The larger the communities the more problems come with them.  Fire is one of their worst enemies.  Fire prevention, therefore, is one of the most precious tools to have.  Without the proper fire prevention unlimited lives and properties can be lost in a very short time span.  Major cities in the US such as New York City and Chicago had come through expensive experience and become the cities we know to day.  Lacking adequate fire prevention they were burnt down at one time or another. 

Some communities in Massachusetts impose expensive measures such as sprinkler system in single family structures.  It is considered expensive and unnecessary by the State Building Code standard, but it helps many of us in those communities to secure the investment. 

Fire prevention should start with the question of:  (1) Where is the fire in each building type in that community?  How can that be monitored, controlled, segregated?  (2) How should the building habitants be safe, evacuated on a timely basis? Should or shouldn’t the habitants try to stop the fire themselves?  (3) To what degree the buildings need to buy time before the fire department arrive? (4) Fire station locations, resources, facilities, and readiness will determine levels of fire fighting success. 

There should be correct relationships in building code, city planning, and fire department capabilities for fire prevention plan to take place for any building.

Building codes will determine class of building material to be used; city planning will strategically place fire stations at the right places.  Proper planned communities should successfully bring the fire fighting teams to the fire scenes everywhere on a timely basis. 

Inability to answer those questions or short cut in commitment to sound solutions will result in tragedies. 

Letter to President Clinton
Response from The White House