ENROLLED
2015 Regular Session
HOUSE RESOLUTION NO. 62
BY REPRESENTATIVE ADAMS
A RESOLUTION
To designate May 3 through May 9, 2015, as Arson Awareness Week in the state of
Louisiana.
WHEREAS, the theme for 2015 Arson Awareness Week is, "Accelerant Detection
Canines Sniffing Out Arson"; and
WHEREAS, according to the United States Fire Administration, from 2010 to 2012,
an estimated 17,400 intentionally set fires in residential buildings were reported to United
States fire departments each year, resulting in 275 civilian deaths, 800 civilian injuries, and
513 million dollars in property loss; for this same time period, an estimated 9,000
intentionally set fires occurred in nonresidential buildings each year resulting in 282 million
dollars in property loss; and
WHEREAS, according to the Federal Bureau of Investigation, from 2009 to 2013,
there was an average of 53,127 arsons reported with an average dollar loss of $15,086 per
incident; and
WHEREAS, an accelerant detection canine is trained to sniff out minute traces of
ignitable liquid accelerants that may have been used to start a fire; each dog is part of a team
that is comprised of the canine and its handler; and
WHEREAS, these exceptionally trained canines possess superior abilities in
identifying odors and discriminating among scents; it takes a trained canine roughly thirty
minutes to work a fire scene; and
WHEREAS, the Louisiana State Fire Marshal maintains nine canine teams across the
state, four of which include accelerant detection canines that provide the citizens of
Louisiana with great service; and
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WHEREAS, the week of May 3 through May 9, 2015, is designated to focus on the
value and outstanding contribution accelerant detection canines provide to Louisiana fire
departments, law enforcement agencies, and communities.
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the House of Representatives of the
Legislature of Louisiana does hereby designate May 3 through May 9, 2015, as Arson
Awareness Week in the state of Louisiana and does hereby pay special tribute to all fire and
law enforcement investigative agencies for their dedicated and tireless service to the citizens
of Louisiana.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a suitable copy of this Resolution be transmitted
to H. "Butch" Browning, chief and Brant L. Thompson, deputy chief of the Louisiana Office
of State Fire Marshal.
SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
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