MAY PROCLAMATIONS:

State Fire Marshal John Falgione urges fire departments to take note of the following proclamations. These proclamations will be signed by the Governor and should be of interest to Nebraska Fire Service:

Arson Awareness Week (May 4-10, 2008)
This is an event that provides a different national focus each year.  This years focus deals with “Toylike Lighters: Playing with Fire”. 
Information, Media Packets, and printable posters can all be found on the web at:  http://www.usfa.dhs.gov/fireservice/subjects/arson/arson_awareness.shtm 
 

PROCLAMATION

WHEREAS, Novelty lighters have features that are attractive to children,
including visual effects, flashing lights, musical sounds and toy-like designs; and

WHEREAS, The federal Consumer Product Safety Commission has recalled
thousands of novelty lighters since 1996 due to their danger to public safety; and

WHEREAS, Fire setting by juveniles has been identified as the fastest
growing fire threat in the United States, with more than 300 people killed annually,
30% of whom are children, and almost $1 billion in property destroyed; and

WHEREAS, In Nebraska, fire setting by juveniles has resulted in several
deaths and millions of dollars in property damage and destruction; and

WHEREAS, It is important to the preservation of the public peace, health and
safety; and

WHEREAS, Nebraska is joining with States across the Nation in the 2008
Arson Awareness Week Campaign, “Toylike Lighters – Playing with Fire”.

NOW, THEREFORE, I, Dave Heineman, Governor of the State of Nebraska,
DO HEREBY PROCLAIM the week of May 4-10, 2008, as

2008 ARSON AWARENESS WEEK
in Nebraska, and I do hereby urge all citizens to recognize the dangers associated
with children and lighters.
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State Fire Day (May 9, 2008)
36 years before national efforts were announced through the “President’s Conference on Fire Prevention”, Nebraska was proactive in establishing legislation to make our citizens aware of fire issues through the education of our children. People have changed, and times have changed, but addressing State Fire Day is still as pertinent today as it was when first enacted. Consider visiting with your local school to find out how you can help them enhance this learning experience.

PROCLAMATION

WHEREAS, Nebraska recognizes that fire kills more Americans than all other
natural emergencies combined; and

WHEREAS, Most structural fires in Nebraska occur in the home; and

WHEREAS, Last year Nebraska had reports of 15 deaths and 110 injuries
associated with fire; and

WHEREAS, Fire prevention and fire safety should be a constant concern of
every Nebraskan; and

WHEREAS, All public, private, and parochial schools are directed by State
Statute 79-705 to provide exercises that create public sentiment by calling attention
to the great damage caused both to life and property this May 9th; and

WHEREAS, It is of special concern that all educational facilities recognize
these dangers and the need for fire prevention and safety training and communicate
this importance to all students.

NOW, THEREFORE, I, Dave Heineman, Governor of the State of Nebraska,
DO HEREBY PROCLAIM May 9, 2008, as

STATE FIRE DAY 2008
in Nebraska, and I do hereby urge all schools to recognize this day with exercises
appropriate to the subject and day.


Section 79-705 State Fire Day; Fire Recognition Day; designation; how observed.
For the purpose of creating public sentiment and calling public attention to the great damage caused both to life and property by fire, the Friday before Fire Recognition Day shall be designated and known as State Fire Day. State Fire Day shall be observed by the public, private, and parochial schools of the state with exercises appropriate to the subject and the day. The second Saturday in May is designated and shall be known as Fire Recognition Day.
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Fire Recognition Day (May 10, 2008)
This item is supported by state statute, and provides an opportunity for Fire Department awareness campaigns within the local community. Consider a news article, an open house, or some other type of acknowledgement of the services provided by your fire department.

PROCLAMATION

WHEREAS, Firefighters, are dedicated to the protection of life and property
and to the safety of our citizens; and

WHEREAS, Without their constant prevention and suppression efforts, the
damages to property and the loss of human life would be much greater; and

WHEREAS, Fire prevention and fire safety should be practiced by every
Nebraskan every day; and

WHEREAS, It is especially important that Nebraskans not only recognize
these dangers, but also recognize the dedication and bravery of the men and women
who unselfishly provide us all with fire protection services;

NOW, THEREFORE, I, Dave Heineman, Governor of the State of Nebraska,
DO HEREBY PROCLAIM May 10, 2008, as

FIRE RECOGNITION DAY 2008
in Nebraska, and I do hereby urge all citizens to take time to recognize Nebraska’s firefighters of the services they provide.

Section 35-1101 Fire Recognition Day; designation.
The second Saturday in May is designated and shall be known as Fire Recognition Day, and exercises appropriate For the subject and day may be exercised by any fire department.
 

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