Orange County NC Website
ORANGE COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS 3 <br /> PROCLAMATION <br /> FIRE PREVENTION WEEK <br /> OCTOBER 6-12, 2024 <br /> WHEREAS, Orange County is committed to ensuring the safety and security of all those living in <br /> and visiting our County; and <br /> WHEREAS, fire is a serious public safety concern both locally and nationally, and homes are the <br /> locations where people are at greatest risk from fire, understanding that: <br /> • Home fires killed more than 2,700 people in the United States in 2022, according to the <br /> National Fire Protection Association@(NFPAO), and fire departments in the United States <br /> responded to 360,000 home fires. <br /> • Smoke alarms sense smoke well before you can, alerting you to danger in the event of <br /> fire in which you may have as little as two minutes to escape safely. <br /> • Working smoke alarms cut the risk of dying in reported home fires in half. <br /> • Orange County residents should be sure everyone in the home understands the sounds <br /> of the smoke alarms and knows how to respond. <br /> • Orange County residents who have planned and practiced a home fire escape plan are <br /> more prepared and will therefore be more likely to survive a fire. <br /> • Orange County residents need to make sure their smoke and carbon monoxide (CO) <br /> alarms meet the needs of all their family members, including those with sensory or <br /> physical disabilities. <br /> • Orange County first responders are dedicated to reducing the occurrence of home fires <br /> and home fire injuries through prevention and protection education. <br /> • Orange County residents that are responsive to public education measures are better <br /> able to take personal steps to increase their safety from fire, especially in their homes; <br /> and <br /> WHEREAS, the 2024 Fire Prevention Week theme, "Smoke alarms: Make them work for you.," <br /> serves to remind us of the importance of having working smoke alarms in the home; <br /> NOW THEREFORE, we, the Orange County Board of Commissioners, do hereby proclaim <br /> October 6-12, 2024, as Fire Prevention Week throughout this community, and urge all the people <br /> of Orange County to prepare and practice a home fire escape plan for Fire Prevention Week 2024 <br /> and to support the many public safety activities and efforts of Orange County's fire and emergency <br /> services. <br /> This the 1st day of October, 2024. <br /> Jamezetta Bedford, Chair <br /> Orange County Board of Commissioners <br /> Laura Jensen, Clerk to the Board <br />