WHEREAS, the Department of Fire and Emergency Medical Services is committed to ensuring the safety and security of all those living in and visiting our island; and
WHEREAS, fire is a serious public safety concern both locally and nationally, and homes are the locations where people are at the greatest risk from fire; and
WHEREAS, a total of 51 fires ranging from structure, vehicle, and wildland were counted in 2021; and
WHEREAS, smoke alarms sense smoke well before you can, alerting you to danger in the event of a fire in which you may have as little as two minutes to escape safely; and
WHEREAS, working smoke alarms cut the risk of dying in reported home fires in half; and
WHEREAS, CNMI residents will make sure their smoke and carbon monoxide (CO) alarms meet the needs of all their family members, including those with sensory or physical disabilities; and
WHEREAS, the Department of Fire and Emergency Medical Services is dedicated to reducing the occurrence of home fire and home fire injuries through prevention and protection education; and
WHEREAS, the 2022 Fire Prevention Week™ theme, “Fire won’t wait. Plan your escape.™,” effectively serves to remind the people of the CNMI that it is important to have a home fire escape plan.
NOW, THEREFORE, I, RALPH DLG. TORRES, Governor of the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, by virtue of the authority vested in me by the Constitution and Laws of the Commonwealth, do hereby proclaim October 9-15, 2022 as
NATIONAL FIRE PREVENTION WEEK
I call upon the people of the CNMI to recognize the efforts of our local Fire and Emergency Medical Services, and their hard work in ensuring the safety of our Commonwealth. With this year’s National Fire Prevention Week theme, “Fire won’t wait. Plan your escape,” I encourage the entire community to observe this week with the appropriate programs, ceremonies, and activities, as well as take the proper preparations to ensure their safety in the event of a fire.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand on this 3rd day of October 2022.
/s/
RALPH DLG. TORRES
Governor
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