NFPA Press Release
WASHINGTON — The time to act for wildfire safety is now, according to national experts. The National Fire Protection Association’s (NFPA) Firewise® Communities Program together with members of the International Association of Fire Chiefs (IAFC) and the National Association of State Foresters (NASF) brought wildfire safety messages to a Congressional Briefing on Capitol Hill on Tuesday, October 11, 2011, sponsored by Congressman Raul M. Grijalva (AZ-7) and Congressman Eddie Bernice Johnson (TX-30).
The three organizations, which have partnered nationally to promote individual and community wildfire preparedness, delivered “Wildfire Safety – What We Can Do to Protect our Homes and Communities” to approximately 25 congressional staffers. The briefing took place during NFPA’s Fire Prevention Week, a national public awareness campaign established in 1922 to commemorate the Great Chicago Fire, and to keep the public informed about the importance of fire prevention and safety.
According to the National Interagency Fire Center (NIFC), excess drought and fuel build-up that has plagued much of the southern and western U.S. is blamed for the 2011 wildfire season being one of the worst in history, with close to eight million acres burned nationwide. The extensive destruction of homes in Texas in the past month has increased the urgency of wildfire safety messages.
Full story: NFPA’s Firewise Program Participates in Congressional Briefing