Title
To declare the week of May 5-11, 2013 Arson Awareness Week in Columbus, Ohio.
Body
WHEREAS, the theme for the 2013 Arson Awareness Week is Reducing Residential Arson; and
WHEREAS, the price that America pays for residential arson is severe. The U.S. Fire Administration’s National Fire Incident Reporting System reports an estimated 16,800 intentionally set fires in residential buildings occur annually in the United States. These fires result in an estimated 280 deaths, 775 injuries and $593 million in property loss each year; and
WHEREAS, five percent of all residential building fires were intentionally set. Lighters, heat from other open flame or smoking materials, and matches were the leading heat sources of intentionally set fires in residential buildings; and
WHEREAS, the majority (76 percent) of intentionally set fires in residential buildings occurred in one- or two-family dwellings. An additional 19 percent of fires occurred in multifamily dwellings. Forty-one percent of the intentionally set residential fires occurred in vacant buildings; and
WHEREAS, home structure fires account for 60 percent of all intentional structure fires and 95 percent of associated civilian deaths; and
WHEREAS, in 2007, three firefighters died on scene or during response to intentional fires, and 6,100 firefighters were injured at the scene of intentional fires. In addition to needless injury and death, more than 1 billion dollars in direct property loss occurs annually; and
WHEREAS, arson is a serious crime that jeopardizes the lives of Columbus citizens and emergency service personnel; and
WHEREAS, the Columbus Division of Fire, Fire Prevention Bureau stresses the importance of citizens being aware of arson and intentional residential fire setting; now, therefore
BE IT RESOLVED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF COLUMBUS:
That this Council does hereby declare May 5-11, 2013 as Arson Awareness Week and encourages all citizens to learn more about the tremendous...
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