Fire Education and Prevention
One way the Dayton Fire Department serves our community is by providing fire prevention education for our residents. The DFD has partnered with Dayton Elementary, public and private preschools and local daycares for years, educating our youngest population about fire safety.
Fire Prevention Week
National Fire Prevention Week is always observed on the Sunday through Saturday in which October 9th falls. This week officially commemorates the Great Chicago Fire. While the Great Chicago Fire is well-known, a more deadly fire occurred just north of Chicago on that very same day. The Peshtigo fire in Wisconsin on October 8, 1871 become the deadliest forest fire in our nation’s history burning 17 towns and killing 1,152 people.
Our hearts go out to those who continue to be affected by the most recent and deadliest conflagration in modern history that happened in Maui, Hawaii on August 8, 2023, killing over 100 and destroying over 2000 homes and businesses. You are remembered.
The Dayton Fire Department celebrates Fire Prevention Week by holding our Open House on the opening Sunday. Our Open House celebrations provide free fun for the whole family including food, interactive displays, live burn demonstrations, bounce houses, tours of fire, police, aircare helicopters and ambulance vehicles.
Safety Education Day at Dayton Elementary
Our annual Safety Education Day is always held during National Fire Prevention Week and is done in partnership with the Dayton Police Department. Each grade level at Dayton Elementary is given age-appropriate demonstrations and instruction on fire and personal safety. The day includes a full fire alarm/response, demonstrations, tours of the fire department and police vehicles, lunch with the students and, of course, visits from Sparky.
Firefighters at the DFD are willing to educate and provide station tours to local homeschool groups of 12 or more. For more information and to schedule fire education sessions or tours, email Chief Kevin Astrup at kastrup@cityofdaytonmn.com.
