09-20-2011 National Fire Prevention WeekPITTSYLVANIA COUNTY BOARD OF SUPERVISORS
PROCLAMATION
FIRE PREVEN'T'ION WEEK
OCTOBER 9-15, 2011
WHEREAS, the County of Pittsylvania 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 both locally and nationally, and homes are the locations
where people are at greatest risk from fire; and
WHF,RF,AS, home tires killed more than 2,500 people in the United States in 2009, according to the latest
research from the nonprofit National Firc Protection Association (NFPA), and fire departments in the United
States responded to more than 360,000 home tires; and
WHF,REAS, cooking equipment is the leading cause of home structure fires and associated injuries, and [he
third leading cause of home fire deaths; and
WHEREAS, heating and electrical equipment and smoking materials are among the leading causes of all
reported home fires; and
WHEREAS, home candle fires are reported to a US fire department every 30 minutes, on average; and
WHEREAS, the risk of dying in a home structure fire caused by smoking materials rises with age; and
WHEREAS, working smoke alarms cut the risk of dying in reported home fires in halt; and
WHEREAS, automatic fire sprinkler systems cut the risk of dying in a home fire by about 80%; 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, Pittsylvania County's residents arc responsive to public education measures and are able to take
personal steps to increase their safety from fire, especially in their homes; and
WHEREAS, residents who have planned and practiced a home fire escape plan are more prepared and will
therefore be more likely to survive a tire; and
WHEREAS, the 2011 Fire Prevention Week theme, "It's Fire Preverttiat Week. Prated year Familp from
Fire!" effectively serves to remind us all of the simple actions we can take to keep our homes and lamilies sate
from fire during Firc Prevention Week and year-round.
THERF,FORF„ We, the Board of Supervisors of Pittsylvania County, do hereby proclaim October 9-15,
2011 as Fire Prevention Week throughout the County of Pittsylvania, and we urge all the residents of
Pittsylvania County to protect their homes and families by heeding the important safety messages of Pire
Prevention Week 2011, and to support the many public safety activities and efforts of Pittsylvania County's fire
and emergency services.
Given under my hand this 20'" day of September, 201 1.
~/`
I'im R. Barber, Chairman
Pittsylvanii~ounty Board of Supervisors
aVilliam D. Sleeper, Clerk
Pittsylvania County Board of Supervisors