Title
To declare the week of October 7-13, 2012 National Fire Prevention Week in Columbus, Ohio.
Body
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, a home structure fire is reported every 85 seconds and an average of seven people die in home fires each day; and
WHEREAS, the leading causes of home fires are cooking, heating and electrical equipment, as well as candles and smoking materials; and
WHEREAS, in 2010, U.S. fire departments responded to 369,500 home fires, resulting in 13,350 civilian injuries, 2,640 civilian deaths and $6.9 billion in direct damage; and
WHEREAS, roughly two-thirds of home fire deaths resulted from home fires in homes with no smoke alarms or no working smoke alarms; and
WHEREAS, working smoke alarms cut the risk of dying in a home fire in half and are essential for every household in Columbus along with a home fire escape plan; and
WHEREAS, only one-third of Americans have both developed and practiced a home fire escape plan. Almost three-quarters of Americans do have an escape plan; however, less than half actually practiced it; and
WHEREAS, the Columbus Division of Fire is dedicated to reducing the occurrence of home fires and home fire injuries through prevention and education; and
WHEREAS, residents of Columbus are urged to take personal steps to protect their homes and families with life-saving technology and planning to help prevent fire, with particular emphasis this year on developing and practicing a home fire escape plan; and
WHEREAS, the 2012 Fire Prevention Week theme, "Have 2 Ways Out," reminds us all of the importance of fire escape planning and practice during Fire Prevention Week and year-round; now, therefore
BE IT RESOLVED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF COLUMBUS:
That this Council does hereby declare the week of October 7-13, 2012 National Fire Prevention Week and express our gratitude to all members of the Columbus Division of Fire for their outstanding contributions to the safety and wellbeing of the citizens of Columbus.