2024 marks the 102nd year Fire Prevention Week has been observed. In 1925 President Calvin Coolidge proclaimed Fire Prevention Week a national observance – making it the longest-running public health observance in our country. It is observed each year during the week of October 9th in commemoration of the Great Chicago Fire which began on October 8, 1871 and caused devastating damage.
This is the 25th consecutive year SEPTA and the Philadelphia Fire Department have joined forces to observe Fire Prevention Week (October 6-12, 2024).
Every year for twenty-five years SEPTA and PFD have worked together to create an informational car card highlighting fire safety. The 2024 card was unveiled today (October 8, 2024) by SEPTA’s Director of Safety Management Systems Dave Hunter and Philadelphia Fire Commissioner Craig Murphy at Philadelphia Fire Department Engine 8/Ladder 2 in Old City.
This year’s campaign theme is: “Smoke Alarms: Make them work for you”™ with the goal of educating everyone about the critical role of smoke alarms in fire safety. In particular – the card highlights three essential actions in fire safety: Install, Test, and Replace.
The cards will be placed in over 2,000 SEPTA buses, trolleys, and subway cars.
This is the first year the cards are in English and Spanish.
Fire safety education isn’t just for school children. Teenagers, adults, and the elderly are also at risk in fires making it important for every member of the community to take some time every October during Fire Prevention Week to make sure they understand how to stay safe in case of a fire.