November/December 2004 Volume 13 Issue 4
Published in the interest of fire protection and fire prevention in Ontario.
Comments, suggestions, questions and articles are welcome. Please send them to the attention of:
Chris Slosser, Editor, Office of the Fire Marshal, 5775 Yonge Street, 7th Floor, Toronto, ON M2M 4J1, Tel: 416-325-3155, Fax: 416-325-3162, chris.slosser@jus.gov.on.ca.
Unless otherwise indicated, the opinions expressed in any material published herein are those of the authors and do not necessarily represent the official policy of the Office of the Fire Marshal.
The reproduction of original articles appearing in this publication is permitted and encouraged, however permission to reproduce material for commercial purposes must be obtained from the Office of the Fire Marshal. Permission to use articles reprinted from other sources must be obtained from the original source.
ISSN 1188-7524
Thank you to everyone who contributed to this issue, particularly Bev
Gilbert, Tony Pacheco, Penny Goddard, Gina Pontikas, Alison Wilson, Ed Godden,
Linda Skilton, Kim Bailey and Carrie Ng. Cover photo courtesy of Bev Gilbert.
Sparky®, Learn Not to Burn® and Risk Watch® are registered trademarks of the National Fire Protection Association, Quincy, MA 02269, U.S.A. Used with permission.
Bernard Moyle,
Ontario Fire Marshal
As frontline workers, firefighters are the more visible
employees of the fire department. At the mention of "fire department", most
members of the public will automatically visualize firefighters responding to a
fire or other emergency. It is not surprising given that they often appear on
television where they are seen battling blazing fires or helping victims and
their families. Recently, we saw them efficiently deal with a huge fire at a
propane facility in Bowmanville. We also saw them cope with the terrible tragedy
in West Lincoln where eight people died in a fire. In addition to their primary
responsibility of suppressing fires, firefighters respond to a wide variety of
other emergencies, such as medical emergencies, hazardous materials incidents,
and vehicle extrication. We admire their courage and are grateful for their
presence. These frontline workers deserve all the recognition and respect they
receive, rewards that are often earned at a high price, such as injuries and
illnesses, sometimes death.
A fire department's fire protection team also includes many other persons who
serve as part of the team, support the frontline workers and make the system
work. It is also important to recognize the contributions and dedication of
those who work behind the scenes. Although they may occupy less prominent
positions, the role they play is of vital importance.
Communicators take the calls, assess the information, make split second
decisions, and provide information to firefighters. They must remain calm in
stressful situations and effectively communicate with others so that precious
seconds are not wasted. The communicator is on the job throughout an emergency,
from the beginning, when the call comes in, to the end, when the vehicles
return, ready once again for the next call for help.
Fire prevention inspectors/officers have expert knowledge about the Fire Code
and its application to a wide range of occupancies. Their knowledge and good
judgment is called upon to make assessments and decisions about the fire and
life safety in the buildings in their community. These decisions may involve
immediate threats to life, building closures, and fire and environmental issues.
Fire prevention inspectors/officers ensure fire protection systems in buildings
work so that people can evacuate safely in the event of a serious emergency.
They contribute greatly to public safety.
Public educators teach school children and older adults about fire safety. They
also try to find a wider audience for their public safety messages by using the
various media outlets in their community. Their dedicated efforts to have every
home equipped with smoke alarms and its occupants prepared with a home escape
plan help reduce Ontario's fire losses.
In some fire departments, the two functions, fire prevention inspectors/officer
and public educator, are performed by the same person. Every fire that is
prevented by their efforts represents one less tragedy in the community, one
less time firefighters have to risk their lives.
Training officers provide training to firefighters to keep them up to date with
the latest information, technological changes, and occupational health and
safety concerns. Training officers possess in-depth knowledge of the latest
techniques and technology and have the ability to impart that knowledge to
others. This training benefits not only the front-line firefighters who learn
how to deal with the hazards of their occupation and protect themselves from
occupational health and safety risks, but also the community, who can feel
confident that their fire-fighters will have the knowledge and skills to face
whatever challenges arise.
Working behind the scenes are those in specialized roles, such as the fire
department mechanic, who ensures that vehicles and equipment are safe and will
work efficiently when needed. Administration and clerical staff members provide
ongoing support and play an important part in the smooth operation of the fire
department.
To round off the team, competent senior management provides leadership to the
members of the team and ensures the public fire safety interests of their
community are protected.
