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                                                                H.C.R. No. 107



HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION
	WHEREAS, The week of April 4 through 8, 2005, is Wildfire 
Awareness Week, a statewide campaign to inform Texas residents 
about how to protect themselves while living in neighborhoods near 
wildland areas; and
	WHEREAS, Members of 1,800 fire departments across the State 
of Texas work together to suppress more than 10,000 fires each year; 
with the support of the Texas Forest Service and the Rural Volunteer 
Fire Department Assistance Program, these firefighters effectively 
battle wildfires that threaten the health and well-being of all 
Texans; and
	WHEREAS, The Texas Forest Service has a nationally recognized 
fire prevention program, and it responds to an average of 1,000 
wildfires each year; it also provides assessment and monitoring of 
weather, fuels, and historic data to predict fire danger and risks; 
the forest service established the Texas Wildfire Protection Plan 
in 1998, which further strengthened its relationship with fire 
departments across the state, and it offers training and classes to 
educate homeowners who live in critical areas about how to protect 
themselves and their residences; and
	WHEREAS, In its capacity building programs, the forest 
service greatly benefits from the cooperation of the Texas 
insurance industry, the fireworks industry, and municipal and 
industrial fire departments and their support of the Rural VFD 
Assistance Program, the Rural VFD Insurance Program, and the 
Helping Hands Program, respectively; and 
	WHEREAS, Since its inception in 2002, the Rural VFD 
Assistance Program has increased the firefighting capacities of 
more than 1,600 volunteer fire departments across the state; it has 
provided $40.5 million in grants for trucks, equipment, 
communications systems, and training programs, and it has awarded 
$1.5 million in workers' compensation insurance to volunteer 
firefighters; and
	WHEREAS, As the state grows, more homes are being built in 
forested and wildland environments in areas with poor access and 
limited water supplies; Wildfire Awareness Week will call attention 
to serious issues and will make an important contribution toward 
safeguarding lives and property; now, therefore, be it
	RESOLVED, That the 79th Legislature of the State of Texas 
hereby recognize Wildfire Awareness Week from April 4 through 8, 
2005, and commend the Texas Forest Service and members of the Rural 
Volunteer Fire Department Assistance Program and fire departments 
across the state for their invaluable efforts to protect their 
fellow Texans.

                                                                Cook of Colorado




______________________________              ______________________________
 
   President of the Senate                               Speaker of the House      

	I certify that H.C.R. No. 107 was adopted by the House on 
April 4, 2005, by a non-record vote.

                                                  ______________________________
                                                     Chief Clerk of the House   

	I certify that H.C.R. No. 107 was adopted by the Senate on 
April 13, 2005, by a viva-voce vote.

                                                  ______________________________
                                                      Secretary of the Senate   



APPROVED: __________________                                                
 
                Date                                                         




 
         __________________                                              
 
              Governor