By Stephanie Pawlowski

NORMAL - Local fire departments are kicking off national fire prevention week Oct. 7 with the Chief Del Thomas annual fire truck parade at 1:30 p.m. from Franklin Park in Bloomington.

Fire engines, trucks and heavy rescues from all over Central Illinois will hit their lights and wail their sirens as they parade east to State Farm Corporate Headquarters, 1 State Farm Plaza, Bloomington. With the constuction on Towanda Avenue and Washington Street completing this week, the parade will be able to resume the original route.

The parade will begin at Franklin Park at 1:30pm and travel east on Locust Street to Towanda Avenue. From Towanda Avenue the parade will go south to Washington Street and take Washington Street east to State Farm Corporate Headquarters. 

Fire prevention week was established to commemorate the Great Chicago Fire of 1871. The fire lasted two days from Oct. 8 to Oct. 9.

Stephanie Pawlowski can be reached at Stephanie.Pawlowski@Cumulus.com.