[Weekly Compilation of Presidential Documents Volume 32, Number 41 (Monday, October 14, 1996)]
[Pages 1998-1999]
[Online from the Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]

<R04>
Proclamation 6930--Fire Prevention Week, 1996

October 5, 1996

By the President of the United States

of America

A Proclamation

    Our Nation has a long tradition of unity in the face of adversity, 
and Americans have always stood together to fight one of our most 
terrifying and preventable problems--fire. We are fortunate to have so 
many dedicated public and private organizations working diligently to 
promote fire prevention and safety. Each October, Fire Prevention Week 
gives us an opportunity to remember family and friends who have been the 
victims of fire, and to redouble our efforts to prevent these tragedies.
    Uncontrolled, fire can destroy homes, livelihoods, and lives. This 
year, in the wake of one of the most serious wildland fire seasons in 
history and a troubling series of arsons at houses of worship, we must 
join together and rededicate ourselves to fire prevention efforts. 
Whether working to stop church arsons or to avoid accidental fires in 
the home, we all have an important role to play.
    The National Fire Protection Association has selected ``Let's Hear 
it for Fire Safety: Test Your Detectors!'' as the theme for Fire 
Prevention Week, 1996, and joins with the Federal Emergency Management 
Agency to communicate this lifesaving message. This year's theme focuses 
on a vital and simple

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element of home fire protection--smoke detectors.
    Smoke detectors can provide early warning and reduce the risk of 
dying in a home fire by almost half. The theme of this year's Fire 
Prevention Week reinforces the need for regular testing of home smoke 
detectors. The combination of a working smoke detector with a well-
rehearsed escape plan can enable people to exit safely and quickly in 
the event of a fire.
    Thanks to the commitment and support of our Nation's fire and 
emergency services, we continue to make fire prevention and fire safety 
a top priority in America. Too often, these dedicated champions of fire 
safety pay the ultimate price in service to their communities. Last 
year, 102 firefighters died, and more than 94,500 were injured. On 
Sunday, October 13, 1996, we will pay our respects to these courageous 
men and women at the National Fallen Firefighters Memorial 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 6 
through October 12, 1996, as Fire Prevention Week. I encourage the 
people of the United States to take an active role in fire prevention 
not only this week, but also throughout the year. I also call upon every 
citizen to pay tribute to the members of our fire services who have lost 
their lives or been injured in service to their communities, and to 
those men and women who carry on their noble tradition.
    In Witness Whereof, I have hereunto set my hand this fifth day of 
October, in the year of our Lord nineteen hundred and ninety-six, and of 
the Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and 
twenty-first.
                                            William J. Clinton

[Filed with the Office of the Federal Register, 8:45 a.m., October 9, 
1996]

Note: This proclamation was released by the Office of the Press 
Secretary on October 7, and it was published in the Federal Register on 
October 10.