Ronald Reagan

“ Obviously, we must continue to address fire prevention as a national priority, and I strongly urge each citizen to make a personal commitment to aid in the reduction of this senseless and tragic waste of precious lives, property, and natural resources from fire. Through a concentrated effort our Nation can substantially reduce the human suffering and economic losses from fire. ”

“ Firefighting is one of our most hazardous occupations. We are indebted to the brave men and women who serve communities across the Nation so bravely-often at the risk of their own safety and sometimes at the cost of their own lives. ”

“ This great Nation of ours, the richest and most technologically advanced in the world, continues to lead all major industrialized countries in per capita deaths and property loss from fire.
Each year thousands of American lives are lost, billions of dollars in property are needlessly destroyed, and thousands of persons are permanently disfigured or disabled by burn injuries from preventable fires. ”