We can be proud of our fire protection team. Ontarians owe a debt of gratitude
to all its members: the senior managers, firefighters, communicators, fire
prevention officers, public educators, training officers, mechanics, and
administration and clerical staff members. It is a privilege for all of us to
have one of the best fire service teams in the world, one that has had such a
positive impact in reducing our fire losses and has earned the trust and
admiration of our society.
Fire Marshal Bernard Moyle called the devastating West
Lincoln fire that claimed the lives of seven children and their mother "the
worst fire I've seen in my 40 years in the fire service."
The fire occurred on the night of November 8. Under an automatic aid agreement
with West Lincoln, the Pelham Fire Department was first to arrive on scene. The
West Lincoln Fire Department arrived
shortly after. Both are volunteer departments and did a tremendous job
responding so quickly.
However, the structure was already fully engulfed in flames when the crews
arrived and rescue efforts were impossible.
At the time of writing, the investigation of the fire was still on-going and the
cause had not been determined. Initially the investigation proceeded slowly
because of the severe damage from the fire. Investigators seized a number of
exhibits from the home that were sent to the Centre for Forensic Sciences for
examination. Included in the exhibits being investigated are plastic remnants
thought to be from a smoke alarm. Electrical components were also seized for
examination and x-ray.
In response to the fire, the OFM developed public education
materials to increase public awareness of home fire safety. Also, media releases
about the West Lincoln fire included messages about the importance of smoke
alarms and home fire escape plans. Media were encouraged to disseminate these
messages to the public.
"While all of us in the fire service are devastated by this tragedy, we have to
remind the public of the importance of fire safe practices in their homes," said
Moyle. "We have to be vigilant in getting safety messages out if we are to
prevent fire tragedies in the future."
The OFM sent a fire safety alert to all directors of education in school boards
across the province. The alert included a fire safety check-list that was to be
sent home with all students. The students were asked to go through the
check-list with their parents to ensure that fire safe practices are being taken
in the home.
A letter was also sent to fire chiefs in the province urging them to step-up
fire prevention and public education activities. It included a list of resources
available to fire departments to assist with these activities.
These materials, along with links to public service announcements, are available
on the OFM web site at www.ofm.gov.on.ca.
Pictured above: OFM officials survey the remains of the West Lincoln house fire
that killed seven children and their mother on November 8. (Photo courtesy of
Bev Gilbert)
Candles caused 17% more Ontario home fires between 2000 and
2003 than between 1995 and 1999, ac-cording to data from the OFM. There were an
average of 285 candle fires per year between 2000 and 2003, compared to 243 for
the earlier time period.
A similar trend is occurring in the United States. National Fire Protection
Association (NFPA) data show that candles started fires in 18,000 homes in 2001,
a 15% rise from 2000, and more than triple the number in 1990.
"The increase in candle fires is unacceptable," Fire Marshal Bernard Moyle said.
"The fire service has to make a concerted effort to ensure this trend reverses.
Public education efforts about fire safety and candle safety must be stepped
up."
The NFPA cites a variety of reasons for the increase. First, candles have become
popular: according to the National Candle Association in the U.S., seven out of
10 households use candles. Second, many people don't realize how quickly
some-thing can go wrong, and don't know how to use candles safely.
In the U.S., one-third of candle fires occurred after candles were left
unattended, abandoned or inadequately controlled; one-quarter occurred when
combustible material came too close to the flame. In Ontario during 2003, one in
three candle fires started in the bedroom and over a quarter started in common
rooms such as living rooms and family rooms. Another important factor may be
poverty. As many as one-third of people killed in candle fires in the U.S. were
using them for light because their power had been shut off.
While the number of candle fires has increased, the overall number of
residential fires is dropping, which means that candle fires are responsible for
a growing pro-portion of residential fires. On average, candle fires resulted in
twice as many fatalities per year in Ontario between 2000 and 2003 than between
1995 and 1999. There were a total of 2,351 candles fires in Ontario between 1995
and 2003, resulting in 216 injuries.
Excerpts of this article are reprinted from a NFPA media release dated September
20, 2004.
Chelsie Ouellet, a grade 7 student from Oxdrift Public School west of Dryden, was selected 2004 Fire Chief For a Day. 120 students from Dryden and area schools completed fire safety lessons in their school to enter the draw for the honour. Pictured above with Chelsie are Ken Kurz (left) from the Dryden Fire Department and Irmy Fransom, community relations representative, McDonald's Restaurants, Dryden. (Photo courtesy of the Dryden Fire Department)
Fire Marshal Bernard Moyle and fire chiefs in Kitchener,
Barrie, North Bay, Peterborough and Toronto launched a province-wide holiday
safety campaign designed to combat deadly cooking fires
during the holiday season during the week of December 7 -10.
