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7336385
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Fire Prevention Week, 1974 [Proclamation]
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7336385
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document
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Fire Prevention Week, 1974 [Proclamation]
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White House Press Releases (Ford Administration)
Press Releases
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1974-10-02
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1974
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Digitized from Box 3 of the White House Press Releases at the Gerald R. Ford Presidential Library
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
October 2, 1974
Office of the White House Press Secretary
THE WHITE HOUSE
FIRE PREVENTION WEEK, 1974
BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
A PROCLAMATION
Losses by destructive fires, many of which could have
been prevented, constitute a tragic waste of our Nation's
human and material resources. Destructive fire is a burden
affecting all Americans and constitutes a public health
and safety problem of major magnitude.
Our great Nation, blessed with unparalleled technological
resources, has the highest per capita rate of death and
property loss from fire of all the major industrialized nations
in the world. Of most concern is the needless loss of
human life. Each year over 12,000 Americans die and over
300,000 are seriously injured and maimed. The tragic part
is that the large majority of the deaths and injuries
victimize the very young and the aged. In 1973, nearly
2.7 million fires caused in excess of $3 billion in direct
property damage, with the total costs of fire, including
fire departments costs, estimated at well over $11 billion.
I believe that our continuing high rate of losses
due to fire is totally unacceptable. This shameful and
needless waste of our people and resources, with its
adverse effect on our economy, is one which our Nation and
local communities can ill afford. As I have stated before,
curbing inflation and improving the state of our economy
are the highest priorities in this Administration. Fire loss
reduction and fire prevention are activities directly related
to reducing economic loss and should be a part of our overall
national effort.
Of vital concern, and an area in which there is a major
need for improved fire safety, is the place where we live:
our homes. Each year, more than half the deaths caused by
fire -- about 6,600 on the average -- have occurred in our
homes. Last year alone, 73 per cent of all building fires
occurred in residences while the loss and damage to homes
amounted to more than $1 billion. For the last 20 years,
home fires have accounted for about two-thirds of all
building fires. Improved home fire safety is essential
if we are to control this human and economic waste.
Most fires are caused by carelessness, lack of
knowledge, or hazardous conditions which can be corrected.
Much of the tragic waste associated with unwanted fires can
be avoided. More emphasis on fire prevention programs and
activities throughout the country is needed. Vigorous com-
munity fire departments, both paid and volunteer, which
have effectively conducted fire prevention programs have
contributed substantially to the local and national welfare
by reducing significantly the number and effects of
more
(OVER)
2
destructive fires. Those fire departments which confine
their roles to putting out fires and rescuing its victims
need to expend more effort on fire prevention. This should
include educating children on the principles of fire safety,
educating adults on fire safety in homes through residential
inspections, enforcing fire protection and prevention codes
and standards, and ensuring that adequate fire safety fea-
tures are designed into our buildings and structures. All
citizens need to know the basics of fire prevention, how
to report fires, how to extinguish simple fires, and how to
react if fire occurs in their homes or places of work.
Progress can be made in reducing our fire losses if every
American recognizes his and her responsibility for eliminating
fire hazards and for participating in the community fire
prevention programs. Therefore, it is vital that everyone
support and participate in local fire prevention activities,
not only during Fire Prevention Week, but at all times. In
this way we can reduce the needless losses caused by unwanted fires
NOW, THEREFORE, I, GERALD R. FORD, President of the
United States of America, do hereby designate the week
beginning October 6, 1974, as Fire Prevention Week.
I call upon all citizens, individually and as a Nation,
to support, participate in, and promote the fire prevention
programs and activities of their local community fire
departments and of the National Fire Protection Association.
I urge state and local governments, business, labor,
and other organizations, as well as schools, civic groups,
and public information agencies, to observe Fire Prevention
Week, to provide useful fire safety information to the
public, and to enlist the active participation of all
citizens in year-round fire prevention programs.
I also urge all Federal agencies, in cooperation with the
Federal Fire Council, to set an example for the Nation by
conducting effective year-round fire prevention programs,
including employee fire safety training programs and drills.
Let us all work together in reducing the unnecessary
waste of human life and property from fire.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this
second day of October,
in the year of our Lord nineteen
hundred seventy-four, and of the Independence of the
United States of America the one hundred ninety-ninth.
GERALD R. FORD
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