Oct. 5, 2012 - This year's Fire Prevention Week theme is "Have 2 Ways Out" and Savannah firefighters encourage all citizens to prepare and practice evacuation plans at home and work. The week-long fire safety observance will run from Sunday, Oct. 7-Saturday, Oct. 13 but Savannah Fire and Emergency Services will focus extra emphasis on fire prevention during the entire month of October.

Fire Prevention Week is sponsored by the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) and commemorates the Great Chicago Fire of 1871. That tragic fire killed more than 250 people and destroyed more than 17,400 structures, with much of the destruction occurring on Oct. 9. These events changed the way firefighters and public officials thought about fire safety. Fire Prevention Week is the longest running public health and safety observance on record. A presidential proclamation has been signed for the observance every year since 1925.

In Savannah, the week will begin with the Firefighter Memorial Service sponsored by the Chatham County Fire Chiefs Association Sunday, Oct. 7 at the monument in front of Savannah Fire and Emergency Services' headquarters on Oglethorpe Avenue. The public is invited to attend the 2 p.m. ceremony.

SFES has expanded its fire prevention observance to extend throughout the entire month. During October, Savannah firefighters will present fire safety and prevention programs throughout the city with special emphasis on programs for the youth. In addition to fire prevention offerings in many public schools, Savannah firefighters will also make special visits to day care and pre-school facilities throughout the city, teaching the basics of fire safety and offering children the opportunity to interact with firefighters and tour their trucks.

Savannah firefighters will also conduct public fire safety education programs and display their trucks and equipment at community events and neighborhood association meetings throughout the month. Organizations that wish to schedule public fire safety education programs during the month of October are encouraged to contact the SFES Public Information Office at 644-5957.