The Fire Marshal traveled to each of these locations throughout the week to hold
media conferences in conjunction with local fire departments to raise awareness
of home fire safety during the holiday season.
"The holidays are the most dangerous time of year for fires in Ontario," said
Moyle. "We need to step up our efforts to put an end to the deadly holiday trend
we've seen in recent years."
During the media conferences, two new television public service announcements (PSAs)
about cooking and fire safety were shown to the media. The media were also given
copies of radio and newspaper PSAs.
Fire department staff staged cooking safety demonstrations during the
conferences to highlight the common mistakes people make when cooking and how to
rectify them.
The media conferences also highlighted the danger of cooking while intoxicated.
"With holiday celebrations already underway, people have to remember that
cooking and drinking is a deadly combination," Moyle told the media.
Between November 1, 2003 and January 31, 2004, 41 people died in fires in the
province.
The holiday fire safety campaign was launched in
Kitchener-Waterloo on December 7.Pictured at the top, left, Chief Don Trask
addressed the media. In the middle, top, Fire Prevention Officer Shane Edwards
provided a safe cooking demonstration in Barrie. On the right, top, pictured
with Fire Marshal Moyle are Chief Ted McCullough and Fire Prevention Officer
Sheri Korn at the North Bay conference.
In the second row, left, is Fire Chief Lee Grant addressing the media at the
Peterborough conference on December 9. In the second row, middle, Fire Marshal
Moyle answers media questions following the Toronto conference; in the second
row, right, Deputy Chief Rick Simpson addresses Toronto media. At the bottom,
Fire Chief Ron Hickey launches the Barrie conference.
By Chris Halliday,
Grimsby Fire Chief
Grimsby Fire Chief Chris Halliday, Fire Marshal Bernard Moyle and Grimsby Mayor
Bob Bentley unveiled a new memorial garden commemorating the 125 anniversary of
the Grimsby Fire Department on October 6.
"The garden is a way for us to recognize all the firefighters that have served
the Town Of Grimsby over the last 125 years," said Halliday. The commemorative
garden is adorned with trees, shrubs, an interlocking pathway, and two
park-style benches.
Within the centre of the garden is a large stone with a bronze plaque recessed
into it. Mayor Bob Bentley and Chief Halliday unveiled the plaque that reads,
"This garden is dedicated to active firefighters and to all who have served on
Grimsby Fire Department. Established 1879." The garden beautifies the east side
of the fire department headquarters and provides an area where the public can
rest and enjoy the flowers and nature.
Over 80 firefighters, members of council, and dignitaries attended the hour-long
dedication and unveiling of the commemorative garden. During the ceremony, Fire
Marshal Moyle praised the dedication and hard work of volunteer firefighters.
"Volunteers are a special people," said Moyle. "I can't think of a better way to
pay tribute to their commitment. I am also very impressed with the firefighters
for their pride in the history that they share".
The Grimsby Fire Department was established in 1879.
A memorial garden commemorating the 125 anniversary of the Grimsby Fire Department was unveiled on October 6. Pictured standing behind the memorial plaque are (left to right): Grimsby Deputy Fire Chief Tim Leach, Fire Marshal Bernard Moyle, Grimsby Chief Fire Prevention Officer Mike Cain and Grimsby Fire Chief Chris Halliday. (Picture courtesy of the Grimsby Fire Department)
Dr. James Young is leaving his position as Commissioner of Emergency Management
for Ontario to join the federal Department of Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness
as senior advisor to the Deputy Minister effective January 31, 2005.
"Dr. Young has brought exceptional leadership as well as world-renowned
expertise to his distinguished career in the Ontario civil service," said Monte
Kwinter, Minister of Community Safety and Correctional Services. Minister
Kwinter is pleased that Dr. Young's extensive experience managing emergency
preparedness and response will now be available to help protect all Canadians.
