[United States Statutes at Large, Volume 132, 115th Congress, 2nd Session]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]

 
Proclamation 9800 of October 5, 2018

Fire Prevention Week, 2018

By the President of the United States of America

A Proclamation

During Fire Prevention Week, we renew our commitment to preparedness,
fire safety awareness, and individual responsibility. We also honor our
brave firefighters who have lost their lives in the line of duty and
their families, as well as those firefighters who continue to put
themselves in harm's way to safeguard our lives and property. Our
Nation's firefighters are heroes, and they deserve our deepest respect
and gratitude for the selfless service they provide to our communities.
Each year, an average of 1.4 million fires burn in the United States,
resulting in thousands of deaths and injuries along with billions of
dollars in direct property damage. This year, in the Western and
Midwestern parts of the country, wildfires of unprecedented scale and
scope have threatened local wildlife and the environment and have
severely impacted local and regional economies through their devastating
effect on agriculture and tourism industries. In many areas, I have
declared the wildfires a major disaster and ordered Federal assistance
to supplement State and local recovery efforts. My Administration
remains committed to providing help to those affected.
As we mark Fire Prevention Week, all Americans must be vigilant and take
precautionary measures to reduce the risk of fire and to protect their
families and property. It is critical to look for places in the home
where fires can start, identify potential hazards, and take the steps
needed to prevent these devastating fires. It is also important to
regularly check and maintain smoke alarms, as these devices can provide
life-saving warnings if there is a fire in the home. If a smoke alarm
rings, it is essential to respond quickly, as you may have only minutes
to escape safely. Furthermore, you should at least identify two ways to
exit every room, ensuring all doors and windows leading to the outside
open easily and are free of clutter. The National Fire Protection
Association's ``Look. Listen. Learn.''; campaign reinforces these basic
but essential practices that every American must follow to help ensure
fire safety.
This week, we pray for all the Federal, State, local, tribal, and
territorial responders who are fighting wildfires and helping our
communities recover, as well as for all those who have lost their loved
ones or their homes due to these disasters. We also recognize the
importance of actively practicing fire safety to help prevent fire-
related tragedies from occurring in the future.
NOW, THEREFORE, I, DONALD J. TRUMP, 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 7 through
October 13, 2018, as Fire Prevention Week. On Sunday, October 7, 2018,
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.

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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this fifth day of
October, in the year of our Lord two thousand eighteen, and of the
Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and forty-
third.
DONALD J. TRUMP