[Title 3 CFR 7032]
[Code of Federal Regulations (annual edition) - January 1, 1998 Edition]
[Title 3 - Presidential Documents]
[Proclamation 7032 - Proclamation 7032 of October 3, 1997]
[From the U.S. Government Printing Office]


3Presidential Documents11998-01-011998-01-01false7032Proclamation 7032Presidential Documents
Proclamation 7032 of October 3, 1997

Fire Prevention Week, 1997

By the President of the United States of America
A Proclamation

Of all the disasters that confront Americans every year, few cause more 
loss of life and property than fire. Across the country each day, fire 
threatens our communities, our livelihoods, and our lives. Last year 
alone, almost 5,000 men, women, and children perished in fires, and 
nearly 80 percent of these deaths occurred in homes. This tragic 
statistic is a call to action for all of us, not only to remain vigilant 
in our efforts to prevent fires, but also to learn how to react quickly 
and sensibly when fires occur.
Many people do not understand the speed at which fire can spread, the 
intensity of its heat, or the toxic power of its smoke. Because a quick, 
decisive response often means the difference between life and death, it 
is important to learn about fire, to recognize how deadly a threat it 
is, and to react to it immediately. The National Fire Protection 
Association, in partnership with the Federal Emergency Management Agency 
and our Nation's fire services, has selected ``Know When to Go! React 
Fast To Fire!'' as the theme of this year's Fire Prevention Week. This 
theme reinforces a simple but essential element of fire safety: escape 
planning.
Because approximately 80 percent of last year's fatal fires occurred in 
the home, every family should develop a home escape plan. If a smoke or 
fire alarm sounds, everyone must react quickly. When away from home, we 
need to make it a habit to locate the nearest exit in any building we 
occupy. Most important, we must never reenter a burning building.
By following these basic safety rules, we can save lives and reduce the 
risks to our Nation's firefighters. Every 16 seconds, a fire department 
responds to a fire somewhere in the United States. Last year, thousands 
of firefighters were injured, and 92 made the ultimate sacrifice in the 
line of duty. Our Nation will acknowledge the extraordinary dedication 
of these valiant men and women by paying tribute to America's career and 
volunteer firefighters on Sunday, October 5, 1997, at the National 
Fallen Firefighters Memorial Service in Emmitsburg, Maryland.
NOW, THEREFORE, I, WILLIAM J. CLINTON, President of the United States of 
America, by virtue of the authority vested in me by the Constitu-

[[Page 153]]
tion and 
laws of the United States, do hereby proclaim October 5 through October 
11, 1997, as Fire Prevention Week. I encourage the people of the United 
States to take an active role in fire prevention not only during this 
week, but throughout the year. I also call upon all Americans to honor 
the courageous members of our Nation's fire and emergency services by 
learning about the dangers posed by fire and by preparing their friends 
and family members to react immediately and safely to fires when they 
occur.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this third day of 
October, in the year of our Lord nineteen hundred and ninety-seven, and 
of the Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and 
twenty-second.
                                                    WILLIAM J. CLINTON