Presidential Document2022-22405
Fire Prevention Week, 2022
Primary source
Metadata and text below are from the Federal Register, a public-domain U.S. government work. Always verify the official published version before relying on it for any legal matter.
Published
October 13, 2022
Signed
October 7, 2022
Issuing agencies
Executive Office of the President
Full Text
<html>
<head>
<title>Federal Register, Volume 87 Issue 197 (Thursday, October 13, 2022)</title>
</head>
<body><pre>
[Federal Register Volume 87, Number 197 (Thursday, October 13, 2022)]
[Presidential Documents]
[Pages 61949-61950]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [<a href="http://www.gpo.gov">www.gpo.gov</a>]
[FR Doc No: 2022-22405]
Presidential Documents
Federal Register / Vol. 87 , No. 197 / Thursday, October 13, 2022 /
Presidential Documents
___________________________________________________________________
Title 3--
The President
[[Page 61949]]
Proclamation 10469 of October 7, 2022
Fire Prevention Week, 2022
By the President of the United States of America
A Proclamation
In 1920, President Woodrow Wilson proclaimed October
9th the first Fire Prevention Day, calling on the
public to learn more about the risks of deadly fires
and commemorating the thousands who had lost their
lives to these tragedies. More than a century later,
our Nation observes Fire Prevention Week by renewing
our commitment to fire safety and preparedness and
taking steps to prevent fires in our homes, schools,
workplaces, and the great outdoors. We also honor the
bravery and heroism of our firefighters, who gear up
time and again and rush into harm's way to protect our
communities.
In the past year, our Nation has suffered some of its
deadliest fires in recent history. Americans have lost
their homes and their businesses. Thousands have
tragically lost their lives. Wildfires are becoming
more frequent and ferocious, destroying neighborhoods
and natural resources and displacing families and
communities. Super-charged by the climate crisis--which
has exacerbated drought conditions and increased
temperatures--these devastating wildfires have wiped
out millions of acres of forest and so many homes.
Whenever the First Lady and I visit with families in
the aftermath of a fire, we witness their incredible
courage and resolve--even though, in many cases, they
have just lost everything. We see people step up for
one another, neighbors take each other in, and local
businesses donate essential goods to those in need.
With each visit, we are also reminded of the character
of our Nation's firefighters, who put their lives on
the line with remarkable selflessness and extraordinary
bravery that inspire everyone.
For our firefighters and our communities, we have a
responsibility to act now and act fast to mitigate the
risk of wildfires. My Administration is investing
billions from our Bipartisan Infrastructure Law in
forest management, including the management of
hazardous fuels in high-risk areas and funding the
Community Wildfire Defense Grants, which are intended
to help at-risk local communities and Tribes plan and
reduce the risk against wildfire, and we are
safeguarding mature and old-growth forests on Federal
lands, a key component of decreasing fire risk. Through
our Inflation Reduction Act, we are taking
unprecedented steps to protect forest health, prevent
fires, and confront the climate crisis--ushering in a
new era of clean energy and reducing greenhouse gas
emissions by a billion metric tons.
We are standing by our brave firefighters by
substantially increasing wages for Federal wildland
firefighters, and have implemented new programs to
support their mental and physical health, and
established a wildland firefighter job series that will
help improve recruitment, retention, and opportunities
for professional growth. We invested $350 billion from
our American Rescue Plan to help States and cities keep
first responders like firefighters on the job during
the COVID-19 pandemic. To help States pay for the cost
of fighting wildfires and help communities increase
resilience, the Federal Emergency Management Agency
(FEMA) has also approved dozens of Fire Management
Assistance Grants and is providing over one billion
[[Page 61950]]
dollars through its Building Resilient Infrastructure
and Communities (BRIC) program.
To build on these actions, my Administration is
educating the public on fire safety. This week's
theme--``Fire won't wait. Plan your escape''--
emphasizes how we must all prepare fire escape plans,
test smoke and carbon monoxide alarms every month and
replace them every 10 years, implement appropriate
building codes, and when possible, install residential
fire sprinklers. For those who live in areas
susceptible to wildfire, regularly clearing brush and
other vegetation around your homes is another important
way to stay safe.
With every home, school, and business destroyed in a
fire, precious memories are lost, livelihoods are
jeopardized, and dreams are crushed. This National Fire
Prevention Week, let us reflect on the importance of
remaining vigilant and learning more about fire safety.
Let us acknowledge the remarkable service of our
Nation's firefighters and honor the memory of those who
have lost their lives protecting others. And let us all
work to make these heroes' jobs more manageable, keep
our neighbors safer, and reduce the risk of fires
across our country.
NOW, THEREFORE, I, JOSEPH R. BIDEN JR., President of
the United States of America, by virtue of the
authority vested in me by the Constitution and the laws
of the United States, do hereby proclaim October 9
through October 15, 2022, as Fire Prevention Week. On
Sunday, October 9, 2022, in accordance with Public Law
107-51, the flag of the United States will be flown at
half-staff at all Federal office buildings in honor of
the National Fallen Firefighters Memorial Service. I
call on all Americans to participate in this observance
with appropriate programs and activities and by
renewing their efforts to prevent fires and their
tragic consequences.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this
seventh day of October, in the year of our Lord two
thousand twenty-two, and of the Independence of the
United States of America the two hundred and forty-
seventh.
<GRAPHIC(S) NOT AVAILABLE IN TIFF FORMAT>
(Presidential Sig.)
[FR Doc. 2022-22405
Filed 10-12-22; 8:45 am]
Billing code 3395-F3-P
</pre></body>
</html>Indexed from Federal Register on October 13, 2022.
This is legal information, not legal advice. Laws vary by jurisdiction and change frequently. Always verify current law with official sources and consult a licensed attorney in your jurisdiction for advice on your specific situation.