Since 1922, the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) has sponsored the public observance of Fire Prevention Week (FPW). In 1925, President Calvin Coolidge proclaimed Fire Prevention Week a national observance, making it the longest-running public health observance in our country. During Fire Prevention Week, children, adults, and teachers learn how to stay safe in case of a fire. Firefighters provide lifesaving public education in an effort to drastically decrease casualties caused by fires.

Fire Prevention Week is observed each year during the week of October 9th in commemoration of the Great Chicago Fire, which began on October 8, 1871, and caused devastating damage. This horrific conflagration killed more than 250 people, left 100,000 homeless, destroyed more than 17,400 structures, and burned more than 2,000 acres of land. (NFPA)

During Fire Prevention Week, we present to Kindergarten through 3rd graders at every elementary school in our communities.  In these assemblies, firefighters, with the assistance of Sparky the Fire Dog, talk to the students about creating a fire safety plan with their families, "Stop, Drop, and Roll", dialling 9-1-1, and more.

In addition, our Firefighters Association sponsors a Fire Prevention Week annual art contest in which Kindergarten 3rd graders compete at creating the best art project that captures the essence of the year's FPW message. The winning school earns a plaque for the year, and we paint an out-of-service fire hydrant in front of Mountain House Fire Station 16-1 in their school colors.