Governor JB Pritzker has declared January 15-21, 2024, as Community Risk Reduction Week in Illinois, focusing on a data-driven approach to identify and prioritize local risks. The initiative aims to strategically allocate resources for emergency response and prevention to reduce the occurrence and impact of risks in communities.
CRR Week, initiated by fire departments nationwide, focuses on the five "E's" of CRR: Education, Engineering, Enforcement, Economic Incentive, and Emergency Response. It encourages fire departments, regardless of size or location, to adopt CRR concepts to identify and mitigate risks. Martin Luther King Day, January 15, also served as a National Day of Service to engage communities in educational programs.
Illinois State Fire Marshal James A. Rivera commended the success of CRR programs, highlighting the state's leadership in this regard. CRR's effectiveness is demonstrated by its ability to analyze data and develop strategies for risk prevention.
According to crrweek.org, fire departments in the U.S. respond to a fire every 21 seconds. In 2022, 72% of fire deaths occurred at home, resulting in 13,250 civilian injuries and $18 billion in property damage. The CRR process, initiated in Illinois in late 2019, continues to grow through outreach efforts, aiming to inspire community ownership and provide coordinated resources.
For more information and resources on CRR, visit illinoiscrr.com or follow @IllinoisCRR on Facebook. The mission of the State of Illinois Community Risk Reduction Task Force is to promote risk reduction by encouraging community involvement.
