Item B2BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS
AGENDA ITEM SUMMARY
Meeting Date September 17, 2013 Division: BOCC
Bulk Item: Yes No x Department: George R. Neugent
Staff Contact Person/Phone #: T. Colonna 4512
AGENDA ITEM WORDING:
Presentation of a proclamation declaring October 6 — 12, 2013 Fire Prevention Week with the theme
"Kitchen Fires"
ITEM BACKGROUND:
Each year Monroe County's fire and emergency services serves to remind us all of the simple actions
we can take to stay safer from fire during Fire Prevention Week
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
DOCUMENTATION: Included x 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 this event changed the way the
firefighters and public officials thought about fire safety; and on the 40 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 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; and The President of the United
States has signed a proclamation pronouncing a national observance during that week every year
since 1925; and
WHEREAS, the County of Monroe is committed to ensuring the safety and security of all
those living in and visiting our county; and 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
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 (NFPA), and fire departments
in the United States responded to nearly 400,000 home fires; and 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 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
able to take personal steps to increase their safety from fire, especially in their homes; and,
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 2013 Fire Prevention Week theme, "Kitchen 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.
THEREFORE, I, George Neugent, Mayor of Monroe County do hereby proclaim
October 6 -12, 2013 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 2013, and to support the many public safety
activities and efforts of Monroe County's fire and emergency services.
Signed this 17th day of September 2013 George R. Neugent, Mayor