Travis County Commissioners Court
May 8, 2007
Item 2
Number 2 is to approve proclamation recognizing may 6sth through may 12th, 2007 as arson awareness week in Travis County. And Commissioner eckhardt has agreed to read that proclamation.
>> whereas the week of may sixth, through may 12th, 2007 is arson awareness week, a statewide campaign to urge all citizen to show their appreciation for the efers and sacrifices made by the public servants who protect us from the senseless crime of arson and to pay attention to all fire and law enforcement agencies for it their dedication and tireless service and whereas the malicious act of setting fires to buildings and property is one of the nation's most devastating crimes in terms of personal and professional loss and whereas in a typical year in the united states, more than 500 people are killed and almost two billion dollars' worth of property is destroyed due to arson. And whereas annually in Texas 22% of all fires reported are the result of arson. And whereas removing the threat of arson from homes and businesses is a top priority of Texas fire and law enforcement investigation agencies, the international association of arson investigators, the Texas chapter, and central Texas fire investigators association and whereas special recognition is due to the thousands of men and women both volunteer and career in Texas law enforcement and fire agency and it is appropriate that they be acknowledged for their dedication and professionalism in apprehending those guilty of the crime of arson. So learn more residents may contact their local fire department or the Travis County fire marshal's office at 854-462009. Now therefore be it resolved that we have proclaimed may sixth through may 12th as arson awareness week in Travis County. To encourage all residents of Travis County to show appreciation and special tribute to those public servants and fire and law enforcement agency who protect families and property from loss due to the violation and senseless crime of arson. And we've all signed it and happy to do so.
>> that's why I move approval.
>> second.
>> good morning.
>> judge, Commissioners, we have with us the first vice-president of the international association of arson investigators. He's the incoming president this next year. That's a representation of over #- 8,000 people representing every state in the union, many foreign countries. Do you have a moment to hear from mr. Findlay?
>> we do. Let's get his full name in case residents want to know who he is.
>> my name is ken findlay. I'm a resident of brenham Texas and happy to represent Texas in our efforts in combatting arson. On behalf of 8,000 members of the international association of arson investigators, I commend you for focusing special attention this week to the crime of arson and the public servants who make this life's work to combat this very heinous crime. The crime of arson has a devastating impact on our society. Each year hundreds of lives are lost, hundreds more folk are injured. Hundreds of millions of dollars are lost in property damage and our landscape is devastated by fires that are intentionally set. Society cannot leave this scwowrj unchecked. Our investigator will continue its battle. To deter arson and to bring to justice those who would receive retribution or gain financially. The fire and arson investigaters is a special breed among our fire department professionals. They're part firefighter and part preliminary. They have to master many things. They have to be able to understand fire behavior and be able to administer the stack ticks of a blanco river. They have to be cognizant of the construction and architecture of buildings, of hundreds of codes and the hazardous materials that are involved in the fires they deal with. They have to have a knowledge of the criminal and civil laws and procedures. They're psychologists. They interview and interrogate people to get facts. They're the cfi's that we watch on tv in our very society dealing with trace evidence and items and chemistry that are way beyond what most of us want to know about. They're fantastic communicators, giving their ideas to jurors who decide how to deal with the people prowt bureaucrat to them. They work 24/7, 365 days a year. Their workplace is often a collapsed building full of gases that have been released from the fire. And yet they do it everyday and they do it gladly. They're incredible problem solvers. Fires and investigations they deal with are complex. Travis County is very fortunate. I've had the great honor and opportunity to work all over the united states and in other affordable housing countries with many fire departments and many fire investigators and we should be very proud of the resources we have here in Travis County. They're highly recommended by their peer and their peer agencies. Their members are constantly giving training and getting training, constantly striving to improve the service that they give to your residents. They understand and accept that the work they do is necessary for a society to thrive. They embrace the challenge everyday. They are deserving of your recognition every week of the year and enl this week, this week that you have designated as arson awareness week. Thank you.
>> thank you very much.
>> and junk, may I say one more thing. I've had the opportunity to serve with him on the board of directors and different functions and organizations. I want to thank him publicly. It was at his impetus and his direction that the expert testimony class came to the state of Texas and that changed the landscape to bring the tools to bear so that arson investigator would be better prepared to become expert witnesses in courts. I want to thank him publicly for that.
>> in this area those who investigate arson come from various governmental entities and collaboration is important, and I think that the level of collaboration here is much greater than it was a few years ago, which is a good thing. We appreciate you coming down, and Travis County residents are encouraged to show appreciation to the fire investigator, arson investigator of Travis County especially and of really the nation. Right?
>> thank you.
>> all in favor? That passes by unanimous vote.
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Last Modified:
Wednesday, May 9, 2007, 8:00 AM