Item B3BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS
AGENDA ITEM SUMMARY
Meeting Date: Wed. Sept. 17, 2008
Bulk Item: Yes No XX
Division: BOCC
Department: Mayor Di Ge�Di strict 4
Staff Contact Person: Tamara Lundstrom
(305 289-6000)
AGENDA ITEM WORDING: Mayor's Proclamation declaring October 5-11, 2008 as Fire
Prevention Week in Mmoe County.
ITEM BACKGROUND: In 1920, President Woodrow Wilson issued the first National Fire Prevention Day
proclamation, and since 1922, National Fire Prevention Week has been observed on the Sunday through
Saturday period in which October 9 falls. The 2008 Fire Prevention Week theme, "It's Fire Prevention Week —
Prevent Home Fires!" effectively serves to remind us all of the simple actions we can take to stay safer from
fire during Fire Prevention Week and year-round.
PREVIOUS RELEVANT BOCC ACTION:
CONTRACT/AGREEMENT CHANGES:
STAFF RECOMMENDATIONS:
TOTAL COST: BUDGETED: Yes No
COST TO COUNTY: SOURCE OF FUNDS:
REVENUE PRODUCING: Yes No AMOUNT PER MONTH Year
APPROVED BY: County Atty _ OMB/Purchasing Risk Management _
DOCUMENTATION: Included XX Not Required
DISPOSITION:
Revised 2/05
AGENDA ITEM #
FIRE PREVENTION WEEK
WI IERE.�]S, Fire Prevention Week was established to commemorate the Great
C:fucmo Fire of 1811 that tragically killed more than 250 people, left 100,O00 horncless,
destroted more than 17,400 structures and bumed more than 2,O(PO acres; and this event
changed the way the firefighters and public officials thought about fire safety, and
WHL•:Rf AS, on the 40111 anniversary of the Great Clvcago Piro, the l ire MAnr hats
.association of North America (today known as the Internati anal Fire Marshals A suciatinn),
decided that the anniversary of the Great Chicago Fire should henceforth be observed not
u-itli fesnviues, but in a way that would keep the public informed about the importance of
Fire prrx'ention; and
WHEREAS, in 1920, President Woodrow Wilson issued the first National Fire
Prevention Day proclamation, and since 1922, Nadona) Fare Prevention Week has been
observed on the Sunday through Saturday period in which October 9 falls; and The
President of the i ]rated States has signed a proclamation pronouncing s national obsr_rvance
during that week every year since 1925; and
WIA REAS, the Counry of Monroe is committed to ensuring the safety and security
of all those living in and visiting our county, and
WHEREAS, fire is a serious puhhc safety concern both locally aiid nationally, and
homes are i he locations where people arc at greatest risk from fire; and
WHEREAS, tiume fires killed more than 2,5M people in the United States in 2006,
according to the latest research from the nonprofit National Fire Protection Association
>> FPA), and fire departments in the United States responded to ncarlt 400,OOfl home fires;
and
W HF RF AS, cookirig is the leading cause of home fires and home Fire injuries, while
heating equipment and amnking are the leading causes of hankie fire deaths; and
WHEREAS, Monroe County's Fitefighters are dedicated to reducing* the occurrent e
of home tires and home fire injuries through prevention and protection education; and
WHEREAS, Monroe County's residents are responsive rn public education
measures and are able to take personal steps to increase their safety from fire, especial[}• in
their homes; and residents who have planned and practiced a home fire escape plan are
mare prepared and mill therefore be more likely to survive a fire; and
WliER1LAS, the 2008 Fire Prevention Week theme, ''It's Fire Prevention Week —
Prevent Home Fires'." effectively serves to rt mind us all of the simple actions we can take to
staff• safer from fire during Fire Prevention Week and rear -round.
THEREFORE, I Mario ill C;ennaro, !Mayor of Monroe County- do hereby prod aint
October 5-11, 2008 as Fire Prevention Week throughout this state, and l huge all the people
of Monroe Cotin n' to protect their homes and families by heeding the important safest
messages of Fire Prevention Weck 2008, and to support the mania public safety- acrivines and
efforts of Monroe C aunty's Fite and emergency services.
Signed this 171i1 day of September, 2008
Mayor Mario Di Gennaro