Elmhurst Fire Department Kicks Off Fire Prevention Week with Open House

Submitted by the City of Elmhurst.

On Sunday, Oct. 4, the Elmhurst Fire Department kicked off Fire Prevention Week with an open house event at Fire Station #2 at 601 South York St.

The event included various activities centered around this year’s fire prevention theme, “Hear the Beep Where You Sleep – Every Room Needs a Working Smoke Alarm.”

Event attendees were welcome to participate in many of the open house activities and educational demonstrations, all focused on fire prevention and safety techniques. Activities included a tour of Elmhurst Fire Station #2 where attendees could see how the fire station operates. Lutheran Charities Comfort Dogs, trained to bring a calm influence in various situations, were also in attendance and were happy to meet and greet other event attendees.

Other activities included exhibits from the Fire Safety Trailer and a Firefighter Fashion Show where Elmhurst Firemen featured the many different uniforms that firefighters and paramedics may wear including Class A, Regular Duty, Turnout, Hazmat, Technical , Water and Cold Water Gear.

The Elmhurst Fire Department also demonstrated the “Child Passenger Safety Seat Booth” which showed parents how to properly install a car seat into a vehicle. Other highlights included an appearance by the Superior AirMed1 Helicopter and Elmhurst Fire Department’s very own mascot, Sparky.

Fire Prevention Week was established by the National Fire Protection Association to commemorate the Great Chicago Fire in 1871 that destroyed many lives and homes. The goal of the Association is to be an informative resource on fire, electrical and related hazards. This year’s Fire Prevention Week theme, “Hear the Beep Where You Sleep – Every Room Needs a Working Smoke Alarm” highlights the importance of keeping your family and home safe by having a working smoke alarm in every bedroom.

According to the National Fire Protection Association, roughly half of home fire deaths result from fires reported overnight, when most people sleep. The key message of this year’s theme is to install smoke alarms in every bedroom, outside every sleeping area, and on every level of your home.

For more information about the City of Elmhurst, please visit elmhurst.org.