Proclamation

Whereas, every 23 seconds, a fire department in the United States responds to a fire somewhere in the nation.

Whereas, fires nationally were responsible for 3,800 civilian deaths and 75% of these fatalities in 2021 occurred in the home. 

Whereas, fires nationally were responsible for 14,700 civilian injuries and 76% of these injuries in 2021 were also related to fires in the home.

Whereas, an estimated $15.9 billion in property damage nationally occurred as a result of fire in 2021.

Whereas, wildland/urban interface (WUI) related fires remain a concern nationwide with multibillion-dollar losses as a result in 2021.

Whereas, the fire service responds to a growing number of medical calls for service, surpassing 80% of total call volume in some jurisdictions.

Whereas, Community Risk Reduction is a data-informed process to identify and prioritize local risks, followed by integrated and strategic investment of resources to reduce their occurrence and impact.

Whereas, the value of community support from local, state, and national partners to address community risks is recognized to meet the demands on paid, combination, and volunteer members of the fire service.

Whereas, the goal of Community Risk Reduction is to reduce the occurrence and impact of emergency events for both community members and emergency responders through deliberate action in the areas of the five E’s of Education, Engineering, Enforcement, Emergency response, and Economic incentive.

Whereas, most fire-related and many medical calls for service are preventable, with the five E’s performed as part of an integrated Community Risk Reduction program.

Whereas Monday, January 16, 2023 is Martin Luther King Day and is nationally recognized as a National Day of Service and an opportunity for communities to reduce the risk in their community through a series of educational and other programs.

THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED

That the week of January 16, 2023 – January 22, 2023 be designated as CRR Week, a grassroots initiative of fire service professionals across the nation to raise awareness of the importance of CRR in the fire service community and an opportunity to make communities safer.