Dr. Young played a lead role in coordinating the Ontario government's responses
to the SARS emergency and the power blackout in 2003. He also had
responsibilities as Assistant Deputy Minister, Public Safety Division, for the
Ministry of Community Safety and Correctional Services, and Commissioner of
Public Safety and Security. For 14 years, he was Chief Coroner for the Province
of Ontario. Dr. Young was appointed to the newly created post of Commissioner of
Emergency Management for Ontario in April 2004. He was also responsible for
Emergency Management Ontario, the Office of the Fire Marshal and the Centre of
Forensic Sciences. Dr. Young has also provided his expertise in countless
provincial, national and international investigations and emergencies.
"We have been extremely fortunate to have Dr. Young as a key leader among our
Ontario public service team," said Tony Dean, secretary of the Cabinet. "We wish
him every success in his new role and look forward to working with him in the
future in new, collaborative emergency measures that the federal government has
underway."
Excerpts of this article are reprinted from a Ministry of Community Safety and
Correctional Services media release dated December 7, 2004.
Ontario is a step closer to mandating the installation of
fire sprinkler systems in newly constructed houses with the passing of the
second reading of Bill 141 on November 25.
Bill 141, the Home Fire Sprinkler Act, 2004, is a private member's bill
introduced by Brampton-Centre MPP Linda Jeffrey. If passed by the Legislature at
third reading, it will amend the Building Code Act, 1992 to ensure that all new
detached, semi-detached and row houses would include a fire sprinkler system.
The bill would not affect existing homes.
"There is compelling statistical evidence of the need and
effectiveness of residential fire sprinklers," said Jeffrey. "I believe as
legislators, we have a responsibility to ensure that we take a leadership role
to protect Ontarians, and that is why I have introduced this bill."
More than 220 jurisdictions in North America require residential sprinklers in
homes, none in Ontario. Since sprinklers became mandatory in Vancouver, the city
has experienced no fire deaths in a home protected by functioning sprinklers.
Between 2000 and 2003, 414 people died and $1.57 billion in property was lost to
fires in Ontario.
"While the benefits of installing sprinkler systems seem obvious to fire
protection professionals, many homeowners, builders, and fire officials are only
aware of the myths surrounding them," said Brian Maltby, Division Chief with
Brampton Fire and Emergency Services. "They think sprinklers are expensive or
are not aesthetically pleasing."
It is estimated that the installation of a home sprinkler system in a new home
would cost approximately 1 to 1.5% of the home's cost.
Fire sprinklers are activated when the temperature in a sprinklered room reaches
740C (1650F). If a fire starts, the heat rises to the ceiling. A glass bulb or a
solder link in the sprinkler head breaks at 740C releasing a cap on the
sprinkler head which allows water to flow through a specially designed dif-fuser
to extinguish the fire.
When a sprinkler activates water damage is limited as the flow of water is
typically less than one-tenth the water used by fire departments and at much
less pressure. Also, only the sprinkler(s) directly over the fire is activated;
the entire system does not activate simultaneously. In 95% of all documented
sprinkler activations, one sprinkler head was sufficient to control the fire.
Now that Bill 141 has passed second reading, parliamentarians will review it in
committee, after which it will return to the House for third reading. The date
of the third reading is not determined, and will depend on how long committee
review takes. If MPPs vote to pass the third reading of Bill 141, it will become
law.
"Most homeowners aren't aware that eight of every 10 fire deaths occur in the
home, or that installing smoke alarms and residential sprinklers can reduce the
risk of a fire-related death by 82%," continued Maltby, a member of the Ontario
Home Fire Sprinkler Coalition. The coalition is an ad-hoc committee of the Fire
Marshal's Public Fire Safety Council. It works to raise public and political
aware-ness about the importance of home sprinkler systems to fire safety, and
has worked closely with MPP Linda Jeffrey on the development of Bill 141.
Members of the Ontario fire service attended the second reading of Bill 141 in
the Legislature on November 25 as a show of support for the bill. Pictured above
are those who attended, and Brampton-Centre MPP Linda Jeffrey who sponsored the
private member's bill.
The grand prize winner of the Fire Marshal's Public Fire
Safety Council's "Keeping Our Kids Safe" program is Lisa Buccioni. Lisa has won
a trip for two to Orlando, Florida for teaching fire safety lessons in her
grades 1 and 2 school classes in Mississauga.
The program is part of the Council's Autumn Watch Seasonal Safety campaign, in
which curriculum approved lesson plans about safety were taught in classrooms.
Every time a safety lesson was taught, teachers could submit a "Lesson Taught!"
form to enter a draw for prizes, including class pizza parties, $200
certificates for classroom supplies, a gas barbecue and a weekend getaway to
Toronto.
