Travis County Commissioners Court
October 12, 2006
Item 1
We do have a resolution and that is to approve resolution proclaiming October 8th through October 14th, 2006 as fire prevention week. And -- in Travis County, we are right in the middle of it, aren't we?
>> yes, sir.
>> should we read this into the record.
>> I would appreciate it, judge, yes.
>> there's important information here. Whereas October 8th through October 14th, 2006 is national fire prevention week, whereas there is a state-wide initiative to remind all texans to have an exit strategy when entering crowded public places. Whereas fire professionals do not want another tragedy like the deadly rhode island nightclub fire that claimed 100 lives. And -- in 2003. Whereas studies have shown that it is human nature to return to the primary exit in an emergency. Whereas fire professionals wish to remind all people that the last -- that the best way out may not be the way in. Whereas the Travis County fire marshal's office wishes to partner in this state-wide initiative by inspecting every nightclub not already covered by a code, in an incorporated Travis County, and whereas those emergency service districts with fire code in Travis County little wish to partner in this initiative by inspecting the nightclubs and their respective jurisdictions, and whereas fire professionals encourage every texan to visit www.haveanexitstrategy.com.
>> yes, sir.
>> for more information on fire prevention week, now there ever be it resolved that we the Travis County Commissioners court hereby proclaim October 8th through October 14th, 2006, as fire prevention week in Travis County. And encourage all residents of Travis County to have an exit strategy whenever they enter a public place or for that matter at home.
>> that's correct.
>> okay. Move approval.
>> thank you all so much. The state fire marshal had planned to be here on Tuesday along with a representative, it is an extremely compelling campaign, we do wish that everyone will visit our website. In rhode island most of the people wanted to go to that primary exit. That's how we are wired as human beings. There's an opportunity when we go into buildings like that to identify a second way out. It may not be in our best interests to try to go back to that primary exit. Thank you all so much for doing that, judge and Commissioners.
>> does the law require a second exit or that just a good thing to businesses to have.
>> it would depend upon the sides of the venue.
>> looks like once or twice every year there's a major fire accident that takes numerous lives in some part of the world.
>> that is definitely correct.
>> maybe recreational screen view, con -- venues, I was about to say concerts, but other ones also.
>> the tragedy about rhode island was most of the people who lost their lives did so at the primary exit, they stacked up and could not egress. There are exits in that building that were not utilized.
>> or fire exits that get locked, that's the whole.of them being there. Ever vigilant about all of our fire mall shals, the cities, our own county fire marshal, he is to make sure those are not blocked. Every second counts.
>> that is the important thing about this campaign. We have heard the court speak about it so many times, when we looked for the initiative to go for this October. The state has an extremely compelling campaign. The county wishes to -- an opportunity, the prevention of all of the esd's, no one said we don't want to do that. They were like great, what's the situation, what's the strategy, we will take care of our stuff and -- everybody was busy, it's a busy month anyway with all of the programs going on, but if you go visit the website, it is -- it is extremely compelling. It's compelling to me having done this for most of my adult life, it would be extremely compelling to everyone, that I would think.
>> it's interest, we just floated this last weekend. The first thing they talk about is knowing where your exits, closest may be behind you. The same kind of thing when you are in a large rene aviles view, of knowing how am I supposed to get out of here, know where the exits are.
>> we are not picking on night clubs, it just so happens that's where problems seem to occur.
>> it's just a fact, apartment buildings and clubs are where we lose a lot of lives. We are going to ask for voluntary compliance, we want them to know that we are coming. We are going to call -- works with them. It's not about giving people tickets or giving them a bad time, it's about saving people's lives.
>> during fire prevention week we will check the Travis County courthouses, other buildings where a lot of people gather from time to time to conduct business.
>> that is --
>> we probably have multiple exits, not only just two, but multiple ones. Sort of reflected in our buildings. Most of them like this we do have multiple ways out.
>> yes, sir.
>> the only thing we have -- you all have -- let's not delay any longer, y'all. Any more discussion? All in favor? That passes by unanimous vote.
>> thanks.
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Last Modified:
Thursday, October 12, 2006 6:24 PM