The national theme for Fire Prevention Week, Oct. 9-15, is “Use Candles With Care.” Every year during Fire Prevention Week, the Arkansas City Fire Department visit schools and performs a brief program about fire prevention and safety.

ACPD has acquired new fire prevention equipment and is looking forward to sharing it with students in Arkansas City, said Fire Chief Randy Leach. In addition to the programs, ACPD also offers tours of the station for kindergarten classes.

“ It is important to continue to increase fire safety awareness,” Leach said. “Statistics make clear that the fight against fire is a fight we are all in together. By promoting and practicing fire safety at home, in school and on the job, we can make a difference.”

Schedule of ACPD fire prevention programs for USD 470:

Monday, Oct. 10 Roosevelt Elementary 1 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 11 IXL Elementary 12:45 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 12 C-4 Elementary 8:30 a.m. Frances Willard Elementary 1 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 13 Jefferson Elementary 8:30 a.m. Adams Elementary 10:15 a.m.

Fire Prevention Week is sponsored by the National Fire Protection Association. According to its Web site, nfpa.org, Fire Prevention Week was established to commemorate the Great Chicago Fire that killed more than 250 people, left 100,000 homeless, destroyed more than 17,400 structures and burned more than 2,000 acres. The fire began Oct. 8, but continued into and did most of its damage Oct. 9, 1871.

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 Oct. 9 falls. Fire Prevention Week is the longest running public health and safety observance on record. The president has signed a proclamation proclaiming a national observance during that week every year since 1925.