Celebrating National Fire Prevention Week

A Bedford Hills Elementary school student duriing a visit to the firehouse during fire prevention week. KLSD Photo

Almost a century ago, in 1925, President Calvin Coolidge signed a proclamation making the week in which Oct. 9 falls National Fire Prevention Week.

Fire departments in the area have been holding open houses and related activities as part of that yearly tradition, drawing youngsters, families and others to see what they do and how they do it — perhaps sparking interest in the younger generations to volunteer themselves.

There are more than 1 million firefighters nationwide, and about 65 percent of them are volunteers rather than paid professionals, according to the National Volunteer Fire Council. New York has an even higher percentage of firefighters contributing their time, about 80 percent — some 90,000 volunteer firefighters and about 18,000 paid statewide, according to the state comptroller’s office.

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Bedford Hills Fire Department Open House, October 13 Photos by Greg Kaplowitz

Katonah Fire Department Open House, October 12

Photos by Greg Kaplowitz