Fire Prevention Week

Fire Prevention Week marks the anniversary of the Great Chicago Fire of October 8-9 1871. That blaze, which raged for several days, claimed more than 250 lives and destroyed more than 17,400 structures. Like later major fire tragedies such as the 1911 Triangle Shirtwaist factory fire in New York (145 fatalities) and the 1942 fire in Boston's Cocoanut Grove nightclub (491 dead), the 1871 Chicago Fire prompted much-needed reform by focusing attention on fire prevention and fire safety.

In 1911, to commemorate the 40th anniversary of the Chicago Fire, the Fire Marshals Association of North America proclaimed the nation's first Fire Prevention Day to promote public awareness of fire safety. Fire-awareness programs and parades were held throughout America.

In 1925, president Calvin Coolidge declared Fire Prevention Week an official national observance. Ever since, the Sunday through Saturday period containing the October 9 anniversary of the Chicago Fire has been the focus of an annual fire-safety-awareness campaign sponsored by the National Fire Protection Association.

Reference: National Fire Protection Association (NFPA)

Croker Fire Drill Corporation
P.O. Box 368
Islip Terrace, NY 11752-0368
Phone:631.277.7602
Fax:631.277.5802