Wrightsville Fire Department Fire Prevention Week 2019 Proclamation

WHEREAS, the Wrightsville Fire Department is committed to ensuring the safety and security of all those living in and visiting Wrightsville & Hellam Township; and

WHEREAS, fire is a serious public safety concern both locally and nationally, and homes are the locations where people are at greatest risk from fire; and

WHEREAS, home fires killed 2,630 people in the United States in 2017, according to the National Fire Protection Association® (NFPA®), and fire departments in the United States responded to 357,000 home fires; and

WHEREAS, the majority of US fire deaths (4 out of 5) occur at home each year; and

WHEREAS, the fire death rate per 1000 home fires reported to US fire departments was 4 percent higher in 2017 than in 1980; and

WHEREAS, when the smoke alarm sounds Wrightsville & Hellam Township’s residents may have less than two minutes to escape to safety; and

WHEREAS, Wrightsville & Hellam Township’s residents who have planned and practiced a home fire escape plan are more prepared and will therefore be more likely to survive a fire; and

WHEREAS, Wrightsville & Hellam Township’s residents should make a home escape plan, drawing a map of each level of the home, showing all doors and windows; and

WHEREAS, Wrightsville & Hellam Township’s residents should practice the home fire escape plan with everyone in the household, including visitors; and

WHEREAS, Wrightsville & Hellam Township’s residents should practice the home fire escape drill at least twice a year, during the day and at night; and

WHEREAS, Wrightsville & Hellam Township’s residents should teach children to escape on their own in case adults can’t help them; and

WHEREAS, Wrightsville & Hellam Township’s residents should make sure everyone in the home knows how to call 9-1-1 or the local emergency number from a cell phone or a neighbor’s phone; and

WHEREAS, Wrightsville & Hellam Township’s residents should practice using different ways out; and

WHEREAS, Wrightsville & Hellam Township’s residents in a real emergency should get low and go under the smoke to get out quickly; and

WHEREAS, Wrightsville & Hellam Township’s residents should get out and stay out, never going back inside the home for people, pets, or things; and

WHEREAS, Wrightsville & Hellam Township’s residents are responsive to public education measures and are able to take action to increase their safety from fire, especially in their homes; and

WHEREAS, the 2019 Fire Prevention WeekTM theme, “Not Every Hero Wears a Cape. Plan and Practice Your Escape!™” effectively serves to remind us that we need to take personal steps to increase our safety from fire.

THEREFORE, I Chad Livelsberger, Fire Chief of the Wrightsville Fire Department, do hereby proclaim October 6-12, 2019, as Fire Prevention Week throughout this town, and I urge all the people of Wrightsville & Hellam Township to be aware of their surroundings, look for available ways out in the event of a fire or other emergency, respond when the smoke alarm sounds by exiting the building immediately, and to support the many public safety activities and efforts of Wrightsville & Hellam Township’s fire and emergency services during Fire Prevention Week 2019.