USFA, NFPA Release Report on Mitigation of U.S. Rural Fires
The United States Fire Administration has released a comprehensive report from a joint project with the National Fire Protection Association to examine what can be done to reduce the high death rate from fire in rural America.
The report, titled "Mitigation of the Rural Fire Problem – Strategies Based on Original Research and Adaptation of Existing Best Practices," provides implementation strategies for the reduction of rural fires and targets the fundamental differences in the nature of the rural fire problem compared to the U.S. fire problem as a whole.
"As communities with fewer than 2,500 residents have a per capita fire death rate almost twice the national rate, this is an important life safety effort," said Gregory B. Cade, U.S. Fire administrator. "USFA has a long commitment to reducing fire deaths in this country through effective mitigation and preparedness."
USFA says the project reached out to leaders of organizations serving rural communities to learn what works in implementing programs in those communities. Also, national and local fire service organizations were consulted to learn more about their program successes and challenges in the reduction of fires, deaths, and injuries in rural communities.
In addition to fire protection and suppression, human issues such as public fire safety education and technical factors, including fire and smoke detection, codes, consumer product safety, and residential fire sprinklers, are discussed in the report.
"NFPA was pleased to partner with USFA on this innovative project that has identified ways to reduce fire deaths in rural America," said James Shannon, NFPA president. "This initiative supports NFPA's efforts in saving lives, protecting property, and reducing risks associated with fire."
To view a PDF of the report, Click Here.