MICHAEL F. EASLEY
GOVERNOR
CAMPUS FIRE SAFETY MONTH
2007
BY THE GOVERNOR OF THE STATE OF NORTH CAROLINA
A PROCLAMATION
WHEREAS, recent student housing tires in Mississippi, Missouri, Nebraska, North Carolina, Oklahoma
and Pennsylvania have tragically cut short the lives of some of the youth of our Nation; and
WHEREAS, since January 2000, at least 109 people, including students, parents, and children have died in
student housing tires, according to Campus Firewatch; and
WHEREAS, over three-fourths of these deaths have occurred in off ...:am pus occupancies, according to
Campus Firewatch; and
WHEREAS, a majority of the students across the nation live in off-campus occupancies, according to the
U.S. Department o(Education; and
WHEREAS, a number of fatal tires have occurred in buildings where the tire safety systems have been
compromised or disabled by the occupants; and
WHEREAS, it is recognized that automatic tire alarm systems provide the necessary early warning to
occupants and the fire department of a tire so that appropriate action can be taken; and
WHEREAS, it is recognized that automatic tire sprinkler systems are a highly effective method of
controlling or extinguishing a fire in its early stages, protecting the lives ofd1e !wilding's occupants; and
WHEREAS, many students are living in off...:ampus occupancies, Greek housing, and residence halls that
are not adequately protected with automatic fire sprinkler systems and automatic fire alarm systems; and ·
WHEREAS, it is recognized that tire safety education is an effective metl10d of reducing the occmrence of
tires and reducing the resulting loss oflife and property damage; and
WHEREAS, students are not routinely receiving effective tire safety education d1roughout their entire
college career; and
WHEREAS, it is vital to educate the future generation of our nation about the importance of fire safety
behavior so that these behaviors can he.lp to ensure d1eir safety during their college years and beyond; and
WHEREAS, by developing a generation of tire-safe adults, future loss of life from tires can be significantly
reduced;
NOW, THEREFORE,!, MICHAEL F. EASLEY, Governor pfd1e State ofNord1 Carolina do hereby
proclaim as "CAMPU$ F[RE SAFETY MONTH" in North Carolina and urge all citizens to
¥ ICHAEL F. EASLEY
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hereunto set my b.and and affixed the Great Seal of the State of North
sixteentb day of May in the year of our Lord two tl1ousand and seven, and of
of America the two hundred and thirty-first.