Oct. 5, 2018 – Washington, WI – Since 1922, the NFPA has sponsored the public observance of Fire Prevention Week. In 1925, President Calvin Coolidge proclaimed Fire Prevention Week a national observance, making it the longest-running public health observance in our country.
Fire Prevention Week is observed each year during the week of Oct. 9 in commemoration of the Great Chicago Fire, which began on October 8, 1871, and caused devastating damage.
This horrific fire killed more than 250 people, left 100,000 homeless, destroyed more than 17,400 structures, and burned more than 2,000 acres of land.
However the same day in the same year a more devastating fire occurred here in Wisconsin in the Peshtigo area. The fire destroyed 1.2 million acres and estimated 2,500 people perished.
Both fires started on Oct. 8Â and intensified on Oct. 9.
The Peshtigo fire came to a halt when it reached the shores of Lake Michigan.
During Fire Prevention Week the goal is to educate children and adults on being safe in case of a fire. Across the nation firefighters will attempt to decrease casualties caused by fire through a week long education opportunities.
The teaching theme for this year’s Fire Prevention Week is: Look, Listen, Learn. Be aware of your surroundings because fire can happen anywhere. Look for places fire could start around your home, your work place and the places you have fun at. Listen for the sound of the smoke alarm.
Test your smoke detectors, if they are 10 years old replace them. Do a drill so all know what to do and where to go. Finally, Learn two ways out of every room and out of your house. Make sure all doors and windows are cleared of any clutter.
In Washington County the week starts off Friday night with the Richfield Fire Company 25th Annual Fire Prevention Week Kick-Off on Friday evening starting at 6:30 until 9 p.m.
There will be a huge display of fire trucks and emergency equipment along with a landing of the Flight for Life Ambulance Helicopter [7:45 pm].   This will be followed by the other departments in the county hosting activities throughout the week.
Listed below are Fire Prevention Week activities that the Washington County Fire Departments are hosting:
Allenton Vol. Fire Department and St. Lawrence Fire Company   Pancake Breakfast & Open House on Sunday, Oct. 14, 8 a.m.-12 noon at the Allenton Fire Station
Boltonville Fire Department          Open House at Boltonville Fire Station on Monday, October 8, 6:00-8:00 pm
Fillmore Fire Department              Open House at their Station on Saturday, October 13, 1:00-3:00 pm
Germantown Fire Department       Fire Safety Fair at Station #2 on Edison Drive, Saturday, Oct. 6; 10:00 am-2:00 pm
Hartford Fire-Rescue         Open House along with Hartford Autumn Fest, Fire Station on Saturday, Oct. 6, 2018, 10 am – 1 pm
Jackson Fire Department              Open House at the Jackson Fire Station on Wednesday, Oct. 10 6:00-8:00 pm
Kewaskum Fire Department        Open House at the Kewaskum Fire Station on Thursday, Oct. 11, 6:00-8:00 pm
Kohlsville Fire Department           Open House at their station on Saturday on October 6, 2:00-4:00 pm
Richfield Fire Company         Fire Prevention Week Kick-Off at RFC Station 2 on Friday, Oct. 5, 6:30-9:00 pm
Slinger Fire Department        Open House at the Slinger Community Park on Tuesday, Oct. 9, 6:00-8:00 pm
West Bend Fire Department          Open House at Station #1 on Saturday, Oct. 6, 10:00 am – 1:00 pm
SOURCES:Â Wikipedia and Stacy Conradt contributing writer to mental floss since 2008.
