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3 <br /> 1 Fire impacts a community financially, including lost tax revenue, reduced tourism and business <br /> 2 investment, downgraded bonds, and reduced real estate values. This week, all people in <br /> 3 Orange County should educate themselves about fire prevention and safety and recommit to <br /> 4 taking the necessary steps to prevent fires. The year's theme, "Fire will not wait. Plan your <br /> 5 escape TM " effectively serves to remind Orange County residents of the importance of having a <br /> 6 home fire escape plan. <br /> 7 <br /> 8 Commissioner McKee read the following proclamation: <br /> 9 <br /> 10 ORANGE COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS <br /> 11 PROCLAMATION <br /> 12 FIRE PREVENTION WEEK <br /> 13 OCTOBER 9-15, 2022 <br /> 14 <br /> 15 WHEREAS, Orange County is committed to ensuring the safety and security of all those living in <br /> 16 and visiting our county; and <br /> 17 <br /> 18 WHEREAS, fire is a serious public safety concern both locally and nationally, and homes are <br /> 19 the locations where people are at greatest risk from fire, understanding that: <br /> 20 <br /> 21 • Home fires caused 2,580 civilian deaths in the United States in 2020, according to the <br /> 22 National Fire Protection Association° (NFPA°), and fire departments in the United <br /> 23 States responded to 356,500 home fires. <br /> 24 • Home fires caused 4 civilian deaths in Orange County in 2021 and fire departments <br /> 25 responded to 1,296 home fires. <br /> 26 • Smoke alarms sense smoke well before you can, alerting you to danger in the event of <br /> 27 fire in which you may have as little as two minutes to escape safely. <br /> 28 • Working smoke alarms cut the risk of dying in reported home fires in half. <br /> 29 • Orange County residents should be sure everyone in the home understands the sounds <br /> 30 of the smoke alarms and knows how to respond. <br /> 31 • Orange County residents who have planned and practiced a home fire escape plan are <br /> 32 more prepared and will therefore be more likely to survive a fire. <br /> 33 • Orange County residents need to make sure their smoke and carbon monoxide (CO) <br /> 34 alarms meet the needs of all their family members, including those with sensory or <br /> 35 physical disabilities. <br /> 36 • Orange County first responders are dedicated to reducing the occurrence of home fires <br /> 37 and home fire injuries through prevention and protection education. <br /> 38 • Orange County residents that are responsive to public education measures are better <br /> 39 able to take personal steps to increase their safety from fire, especially in their homes; <br /> 40 and <br /> 41 <br /> 42 WHEREAS, the 2022 Fire Prevention Week theme, "Fire won't wait. Plan your escape," <br /> 43 effectively serves to remind us it is important to have a home fire escape plan; <br /> 44 <br /> 45 NOW THEREFORE, we, the Orange County Board of Commissioners, do hereby proclaim <br />