NJ Division of Fire Safety Celebrates the 100th Anniversary of Fire Prevention Week

• Posted on: 10/7/2022

Division Announces State Fire Safety Poster Contest

TRENTON, NJ – New Jersey Division of Fire Safety Director and State Fire Marshal Richard Mikutsky is joining fire service professionals across the country in celebrating the 100^th anniversary of Fire Prevention Week. 

This year’s nationwide theme is “Fire Won’t Wait. Plan Your Escape.” The message, as established by the National Fire Protection Association, focuses on awareness and pre-planning in the event of a fire in the home.

“In addition to having working smoke and CO alarms in your home, it is extremely important to know what to do when one of those alarms goes off,” said State Fire Marshal Mikutsky. “With the speed that fire can spread, everyone should plan and practice escaping a fire in their home. This year’s theme is certainly fitting – fire will not wait, so we need to be ready.”

The National Fire Prevention Week theme will also be used throughout the school year in New Jersey as students participate in the State Fire Safety Poster Contest. Children are being asked to use their creativity and artistic talents to integrate “Fire Won’t Wait. Plan Your Escape” within their posters to create the most effective fire prevention message possible. Details on participating can be found at: 

https://www.nj.gov/dca/divisions/dfs/

Fire Prevention Week was established in 1922 to remember the Great Chicago Fire, which began on October 8, 1871. For the past 100 years, Americans of all ages have used this week in October to learn how to prevent fires and what to do in case of a fire in their homes, schools, and places of business. Today, Fire Prevention Week is the longest-running public health observance in our nation’s history.

The Division of Fire Safety serves as the central fire service agency in the State. The Division is responsible for the development and enforcement of the State Uniform Fire Code, as well as engaging the public on community risk reduction strategies, assisting in fire department preparedness, and conducting firefighter training programs.  

DCA offers a wide range of programs and services, including local government management and finance, affordable housing production, rental assistance, fire safety, building safety, community planning and development, disaster recovery and mitigation, and information privacy.

For more information about DCA, visit https://nj.gov/dca/ or follow the Department on social media: