Since 1922, Fire Prevention Week has been observed on the Sunday-Saturday period that includes Oct. 9. According to the National Archives and Records Administration’s Library Information Center, Fire Prevention Week is the longest running public health and observance on record.
Why Oct. 9? The Great Chicago Fire began Oct. 8, 1871, but did most of its damage Oct. 9. The fire killed more than 250 persons, left 100,000 homeless, destroyed more than 17,400 structures and burned more than 2,000 acres.
The cause of the blaze has been attributed to Mrs O’Leary’s cow, but there is one theory that a fiery meteorite may have fallen to Earth Oct. 8, starting several fires. The largest was the Peshtigo fire, the most devastating forest fire in U.S. history. The fire, in northeast Wisconsin, burned down 16 towns, killed 1,152 people and scorched 1.2 million acres.
Fire Prevention Week, sponsored now by the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), highlights various topics in fire safety. The theme in 1942 was “Today Every Fire Helps Hitler.” The 1945 theme – “We Burned the Enemy – Now Save Yourself from Fire.” Home fire drills, learn not to burn, preventing kitchen fires, and using care with candles have been more recent topics.
The 2016 theme reminds homeowners to replace their smoke detectors every 10 years. “Don’t Wait – Check the Date!” Visit the NFPA’s website for more information about Fire Prevention Week.
Fire Prevention Week is also a time to salute the thousands of firefighters, paid and volunteer, in our nation. GreeneCountyNewsOnline, with rosters and photos courtesy of The Scranton Journal, thanks our county firefighters. Thank you for being willing and ready to serve!
CHURDAN – Nate Byerly; Nick Christianson; Eric Flinn; Nicole Flinn – EMS; Nolan Ford — Jr. Fire Fighter; Bill Gebhart –EMS, Sec. / Treas; Andy Hamilton —Fire Fighter / EMS; Joleen Killeen – EMS Coordinator; Ann Meyer – EMS; Brian Monahan; Alex Monthei; Morgan Reeves; Garrett Riedesel; Kathy Rose – EMS; and Jay Thede.
GRAND JUNCTION – Raymond Bren; Tim Collogan – Asst. Chief; Amanda Dennis; Steve Eggert –Lieutenant; Jacob Fester – Lieutenant; Tim Fester – Fire Chief; Joe Gannon – Fire Fighter & Sec./Treas; Jessica Haben – EMT; Roy Hadley; Adam Hoffman – Fire Captain; Nathan Hoffman; Terry Hoefle; Darin Jacobs – Lieutenant; Lindsey Jacobs – Fire Fighter / EMT; Robert Kafer – Lieutenant; Wayne Kafer; Pierre Kellogg – Rescue Captain, Fire Fighter & EMT; Dave Kersey – EMT; John Kersey — Jr. Fire Fighter; Brenda Laab; Tom Launderville; Brenda Miller; Ryan Ostendorf; Willard Ritchie; Annette Russell; Jon Strabley – Jr. Fire Fighter; Justin Thompson – Lieutenant; and Mary Tonsfeld – Fire Fighter & EMT.
JEFFERSON – Mike Barrett; Derrik Bauer – Asst. Sec; Chad Black; James Carman – 1st Lieutenant; Dallas Chargo; Steve Cort; Brett Cranston; Austin Davidson; Eric Eliserio; Jamie Ganoe – Sergeant; Mark Garreans; Robert Hadley; Craig Hart; Jesse Hermansen; Robert Lawson; Jason McDowell; Ken Morlan — 2nd Lieutenant; Robert Newby; Nic Olerich; Shawn Olson Sr; Dean Promes – Asst. Chief; Steve Scheffler; Mike Wahl; and Jack Williams – Chief.
PATON – Kevin Bauer; Vaughn Bauer; Steve Burrell; Wayne Carlson; Jim Doran; Joe Doran; George Erickson; Pat Fields; Eric Happe; Steve Gustafson; Jeff Headley – Asst. Chief; Pat Kirk; Craig Marquardt – Sec/Treasurer; Jonathan Marshall – Fire Chief; Gabe Olson; Bob Peacock; Adam Snowgren; Brian Tasler; Marcus Thomas; Doug Tourte; and Mitchell Tourte
RIPPEY – Jon Allen; Debbie Dennhardt; Garry Higgins; Pete Johnson – Chief; Katlyn Kendall — Jr. FF; Jessica McKim; Phillip Odin; Brad Rowe; Gary Schmidt; Matthew Wetzel; and Heartland Coop Employees.
SCRANTON – Chris Anderson – Training Officer; Jerry Boyd – Sec./Treas; Don Christian; Charles Duff; Doug Duff – Chief; Dustin Gibson; Mike Gibson – Asst. Chief; Luke Gregory; Brian Hinners; Chad Kirk; Gib Sukovaty; Zach Sukovaty; Travis Warnke – Lieutenant; B. J. Wright – Captain; and Randy Winkelman.
