Where Do Our Candidates Stand on the Fire Problem in U.S.?

PRLog (Press Release) - Jul 08, 2008 -
"How many Americans have lost their lives on U.S. soil since September 11, 2001?  The answer is ZERO.  How many Americans have lost their lives in fires, more than 80% of which happened in residential dwellings, since September 11, 2001?  On average, close to 4,000 Americans lost their lives in 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004…2007; don’t bet any money on the number being much lower when 2008 comes to a close."

So says Retired Battalion Chief Robert Avsec, author of the blog, The FireSafetyProtectionPro, and that's just the deaths that are caused by fires.  "The United States Fire Adminstration in an April 2008 press release stated that a fire death occurs every 2 hours and 42 minutes on average," said Avsec, "And a person suffers a fire injury severe enough to seek medical attention every 32 minutes."  The USFA press release also stated that $7 billion in property was destroyed by fire in 2006, according to Avsec.

Several recent postings to Avsec's blog, www.firesafetyprotectionpro.com--Preventing Fires and Our Federal Government, Who Pays for Your Fire Protection?, and How Many Firefighters Does It Take?--were written by Avsec to raise awareness on the part of the public about this blight on the American landscape.  "Rising fuel and food prices, the slumping economy, and the war in Iraq are occupying the headlines," said Avsec, "But we've got to address a problem that continues to affect families, communities, and our country in a big way."

"I fear the problem will only grow worse as economic conditions continue to decline.  When the "going gets tough" economically for local governments one of the first things the politicians cut is funding for the fire department," said Avsec.  "When fire departments are forced to reduce spending the first programs that "get thrown under the bus" are the fire prevention and public fire safety education programs," he said.  "Fire chiefs don't necessarily want to do that, but they are in the unenviable position of cutting those programs or closing fire stations down and laying off firefighters."

"People in communities all across the USA need to find out where their candidates for office this fall--local, state, and federal--stand on better financial support for reducing the fire problem in the U.S.  "It's not just a local problem, yet we primarily fund fire protection services at the local level," said Avsec.  "We don't hold bake sales to raise funds to rebuild communities after a flood or hurricane or tornado, do we?"