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1.
What is the history of National Fire Prevention Week?
In 1911 the Fire Marshals
Association of North America decided the 40th anniversary of the
Great Chicago Fire should be observed in a manner to inform the
public about fire prevention and fire safety and Fire Prevention Day
was observed on October 11, 1911.
In 1920 President Woodrow
Wilson issued the first National Fire Prevention Day proclamation.
In 1925 President Calvin Coolidge proclaimed the first Fire
Prevention Week , October 4-10, 1925.
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2.
Who was St Florian?
Born in 250 AD he was a
member of the Roman Army and was sentenced to death by fire by
Emporer Diocletian when he refused to follow orders and persecute
all Christians in the area. Standing on the pile erected to be set
on fire killing him, Florian challenged the Roman soldiers to start
the fire and said, " If you do, I will climb to heaven on the
flames." Fearful of Florian, the soldiers had him drowned instead.
Florian was made a Saint
by Pope Lucius III, and later a person was reported to have been
saved from fire by praying to St. Florian. Since then St. Florian
has generally been regarded as the patron Saint of the fire service.
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3.
Why is the Maltese Cross the symbol of the fire service?
Also known as the Cross
Pattee-Nowry. The symbol is essentially borrowed from the Kights of
St John of Jerusalem, a charitable organization that helped the sick
and poor by building hospitals and clinics. Later, they assisted the
Knights of the Crusades in an effort to assist the Island of Malta -
from which the Maltese Cross derives its name.
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4.
What are the word's to the Fireman's Prayer?
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When I am called to duty,
God, whenever flames may rage, |
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Give me strength to save
some life, whatever be its age. |
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Help me embrace a little
child before it is too late |
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Or save an older person
from the horror of that fate. |
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Enable me to be alert and
hear the weakest shout, |
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And quickly and
efficiently to put the fire out. |
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I want to fill my calling
and to give the best in me, |
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To guard my every
neighbor and protect his property. |
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And if, according to my
fate, I am to lose my life, |
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Please bless with your
protecting hand my children and my wife. |
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5. Why are Dalmatians considered firehouse dogs?
Dogs were helpful to
direct and guard horses during the era of the horse drawn fire
engine. Dalmations were favored probably because of their size,
friendly nature, ability to train, and ability to care for
themselves. Likewise urban and nearby departments gave away puppies
as new litters were born thus creating a fire service tradition.
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6. What were the worst fires
in the history of the world? (since 1835)
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Date |
Location |
Deaths |
| May
1845 |
Canton
China |
1,670 |
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October 8, 1871 |
Peshtigo, WI - forest fire |
1,182 |
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December 8, 1881 |
Ring
Theater, Vienna |
850 |
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December 30, 1903 |
Iroquois Theater, Chicago |
602 |
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December 23, 1995 |
Schoolhouse, India |
500+ |
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November 2, 1994 |
Burning fuel flood, Egypt |
500 |
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November 28, 1942 |
Cocoanut Grove, Boston |
491 |
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October 14, 1913 |
Wales,
Colliery |
439 |
| August
19, 1978 |
Abadan, Iran - movie theater |
425+ |
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September 1, 1894 |
Minnesota - forest fire |
413 |
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page
7. What were the worst fires
in the history of the United States? (since 1835)
|
Date |
Location |
Deaths |
|
October 8, 1871 |
Peshtigo, WI - forest fire |
1,182 |
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December 30, 1903 |
Iriquois Theater, Chicago |
602 |
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November 28, 1942 |
Cocoanut Grove, Boston |
491 |
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September 1, 1894 |
Minnesota - forest fire |
413 |
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October 12, 1918 |
Cloquet, MN - forest fire |
400 |
| June
30, 1900 |
Hoboken, NJ - docks |
326 |
| April
21, 1930 |
Columbus, OH - penitentiary |
320 |
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December 5, 1876 |
Brooklyn, NY - theater |
295 |
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October 8, 1871 |
Great
Chicago Fire - IL |
250 |
| April
23, 1940 |
Natches, MS - dance hall |
198 |
| March
4, 1908 |
Collingwood, OH - school |
176 |
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January 13, 1908 |
Rhoads
Theater, Boyertown, PA |
170 |
| July
6, 1944 |
Ringling Circus, Hartford, CT |
168 |
| May
28, 1977 |
Southgate, KY - nightclub |
164 |
| March
25, 1911 |
Triangle Shirtwaist Factory, NY, NY |
146 |
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December 7, 1946 |
Winecoff Hotel, Atlanta, GA |
119 |
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