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1 <br /> ORANGE COUNTY <br /> BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS <br /> ACTION AGENDA ITEM ABSTRACT <br /> Meeting Date: October 3, 2023 <br /> Action Agenda <br /> Item No. 8-e <br /> SUBJECT: Proclamation for Fire Prevention Week — October 8-14, 2023 <br /> DEPARTMENT: Emergency Services Fire & Life <br /> Safety Division <br /> ATTACHMENT(S): INFORMATION CONTACT: <br /> Proclamation Elizabeth Farnan, 919-245-6153 <br /> PURPOSE: To approve a proclamation designating October 8-14, 2023 as Fire Prevention Week <br /> in Orange County to honor the brave firefighters and first responders who risk their lives to protect <br /> the public every day, and to reaffirm the importance of fire safety and preparedness. <br /> BACKGROUND: Fire Prevention Week was established by the National Fire Protection <br /> Association (NFPA) in 1922 to commemorate the Great Chicago Fire of 1871. Fire Prevention <br /> Week is celebrated throughout North America every October and is the oldest public health <br /> observance on record in the United States. <br /> Entering its 101 st year, Fire Prevention Week seeks to educate people about the leading risks to <br /> home fires and ways they can better protect themselves and their loved ones. Local fire <br /> departments, schools, and community organizations play a key role in bringing Fire Prevention <br /> Week to life in their communities each year by spreading basic but critical fire safety messages. <br /> Orange County Emergency Services encourages all people in Orange County to educate <br /> themselves about fire prevention and safety and recommit to taking the necessary steps to <br /> prevent fires. This year's theme, "Cooking safety starts with YOU! Pay attention to fire <br /> prevention."TM serves to remind Orange County residents of the importance of simple but <br /> important steps they can take to help reduce the risk of fire when cooking at home, keeping <br /> themselves and those around them safe. According to NFPA, cooking is the leading cause of <br /> home fires, with nearly half (49 percent) of all home fires involving cooking equipment. Cooking <br /> is also the leading cause of home fire injuries. Unattended cooking is the leading cause of home <br /> cooking fires and related deaths. Since January of this year, cooking fires have resulted in one <br /> (1) fire fatality, four (4) burn injuries, and two (2) house fires in Orange County. <br /> Fire impacts communities financially, including lost tax revenue, reduced tourism and business <br /> investment, downgraded bonds, and reduced real estate values. <br />