WHEREAS, the Park Forest Fire Department is committed to ensuring the safety and security of all those living in and visiting our village; and
WHEREAS, fire is a serious public safety concern both locally and nationally, and homes are the locations where people are at greatest risk from fire; and
WHEREAS, according to the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), home fires killed more than 2,700 people in the United States in 2022 and fire departments in the United States responded to 360,00 home fires; and
WHEREAS, roughly 3 out of 5 fire deaths happen in homes with either no smoke alarms or with no working smoke alarms and working smoke alarms cut the risk of dying in home fires almost in half; and
WHEREAS, smoke alarms sense smoke well before you can, alerting you to danger in the event of fire in which you may have as little as 2 minutes to escape safely; and
WHEREAS, Park Forest residents should install smoke alarms in every sleeping room, outside each separate sleeping area, and on every level of the home and ensure their smoke alarms meet the needs of all their family members, including those with sensory or physical disabilities; and
WHEREAS, Park Forest residents should test smoke alarms at least once a month. Residents who have planned and practiced a home fire escape plan are more prepared and will therefore be more likely to survive a fire; and
WHEREAS, Park Forest first responders are dedicated to reducing the occurrence of home fires and home fire injuries through prevention and protection education; and
WHEREAS, the 2024 Fire Prevention Week theme “Smoke alarms: Make them work for you” serves to remind us of the importance of having working smoke alarms in the home.
NOW, THEREFORE, I, Joseph A. Woods, Mayor of the Village of Park Forest, Cook and Will Counties, Illinois, do hereby proclaim on behalf of the Village Board of Trustees that the week October 6-12, 2024, be designated as Fire Prevention Week throughout this Village. I urge all Park Forest residents to make sure their homes have working smoke alarms, and to support the many public safety activities and efforts of the Park Forest Fire Department during Fire Prevention Week 2024.