A brief history of Fire Prevention Week

  • Published
  • By Fire Department
  • 436th Civil Engineer Squadron
DOVER AIR FORCE BASE, Del. --  Every October, Airmen here are bound to see numerous fliers, bulletins and advertisements for Dover Air Force Base's Fire Prevention Week. 

They may have also seen the 436th Civil Engineer Squadron Fire Department at the Base Exchange doing fire extinguisher training, and may have even stopped at the Open House and watched as firefighters cut up a car or two. 

But they may never have asked, "What brought along Fire Prevention Week?" or "What happened that there was a need for a National Fire Prevention Week?" 

History reminds us of the great Chicago fire that nearly destroyed the city in the 19th century. Legend has it that Mrs. Catherine O'Leary's cow kicked over a lantern and started the devastating blaze. 

While this myth has been debunked and the cow has been freed from blame, the Oct. 8, 1871 fire burned more than 2,000 acres and killed more than 250 people. Nearly 100,000 people were left homeless as a result of that fire. However, a lesser known, but more tragic story, unfolded on that same day. 

At the same time Chicago was experiencing the great fire, a small brushfire was struck near Peshtigo, Wis. This fire, said to be started by railroad workers clearing land, was one of the most devastating forest fires in American history. The fire spread quickly into the town, destroying it within an hour. Before the fire was contained, it burned 16 towns, killing 1,152 people and scorched 1.2 million acres. 

These two fires changed the way firefighters and public officials thought about fire prevention. The Fire Marshals Association of North America, now the International Fire Marshals Association, decided that the day should be observed not with festivities, but by bringing fire prevention awareness to the people of their communities. 

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 when the date Oct. 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. 

As you can see, Fire Prevention Week has a long history. Each year, fires that could have easily been prevented disrupt lives and devastate families. The Dover AFB Fire and Emergency Services Flight aims to stop the fires before they start. To accomplish this mission, we need everybody's help. This year's Fire Prevention Week will be observed from Oct. 8 through 14, with an open house at the Fire Station Oct. 14. 

For more information about Dover Air Force Base's Fire Prevention Week, contact David Morris or Staff Sgt. Charles Fish at 677-4414 or 677-4415. 

(Some information in this article was obtained from the National Fire Protection Association at http://www.NFPA.org)