The History of Fire Prevention Week
The history of Fire Prevention Week has its roots in the Great Chicago Fire, which occurred on October 9, 1871. This tragic conflagration killed more than 250 people, left 100,000 homeless, destroyed more than 17,400 structures and burned more than 2000 acres in 27 hours. The origin of the fire has generated speculation since its occurrence, with fact and fiction becoming blurred over the years. One popular legend is that Mrs. Catherine O'Leary was milking her cow when the animal kicked over a lamp, setting the O'Leary's barn on fire and starting the spectacular blaze.
The Great Chicago Fire
On the 40th anniversary of the Great Chicago Fire, the Fire Marshals Association of North America (FMANA); the oldest membership section of the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), sponsored the first National Fire Prevention Day, deciding to observe the anniversary as a way to keep the public informed about the importance of fire prevention. This was expanded to Fire Prevention Week in 1922. The non-profit NFPA, which has officially sponsored Fire Prevention Week since its inception, selects the annual theme for Fire Prevention Week.
In Canada, the first national Fire Prevention Day proclamation was issued by the Governor-General in 1919. The earliest known provincial proclamation of Fire Prevention Day was by the Lieutenant-Governor-in-Council of Ontario in 1916. Fire Prevention Week was first proclaimed by the Governor-General in 1923. Presidential proclamations in the United States have closely followed those in Canada.
It may seem odd that the date of Fire Prevention Week in Canada should be determined by the anniversary of a fire in the United States. But from the beginning, it was apparent that a united effort between Canada and the U.S.A. would give the work greater impetus. To this end fire prevention organizations in both countries have always supported a common date at federal, state, provincial, and municipal levels. An early sign of this spirit of cooperation was in May of 1919, when the NFPA held its 23rd annual meeting in Ottawa at the invitation of the Dominion Fire Prevention Association (DFPA), the federal Department of Insurance, and the federal Commission of Conservation. On this occasion the NFPA and DFPA both passed resolutions urging governments in the United States and Canada to support the campaign for a common Fire Prevention Day. These resolutions contributed to the decision to issue the first Canadian proclamation in the fall of 1919.
The Saturday ending Fire Prevention week is Fire Service Recognition Day. It expresses appreciation for the many public services rendered by members of the Canadian fire service. Fire Service Recognition Day was first incorporated into the Governor-General’s proclamation of Fire Prevention Week in 1977.
With tremendous help from fire safety advocates throughout North America, Fire Prevention Week continues to be a success each year.
Sources:
- NFPA Journal
- NFPA Community Awareness kit
- Minutes of the ACFM/FC 31st Annual Conference June 18-21, 1952
- Minutes of the Annual Meeting of the DFPA, May 19, 1919
- Minutes of the 68th Annual Meeting of CAFC, August 22-26, 1976
- Archival copies of the Fire Prevention Day/Week Proclamations - Registrar General
For further information or assistance, contact your nearest HRDC regional or district office.