SEDLEY
Local professional and volunteer fire departments recently held fire safety presentations in advance for National Fire Prevention week, a national awareness week that occurs annually during the week of Oct. 8-9 to commemorate the Great Chicago Fire.

The Sedley Volunteer Fire Department recently came to Grace’s Little Angels, a Christian-based daycare center, and gave the children a presentation on fire safety.

Franklin’s City Fire Department gave out oven sticks during Franklin’s Fall Festival, a device residents can use to safely remove items from their hot ovens without getting burned. Currently, they do not have any activities or presentations scheduled for Oct. 8-9, but “We’re always open if anyone is interested in learning about fire prevention,” said Franklin FD Administrative Assistant Leslie Pearce. “Checking unattended cooking fires tends to be our number one call.”

Ivor’s Volunteer Fire Department has scheduled its annual fried chicken and barbecue dinner, catered by Leon Nixon Catering, on Saturday, Oct. 8, 5-7 p.m. to coincide with National Fire Prevention Week. This year, proceeds from the dinner will benefit Ivor Volunteer Firefighter Jeff Holt, who is in need of a liver transplant. The requested donation is $9.

National Fire Prevention Week was first proclaimed by President Calvin Coolidge in 1925 to commemorate the Great Chicago Fire, which occurred Oct. 8-9, 1871, but did most of the damage to the city on Oct. 9.

The theme for this year’s National Fire Prevention Week is “Don’t wait — check the date! Replace smoke alarms every 10 years.”