ARSON & EXPLOSIVES BUREAU

NATIONAL ARSON AWARENESS WEEK
MAY 2-8, 2010
COMMUNITY ARSON PREVENTION

The United States Fire Administration (USFA) announces this year’s Arson Awareness Week theme – Community Arson Prevention. The USFA will partner with the International Association of Arson Investigators, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), USAonWatch, National Association of State Fire Marshals, National Volunteer Fire Council, and the Insurance Committee for Arson Control.

The goal for this year’s Arson Awareness Week, which takes place May 2 – 8, 2010, is to focus attention on the horrific crime of arson and provide communities with tools and strategies to combat arson in their neighborhoods, businesses, schools, and places of worship.

According to the USFA's National Fire Incident Reporting System (NFIRS) data and the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), an estimated average of 316,600 intentional fires are reported to fire departments in the United States each year causing injuries to 7,825 firefighters and civilians. In 2006, ten firefighters died as a result of arson. In addition to needless injury and death, an estimated $1.1 billion in direct property loss occurs annually.

Arson robs communities of its valuable assets – lives and property. Arson destroys more than buildings: it can devastate a community resulting in the decline of the neighborhood through increased insurance premiums, loss of business revenue, and a decrease in property values.

Communities can develop a Watch Program, partnering with their local fire department, law enforcement, insurance providers, business leaders, churches, and local community groups. Neighborhoods can reduce the likelihood of arson occurring by promoting neighborhood watches and educate people about recognizing and reporting unusual activities along with implementing improved internal and external security for homes and businesses.

2010 Arson Awareness Week Press Release

2010 Arson Awareness Week Proclamation

The major goals of Arson Awareness Week are:

• To create a national recognition, awareness and understanding of the arson problem in the United States.
• To encourage communities to get involved in the dissemination of arson awareness information by creating a simple, identifiable and unifying message for arson prevention.
• Organize local events that raise a community's awareness of arson issues.
• Engage national, regional and local media outlets in delivering the message.

"Arson is NOT a Victimless Crime."

• Report suspicious activity near homes, businesses and other buildings. Support Neighborhood Watch Programs in your communities.
• Keep leaves and flammable debris away from buildings. Don't make it easy for an arsonist to start a fire or facilitate a fires spread to adjacent buildings.
• Keep matches, lighters and other flammables out of reach of small children.
• Contact your local fire or police department if you know or suspect an arson crime.

REMEMBER, FIRE STOPS WITH YOU!

The Iowa State Fire Marshal and the Iowa Chapter of the International Association of Arson Investigators say if you know or suspect that an arson crime has been committed, contact your local fire or police department, or call the Arson Hotline at 1-800-532-1459.

For additional information call:

Ray Reynolds, State Fire Marshal at (515) 725-6145