Events
Fire Prevention Week
October 3 - 9, 2021
Theme 2021: TBA
The Story Behind Fire Prevention Week
The history of National Fire Prevention Week has its roots in the Great Chicago Fire, which occurred on October 9, 1871. This tragic conflagration killed 250 people, left 100,000 homeless, destroyed more than 17,000 structures and burned more than 2000 acres in 27 hours. While the origin of the fire has never been determined, there has been much speculation over how it began. 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.
On the Great Chicago Fire’s 40th anniversary, the Fire Marshals Association of North America (FMANA) sponsored the first National Fire Prevention Day as a way to keep the public informed about the importance of fire prevention.
In 1920, President Woodrow Wilson issued the first National Fire Prevention Day proclamation. Every year since 1925, the President of the United States has signed a proclamation pronouncing a national observance on the Sunday through Saturday period in which October 9th falls.
The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) has been the official sponsor of National Fire Prevention Week for more than 70 years. Each year, Fire Prevention Week success grows, allowing life-saving fire safety messages to reach more and help them avoid the tragedy of fire. NFPA is dedicated to providing fire and life-safety advocates like you with the tools you need to help make your community a safer place. You are the vital link. Without your work year-round, the people in your community would be at a greater risk from fire. 1996 marked the centennial anniversary of NFPA - an exciting benchmark for the association. NFPA reached this milestone with the participation of tons of thousands of fire and life-safety professionals and volunteers, and other individuals working to make the world safer from fire during Fire Prevention Week and every day! We thank you for your commitment to a safer world.
Iowa Fallen Firefighters Memorial
June 13, 2021
Coralville, IA Exit 242 I-80
Annual Memorial Services
Burn Awareness week
February 7 - 13, 2021
Burn Awareness Week, observed the first full week in February, is designed to provide an opportunity for burn, fire and life safety educators to unite in sharing a common burn awareness and prevention message in our communities. Burn Awareness Week, celebrated early in the year, is an excellent opportunity to "kick off" a year full of burn awareness education.
Poison Prevention Week
March 20 - 26, 2022
Knowing the facts and quick thinking saves lives. Every second counts when someone you know has ingested poison. There’s never been a better time to build community awareness on the dangers of poisonous substances.
National EMS Week
May 16 - May 22, 2021
EMS Week is an opportunity to recognize EMS contributions of the past and build upon them for a safer tomorrow.
The purpose of EMS Week is to educate the public to: teach their family the emergency phone numbers; to keep these numbers posted by every telephone in the house. It is also time to encourage the public to take a CPR course, check smoke detector batteries and update first-aid kits and keep them easily accessible.
National Arson Awareness Week
May 2 - May 8, 2021
Each year during the first full week in May, the U.S. Fire Administration (USFA) and our partners work to raise awareness of arson and provide individuals with strategies to combat it in their community.