Proclaiming the Week of October 7th 2007 as "National Fire Prevention Week."

The City Council of Philadelphia designates the Week of October 7th 2007 as “National Fire Prevention Week” in Philadelphia and encourages that residents, children and parents, and teachers gain the necessary knowledge: "KNOWING WHAT TO DO" through attending or teaching programs that can and will save your life or the life of someone near and dear, because once a fire starts there's no time to develop a plan

.

WHEREAS,

The history of National Fire Prevention Week has it roots in the Great Chicago Fire, which occurred on October 8, 1871, and this tragic conflagration killed some 300 people, left 100,000 homeless and destroyed more than 17,000 structures

; and

WHEREAS,

During 2006, the Philadelphia Fire Department responded to

267,867

emergency incidents; of these incidents,

214,404

were emergency medical incidents, and

53,463

were for fire and other 911 emergency public safety service requests; and

WHEREAS,

There were fifty-two fire deaths in the City of Philadelphia and forty deaths occurred in twenty-seven properties that did not have smoke alarms, or had alarms with dead or missing batteries

; and

WHEREAS,

Careless smoking was the number one cause of fire deaths in Philadelphia last year resulting in seventeen fire deaths and electrical wiring was the cause of ten deaths: four, the result of permanent electrical wiring, and six, the result of non-permanent wiring… namely extension cords

; and

WHEREAS, Electrical appliances accounted for seven deaths, children with matches were the cause of five deaths, incendiary/arson fires were responsible for the loss of four lives, three deaths were the result of portable heaters, and open flames were the cause of two fire deaths; and

WHEREAS, Each year in the United States an estimated 2,800 children age 14 or younger are injured and 850 killed in residential fires, of these children, over 40 percent are under the age five, 70 percent are under the age of ten; and

WHEREAS, “Home fire escape planning and practice, gives individuals and families the best chance to survive a fire. Philadelphia Fire Department’s Home Fire Safety Check List, with ALL ITEMS CHECKED YES, provides the highest probability for the prevention of a fire in your home,” said Ayers “Citizens who do not have smoke alarms and cannot afford one can call the Smoke Alarm Hotline at 215-686-1176,” Ayers continued. The Home Fire Safety Check List and other Fire Prevention information are available on the City web site

www.phila.gov

or at local fire stations; now therefore

RESOLVED, BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PHILADELPHIA, That the Week of October 7th 2007 be designated as “National Fire Prevention Week” in Philadelphia and encourages that residents, children and parents, and teachers gain the necessary knowledge: "KNOWING WHAT TO DO" through attending or teaching programs that can and will save your life or the life of someone near and dear, because once a fire starts there's no time to develop a plan

.

FURTHER RESOLVED, That an Engrossed copy of this resolution be presented to Fire Commissioner Lloyd Ayers, as further evidencing the sincere admiration and gratitude of this legislative body.

End