It’s that time of year again to start thinking about fire prevention.�This year Fire Prevention Week runs from October 4 through October 10.�The theme for this year is “Stay Fire Smart! Don’t Get Burned”.�

Here is a tid bit of information about Fire Prevention Week that you may or may not know.�Fire Prevention Week was established to commemorate the Great Chicago Fire of 1871.�The fire killed more than 250 people, left 100,000 homeless, destroyed more than 17,400 structures, and burned over 2,000 acres.�The fire began on October 8, 1871, but did most of its damage on October 9^th. �According to legend, the fire broke out when a cow belonging to Mrs. Catherine O’Leary kicked over a lantern setting first the barn, then the whole city.�

Those who survived the Chicago fire never forgot what they had been through.�But the fire changed the way that firefighters and public officials thought about fire safety.�On the 40^th anniversary of the Great Chicago Fire, the Fire Marshals Association of North America decided that the anniversary should be observed not with festivities, but in a way to keep the public informed about the importance of fire prevention.�

In 1920 President Woodrow Wilson issued the first National Fire Prevention Day proclamation, and since 1922, Fire Prevention Week has been observed on the Sunday through Saturday period in which October 9 falls.�According to the National Archives and Records Administration’s Library Information Center, Fire Prevention Week is the longest running public health and safety observance on record.�The President of the United States has signed a proclamation proclaiming a national observance during that week every year since 1925.�

During this week, firefighters reach out to school age children to educate the importance of fire safety.�Firefighters use videos, handouts, and short presentations to get their message to the kids. �The kids also get a firehouse tour and a tour of the fire trucks.�

This is a good time to go over your fire safety plan at home.�By implementing a home action plan, children learn the importance of fire safety from the best teachers in the world, the parents.�

If�you would like more information on fire prevention contact the administration offices during business hours, Monday- Friday, 8 am- 4 pm at (636)629.2727.

Thank you for visiting the website of the St. Clair Fire Protection District.  We are very proud of the services that we provide to our citizens.  Here, you will find information on everything from our rescue and firefighting capabilities to our public relations and bureau of fire prevention regulations.

We are governed by an elected Board of Directors.  You have elected community leaders Kirby Banderman (President of the Board), Danny Gossett (Secretary of the Board) and Eric Hinson (Treasurer of the Board) to serve you in this capacity.  Together they make decisions related to the preparedness, prevention, response and recovery related to the emergencies we respond to.  These members come from very diverse backgrounds that combined create a level of focus, fiscal responsibility and growth unmatched in our area.  In addition, they are an aggressive board that believes in growth and expansion of services.  We are very fortunate that you have elected these men to lead our organization.

If you need information that you cannot find at this site, please contact our administration office during normal business hours (Monday through Friday 8am through 4pm) at 636.629.2727.  We at the St. Clair Fire Protection District truly appreciate you taking the time to visit our site.