Hundreds Join Downers Grove Firefighters for 'Night at the Firehouse'

The Downers Grove Fire Department celebrated National Fire Prevention Week on Wednesday with a community open house.

Hundreds of families packed Station 5, 6701 Main St., for "Night at the Firehouse." Guests participated in a station tour, face painting, games, educational activities, and demonstrations of automobile extrication and rescue techniques.

Downers Grove firefighters showed off various uniforms and protective apparel during the "Firefighter Fashion Show," and held a sprinkler demonstration using real fire.

Fire Prevention Week activities will continue Friday with the 18th annual Silent Parade. Fire departments across the suburbs will pay tribute to those who have lost their lives to fire by displaying their lights, but not their sirens.

The parade will begin in Hinsdale at 7 p.m., and pass through Downers Grove at Main Street and Maple Avenue at approximately 7:15 p.m.  People may assemble along Maple Avenue to view the parade, and pay tribute by holding a flashlight as the cortege passes.

The night will conclude with a memorial service and tribute to firefighters at Trinity Lutheran Church in Lisle, just south of Route 53 and Maple Avenue.      

Created and sponsored by the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), National Fire Prevention Week is an annual public awareness campaign to promote fire safety throughout the U.S. The goal is to educate families on what causes home fires, how to prevent them and what to do in an emergency situation.

This year’s theme is “Have 2 Ways Out!” which focuses on the importance of fire escape planning and practice. 

NFPA has been the official sponsor of the campaign since 1922, making it the longest running public health and safety observance on record, according to a news release.

"National Fire Prevention Week is critical in educating the public about the dangers of fire and how to protect themselves and their families," said Russell Fleming, president of the National Fire Sprinkler Association (NFSA).

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