National Arson Awareness Week: May 4-10, 2003

May 8, 2003
The United States Fire Administration (USFA) and the International Association of Arson Investigators (IAAI.) announces this year's Arson Awareness Week theme "Arson is NOT a Victimless Crime."
The United States Fire Administration (USFA) and the International Association of Arson Investigators (IAAI.) announces this year's Arson Awareness Week theme "Arson is NOT a Victimless Crime."

Partnering with the USFA and the IAAI again this year, is the Insurance Committee for Arson Control (ICAC) and the International Association of Special Investigative Units (IASIU).

In October 2001, the International Association of Chiefs of Police (IACP) adopted a resolution in support of National Arson Awareness week during their 108th Annual Conference. The resolution calls on all IACP members to support Arson Awareness Week and to promote awareness, understanding and prevention of arson crimes.

The number of organizations that are joining efforts toward the fight against arson is growing. Each new partner makes us stronger.

The goal of Arson Awareness Week is to focus public attention on severe national consequences of arson. It is time to push the message that arson is not a victimless crime in every contact with the public and media! By drawing people's attention to the costs of arson, we hope to level the resources and support necessary to reduce or end this crime.

Your leadership role is critical.

We need to get this story into the media everywhere there is an arson fire. This is the type of story that has immense media appeal because it contains strong visual images and the human touch.

Don't sit there. Do something!

The goal is to organize as many arson awareness activities in your community, you can reasonably manage, to raise citizen awareness of this problem. The following are a few activities that all communities could use to kick off National Arson Awareness Week.

The Mayor, City Council, or both could issue an Arson Awareness Week Proclamation. A sample proclamation is attached for your use.

The fire and police departments, where appropriate, could jointly release information on unsolved arsons and ask for the community's help in solving them. The local release could be done in a press conference, a call-in talk (radio or TV) show or any other highly visible event that will get good media coverage.

Letters to the editor or editorials to your local newspaper are encouraged. Most newspapers have to print "letters to the Editor." This is one of the more popular ways of getting your messages read. With this year's theme "Arson is NOT a Victimless Crime," you may want to enlist the help of your local Shriner's Organization to help promote awareness of the forgotten victims of this crime. Consider having an arson victim as your spoke person, first hand information is very emotional and powerful.

Send "Arson is NOT a Victimless Crime" posters to your local newspapers, libraries, YMCAs and other public places. The posters are available from the IAAI Office by calling (314) 739-4224. Posters are free of charge, order early.

Plan presentations during Arson Awareness Week at local schools.

Enlist the help of other organizations to help distribute materials and promote awareness, i.e., Rotary Clubs, Kiwanis Clubs, Boy Scouts, and church groups.

The package above consists of the following items:

Sample Proclamation Request Letter Sample Proclamation Sample Resolution Arson Facts Speaking Notes Being a Good Spokesperson Request for an Interview News Release Tips on Writing an Effective Letter to the Editor Editorial Preparing for an Interview

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