Arson Awareness Week 5-11 MAY 2002 - Arson is NOT a Victimless Crime
Release Date: May 2, 2002
Release Number: R10-02-43
Seattle, WA-- - Next week is National Arson Awareness Week. This year's theme, spearheaded by the U.S. Fire Administration and the International Association of Arson Investigators (IAAI) is "Arson is NOT a victimless crime." According to FEMA Regional Director John Pennington, arson kills an estimated 500 people each year and destroys $2 billion in property.
"Arson is one of the costliest crimes - we pay for it in costs that can't be measured in dollars -in lives lost, thousands of physically and emotionally scarred survivors, and in gutted buildings that were once thriving businesses. We pay for it in insurance claims for emergency medical, law enforcement and fire service personnel injured in the line of duty," said Pennington. "Firefighters across the country do the very best they can, but they can't do it alone. Fighting arson effectively takes the entire community."
Steps that can reduce incidents of arson include:
- Contact your local fire or police department if you know or suspect
an arson crime.
- Report suspicious activity near houses or other buildings. Support
Neighborhood Watch programs.
- Keep leaves and flammable debris away from buildings. Don't make it
easy for an arsonist to start a fire or facilitate a fire's spread to
adjacent buildings.
- Keep matches and lighters out of reach of small children.
Arson Awareness Week information is available from the U.S. Fire Administration (www.usfa.fema.gov) and the International Association of Arson Investigators, Inc. (www.firearson.com). For more information contact the IAAI (314) 739-4224 or the USFA at 1-888-603-3100.
Last Modified: Wednesday, 27-Aug-2003 16:34:11