Item B1
BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS
AGENDA ITEM SUMMARY
Meeting Date: September 16, 2009 Division: BaeC
Bulk ltem: Yes - No --1L Department: George Neugent
Staff Contact PersonfPhone #: T. Marble 4512
AGENDA ITEM WORDING:
Presentation of Mayors Proclamation designating October 4-]0,2009 as Fire Prevention Week and
urging all citizens of Monroe County to protect their homes and families by heeding the important
safety messages of Fire Prevention Week and to support the many public safety activities.
ITEM BACKGROUND:
PREVIOUS RELEVANT BOCC ACTION:
CONTRACT/AGREEMENT CHANGES:
STAFF RECOMMENDATIONS:
TOTAL COST: INDIRECT COST: BUDGETED: Yes _No -
DIFFERENTIAL OF LOCAL PREFERENCE:
COST TO COUNTY: SOURCE OF FUNDS:
REVENUE PRODUCING: Yes - No AMOUNT PER MONTH - Year -
APPROVED BY: County Atty_ OMB/Purchasing _ Risk Management _
DOCUMENT A TION: Included J Not Required_
DISPOSITION: AGENDA ITEM #
Revised 7/09
WHEREAS, Fire Prevention Week was established to commemorate the Great Chicago
Fire of 1871 that tragically killed more than 250 people, left 100,000 homeless, destroyed more
than 17,400 structures and burned more than 2,000 acres; and
WHEREAS, this event changed the way the firefighters and public officials thought
about fire safety; and
WHEREAS, on the 40th anniversary of the Great Chicago Fire, the Fire Marshals
Association of North America (today known as the International Fire Marshals Association),
decided that the anniversary of the Great Chicago Fire should henceforth be observed not with
festivities, but in a way that would keep the public informed about the importance of fire
prevention; and
WHEREAS, in ]920, President Woodrow Wilson issued the first National Fire
Prevention Day proclamation, and since] 922, National Fire Prevention Week has been observed
on the Sunday through Saturday period in which October 9 falls; and
WHEREAS, The President of the United States has signed a proclamation pronouncing a
national observance during that week every year since] 925; and
WHEREAS, the County 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 public safety concern both locally and nationally, and homes
are the locations where people are at greatest risk from fire; and
WHEREAS, home fires killed more than 2,500 people in the United States in 2006,
according to the latest research from the nonprofit National Fire Protection Association (NFP A),
and fire departments in the United States responded to nearly 400,000 home fires; and
WHEREAS, cooking is the leading cause of home fires and home fire injuries, while
heating equipment and smoking are the leading causes of home fire deaths; and
WHEREAS, Monroe County's firefighters are dedicated to reducing the occurrence of
home fires and home fire injuries through prevention and protection education; and
WHEREAS, Monroe County's residents are responsive to public education measures and
are ab Ie to take personal steps to increase their safety from fire, especially in their homes; and
WHEREAS, residents who have planned and practiced a home fire escape plan are more
prepared and will therefore be more likely to survive a fire; and
WHEREAS, the 2009 Fire Prevention Week theme, "Stay Fire Smart! Don't Get Burned"
focuses on bum awareness and prevention, as well as keeping homes safe from the leading causes
of home fires and effectively serves to remind us all of the simple actions we can take to stay
safer from fire; and
THEREFORE, I George Neugent, Mayor of Monroe County do hereby proclaim October
4.10, 2009 as Fire Prevention Week, and I urge all the people of Monroe County to protect their
homes and families by heeding the important safety messages of Fire Prevention Week 2009, and
to support the many public safety activities and efforts of Monroe County's fire and emergency
servIces.
Dated September] 6, 2009 George R. Neugent, Mayor