Penn Jersey ASSP Chapter Meeting

Topic The Forgotten Fire Disasters: Origin & Anomalies of Fire Prevention Week

This time, our VP, Howard Spencer, will present historical and often unknown curiosities about the origin of Fire Prevention Week. Most people know that it has to do with the Great Chicago Fire; some even know that it occurred in October of 1871.

But did you suspect that an even five-times more destructive fire occurred a mere 252 miles away? Both fires happened on the same day and share many possible causative factors, yet most Americans have never heard of the worst wildfire in American history in Wisconsin. Can you name it? Learn about the unimaginable destructive force of the heretofore unknown concept of a “Fire Tornado.”

Come explore the fascinating origins of the longest-running national public health observance in the USA. The facts are unbelievable, and the lessons learned are epic. You are guaranteed to come away with deep respect for the incredible destructive power of FIRE and greater motivation to implement fire prevention methodologies. It will be revealed why the Chicago fire became the focus of Fire Prevention Week rather than Pestigo.

Speaker Howard Spencer

A Certified Safety Professional (CSP) and a Certified Hazard Control Manager (CHCM). He received a Master of Engineering from Texas A&M University and was the past President of Veterans of Safety. Howard is the 2009-2010 recipient of the SPY award in the Penn Jersey Chapter. Howard was named the 2017 SPY for the Public Sector Specialty group of ASSP. He has presented numerous historical EHS talks here and at the New England and national ASSP PDCs.

Our electronic system for payment is currently unavailable, please bring a check or cash to the meeting.