Fire Prevention Week

Fire Prevention Week is observed each year during the week of October 9th in commemoration of the Great Chicago Fire, which began on October 8, 1871, and caused devastating damage.

We are so grateful to all the firefighters who risk their lives for us every day. One way we can help these heroes is by educating ourselves on fire prevention. 

All week long, the LCC K-9 Comfort Dogs were busy visiting fire departments across the country during Fire Prevention Week. 

LCC K-9 Comfort Dogs Benjamin (LCC Staff), Eunice (LCC Staff), Myra (St. Andrews - Park Ridge, Illinois), and Samson (Zion - Marengo, Illinois), along with LCC Kare 9 Military Ministry Dog Flex (LCC Squad) enjoyed serving at Fox River Grove Fire Department's Open House!

It was very well run, and included activity stations for the kids to learn different aspects of fire safety and ambulance experiences. The firefighters were so nice to all of us!! They can't wait to come back and visit. Thank you to all of the first responders that welcomed us and opened their doors to their community.

LCC K-9 Comfort Dogs Bekah & Kye (Immanuel - Belvidere, Illinois), Mary (St. Paul's - Janesville, Wisconsin), and Samson (Zion - Marengo, Illinois) had such a fun time at the Belvidere Fire Department Open House. It was a great way to kick off Fire Prevention Week and meet many new friends.

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LCC K-9 Comfort Dog Moses (Christ Lutheran - Cairo, Nebraska) and his handlers visited the Cairo, Nebraska, Fire Department volunteer firefighters doing fire safety training at the local school for fire safety week. 

LCC K-9 Comfort Dog Mahlah (Our Savior - Milford, Illinois) enjoyed spending time with the heroes of the Watseka Fire Department. LCC K-9 Comfort Dog Eve (St. John’s - Lombard, Illinois) did a great job greeting the kids at the Lombard Fire Department Open House! It was great to reunite with the firemen, police, and the local community. We hope the Fire Departments were feeling all our appreciation this week!

LCC K-9 Comfort Dogs-in-Training Asa and Moriah, LCC K-9 Comfort Dogs Jacob (LCC Staff) and Myra (St. Andrews - Park Ridge, Illinois) had a wonderful time at the Addison Fire Protection District Open House as they visited with kids and adults. We thank these firefighters for their protection every day.

LCC K-9 Comfort Dog Triton (Messiah - Plano, Texas) and his handlers had a blast visiting the new Fire Station 2 and Training Center in Rowlett, Texas. It's a long-awaited upgrade for this fire station. Triton's handler picked up the gear these first responders have to wear and she said the Comfort Dog vest is like a feather compared to what they wear on calls.

The last two years, the LCC K-9 Comfort Dogs Aaron & Gomer  (St. John’s - Napa, California),  Micah (Light of the Valley - Elk Grove, California), Rahab (St. Andrews - Stockton, California), and Reuben (First Lutheran - Yuba City, California) and their ministry teams had the honor to visit and comfort the many Cal Fire Fighters and those that support them.

LCC K-9 Comfort Dogs Caleb (Immanuel - Valparaiso, Indiana) and Jael (Trinity - Hobart, Indiana) were invited to the Beecher Fire Department to welcome the community. They had a fashion show with the firefighters in everyday clothes and also all geared up. They had fire demonstrations outside on how fast a fire spreads, the different trucks, and the ambulance. We were also able to tell firefighters to thank you for what they do and for fighting the fire at St Paul's a few weeks ago.  

LCC K-9 Comfort Dog Jael was also invited to George Earl Elementary for a fire prevention week. Jael Comfort Dog greeted the Hobart firefighters who came to the early learning center. She listened with the children while they learned how fires are put out. It was a wonderful day to listen as the children heard the firemen talk about fighting fires with their equipment and truck. LCC K-9 Comfort Dog Jael was also able to visit each classroom and spend time with the students while her handler read a book about other types of working dogs.

In honor of national fire prevention week, LCC K-9 Comfort Dogs Cubby & Devorah (Redeemer - Fort Collins, Colorado) picked ten local fire stations in Colorado that they often visit to honor and present with a "Thank You" card signed by their team members and a Thin Red Line Challenge Coin. 

They had the honor of meeting the new Loveland Fire Rescue Authority Fire Chief on his first day on the job, a groundbreaking of a brand new fire station in Johnstown, Colorado, and several firefighters coming off of calls rescuing and helping people, tired and worn. They have standing invitations to visit anytime and even to stay overnight! 

Bonnie Fear, LCC K-9 Crisis Response Coordinator says, "Through these visits, we learned that we have mutual respect for each other. One word we have in common in our mission statements is Compassion. I love that, and we see that in each and every firefighter we meet. The 'thank you's,' smiles, and 'this is the best thing ever' keep us going back to visit them. May God continue to bless them and keep them safe as they exemplify Commitment, Compassion, and Courage. Thank you, firefighters, for what you do day in and day out."

"Be strong and courageous. Do not fear or be in dread of them, for it is the Lord your God who goes with you. He will not leave you or forsake you." Deuteronomy 31:6

DONATE – LCC K-9 COMFORT DOG MINISTRY