Fire Prevention Week, October 6 to October 12, is just around the corner. During Fire Prevention Week the Brooklyn Center Fire Department will be visiting elementary schools throughout Brooklyn Center to educate children about fire safety. This year we expect to teach around 1,200 students, primarily kindergarteners and first graders about the importance of smoke alarms, emergency exit plans, how to call 911, and more.

Did you know that Fire Prevention Week was established to commemorate the Great Chicago Fire of 1871? This devastating event claimed the lives of over 250 people, left 100,000 homeless, destroyed more than 17,400 structures, and burned over 2,000 acres. The fire began on October 8 and continued causing destruction through October 9.

While there's no definitive proof, a popular legend suggests that the fire started when a cow kicked over a lantern in a barn, igniting the flames that would engulf the city. This catastrophic incident transformed the way firefighters and public officials approached fire safety, leading to the decision to observe this fire as a reminder on the importance of fire prevention.

In 1920, President Woodrow Wilson issued the first National Fire Prevention Day Proclamation. Since 1922, Fire Prevention Week has been observed during the week that includes October 9, making it the longest-running public health and safety observance in history.