At their meeting on Oct. 6, the Alliance City Council issued two proclamations, declaring the week of Oct. 4-10 as Fire Prevention Week and Public Power Week.
Vice Mayor Brian Mischnick issued the first proclamation to Alliance Volunteer Fire Department member Earl Jones, noting the importance of safety when it comes to fires.
“Home fires killed more than 2,630 people in the United States in 2017 according to the National Fire Protection Association,” Mischnick read from the proclamation. “Fire departments in the United States responded to more than 357,000 home fires. Cooking is the leading cause of home fires in the United States where fire departments responded to more than 173,200 annually between 2013 and 2017. Two of every five home fires start in the kitchen, with 31 percent of these fires resulting from cooking.”
Mischnick said that residents are encouraged to make a home fire escape plan to be prepared.
“Alliance’s first responders are dedicated to reducing the occurrence of home fires and home fire injuries through prevention and protection education,” said Mischnick. “The 2020 Fire Prevention Week theme ‘Serve up Fire Safety in the Kitchen’ effectively serves to remind us to stay alert and use caution when cooking to reduce the risk of kitchen fires.”
Mischnick presented the proclamation to Jones after reading it, after which Council Member Ryann Reynolds issued the second proclamation to Electric Superintendent Kirby Bridge, noting the role of public power in serving Alliance.
“The City of Alliance Electric Department helps our community in powerful ways,” Reynolds read from the proclamation. “We the citizens of Alliance, Nebraska place high value on local control of community services, and therefore have chosen to operate a community-owned, locally-controlled, not-for-profit electric utility, and as consumers and owners of our electric utility have a direct say in utility operations and policies.
“The Alliance electric department provides our homes, businesses, farms, social service and local government agencies with reliable, efficient and cost-effective electricity, employing sound business practices designed to ensure the best possible service at not-for-profit rates,” Reynolds continued.
Reynolds said the electric department is a valuable asset to the community that improves the lives of Alliance’s citizens.
“The Alliance Electric Department is a dependable and trustworthy institution, whose local operation provides many consumer protections, and continues to make our community a better place to live and work, as well as protecting the global environment,” Reynolds said.
Reynolds said the utility, which has operated since 1911, will continue to serve the citizens of Alliance, officially designating the 32nd annual Public Power Week.