Winners of the classroom pizza parties include: Jennifer Luxmore-Begin; Su Calpu;
E. Kelly-Hanrath; Dianna Wright-Drzazga; France Martineau; Patricia Kelly;
Monique Carriere; Frankl Esson; Mark Sokolski; and Mary Mercer.
Winners of the $200 in classroom supplies are: Charles Eppich; Helen Kotsopoulos;
Ganielle Lanoue; Sharon Maxwell and Tammy Chase. Winners of the Toronto weekend
getaway are: Caroline Parker; Heidi Werner; Laurel Venney; Karen Harrington and
Angela Martell.
Pictured above: Council Chair Bernard Moyle and Council Coordinator Anne Miller draw the grand prize winner on December 16.
The Office of the Fire Marshal has been informed that Globe
Mini-Spiral 13-watt self-ballasted light bulbs may pose potential fire and
electric shock hazards.
At this time, it appears that there were two incidents that occurred in Alberta
and one in Ontario. In two of these incidents, the light bulb started to smoke.
In one incident, burning particles from the light bulb ignited a vacuum cleaner
located below.
Though not authorized to bear the mark of Underwriters' Laboratories (UL), these
self-ballasted fluorescent light bulbs bear an unauthorized UL mark. Affected
light bulbs were manufactured from January 2002 to April 2003.
Consumers are urged to immediately remove these light bulbs from service. Globe
Electric Company Inc., the product distributor, is offering to send to each
consumer who contacts their representative two free 13-watt replacement light
bulbs for each affected light bulb that the consumer currently has. Customer
service can be reached at (514) 694-0444 ext. 151 or by e-mail at
customerservice@globe-electric.com.
Details regarding this potential hazard may be found at the following web site links in news releases from Underwriters' Laboratories of Canada (http://www.ofm.gov.on.ca/english/Publications/Communiques/2004/2004-28at1.asp and the Electrical Safety Authority (http://www.ofm.gov.on.ca/english/Publica tions/Communiques/2004 /2004-28at2.asp).
Reprinted from OFM Communiqué No. 2004-28, dated December 7, 2004.
A former junior firefighter with the Whitby Fire and
Emergency Services' Junior Fire Department prevented a fire in her home thanks
to the training she received through the program.
On October 12, 2004, Jenna Smith, 19, was in her home when she heard smoke
alarms sounding. She ran upstairs to discover a pot of oil burning on the stove.
Without hesitation, she grabbed the fire extinguisher and discharged it on the
fire. She then removed the pets from the home and called 911.
With the pot still burning and smoke filling the house, Jenna discharged the
rest of the extinguisher on the fire, then left the home.
Years ago, Jenna was enrolled in Whitby's Junior Firefighter program. The
program teaches fire prevention and fire safety to children aged 11 and 12
years. During the program, children receive classroom and hands-on lessons on
first aid, CPR, fire extinguisher training and home escape planning. The goal of
the lessons is to teach children how to react in emergency situations.
"Jenna's calm demeanor and actions probably saved her family home from extensive
damage," said Captain Randy Tureski, from the Whitby Fire and Emergency
Services. "All the knowledge she learned in our junior firefighter program she
applied very effectively."
Whitby's Junior Fire Department program celebrated its 32 year in 2004 with
thousands of 11 and 12 year old boys and girls having received fire safety
education.
Thanks to Captain Jeff Dinsmore, Chief Fire Prevention Officer with the Whitby
Fire and Emergency Services, for the information in this article.
By Keith Wells,
Fire Prevention Officer, Township of King
The York Region Risk Watch Coalition presented Anne Marie
Taylor with the "Teacher of the Year" award for her contribution and commitment
to the Risk Watch program at the Holland Landing Daycare on December 7.
"Anne Marie has done a remarkable job developing a number of different lesson
plans she teaches to pre-school aged children covering the eight key lessons of
the Risk Watch program," said Keith Wells, Chair of the York Region Risk Watch
Coalition. Anne Marie conducted pre-test and post-test results in her classroom
and provided the results to the coalition.
One of the initiatives that Anne Marie developed to reinforce her lessons was a
character called Ranger Rex. Ranger Rex is a stuffed animal that Anne Marie had
brought into her classroom from home.
Each student in the class was given an opportunity to take Ranger Rex home with
them for a weekend. During Ranger Rex's stay at the student's home, Ranger Rex
would go around the house with the child and their parents to conduct a home
safety inspection. At the end of the weekend, the parents and the child would
write down the things that they did on the weekend to make them safer, and the
student and Rex would share it with the class.
