Title
To declare the week of October 5-11, 2014 to be Fire Prevention Week in Columbus, Ohio.
Body
WHEREAS, Fire Prevention Week has been observed in the United States since 1922 to commemorate the Great Chicago Fire of 1871 and to serve as recognition of the necessity of fire prevention measures; and
WHEREAS, fire is a serious public safety concern both locally and nationally, and homes are the locations where people are at the greatest risk from fire; and
WHEREAS, in 2011, U.S. fire departments responded to 370,000 home structure fires; and these fires contributed to 13,910 civilian injuries, 2,520 civilian deaths, and $6.9 billion in direct damage; and
WHEREAS, Almost three of five reported home fire deaths in 2007 to 2011 resulted from fires in homes with no smoke alarms or no working smoke alarms; and
WHEREAS, according to the National Fire Protection Association, working smoke alarms cut the risk of fatalities in reported home fires by 50 percent; and
WHEREAS, the 2014 Fire Prevention Week theme, "Smoke Alarms Save Lives: Test Yours Every Month," reminds us all that testing smoke alarms is one of the best ways to stay safe and vigilant in our own homes 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 5-11, 2014 to be Fire Prevention Week, and expresses its gratitude to all members of the Columbus Division of Fire for bringing attention to the issue of fire prevention and for their outstanding contributions to the safety and well-being of the citizens of Columbus.