Senators Susan Collins (R-ME) and Chris Dodd (D-CT) today announced that October 5-11 will be recognized as “Fire Prevention Week.” This designation was made possible by last night’s Senate approval of a resolution introduced by Dodd and Collins.
“The designation of Fire Prevention Week helps support the efforts of firefighters throughout the nation to educate families on fire prevention and safety,” said Senator Collins. “I am pleased to continue to support our firefighters’ heroic attempts to prevent the loss of life and property from fire.”
“The best way to prevent fires is through awareness and education,” said Dodd. “Simple things like checking the batteries in a home’s smoke detectors can cut the risk of death in a house fire in half. The brave work of our nation’s fire fighters to save lives through fire prevention deserves our strongest support.”
Senators Collins and Dodd, two of the co-Chairs of the Congressional Fire Services Caucus, have been longtime advocates for fire safety. In 2000, Sen. Dodd authored and Sen. Collins cosponsored the FIRE Act, a law that gives local fire departments the ability to purchase new equipment and initiate education and training programs. In 2003, Dodd also authored the SAFER Act, a law that gives local fire departments the ability to reduce critical shortfalls in professional and volunteer personnel. Senator Collins currently serves as ranking member of the Committee on Homeland Security, which has jurisdiction over both the FIRE and SAFER programs.
The resolution was supported a number of firefighter organizations, including: the National Fire Protection Association, the Congressional Fire Services Institute, the International Association of Fire Chiefs, the International Association of Fire Fighters, and the National Volunteer Fire Council.