According to the National Fire Protection Association, National Fire Prevention Day was first proclaimed in 1920 by President Woodrow Wilson. Extended to National Fire Prevention Week in 1922, it is the longest-running public health and safety observance on record.

This weekend fire departments across the United States will host open houses or other displays in honor of Fire Prevention Week. School visits, fire drills and demonstrations of smoke detectors all will be held to promote fire safety across America.

In my area, five local fire departments will participate in the 12th annual Silent Parade to remember firefighters and civilians who have lost their lives in fires and other disasters. A procession of fire trucks with response lights blazing will slowly and silently drive on a main road that crosses through the five towns. The parade will end at a local church for a service of remembrance. The parade is solemn like a funeral, and it stops traffic and very visibly calls attention to the fact that fire kills people.

Local residents are encouraged to watch the parade and hold American flags or flashlights. According to Capt. Kevin Votava of the Hinsdale (Ill.) Fire Department, the idea for the Silent Parade came from Marsha Giesler, public educator for the Downers Grove (Ill.) Fire Department, as a way to finish Fire Prevention Week.

"We tried to find a main route to cover a number of towns and yet cause the least chaos with traffic," Votava said. "When you see the turnout of residents holding flashlights, it's pretty amazing." On a national level, the public can learn more about the fire service through a well-reviewed documentary. Tonight, Oct. 13, and again on Sunday, Oct. 22, Into the Fire will be shown on the History Channel. A preview was held at the International Association of Fire Chiefs conference in Dallas last month.

This program, funded by Fireman's Fund Insurance Co., has been described as one of the most accurate and factual depictions of firefighters. According to National Fallen Firefighter Foundation Executive Director Ron Siarnicki, "We have seen other fire movies out there, but nothing like what we really do."

A DVD of the program will be available next January on the NFFF's Web site, which also offers T-shirts and posters promoting the film. According to Siarnicki, every penny raised will benefit firefighters and the NFFF. We'll let you know when you can buy the DVD.

Fire prevention also is featured in FIRE CHIEF's October issue. We have an interview with Phil Schaenman, president of TriData, on the company's 25 years of research on the fire and emergency services. In the article, Schaenman compares fire prevention efforts of other countries to those of the United States.

"Social pressures on fires versus drunk drivers are vastly different," Schaenman said. "If you kill a child drunk driving, your friends will hold it against you. If you're drunk and go home and start a fire, then it's just an accident. There should be some consistency."

Fire Prevention Week may be almost over, but I predict that its cause will gain in prominence and public awareness. The Office of Fire Prevention will be moved from the back of the station or the basement to next to the front door. Isn't that really where prevention should be? Visible and active year-round?

Janet Wilmoth, Editorial Director
janet@firechief.com