2015 Regular Session ENROLLED
SENATE RESOLUTION NO. 89
BY SENATOR JOHNS
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
Canine – 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 the
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, 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 reported arsons 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 composed of the canine and its handler; and
WHEREAS, these exceptionally trained canines possess superior abilities in
identifying odors and discriminating among scents, and 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 are accelerant detection canines that provide the citizens of Louisiana
with a great service; and
WHEREAS, the week of May 3 through May 9, 2015, is designated to focus on the
value and outstanding contributions accelerant detections canines provide to fire
departments, law enforcement agencies, and their communities.
Page 1 of 2 SR NO. 89 ENROLLED
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Senate 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 dedication and tireless service to the citizens of Louisiana.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a copy of this Resolution be transmitted to
Chief H. "Butch" Browning and Deputy Chief Brant L. Thompson of the Louisiana Office
of State Fire Marshal.
PRESIDENT OF THE SENATE
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