REPORT TO SHASTA COUNTY BOARD OF SUPERVISORS

BOARD MEETING DATE:  October  10, 2017
CATEGORY:  BOARD MATTERS-2.

SUBJECT:

Adopt a proclamation which designates October 8-14, 2017 as "Fire Prevention Week" in Shasta County.

Supervisorial District No. :  All

DEPARTMENT CONTACT:  Cheryl Buliavac, Fire Prevention Specialist, (530) 225-2424

STAFF REPORT APPROVED BY:  Mike Hebrard, Fire Warden

RECOMMENDATION

Adopt a proclamation which designates October 8-14, 2017 as "Fire Prevention Week" in Shasta County.

SUMMARY

This year the National Fire Prevention Week theme is “Every Second Counts: Plan 2 Ways Out!” This campaign focuses on preventing the leading causes of home fires - cooking, heating and electrical equipment, as well as candles and smoking materials. Additionally, the campaign urges people to protect their homes and families with life-saving technology and planning. Educating the residents of Shasta County about how to be aware of the fire hazards in and around where they live, as well as the benefits of working smoke alarms, will help to mitigate and prevent residential fires, protecting residents and their families.

DISCUSSION

In 2015, 2,560 people died in home fires nationally. Nearly all of these deaths could have been prevented by taking a few simple precautions like having working smoke alarms and a home fire escape plan, keeping things that can burn away from the stove, and always turning off space heaters before going to bed. Between 2013 and 2016 there was one residential fire civilian fatality in the Shasta County Fire response area. Fire is a dangerous opponent, but by anticipating the hazards, residents of Shasta County are much less likely to be one of the nearly 12,000 people injured in home fires each year.

The focus of Fire Prevention Week for 2017 is on the importance of creating a home fire escape plan, and practicing the plan with all members of the family. Planning an escape path with two exits from every room and practicing the fire escape plan ensures that everyone in the household knows what to do in a real fire situation. In a fire, seconds can mean the difference between escaping safely from a fire or a tragic outcome.

While preventing home fires in Shasta County is always the number one priority of the Shasta County Fire Department, it is not always possible. In the last four years (2013-2016) there have been 190 residential structure fires resulting in over $12.2 million dollars damage to structures within the County Fire Department jurisdiction. The residents of Shasta County can provide the best protection to keep their homes and families safe in the event of a fire. This can be achieved by developing an escape plan which is practiced regularly and equipping homes with life-saving technologies like smoke alarms and home fire sprinklers.

Shasta County Fire Prevention Officers will be visiting 15 area schools between October 8th and October 14th, teaching nearly 3,000 students about the importance of fire prevention. Declaring October 8th through the 14th, 2017 as Fire Prevention Week will provide residents of Shasta County with education and increased awareness of their responsibility to assure that their homes and families are protected from fire, and how to respond in the event of a fire.

ALTERNATIVES

The Board may elect not to sign the proclamation declaring October 8-14, 2017 as “Fire Prevention Week.” The Board may direct the department to choose a different week as “Fire Prevention Week”.

OTHER AGENCY INVOLVEMENT

The County Administrative Office has reviewed this proclamation.

FINANCING

There is no additional General Fund impact associated with this recommendation. The Shasta County Fire Department activities associated with “Fire Prevention Week” have been included in the Department’s fiscal year 2017/2018 Approved Budget.