WHEREAS,  May 3 to May 9, 2015 has been recognized as National Arson Awareness Week and its theme is Accelerant Detection Canines - Sniffing Out Arson; and

WHEREAS,  according to the United States Fire Administration, from 2010 to 2012, an estimated 17,400 intentionally set fires in residential buildings were reported to fire departments across the country each year and these fires resulted in 275 civilian deaths, 800 civilian injuries and $513,000,000 in property loss; and

WHEREAS,  from 2010 to 2012, an estimated 9,000 intentionally set fires occurred in nonresidential buildings each year and these fires resulted in $282,000,000 in property loss; and

WHEREAS,  according to the Federal Bureau of Investigation, from 2009 to 2013, there was an average of 53,127 arsons reported with an average dollar loss of $15,086 per incident; and

WHEREAS,  in 2014, arsons in the State resulted in 7 fatalities, 12 injuries and over $2,085,000 in property loss; and

WHEREAS,  the use of accelerant detection canines at the scene of a fire saves time and money by allowing accelerants to be identified with fewer evidence samples and this efficiency reduces laboratory expenditures, speeds up investigations and provides a higher conviction rate; and

WHEREAS,  the investigative skills of K-9 teams have a direct effect on the successful prosecution of arson cases and K-9 teams are one of the most beneficial tools in the fight against the crime of arson; now, therefore, be it