on the 
                public to learn more about the risks of deadly fires 
                and commemorating the thousands who had lost their 
                lives to these tragedies. More than a century later, 
                our Nation observes Fire Prevention Week by renewing 
                our commitment to fire safety and preparedness and 
                taking steps to prevent fires in our homes, schools, 
                workplaces, and the great outdoors. We also honor the 
                bravery and heroism of our firefighters, who gear up 
                time and again and rush into harm's way to protect our 
                communities.

                In the past year, our Nation has suffered some of its 
                deadliest fires in recent history. Americans have lost 
                their homes and their businesses. Thousands have 
                tragically lost their lives. Wildfires are becoming 
                more frequent and ferocious, destroying neighborhoods 
                and natural resources and displacing families and 
                communities. Super-charged by the climate crisis--which 
                has exacerbated drought conditions and increased 
                temperatures--these devastating wildfires have wiped 
                out millions of acres of forest and so many homes.

                Whenever the First Lady and I visit with families in 
                the aftermath of a fire, we witness their incredible 
                courage and resolve--even though, in many cases, they 
                have just lost everything. We see people step up for 
                one another, neighbors take each other in, and local 
                businesses donate essential goods to those in need. 
                With each visit, we are also reminded of the character 
                of our Nation's firefighters, who put their lives on 
                the line with remarkable selflessness and extraordinary 
                bravery that inspire everyone.

                For our firefighters and our communities, we have a 
                responsibility to act now and act fast to mitigate the 
                risk of wildfires. My Administration is investing 
                billions from our Bipartisan Infrastructure Law in 
                forest management, including the management of 
                hazardous fuels in high-risk areas and funding the 
                Community Wildfire Defense Grants, which are intended 
                to help at-risk local communities and Tribes plan and 
                reduce the risk against wildfire, and we are 
                safeguarding mature and old-growth forests on Federal 
                lands, a key component of decreasing fire risk. Through 
                our Inflation Reduction Act, we are taking 
                unprecedented steps to protect forest health, prevent 
                fires, and confront the climate crisis--ushering in a 
                new era of clean energy and reducing greenhouse gas 
                emissions by a billion metric tons.

                We are standing by our brave firefighters by 
                substantially increasing wages for Federal wildland 
                firefighters, and have implemented new programs to 
                support their mental and physical health, and 
                established a wildland firefighter job series that will 
                help improve recruitment, retention, and opportunities 
                for professional growth. We invested $350 billion from 
                our American Rescue Plan to help States and cities keep 
                first responders like firefighters on the job during 
                the COVID-19 pandemic. To help States pay for the cost 
                of fighting wildfires and help communities increase 
                resilience, the Federal Emergency Management Agency 
                (FEMA) has also approved dozens of Fire Management 
                Assistance Grants and is providing over one billion

[[Page 61950]]

                dollars through its Building Resilient Infrastructure 
                and Communities (BRIC) program.

                To build on these actions, my Administration is 
                educating the public on fire safety. This week's 
                theme--``Fire won't wait. Plan your escape''--
                emphasizes how we must all prepare fire escape plans, 
                test smoke and carbon monoxide alarms every month and 
                replace them every 10 years, implement appropriate 
                building codes, and when possible, install residential 
                fire sprinklers. For those who live in areas 
                susceptible to wildfire, regularly clearing brush and 
                other vegetation around your homes is another important 
                way to stay safe.

                With every home, school, and business destroyed in a 
                fire, precious memories are lost, livelihoods are 
                jeopardized, and dreams are crushed. This National Fire 
                Prevention Week, let us reflect on the importance of 
                remaining vigilant and learning more about fire safety. 
                Let us acknowledge the remarkable service of our 
                Nation's firefighters and honor the memory of those who 
                have lost their lives protecting others. And let us all 
                work to make these heroes' jobs more manageable, keep 
                our neighbors safer, and reduce the risk of fires 
                across our country.

                NOW, THEREFORE, I, JOSEPH R. BIDEN JR., 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, 2022, as Fire Prevention Week. On 
                Sunday, October 9, 2022, in accordance with Public Law 
                107-51, the flag of the United States will be flown at 
                half-staff at 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 twenty-two, and of the Independence of the 
                United States of America the two hundred and forty-
                seventh.
                
                
                    (Presidential Sig.)

[FR Doc. 2022-22405
Filed 10-12-22; 8:45 am]
Billing code 3395-F3-P