"Including pre-school and day care facilities in the existing Risk Watch program
started as a pilot project at the request of the Health Department in York
Region, which is an active member of the Risk Watch coalition," said Wells. "The
expansion of the project into the daycare facilities has been a positive
experience and the teachers that are involved have embraced the program and have
done wonders with it. Anne Marie is a perfect example. They truly are a pleasure
to work with."
The pilot program included six daycare centres across York Region and involved
126 children. The post-test evaluation showed that 82% of the children that
participated in the Risk Watch program during the pilot project showed an
average increase of 19% in their scores from the pre-test scores.
The coalition is now looking at the logistics of expanding the program into
several more daycare facilities across York Region.
Pictured above at the York Region Risk Watch "Teacher of the Year" award presentation are (left to right) Jack Hauseman, East Gwillimbury Councilor; James Young, East Gwillimbury Mayor; Brad Morrissey, East Gwillimbury Fire Prevention Officer; Anne Marie Taylor; and Keith Wells, Fire Prevention Officer, Township of King and Chair of the York Region Risk Watch Coalition. (Picture courtesy of East Gwillimbury Emergency Services)
Fire Marshal Bernard Moyle was inducted into the Wall of
Fame of Toronto's Runnymede Collegiate Institute on October 29, 2004. The Wall
of Fame pays tribute to former Runnymede students who have gone on to make
significant contributions to the community.
The Fire Marshal was a student at Runnymede from 1953-55. Pictured below, Fire
Marshal Moyle holds the certificate he received in a presentation at Runnymede
on October 29.
Ontario's fire fatality rate has dropped dramatically since the early 1980s. Using the tools provided by the Fire Code, fire prevention officers have played a significant role in this decline.
The last two decades have seen a significant decline in the
number of fire fatalities and the number of fire losses in Ontario. The
structural fire fatality rate (per million population) has dropped by 40%
between 1983 and 2003, while the number of structural fires reported with loss
declined by 30% between 1983 and 2003 (data for 2004 are not yet available).
Fire prevention officers (FPOs) have played a significant role in this decline,
particularly since the enactment of the Ontario Fire Code in 1981.
Prior to the existence of the Fire Code, the work of FPOs "was a little `hit and
miss'," said Krystyna Paterson, Manager of Fire Safety Standards at the OFM.
"Under what was then the Fire Marshals Act (FMA), FPOs had the power to enter a
building they thought was a fire hazard, but there were no province-wide
standards for them to fall back on. They could invoke a national fire standard
or standards from other jurisdictions, but there were no hard and fast rules or
guidelines to direct them."
But the Ontario Fire Code changed that. The Code provided
specific requirements that building owners must follow in order to meet mini-mum
fire safety standards. "The Fire Code provided uniform standards in the province
and placed the obligation to meet those standards on building owners," said
Paterson. "At the same time, the FMA provided a means of enforcing the
standards, including expanded authority provided to fire prevention officers."
"The Fire Code gave FPOs the tools required to make a real dent in the number of
fires and fire fatalities in the province," said Deputy Fire Marshal Doug
Crawford. "It gave FPOs the teeth they needed to ensure property owners met fire
safety standards."
FPOs are responsible for much more than building inspections. Other duties
include evaluating and monitoring fire safety plans; developing, implementing
and evaluating public education programs; public relations and communicating
with the public; and prosecuting offenders of fire safety legislation.
"We've seen a dramatic decrease in the rate of fire fatalities since the early
`80s, thanks in large part to the dedication of FPOs to ensure Fire Code
standards are met," said Deputy Fire Marshal Crawford.
Thanks to Alison Wilson, the OFM's coordinator of statistical services, for
providing statistical information for this article.
Pictured above: Deputy Fire Marshal Doug Crawford
First ever full deployment takes place at CNE
There's one misconception that Ron Jenkins, a team leader
with the Toronto Heavy Urban Search and Rescue (HUSAR) team, wants cleared up:
when the HUSAR team is called in to assist with the emergency response at an
incident scene, it is not coming in to take over the response; it's there to
help.
"When we arrive at an incident, we're not going to take command," said Jenkins,
platoon chief with Toronto Fire Services. "We're under the direction of the
incident commander already on site; we're a sector under their command. We're
there to provide assistance to the emergency response already underway, not to
come in and take control."
