Governor Paterson Designates First Week in May Arson Awareness Week

ALBANY, NY (04/30/2010)(readMedia)-- Governor David A. Paterson today designated May 2-8 Arson Awareness Week in New York state. The Department of State's Office of Fire Prevention and Control (OFPC) is joining the efforts of the U. S. Fire Administration, the International Association of Arson Investigators, National Association of State Fire Marshals and the Insurance Committee for Arson Control to promote this year's arson awareness theme, Community Arson Prevention.

"Crimes related to arson can affect entire communities. These deliberate fires often result in the loss of life, untold physical and emotional suffering caused by painful injuries and the destruction of property," Governor Paterson said. "Society as a whole further bears the burden in higher insurance premiums, degraded communities, diminished local government tax bases and the unsurpassed terror that shadows this crime. The goal of this year's Arson Awareness Week is to focus public attention on the crime of arson and to assist communities with tools and ideas to fight arson in their neighborhoods, schools and places of worship."

Secretary of State Lorraine Cortés-Vázquez said: "The malicious act of arson is one of the most devastating crimes in terms of personal and financial loss. Arson frequently results in loss of life or injuries to the brave men and women who respond to such emergencies. We recognize the efforts of the fire and law enforcement community, and we encourage all New Yorkers to take an active role in preventing arson."

State Fire Administrator Floyd Madison said: "Prevention is the best way to protect the citizens of New York from fire. Our ongoing efforts to raise citizen awareness of the arson problem and increase community involvement will go a long way toward saving lives and property. Arson can be reduced by having an involved and informed community."

Ways individuals can help prevent arson include starting a neighborhood watch program to act as a deterrent by working with local fire, police and code enforcement departments to recognize and report unusual activities; removing overgrown vegetation and abandoned cars; and cleaning up and securing vacant homes.

To kick off Arson Awareness Week, OFPC and the New York State Association of Fire Chiefs will host the 37th annual Public Fire Safety Educators' Program at the NYS Academy of Fire Science in Montour Falls from April 30 to May 2. This conference brings together participants from the fire service, government agencies, private organizations and industry and provides a series of demonstrations and workshops of successful public fire prevention education programs.

For additional information on arson prevention, please contact the Office of Fire Prevention and Control at (518) 474-6746 or on the web at www.dos.state.ny.us/fire.

###Additional news available at http://www.dos.state.ny.us/about/new2.htm.

New York State Department of State | info@dos.state.ny.us | 518.486.9846 | 212.417.5801Follow us: http://twitter.com/NYDeptofState