America Burning The Report Of The National Commission On Fire Prevention And Control

The striking aspect of the Nation's fire problem is the indifference with which Americans confront the subject. Destructive fire takes a huge toll in lives, injuries, and property losses, yet there is no need to accept those losses with resignation. There are many measures, often very simple precautions, that can be taken to reduce those losses significantly. To encourage solutions to these problems, the National Commission on Fire Prevention and Control has made recommendations in this report.

DEAR MR. PRESIDENT: Transmitted with this letter is the final report of the National Commission on Fire Prevention and Control. The report is based on almost 2 years of work by the Commission. We believe it presents the most significant fire safety problems, and the greatest opportunities for fire loss reduction, in the United States today. The vast majority of the Commission agreed with all fundamental issues. Over $11 billion of our resources are wasted by destructive fires each year. Additionally, 12,000 people are killed and tens of thousands of persons are scarred physically and emotionally by fire. Recommendations are presented in this report which, if implemented, will significantly reduce this great toll. The recommendations emphasize prevention of fire through implementation of local programs. This is in keeping with the very nature of the fire problem which is felt hardest at the community level...

Discusses the most significant fire safety problems in the United States in 1973. Also includes recommendations for fire loss reduction.

Chapters of this report by the Nat. Commission on Fire Prevention and Control: The Nation's Fire Problem; Living Victims of the Tragedy; The Fire Services; Fire and the Built Environment: Hazards, Codes and Standards, and Transportation Fire Hazards; Fire and the Rural Wildlands Environment; Fire Prevention: Fire Safety Education, and Fire Safety for the Home, Young, Old, and Infirm; Programs for the Future: Research for Tomorrow's Fire Problem, Federal Involvement, and What Citizens Can Do; and Minority Report. Appendixes: Public Law 90-259, March 1, 1968; Hearing Witnesses; List of Recommendations; 1971 Fire Loss Data; Master Plan for Fire Protection, Mountain View, CA; and Estimated U.S. Fire Research Funds. Illustrated.