Travis County Commissioners Court
Tuesday, September 27, 2011 (Agenda)
Item 4
No.
4.
consider and take appropriate action on a proclamation declaring October 9 through October 15, 2011 as "fire prevention week" in Travis County.
>> yes, sir.
>> we probably ought to have had this one two weeks ago.
>> yes, sir.
we probably should have started last December.
we've now been under a burn ban well since the middle of last December.
I brought this to you a little bit early, but one of the reasons that I did that is that our office will be participating, along with the sheriff's office in their extravaganza this upcoming weekend.
our partly be aimed at in teaching, educating people about how to prevent fires in and around the homes.
also on October 8th and 9th, sears is having a national safety event.
and we will be participating in that event as well.
that one is going to be at the sears at parmer and i-35.
so we will be there with some of the county equipment teaching people how to use fire extinguishers, but again promoting fire prevention, education in the homes, fire continues -- continues to be a serious problem in Texas.
in 2010 there was approximately 77,000 structure fires in Texas.
which resulted in 175 deaths and 791 injuries.
cooking remains a leading cause of fire in the home.
and I left you a gift there on the dais this morning, the local -- the local not not -- the local motto is going to be stand by your pan.
>> [laughter] we want people to remember and be cognizant of the fact --
>> I like that.
>> -- that cooking is a major cause of fire in the home.
so if you've got something on the stove and the phone ring, turn it off.
if someone, if something calls you away, remember to turn it off.
the proclamation is there.
would you like to read it or would you like me to read it, judge?
>> either one.
would you like to read it?
>> I never have got to read one of these, can I try that
>> [laughter]?
>> go ahead.
I may encourage you to get into politics, but go ahead anyway.
>> if I'm successful in reading this, that will be my political aspirations.
whereas Travis County is committed to ensuring the safety and security of all of those living and visiting our county and whereas fire is a serious public safety concern both locally and nationally and homes are where people are at greatest risk of fire, and whereas roughly two-thirds of home fire deaths resulted from home fires in which no smoke detector or alarm, no working smoke alarm were presents and whereas installing smoke alarms and home fire sprinkler systems and practicing home fire escape plans and fire drills increases chances of residents surviving a fire, whereas unintended cooking is a leading cause of residential fires, whereas matches and lighters should be stored away from the reach of young children; whereas Travis County's first responders are dedicated to reducing the occurrence of home fires and home fire deaths and injuries through prevention and proper education, and whereas Travis County residents are capable of providing a fire safe place in which to live, and work, by eliminating those fire hazards that cause the loss of life and property; whereas fire prevention week, 2011, October 9th through 15, protect your family from fire, effectively serves to remind us all of the simple actions we can take to stay safe from fire, during fire prevention week and year round.
now therefore be it resolved that we the Travis County Commissioners court proclaim October 9 through October 15th, 2011 as fire prevention week in Travis County.
and encourage all residents of Travis County to participate in fire prevention activities, at home, work, and school.
>> move approval.
>> second.
>> also clean out your grease pans on your barbecue pit.
I was inadvertently flame broiling the other day.
>> [laughter]
>> our public safety announcement that will go out with this will also include some information about -- about how to protect your home against wildfires.
this is information here that is kind of going to be -- this information is kind of standard across the nation.
but from a local standpoint and Texas in particular, we're going to include information in our public safety announcement about encouraging people to make their home and their community a fire-wise community.
>> is that on the website, that information?
>> there is a link to the Texas forest service information about the fire-wise community.
>> I'm saying, do we have that on -- do we -- well, let me ask this question: do we advise the residents of Travis County that there is a link or how to get to that link?
do we do that?
>> the fire-wise information is actually on the Travis County fire marshal's website.
>> okay.
so it's a link to it on your site.
>> yes, sir.
>> okay.
>> our website.
that information basically is copied over from the Texas forest service information.
>> okay, good, I just wanted to make sure folks had access to it.
that's what I was trying to get to.
that was my point.
>> thank you.
>> all in favor?
that passes by unanimous vote.
>> thank you very much.
>> thank you, sir.
>> thank you.
good job on the reading by the way.
>> [laughter]
>> [ applause ] come talk to me before you run for office, though.
>> [laughter]
The Closed Caption log for this Commissioners Court agenda item is provided by Travis County Internet Services. Since this file is derived from the Closed Captions created during live cablecasts, there are occasional spelling and grammatical errors. This Closed Caption log is not an official record the Commissioners Court Meeting and cannot be relied on for official purposes. For official records please contact the County Clerk at (512) 854-4722.
