* Warning: This is an unofficial, introductory copy of the bill.
The official copy considered by the City Council is the first reader copy.
Introductory*
City of Baltimore
Council Bill R
(Resolution)
Introduced by: Councilmember Middleton
A Resolution Entitled
A Council Resolution concerning
title
Investigative Hearing - Arson and Fire Fatality Awareness: Community Risk Reduction Program
For the purpose of calling on representatives from the Baltimore City Fire Department, the Baltimore Police Department, the Baltimore City Public School System, the Baltimore City Health Department, the Baltimore City Department of Housing and Community Development, the Mayor’s Office of Human Services, and the Mayor’s Office of Criminal Justice to appear before the City Council to discuss arsons, fire fatalities and injuries, and school fires; and to discuss what steps the City can take to reduce the risk of these incidents occurring to protect the children and residents of Baltimore City.
body
Recitals
Baltimore City ended 2017 with 30 fire fatalities, the highest number of fire related deaths since 2007. Over the last decade there have been over 2,200 cases of arson, 150 fire fatalities, and 200 school fires. By any measure, Baltimore City has a fire problem.
Each year we have seen fire fatalities spike between October and February. Most recently in 2016-2017 when 18 lives were lost, and in 2017-2018 when 11 lives were lost. This pattern raises a significant concern as we enter into what has historically been our most fatal months.
Moreover, the Fire Department has worked diligently to install more than 14,000 smoke alarms in the homes of residents across the city during the last fiscal year. Despite those...
Click here for full text