Jenkins was speaking at the Toronto HUSAR team's first ever
full deployment of base operations at the CNE's Queen Elizabeth Building in
Toronto during the week of October 4 to 8.
The exercise was the first time the team has tested their entire operations to
see what the full deployment footprint looks like.
"The exercise gives us a chance to test all our equipment, all our electrical
systems - everything to make sure it's all working," said Jenkins.
The Toronto HUSAR team is equipped to respond to a variety of emergency
situations. Its base camp includes a power tent containing generators so the
camp can supply its own power; dog tents for dogs used in search-and-rescue
missions; a communications tent; a command tent; a medical tent; a HAZMAT tent;
sleeping quarters; and eating quarters with a water purification system.
While there are three HUSAR teams in Canada (the other two are based in
Vancouver and Calgary), the Toronto team is the only team in the world with the
capability of deploying in sub-zero temperatures. However, it is not yet ready
for international deployment as the United Nations has yet to inspect the team's
full deployment.
The Toronto-based team, which began operations seven years ago, consists of two
teams of 60 personnel who are representatives from the fire and police services,
EMS and emergency responders. Each team member receives 400 hours of training
that ensures they are capable of performing all possible duties; so that, for
example, members from the fire service are trained to perform EMS duties and
vice versa. The Ontario government provides annual funding of $300,000 to
support the team.
"The United Nations standards for deployment require that we are traveling to an
incident scene within four hours of being notified," said Robert Head, HUSAR
team leader and platoon chief with Toronto Fire Services. Head said that the
team travels by road to any incident scene within 15 hours traveling time. It
travels by plane to any scene over that traveling time.
"HUSAR is a provincial and a federal resource," said Terry Boyko, HUSAR project
manager and Toronto deputy fire chief. "This team does not belong to Toronto. It
responds to incidents across the province and the country."
Jenkins added that team members are available to provide presentations to
communities to provide in-formation about the assistance the team can offer in
emergency scenarios.
Pictured at the top left is an overview of the HUSAR camp filling the floor of the Queen Elizabeth Building. Top right is one of the camp's sleeping quarters, which sleeps 10. On the bottom is Robert Head, Toronto HUSAR team leader, giving a tour of the camp's communications tent.
The OFM compiles statistics on all fatal fires that occur in Ontario. These statistics can assist the fire service to determine fire trends, plan fire prevention initiatives and target public education activities. Due to the methods and criteria used in reporting fire deaths, statistics are subject to change.
September 2004: 9 fatal fires resulting in 11 fire deaths
Age Group 0-15: Male - 1, Female - 0, Total - 1
Age Group 16-64: Male - 4, Female - 3, Total - 7
Age Group 65 and over: Male - 0, Female - 3, Total - 3
Total June 2004: Male - 5, Female - 6, Total - 11
Fire Cause - Accidental 2, Undetermined 0, Under Investigation 7, Incendiary 0
Time of Day - 0001-0800 - 5, 0801-1600 - 2, 1601-1800 - 1, 1801-0000 - 1
Locations of fatal fires: Hamilton (1); Kawartha Lakes (1); Killaloe, Hagarty and Richards (1); Kirkland Lake Town (1); Plympton-Wyoming (1); St Isidore De Prescott (1); St. Catharines (1); Toronto (1); Wellington North (1).
October 2004: 5 fatal fires resulting in 5 fire deaths
Age Group 0-15: Male - 0, Female - 0, Total - 0
Age Group 16-64: Male - 4, Female - 1, Total - 5
Age Group 65 and over: Male - 0, Female - 0, Total - 0
Total July 2004: Male - 4, Female - 1, Total - 5
Fire Cause - Accidental 0, Undetermined 0, Under Investigation 2, Incendiary 3
Time of Day - 0001-0800 - 3, 0801-1600 - 1, 1601-1800 - 1, 1800-0000 - 0
Locations of fatal fires: Georgina (1); Ingersoll (1); Kenora City (1); Toronto (1); Windsor (1).
By Amy McKee, Instructor, OFC
The people pictured below represent those who `answer the call' for fire and
police departments around the province. They are a small representative group of
those individuals who are on the front line of incoming calls for fire and
emergency services, 24/7, 365 days a year.
From November 1-3, 2004, 36 communicators attended the first Ontario Fire
Service Communicators' Seminar at the Ontario Fire College (OFC). Collectively
they represented six volunteer, 13 composite, and 16 full time departments. Fire
Marshal Bernard Moyle addressed the group and emphasized the importance of their
current role as well as the future role they will have in the Ontario fire
service. The seminar included sessions on stress management, critical incident
stress, the communicator standards, orienting new communicators, and emerging
trends in technology.
