WHEREAS, the City of Costa Mesa is committed to ensuring the safety and security of all those living, attending school, working, and visiting our great city; and WHEREAS, fire is a serious public safety concern both locally and nationally, and homes are the locations where people are at greatest risk from fire; and WHEREAS, the 2023 Fire Prevention Month theme, “Cooking safety starts with YOU! Pay attention to fire prevention”- this year’s focus on cooking safety works to educate the public about simple but essential steps to help reduce the risk of fire when cooking at home, keeping themselves and those around safe; and WHEREAS, according to the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), home fires caused more than 2,800 civilian deaths in the United States in 2021, and fire departments in the United States responded to more than 338,000 home fires; and WHEREAS, cooking is the leading cause of home fires and related deaths, and two of every home fires start in the kitchen, with 31% of these fires resulting from unattended cooking; and WHEREAS, more than half of reported non-fatal home cooking injuries occurred when victims tried to fight the fire themselves; and WHEREAS, Costa Mesa’s professional men and women who serve as firefighters, first responders, EMTs, Paramedics, and community risk reduction experts are dedicated to reducing the occurrence of home fires and injuries through preparedness, prevention, protection, and education; and WHEREAS, Costa Mesa residents who are engaged and responsive to community education efforts are better prepared to take personal steps to increase their safety from fire, especially in their homes and also in our schools and businesses, among all other venues in the community; and WHEREAS, working smoke alarms cut the risk of fatalities in home fires by half, and residents should be sure everyone in the home understands the sounds of the smoke alarms and knows how to respond; failing to plan is planning to fail; and WHEREAS, Costa Mesa residents who have planned and practiced a home fire escape plan and demonstrate a commitment to active situational awareness are more prepared and will, therefore, be more likely to survive a fire and any other emergency when it happens; and WHEREAS, the professionals of Costa Mesa Fire & Rescue serve the community with Respect, Integrity, and Compassion here in Costa Mesa and statewide, 24 hours a day, seven days a week, 365 days a year.
NOW, THEREFORE, I, John Stephens, Mayor of the City of Costa Mesa, do hereby proclaim October as Fire Prevention Week. I urge all the people of Costa Mesa to plan and practice a home fire escape for Fire Prevention Week 2023 and to support the many public safety activities and efforts of Costa Mesa’s fire and emergency services.
Dated this 3rd day of October 2023.
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John B. Stephens, Mayor of the City of Costa Mesa