Prevent home fires with Fire Prevention Week education Published Oct. 8, 2008 By 7th Civil Engineer Squadron Fire Prevention Office DYESS AIR FORCE BASE, TExas -- Once again, Fire Prevention Week is upon us. This year's Fire Prevention Week theme is "Prevent Home Fires." From October 12-18, Dyess Fire and Emergency Services specialists will spread the word about preventing home fires. Whether you're a firefighter, a teacher or a parent, we've got lots of helpful information for you, your family members, friends, and neighbors. During Fire Prevention Week, the Dyess fire department will provide educational information, tours of the station, and a chance for Team Dyess to have fun experiencing what it's like to be a fire fighter during Smoke House demonstrations. The history of National Fire Prevention Week has its roots in the Great Chicago Fire of October 1871. This tragic blaze killed nearly 300 people, left 100,000 homeless, and destroyed more than 17,000 structures. The origin of the fire has generated speculation since its occurrence, with fact and fiction becoming blurred over the years. One popular legend has it that "Mrs. O'Leary" was milking her cow when the animal kicked over a lamp, setting the O'Leary barn on fire and starting the spectacular inferno. However the massive fire began, it swiftly took its toll, burning more than 2,000 acres in 27 hours. The city of Chicago was quickly rebuilt, and within a couple of years residents began celebrating their successful restoration to memorialize the anniversary of the fire with festivities. Intending to observe the fire's anniversary with a more serious commemoration, the Fire Marshals Association of North America, the oldest membership section of the National Fire Protection Association, decided the 40th anniversary of the fire should be observed not with festivities but in a way that would keep the public informed about the importance of fire prevention. When President Calvin Coolidge proclaimed the first National Fire Prevention Week from Oct. 4 to 10, 1925, he noted that in the previous year some 15,000 lives were lost to fire in the United States. Calling the loss "startling," President Coolidge's proclamation stated, "This waste results from the conditions which justify a sense of shame and horror; for the greater part of it could and ought to be prevented ... It is highly desirable that every effort be made to reform the conditions which have made possible so vast a destruction of the national wealth." NFPA continues today to make National Fire Prevention Week a priority and counts on the participation and efforts of thousands of fire and safety professionals, emergency volunteers, and other individuals working to reduce the risk of fire and the toll it takes on our society. Fire Prevention Week 2008 Events Oct. 12 10 to 11 a.m. -- Vehicle parade through base housing Oct. 13 10:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. -- Display at BX Fire Station tours available throughout day Oct. 14 10:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. -- Display at BX 3:30 to 7 p.m. -- Open Smoke House (fire engine and Sparky) Fire Station tours available throughout day Oct. 15 9 to 10 a.m. -- Visit CDC (fire engine and Sparky) 10:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. -- Display at BX 3:30 to 7 p.m. -- Open Smoke House (fire engine and Sparky) Oct. 16 8 to 10 a.m. -- Home Daycare Provider's Smoke House Training 5 to 7:30 p.m. -- Commanders' Muster Challenge (Youth Center parking lot) Oct. 17 5 to 6 -.m. -- Poster Contest Winners/Youth Center (pizza, cake and drinks) Oct. 18 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. -- Fire Station Open House For more information, call Dyes' fire prevention office at 696-5222/2486.