Fire Prevention Week (2009)

Fire Prevention Week

WHEREAS, the Commonwealth of Virginia is committed to ensuring the safety and security of all those living in and visiting our state; and

WHEREAS, fire is a serious public safety concern; and

WHEREAS, in 2008 somewhere in Virginia, every minute, an incident occurred in which a fire department responded; and

WHEREAS, in 2008 in Virginia, on average, every 16 hours, a civilian was hurt or died as a result of a fire; and

WHEREAS, Virginia’s first responders are dedicated to reducing the occurrence of home fires and home fire injuries through prevention and protection education; and

WHEREAS, Virginia’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

WHEREAS, Fire Prevention Week 2009 focuses on burn awareness and prevention, as well as keeping homes safe from the leading causes of home fires; and

WHEREAS, the 2009 Fire Prevention Week theme, “It’s Fire Prevention Week – Stay Fire Smart! Don’t Get Burned” effectively serves to remind us all of the simple precautions we can take to prevent the incidence of fire during Fire Prevention Week and year-round;

NOW, THEREFORE, I, Timothy M. Kaine, do hereby recognize October 4-10, 2009 as FIRE PREVENTION WEEK in the COMMONWEALTH OF VIRGINIA, and I call this observance to the most serious attention of all our citizens.