Fire Prevention Week
In commemoration of the Great Chicago Fire, which occurred on October 8, 1871, fire departments across this nation pay tribute to those who lost their lives in this fire, by exerting large amounts of resources in education the general public about the dangers associated with fire. The Lafayette Fire Department has targeted elementary school age children as our main audience to educate over the past 20 plus years. We educate approximately 5,000 children each year during Fire Prevention Week. Here is a brief history of our educational efforts:
- In the mid 1980's, members of the Fire Prevention Bureau would visit each elementary school during Fire Prevention Week and educate each school individually. In an attempt to be more efficient and effective, fire prevention education was moved to the Tippecanoe Mall and students in the Lafayette School Corporation in grades K-3 were transported by bus to the mall and educated collectively.
- In the early 1990's, the show was transferred to the Tippecanoe County Fairgrounds, where students where educated by the use of hand puppets and recorded songs.
- In the mid 1990's the show had a brief hiatus at the Long Center, located in downtown Lafayette. Since 1996, the show has been held at:
- Lafayette Jeff High School Auditorium for students in grades K-2
- Lafayette School Corporation
- Private Christian Schools
- Tippecanoe County School Corporations
- West Lafayette Schools
- The format of the show changed dramatically in 1996, when we abandoned the puppet show and substituted live characters that are portrayed by local firefighters. Several of these characters include:
- Mike the Match
- Mini Matches
- Roy the Janitor
- Bubba
- Captain Corn
- Louey the Lighter
- Sparky the Fire Dog
- Inspector Dave
Additionally, we formed the Fire House Band and began performing live music during the shows.
