The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) has sponsored Fire Prevention Week since 1922.  This week long event has been promoted in Canada and the United States during the week of October 9th in commeroration of the Great Chicago Fire.  The fire started on October 8, 1871 and “killed more than 250 people, left 100,000 homeless, destroyed more than 17,400 structures, and burned more than 2,000 acres of land.”  To learn more about the Chicago Fire of 1871, check out the video below.

In 1925, President Calvin Coolidge proclaimed Fire Prevention Week a national obervance and since then, it is the longest-running public health observance in the United States.

In normal times, the Ashburn Volunteer Fire Department would be holding their annual fall open house but due to Covid-19, the event has been canceled.  Instead, we will be holding a Virtual Fire Prevention Week so check back each day starting on October 4th through the 10th for a different fire safety message and activities.  This year’s theme is “Serve Up Fire Safety in the Kitchen.”