fire prevention week

Fire Prevention Week was established to commemorate the Great Chicago Fire, the tragic 1871 conflagration that killed more than 250 people, left 100,000 homeless, destroyed more than 17,400 structures and burned more than 2,000 acres. The fire began on October 8, but continued into and did most of its damage on October 9, 1871.

 On the 40th anniversary of the Great Chicago Fire, the Fire Marshals Association of North America (today known as the International Fire Marshals Association), decided that the anniversary of the Great Chicago Fire should henceforth be observed not with festivities, but in a way that would keep the public informed about the importance of fire prevention. The commemoration grew incrementally official over the years.

In 1920, President Woodrow Wilson issued the first National Fire Prevention Day proclamation, and since 1922, Fire Prevention Week has been observed on the Sunday through Saturday period in which October 9 falls. According to the National Archives and Records Administration's Library Information Center, Fire Prevention Week is the longest running public health and safety observance on record. The President of the United States has signed a proclamation proclaiming a national observance during that week every year since 1925.

Fire Prevention Week in Nassau Bay

The Nassau Bay Volunteer Fire Department participates in the annual fire prevention week activities by educating children on school visits, hosting fire prevention classes for groups and organizations and on the Friday night of Fire Prevention Week hosts it's annual Open House.

The Mayor of Nassau Bay signs a proclamation proclaiming a city wide observance of Fire Prevention Week every October to coincide with the national observation. This proclamation is made during a City of Nassau Bay Council Meeting. Members of the NBVFD attend this meeting and give the City Council a schedule of events planned for the week.

If you or your group are interested in scheduling a vist to the fire station, or scheduling a fire prevention class please contact the NBVFD

If you would like more information about Fire Prevention Week, visit the National Fire Prevention Association's website by clicking here.