Each and every day Minquas and its members are active in the public promoting fire prevention and life safety. As part of our commitment to fire prevention, Minquas Fire Company continued their tradition of observing fire prevention week by hosting an open house for the purpose of teaching fire prevention.

Fire prevention week was established to commemorate the Great Chicago Fire and the Peshtigo Fire. The Great Chicago Fire killed more than 250 people and left 100,000 homeless. On the same day as The Great Chicago Fire, the Peshitgo Fire burned 16 towns, killed 1,152 people, and burned 1.2 million arces. Fire prevention week has been observed in the United States since 1922.

The National Fire Protection Association's fire prevention week message this year was, "prevent kitchen fires". In 2011, fires in kitchens are the leading area of origin in homes at 42% of home structure fires. Cooking is the leading cause of fires in homes which can be associated with kitchen fires.

Minquas Fire Company hosted their open house Saturday, October 12th, for the first time. Saturday proved to provide a great participation by the public. The public was taught about fire prevention and life safety and were provided handouts on both. Children were provided fire prevention activity books to introduce them to fire prevention. Children took part in a firefighter obstacle course in which they could experience some activities a fire fighter must perform. Food and drinks along with station tours of the new firehouse were given to the public.

Thank you to Home Depot, Alert Fire Company of Downingtown, and the Chester County Hazmat Team for taking part in Minquas' open house. Thank you to Becky Corbin and her office for providing fire prevention activity books free of charge to Minquas Fire Company so that the fire company could reach out to more children this year.