[United States Statutes at Large, Volume 125, 112th Congress, 1st Session]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]

 
Proclamation 8732 of October 7, 2011

Fire Prevention Week, 2011
By the President of the United States of America
A Proclamation
Fires, whether caused by people or nature, can have devastating effects.
Hundreds of thousands of fires happen in and around American homes every
year, killing or injuring thousands of people and causing untold damage
to families and communities. This week, we honor the selfless first
responders who put themselves on the line to safeguard us all from fire,
and we reaffirm the need for Americans to practice fire safety
throughout the year.
This year's Fire Prevention Week theme, ``Protect Your Family from
Fire,'' encourages all Americans to promote fire prevention awareness
both inside and outside the home. Everyone can take significant steps to
mitigate the risk of fire, from installing and maintaining smoke alarms
on every level of their home to practicing safe cooking behaviors.
Families can help protect themselves by designing and practicing an
escape plan that includes an outside meeting place with multiple

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exit paths out of each room. And, with the help of local safety
officials, families can work together to protect their neighborhood with
a Community Wildfire Protection Plan.
In 2011, Federal firefighting grants have been provided to 16 States to
assist with wildfires that have caused destruction to families, farms,
and businesses. Those living with the threat of wildfire can safeguard
their houses by mowing dry grasses to two inches or less, and by
clearing brush, leaves, green grass, and lumber from around their homes.
By taking precautionary steps, and by discussing and practicing
evacuation plans with our families, we can empower ourselves and our
communities with the tools to prevent fires, and to save lives,
property, and livestock when fires do occur.
This week, our Nation honors the dedicated firefighters and other first
responders who do the hard, dangerous work of keeping our communities
safe from fire. Many have laid down their lives to save our friends and
neighbors, and their selfless sacrifice defines the nature of courage.
As we pay tribute to their memories, let us resolve to maintain our
vigilance and take proactive steps to stop fire emergencies before they
begin.
NOW, THEREFORE, I, BARACK OBAMA, 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, 2011, as Fire Prevention Week. On Sunday, October 16, 2011,
in accordance with Public Law 107-51, the flag of the United States will
be flown at half-staff on 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 eleven, and of the
Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and thirty-
sixth.
BARACK OBAMA