United States Fire Administration Arson Awareness Week 5-11 May 2002

“The United States Fire Administration takes seriously its role in arson prevention education and detection training and we are pleased to partner with the law enforcement community on efforts to reduce this senseless crime that costs the nation millions of dollars in fire losses.” R. David Paulison United States Fire Administrator

Arson Awareness Week is a national public education campaign held during the first week of May that encourages communities to become involved in the solutions to their arson problems. Along with arson prevention grant cities, participating cities and chapters of the IAAI host events and activities in virtually every State.

Arson Awareness Week encourages and assists communities to become involved in the solutions to their arson problems. Arson Awareness Week increases national awareness and understanding of the U.S. arson problem and shows community leaders successful solutions in arson prevention.

Goals of Arson Awareness Week are: To create a national recognition, awareness and understanding of the arson problem in the United States. To encourage communities to get involved in the dissemination of arson awareness information by creating a simple, identifiable and unifying message for arson prevention.

Goals of Arson Awareness Week Organize local events that raise a community’s awareness of arson issues. Engage national, regional and local media outlets in delivering the message.

PSA’s AAW Events Arson Speech Sample Resolution Sample Proclamation Posters Arson Fact Sheet AAW Press Releases Arson Awareness Week Tools

Arson Awareness Week Partnerships International Assn of Arson Investigators National Volunteer Fire Council USFA Arson Prevention Grant Communities International Assn of Special Investigation Units Insurance Committee for Arson Control International Assn of Chiefs of Police

"Arson is a crime that has taken too many victims; destroyed too much property; and eroded the tax base in too many communities. We can and must act together to eradicate this serious crime by insisting on more aggressive investigations, better insurance underwriting and tougher sentencing of convicted arsonists." I.J. Kranats, CFI, President International Association of Arson Investigators

In October 2001, the International Association of Chiefs of Police (IACP) adopted a resolution in support of National Arson Awareness week during their 108th Annual Conference. The resolution calls on all IACP members to support Arson Awareness Week and to promote awareness, understanding and prevention of arson crimes. IACP Support

Arson Awareness Week USFA has spearheaded AAW activities since 1997 as part of the National Arson Prevention Initiative 1997 – Church Arson 1998 – Target Arson 1999 – Arson Prevention 2000 – Juvenile Arson 2001 – Abandoned Buildings

2002 – Arson Is NOT A Victimless Crime

Firefighters responding to vacant building fires often fall victim to the arsonist’s act. Firefighters can’t assume the building is empty of people. The building’s condition and contents make them extremely hazardous. Firefighters are 3 times more likely to be injured or killed while responding to an arson versus a non-arson fire.

The community pays too. Arson fires represent approximately 25% of this Nation’s fire problem totaling over $1.3 billion in property loss. Arson set fires often result in damage to adjacent properties and buildings. The loss of loved ones; friends, co-workers and the costs of protection, investigation, insurance are borne by all of us.

Families and children are the first victims of the arsonist. In 2000, Arson killed more than 500 Americans. An estimated 75,000 structure fires were deliberately set or suspected of having been deliberately set. More than 20,000 families were displaced due to arson fires in 2000.

Fighting arson effectively is a team challenge - taking the entire community. A coordinated effort by local, state and federal agencies and the insurance industry. Fighting Arson

Arson Is NOT A Victimless Crime!