Title
To declare the May 1-7, 2011 as Arson Awareness Week in Columbus, Ohio.
Body
WHEREAS, the theme for the 2011 Arson Awareness Week: Working Together to Extinguish Serial Arson; and,
WHEREAS, In 2006 (most recent year for statistics), 210,300 intentionally set fires resulting in approximately 375 deaths and 1,300 injuries; and
WHEREAS, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) reports that from 2009 - 2010, there were 88 incidents reported as being associated with serial arson with an aggregate monetary loss of $4.8 million; and
WHEREAS, the price that America pays for arson is severe. 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, an estimated 1 billion dollars in direct property loss occurs annually; and
WHEREAS, public awareness is one of the specific responsibilities of the U.S. Fire Administration; and
WHEREAS, a community Arson Watch Program can put the neighbor back into neighborhood by creating a sense of cooperation. It brings the fire service, law enforcement and the citizens together to reduce the crime of arson; and
WHEREAS, the Columbus Division of Fire, Fire Prevention Bureau stresses the importance of citizens being aware of arson; now, therefore
BE IT RESOLVED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF COLUMBUS:
That this Council does hereby declare May 1-7, 2011 as Arson Awareness Week and encourages all citizens to learn more about the tremendous toll arson takes on our community and our nation and to commit themselves to prevention efforts.