Fire Prevention Week
Fire Prevention Day was inaugurated on October 9, 1911. The date of October 9th was chosen because it marks the anniversary of the "Great Chicago Fire of 1871," which killed 250 people and destroyed 17,430 buildings, at a cost of $168 million. The disaster was the fire that started people thinking in terms of fire prevention rather than only firefighting.

Fire Prevention Day was started by the Fire Marshals Association of North America, now part of the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA). The day was first proclaimed by President Woodrow Wilson on the 40th anniversary of the Chicago blaze.

In 1992, on recommendation of a member of NFPA and unanimous vote of the membership at the association's annual meeting that year, the fire safety observance was extended to cover the entire week that includes the October 9th anniversary date.

Fire Prevention for Kids
We have a Fire Prevention Page designed for kids with many links to fire prevention websites.

Test Your Smoke Alarms
As part of Fire Prevention Week, we recommend everyone take the time to test their smoke alarms. Did you know, roughly 70 percent of home fire deaths result from fires in homes with no smoke alarms or no working smoke alarms.

Be Prepared
Making sure that homes are equipped with working smoke alarms is only part of the solution. Kids and families must also know what to do when the smoke alarm sounds - check out these tips from the NFPA, and be prepared.

Fire Prevention Officer Contact
Michael Hutchens, Jr.