Stay Fire Smart Don’t Get Burned
Its Fire Prevention Week 2009 and many of you are busy with department open houses, public awareness, or education events. The National Fire Prevention Association has many resources available to you to help make the week successful. Its important to remember that this week is not limited to fire code officials and it takes all of us to make a difference.
All inspectors play a key role in helping raise awareness on fire prevention after all thats why we have building and fire codes. Its all about life safety
Some Easy Steps to Make This Week Successful for Inspectors
We know that many of you have busy scheduled and did not schedule events for this week. Thanks okay there is always next year, although here are some quick things you can do today or Monday morning:
Was it the Cow?
In 1871 a great fire consumed the City of Chicago and served as a catalyst for fire prevention week. The bulk of the damage was consumed by the fire on October 9, 1871 and was one of three major fires (Peshtigo Fire and the Great Thumb Fire) that week. The story is typically told about Mrs. O’Leary’s cow who tipped over a lantern and caused the start of the fire. Recently historians have worked to debunk the ethics of Mrs. O’Lery’s milking cows and may lead to careless smoking near the barn or a fiery meteorite which started the Peshtigo fire as well.
Details of the Chicago Fire included
- 250 Died
- 100,000 were left homeless
- 2,000 acres burned
- 17,400 structures were destroyed by fire
Regardless of how the fire started, the event triggered many events that have focus on public education on fires. 40 years after that fiery day, the International Fire Marshal’s Association (Approximately 1910) pushed to have the week set aside as fire prevention day. This included [click to continue…]
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