Press Office

U.S. Department of Homeland Security

Press Release

May 7, 2018

Contact:  USFA Press Office (301) 447-1853

DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY’S UNITED STATES FIRE ADMINISTRATION

2018 ARSON AWARENESS WEEK:  REDUCING ARSON AT VACANT AND ABANDONED BUILDINGS

USFA Announces the 2018 Arson Awareness Week Theme

Emmitsburg, MD – The theme for the 2018 Arson Awareness Week is Reducing Arson at Vacant and Abandoned Buildings. The United States Fire Administration (USFA) is pleased to announce first-time partner: the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD).

USFA will also partner with an important group of organizations comprised of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco Firearms and Explosives, International Association of Arson Investigators, National Volunteer Fire Council, National Fire Protection Association, Coalition Against Insurance Fraud and the Insurance Committee for Arson Control.

The week of May 6 to 12 will be used to focus on the importance of a cooperative effort with fire and emergency service departments, law enforcement and public works to help prevent the horrendous crime of arson at vacant and abandoned buildings.

According to the U.S. Fire Administration’s National Fire Incident Reporting System, at 34 percent, intentional actions were the leading cause of vacant residential building fires.

The ATF’s Bomb Arson Tracking System, reported there have been an average of 550 incendiary/arson fires per year at abandoned and vacant properties for the 10-year period from 2007 to 2016.

“Unsecured vacant or abandoned structures create an inherent risk to the courageous firefighters that respond to these fires,” said USFA Administrator Keith Bryant.

HUD Community Development Block Grants have provided grants to communities that suffered from foreclosures and abandonment.  HUD purchased and redevelop foreclosed and abandoned homes and residential properties assisting in the rejuvenation and revitalization of communities nationwide.

For more information regarding the 2018 Arson Awareness Week, visit the USFA website.