Fire Prevention Week
My first time living away from home.
“So what special goes on here this week?” I said to a co-worker.
“What are you talking about?” she said.
“Well, it’s Fire Prevention Week!” I said excitedly. “When and where is the parade? Where will the ball be held? Who was selected Queen?”
A blank stare.
“What are you talking about?” she asked with a puzzled look on her face.
“It’s Fire Prevention Week! There’s a big parade back home with fire trucks, school floats, business floats, Girl Scouts, Boy Scouts, dance schools and all the local school bands in perfect formation. And at the end of the parade is the prettiest float you will ever see, carrying the Fire Prevention Queen and her Court!”
“People line the streets from the school, where the parade begins, to the far end of town, where the parade ends almost two miles later. There’s always a huge crowd! Candy and treats are tossed from the floats and fire trucks. It’s so much fun!”
“Never heard of it” she said, like it was the craziest thing she had ever heard. “Where in the world does this take place?”
Having never lived anywhere else at the time, I thought Fire Prevention Week was celebrated everywhere!
It was then I was reminded how my hometown is such a wonderful and special place. A special place with a wonderful tradition of honoring the hard working folks of the Volunteer Fire Department who serve the town. I’m not sure when it began. There was a parade that certain week in October for as long as I can remember.
When I was a Boy Scout, I got to ride the fire truck and go with the firemen to inspect the schools and businesses. I felt so important. Getting to help the firemen on Fire Prevention Wednesday was an honor! Every business and all schools prepared for this inspection. You didn’t want to get any marks on the check-off list that the firemen used to inspect all properties.
The week ends with a Fire Prevention Ball at the local Community House, a gathering place in the town for many years. The Fire Prevention Queen and her Court are presented and awards given to outstanding volunteers. It is the perfect end to a week of celebration.
So, if you ever wondered how Fire Prevention Week is supposed to be celebrated, you need to look no further than my hometown.
Second week of October every year.
It’s a unique and special place. And the tradition continues. From the mind of me.
