Caribou mayor Kenneth Murchison recently proclaimed October 9 through 15, as Fire Prevention Week.
Aroostook Republican photo/Barb Scott
Caribou Fire Chief Roy Woods, left, and Firefighter Scott Jackson, coordinator of the local Learn Not to Burn program witness Caribou Mayor Kenneth Murchison as he signs the document proclaiming October 9-15 as Fire Prevention Week for the city of Caribou.
The Fire Prevention Proclamation signed by the mayor states:
“On a warm Sunday evening of October 9, 1871, a brief lapse of carefulness sparked a fire, which consumed 17,500 buildings and took the lives of 200 people. This event marks what is called the Chicago Conflagration and is observed each year as Fire Prevention Week.
“Despite unparalleled technological advances in many areas of our society, uncontrolled fires continue to bring a great deal of tragedy and widespread loss to our nation. In 2010 the state of Maine had a total of 1,354 residential fires in which there were four fatalities.
“The most shameful aspect of this terrible waste is that it is so unnecessary. Most fires are caused by carelessness, by lack of knowledge, or by hazardous conditions — all of which can be eliminated. But while we all give occasional lip service to the importance of fire prevention, our deeds too often fail to match our words — and so the loss continues.
“The local efforts of the fire service are supported by the activities of organizations such as the National Fire Protection Association, the Federation of Firefighters, the Maine Chiefs’ Association, the Pine Tree Burn Foundation and the local Learn Not To Burn Program.
“I, Kenneth Murchison, Mayor of the City of Caribou, do hereby proclaim the week of October 9-15, 2011 as Fire Prevention Week.
“I call upon the people of Caribou, Maine to participate in fire prevention activities at home, work, and school, and to heed the message: ‘Protect Your Family From Fire,’ as our 2011 Fire Prevention Week theme.”
