The Knoxville Fire Department will mark the 100th anniversary of National Fire Prevention Week (Oct. 9-15) with an evening of free, all-ages activities from 6-9 p.m. on Friday, Oct. 14, 2022, on Market Square in downtown Knoxville.

Guests will receive fire prevention tips and Stop the Bleed training. They can learn about pursuing a career in firefighting and how to apply to be a KFD Firefighter Recruit. They can also roast marshmallows and explore a fire truck. 

Wall Avenue between Gay and Walnut streets will be closed from 5:30-9 p.m. to accommodate the fire truck and guests. 

Free parking after 6 p.m. is available in all City-owned garages, including Market Square, State Street and Locust Street garages. 

National Fire Prevention Week was first held in 1922 by the National Fire Protection Association. In 1925, President Calvin Coolidge proclaimed Fire Prevention Week a national observance. The week of Oct. 9 was chosen to commemorate the Great Chicago Fire, which began Oct. 8, 1871, and killed more than 250 people, left 100,000 homeless, destroyed more than 17,400 structures, and burned more than 2,000 acres of land.

For more information about the Knoxville Fire Department, including applying to be a firefighter recruit before Oct. 28, visit KnoxvilleTN.gov/KFD.