Title
Authorizing the Fire Department to solicit funds from various businesses, civic groups, and foundations in order to implement Project Safe Haven, a comprehensive fire and injury prevention program.
Body
WHEREAS, according to the National Fire Protection Association and the U.S. Fire Administration, nationally 83% of fire fatalities occur in the home, and
WHEREAS, in the City of Saint Paul, 100% of fire fatalities occur in the home, and
WHEREAS, owner-occupied single family residences are the only buildings that are not inspected for fire safety by the City of Saint Paul, and
WHEREAS, children age one year to nineteen years of age and adults over the age of 65 are most at risk of fire related injury or death, and
WHEREAS, the Fire Department developed Project Safe Haven as a comprehensive fire and injury prevention program designed around the homeowner's self-inspection of their home to address these injuries in owner-occupied single family homes, and
WHEREAS, with Project Safe Haven, the homeowner can decide to have a fire crew review the self-inspection of their home, assist them to develop a home fire escape plan, and install smoke alarms, carbon monoxide alarms, and stovetop fire extinguishers, and
WHEREAS, Project Safe Haven has proven to reduce the risk of fire related injury or death as there has been only one fire among the more than 900 homes in the program so far, and
WHEREAS, the original funding for this life-saving program came from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to purchase the necessary smoke alarms, carbon monoxide alarms, and the stovetop fire extinguishers, and
NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that the Fire Department be granted authority to solicit fund from various businesses, civic groups, and foundations in order to effectively continue Project Safe Haven.
Financial Analysis
None.