Fire prevention is held traditionally during the early part of October.

The history of Fire Prevention Week has its roots in the Great Chicago Fire, which occurred on October 9, 1871. This tragic conflagration killed more than 250 people, left 100,000 homeless, destroyed more than 17,400 structures and burned more than 2000 acres in 27 hours. The origin of the fire has generated speculation since its occurrence, with fact and fiction becoming blurred over the years. One popular legend is that Mrs. Catherine O'Leary was milking her cow when the animal kicked over a lamp, setting the O'Leary's barn on fire and starting the spectacular blaze.

It was determined that the major causes of the tragedy were the design of the buildings, a pitifully inadequate fire department, but foremost, the total lack of public education to the danger of Fire. In an effort to correct this problem, Fire Prevention week was initiated during the early part of this century.

The Eastport Fire Department established a fire prevention program in the 1960's. The department has been committed to educating the children at Eastport Elementary, Remsenburg Elementary and Raynor Country Day School. We visit these schools in early October during fire prevention week. We hold an annual poster contest followed by an open house at our fire
house. In the spring the kindergarten class visits the fire house for a fun day of learning about fire safety.