It Is Arson Awareness Week! Vehicle Arson — A Combustible Crime

It is Arson Awareness Week through May 10.  This years theme: Vehicle Arson — A Combustible Crime.

To learn more about this crime, please go here: Vehicle Arson

Here are some stats via the USFA web site you might find interesting:

Vehicle arson statistics

• From 2008-2010, 14 percent of all fires were vehicle fires. Of these fires, 7 percent were intentionally set. Source: USFA
• From 2004-2006, an estimated 27,900 intentionally set vehicle fires occurred each year in the U.S. These intentionally set fires resulted in an average of approximately 40 deaths, 75 injuries, and $169 million in property loss each year. Source: USFA
• During 2007-2011, local fire departments responded to an average of 20,400 intentionally set vehicle fires, accounting for 7 percent of intentionally set fires and resulting in an average of 32 civilian deaths, 67 civilian injuries, and $176 million in direct property damage. Source: National Fire Protection Association
• Two-thirds of intentionally set vehicle fires occur under the cloak of darkness (9 p.m.-6 a.m.). Source: National Fire Protection Association
• Over the last 10 years (2003-2012), there has been an average of 14,737 vehicle arsons reported, accounting for 26.5 percent of total arsons annually. Source: Federal Bureau of Investigation

Arson Awareness Week May 5-11; “Reducing Residential Arson”

This week is Arson Awareness Week and the theme this year is “Reducing Residential Arson.”  Below please find some information from our partners in fire safety, the United States Fire Administration, that will provide more background as well as safety tips on how you can help to safeguard your home against the crime of arson.

Protecting Homes Against Arson

National Arson Awareness Week - Prevent Youth Firesetting

Did you know that this week is National Arson Awareness Week?  The theme this year is: Prevent Youth Firesetting.


To learn more about this important topic, please go to the U.S. Fire Administration (USFA) web site.


Stay Safe,


Bill D

NEWS ADVISORY: Arson Awareness Week and News Briefing

Date: Thursday, May 6, 2010

Time: 1:00 p.m.

Location: Public Safety Training Academy
9710 Great Seneca Highway
Rockville, Maryland


ROCKVILLE, Maryland - - Arson Awareness Week is sponsored annually by the U.S. Fire Administration (USFA) to focus public attention on a preventable crime with real victims in every segment of society. The theme for this year’s event, May 2 – 8, is “Community Arson Prevention” in an effort to provide communities with tools and strategies to combat arson in their neighborhoods, businesses, schools and places of worship and get more people involved in arson prevention.

Read on: Arson Awareness Week and News Briefing

Arson Awareness Week May 2-8, 2010

This Year's Theme - Community Arson Prevention

Arson is a crime! Did you know that an estimated average of 316,600 intentional fires are reported to fire departments in the US each year causing injuries to 7,825 firefighters and civilians?*

MCFRS would ask you to take a moment to go to the United States Fire Administration (USFA) web site to learn how you can help to prevent arson in your community.

Click here to learn more: Community Arson Prevention

Watch the 2010 Arson Awareness Week Public Service Announcement

As always, please be safe out there!

Bill Delaney
MCFRS Community Life Safety Education

* According to the USFA's National Fire Incident Reporting System (NFIRS) data and the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA)

Arson Awareness Week May 3-9, 2009

This Year's Theme: Arson for Profit

The United States Fire Administration (USFA) announces this year’s Arson Awareness Week (AAW) theme – Arson for Profit. The USFA partnered with the Coalition Against Insurance Fraud, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) and the International Association of Arson Investigators (IAAI).

The goal of this year’s AAW, May 3-9, is to focus public attention on arson for profit. By drawing people’s at­tention to the alarming statistics about arson for profit, we hope to expand the resources and support neces­sary to reduce this crime. There are many motives for arson - the crime of deliberately and maliciously set­ting fire. Arson for profit, or economic arson, is when businesses or individuals set fires to reduce financial loss, recoup initial investments, or dispose of depreci­ated assets usually for a payout from insurance com­panies. For more go here.

Audio Public Service Announcement