Contact: Jeannine Guttman
(202) 224-4751
Washington, DC
October 19, 2007

SENATOR COLLINS INTRODUCES SENATE RESOLUTION RECOGNIZING NATIONAL FIRE PREVENTION WEEK

Week of October 7-13, 2007

U.S. Senator Susan Collins, co-chair of the Congressional Fire Services Caucus, today announced that she has introduced a Senate resolution recognizing the success of “National Fire Prevention Week” October 7-13 and the efforts of the National Fire Prevention Association. Senator Collins’ legislation was cosponsored by Senator Chris Dodd, Senator Joe Biden, and Senator John McCain.

“Educating Americans about fire prevention continues to be a priority for our firefighters,” noted Senator Collins. “I am pleased to continue to support our firefighters heroic attempts to prevent the loss of life and property from fire.”

The National Fire Prevention Association strongly supported Senator Collins’ resolution as part of their Fire Prevention Week. This year’s theme is to ensure that families create and practice a home escape plan in the event of a fire.

At present over 1.1 million men and women comprise the fire service in the United States, answering over 22.5 million emergency calls each year. They respond not only to fires, but to hazardous material spills, natural disasters, transportation accidents, and acts of terrorism. The nation’s fire departments respond to emergency calls nearly once every second and respond to fire emergencies every 20 seconds.

On October 4, 2007, Senator Collins was honored by the Congressional Fire Services Institute for her work on behalf of America’s fire service and her leadership on emergency preparedness and response issues, including her work to pass Senate legislation that honors America’s fallen firefighters. In June, the Senate passed the Fallen Firefighter Resolution that mandates that all United States flags at all Federal facilities be lowered to half-staff on the day of the National Fallen Firefighters Memorial Service in Emmitsburg, Maryland.

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