The preschool children in the St. Pat’s Gingerbread House program learned some first lessons in fire trucks and firefighting gear Monday morning to begin the 2019 Fire Prevention Week Oct. 6-12.
Three members of the Perry Volunteer Fire Department — Frank Eiteman, Brian Eiteman and Clint Nelsen — gave some basic instruction to the St. Pat’s students Monday morning, and the firefighters will visit the Perry Elementary School students Friday morning.
Indoor instruction included introducing the kids to the firefighting suit and air pack that firefighters wear, and the outdoor instruction included a tour of a fire truck.
Since 1922, the National Fire Protection Association has sponsored the public observance of Fire Prevention Week since 1922, and U.S. President Calvin Coolidge proclaimed Fire Prevention Week a national observance in 1925.
During Fire Prevention Week, children, adults and teachers learn how to stay safe in case of a fire. Firefighters provide lifesaving public education in an effort to drastically decrease casualties caused by fires. Fire Prevention Week is observed each year during the week of Oct. 9 in commemoration of the Great Chicago Fire, which began Oct. 8, 1871, and caused devastating damage.
