One of the foremost authorities on fire prevention, and the author of the "America Burning" Report passed away Thursday.
Louis J. Amabili, 88, began his fire service career when he joined the Hockessin, DE, Fire Company in 1947.
In 1970, President Richard Nixon appointed Amabili to to serve on the National Commission for Fire Prevention and Control. That committee, under Amabili's leadership, produced the 1973 "America Burning" report that focused on fire deaths, injuries and loses in the U.S.
While attending a graduation for the National Fire Academy's Executive Fire Officer program in 2013, Amabili told Firehouse.com that members of the committee "put their heart and soul” into the report.