At All Times, Service Above Self

LA Fire Department Arson Awareness Week ... by Brian Humphrey LAFD Firefighter/Paramedic Dear Friend of the LAFD: This Sunday, May 1, is the first day of "Arson Awareness Week": http://www.usfa.fema.gov/safety/campaigns/arson-aaw1.shtm We hope that you will join us in putting an end to this crime that endangers all members of the community, including Firefighters.

With this year's focus on School Arson, we wanted to make you aware of a sobering 36-page report produced by the US Fire Administration entitled "Arson & Juveniles: Responding to the Violence"

http://www.usfa.fema.gov/downloads/pdf/publications/tr-095.pdf

Arson is a crime that effects all communities, including Los Angeles, where in a year's time the LAFD's cadre of highly trained Investigators apprehended 200 suspected arsonists from a total of more than 4,500 incendiary or suspicious blazes citywide.

Why target School Arson?

Sixty-one percent of our nations's school structure fires are caused by arson, with 70 percent of those school arson fires hitting the nation's high schools. While fatalities from school fires are rare, the injuries caused by these fires are higher than those of all non-residential structure fires.

...and why focus on our children?

In a year's time, our nation's Fire Departments report that children under the age of 18 started 41,900 fires, causing an estimated 165 civilian deaths, 1,900 civilian injuries, and $272 million in direct property damage.

Sobering facts indeed. If you'd like more information, please visit:

http://www.usfa.fema.gov/subjects/arson

Respectfully Yours in Safety and Service,

Brian Humphrey

Firefighter/Paramedic
Public Service Officer
Los Angeles Fire Department
E-Mail: beh9593@lafd.lacity.org

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