The Great Chicago Fire of October 9, 1871 in which 300 people died and 100,000 were left homeless, has been memorialized in this country since 1911. For over 80 years, every President has issued a Proclamation declaring a nationwide observation of Fire Prevention Week. During Fire Prevention Week, tens of thousands of Fire Safety Professionals, Emergency Volunteers, and others throughout the country will endeavor to reach people with life-saving fire prevention messages.

Connecticut school children have taken on an important challenge. With their participation in the annual Fire Prevention Poster Contest, they are taking the safety message to their friends and families, helping to reduce the risk of fire in our state, and the deaths, injuries and property damage caused by fire.

In 2010-2011, more than 30,000 Fourth and Fifth Graders from Connecticut schools entered this contest. The winning posters from each county are displayed here. Connecticut’s official poster for Fire Prevention Week was selected by the judges from among these county winners. The overall winner is displayed here (as well as in the picture above).

In addition, a calendar is created a distributed throughout the state using 12 of the winners, as well as the overall winner on the cover. The 12 calendar page winners are available here.

The annual Fire Prevention Poster Contest is a cooperative effort of the office of the State Fire Marshal, Connecticut Department of Education, Connecticut Fire Marshal’s Association, Connecticut Fire Chief’s Association, and the Connecticut FAIR Plan, which represents the Connecticut Insurance Industry