Los Alamos County Councilor Morris Pongratz, left, presents a proclamation to LAFD Wildland Fire Chief Kelly Sterna Tuesday night during the County Council meeting recognizing Oct. 7-13 as Fire Prevention Week. Photo by Kirsten Laskey/ladailypost.com
COUNTY News:
Los Alamos County Council presented a proclamation recognizing Oct. 7-13 as Fire Prevention Week Tuesday night during the Los Alamos County Council meeting.
Councilor Morris Pongratz presented the proclamation.
Proclamation:
WHEREAS: Los Alamos County is committed to ensuring the safety and security of all who live, work or visit our community, and fire is a serious public safety concern; and
WHEREAS: Individuals are at greatest risk from fires inside their home, with the majority of fire deaths in the U.S. – four out of every five – occurring in homes each year; home fires killed 2,735 people in the U.S. in 2016, according to the National Fire Protection Association, and fire departments in the U.S. responded to 352,000 home fires; and
WHEREAS: The fire death rate per 1,000 home fires reported to U.S. fire departments was 10 percent higher in 2016 than in 1980; and
WHEREAS: Los Alamos County residents can stay safe from the threat of a home fire by examining places where fires can start and working to eliminate those hazards; and
WHEREAS: Smoke alarms are valuable for early alerts about fires, and should be installed in every sleeping room, outside each separate sleeping area, and on every level of a home; working smoke alarms cut the risk of dying in home fires in half; and
WHEREAS: First responders are dedicated to reducing the occurrence of home fires and related injuries through prevention and education; it has been shown that occupants who plan and practice a fire escape plan are more likely to survive a home fire; and
WHEREAS: This year’s Fire Prevention Week theme, “Look. Listen. Learn. Be aware – fire can happen anywhere!” effectively serves to remind our residents to take personal responsibility for increasing their safety from home fires;
NOW, THEREFORE, on behalf of the Council of the Incorporated County of Los Alamos, I do hereby proclaim the Week of October 7-13, 2018 as “FIRE PREVENTION WEEK” in Los Alamos County. I encourage our citizens to be aware of their surroundings, look for available ways out in the event of a fire or other emergency, respond to a smoke alarm by exiting the structure immediately, and to participate in events and activities about home fire prevention and escape plans being sponsored by the Los Alamos Fire Department.
