Staff Writer
Caribou Mayor Miles Williams Tuesday signed a proclamation citing Oct. 5—11 as Fire Prevention Week.
The proclamation signed by Williams reads: “ On a warm Sunday evening of October 8, 1871, a brief lapse of carefulness sparked a fire, which h 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.
Aroostook Republican photo/Barb ScottCaribou Fire Chief Roy Woods, left and Firefighter Scott Jackson, coordinator of the Learn Not to Burn program, witnessed Mayor Miles Williams as he signed the proclamation deeming Oct. 5—11, 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 the State of Maine we had a total of 1,704 residential fires of which there were 18 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 or 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 call upon the people of Caribou to participate in Fire Prevention activities at home, work and school and to heed the message: “It’s Fire Prevention Week —Prevent Home Fires”, as our j2008 Fire Prevention Week theme.
