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Why do we commemorate Fire Prevention Week?
Fire Prevention Week has its roots in the Great Chicago Fire. The
fire occurred on Oct. 9,1871. It killed 300 people and left 100,000
homeless.
What is the Fire Triangle?
The fire triangle represents the three elements needed for a fire
to occur. All three elements must be present at the same time to
have a fire. The fire will continue to burn until one element is
removed. The three elements are:
- Fuel--something to burn.
- Heat--Hot enough to make the fuel burn.
- Oxygen--21% is needed for optimum burning, exactly the percentage
we need to breathe.
Where do Fire Poles come from?
Captain David Kenyon of the Chicago Fire Department invented fire
poles in 1878. Fire poles have fallen out of favor in recent years
due to injuries. Many fire stations built today are single story
structures that do not utilize fire poles.
How long have sprinkler systems been in use?
Fire sprinkler systems have been putting out fires since 1860. Although
there have been some design improvements, the basic technology has
remained the same for over 130 years. Most recently, fire sprinklers
have started to appear in single family homes.
When was the first fire department organized
in the United States?
A large fire in Boston in 1679 led to the organization of the first
paid fire department in America. The city imported a fire engine
from England and employed a chief and twelve firefighters. The first
volunteer Fire Company was formed in Philadelphia, PA in 1736. Benjamin
Franklin served as America’s First volunteer Fire Chief.
Why are Dalmatians considered firehouse dogs?
In the early days of the fire service, fire trucks were horse drawn.
In those days nearly every firehouse had a resident Dalmatian. The
job of the Dalmatian was to direct the horses, keep the horses company
and guard the firehouse. Today we do not keep horses in the fire
station, but many firehouses still have a Dalmatian. The resident
Dalmatian is still responsible for guarding the firehouse and the
fire trucks.
Why is the Maltese Cross the symbol of the
fire service?
The Maltese Cross represents the ideals of saving lives and extinguishing
fires. The emblem was borrowed from the Knights of St. John of Jerusalem.
The knights were an organization that existed in the 11th and 12th
centuries that helped the poor and
the sick. The Knights of St. John later assisted the Knights of
the Crusades in a relief effort to the Island of Malta, the island
for which the Maltese Cross was named. The Maltese Cross came to
represent the principles of charity, loyalty, chivalry, generosity
to friend or foe, protection of the weak and dexterity in service.
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