This was the first seminar to be offered to communicators and dates have been
set for next year, ensuring this will become an annual seminar offered at the
OFC.
Pictured above: Thirty-six communicators who receive incoming calls for emergency services attended the first Ontario Fire Service Communicators' Seminar held at the Ontario Fire College, November 1-3. (Picture courtesy of the Ontario Fire College)
By Gina Pontikas, OFM Information Coordinator
From October 3 - 7, 2004 Fire Marshal Bernard Moyle toured the cities of Ottawa,
Hawkesbury, Stittsville, Kingston, Grimsby and Brampton meeting with fire chiefs
in each location to help launch their local Fire Prevention Week campaigns.
The theme of this year's campaign was "Test Your Smoke Alarms!" and highlighted
two important fire safety messages - install smoke alarms and test them
regularly; and develop and practice home escape drills.
In Ottawa, the Fire Marshal joined Mayor Bob Chiarelli and Ottawa Fire and
Rescue Chief Rick Larabie at city hall for a practice fire drill. Moyle also
visited Hawkesbury and Stittsville to tour local fire stations and participate
in local Fire Prevention Week activities.
The Fire Marshal also helped kick-off of the Kingston Fire and Rescue's new
smoke alarm pro-gram. While in Kingston, he spoke to a class of Grade five
students about the importance of working smoke alarms.
In Brampton, a live fire demonstration took place in a home slated for
demolition to show the effectiveness of home sprinklers.
Many fire departments across the province held fun, interactive and educational
FPW activities in their communities. To name a few, The Town of Caledon Fire and
Emergency Services held a contest for Caledon school children participating in
fire safety education.
The City of Hamilton Fire Services organized a Children's Fire Safety Display at
a local museum and the "Fire Safety for Dummies", an interactive learning
display at a local mall. Hamilton's CH Television featured a weekday news
program on the topics of arson and juvenile firesetting throughout Fire
Prevention Week to help heighten awareness and promote fire safety.
In the Town of Oakville, approximately 2,500 residents visited the fire
service's training campus for fire safety education, squirting fire hoses, face
painting and a sprinkler activation demonstration.
Both the Whitby Fire and Emergency Services and the Richmond Hill Fire
Department held open houses.
A highlight of Windsor Fire and Rescue Services Fire Prevention Week was the
joined efforts of the fire services, Meals on Wheels and the Victorian Order of
Nurses, who helped install smoke alarms and batteries in 125 homes for older
adults and persons with disabilities. The Fire Marshal's Public Fire Safety
Council (FMPFSC) and the Public Education and Media Relations Section of the OFM
developed and provided Fire Prevention Week public service announcements (PSAs)
to most Ontario newspapers and radio stations. Fire Prevention Week PSAs and
newly developed PSAs for the holiday season are available on the Fire Marshal's
Public Fire Safety Council's website at
www.firesafetycouncil.com/english/pubsafet/psaart.htm.
Pictured on the top, left, Gillian Boyd, Public Education Officer with the
Caledon Fire and Emergency Services, staffed the Fire Prevention Week display at
the Canadian Tire store in Bolton. Pictured with her is Cynthia Bigrigg. On the
top, middle, Dave Docherty from Windsor Fire and Rescue takes kids through a
fire truck as part of Windsor's Fire Prevention Week activities. Top, right
Richard Ferguson, Fire Protection Technologist with the Richmond Hill Fire
Department, demonstrated how to use a fire extinguisher. Bottom, left, Fire
Inspector Dave Pothier, from the Hamilton Emergency Services, performs the
"Mystical Dave's Fire Safety Magic Show", in which every illusion has a fire
safety message, at the Hamilton Children's Museum. Bottom, middle, two girls
attend Oakville Fire Department's Fire Prevention Week kick-off. Bottom, right,
firefighter Pat Fitzpatrick from Whitby Fire and Emergency Services, teaches
fire extinguisher skills to the next generation of firefighters at Whitby's open
house on October 6. (Thanks to each department for providing pictures)
By Melissa Presley, Public Education Officer, Richmond Hill Fire Department
Each year the Richmond Hill Fire Department donates proceeds from its Fire
Prevention Week open house to a local charity. Every year the open house starts
with a "world famous" pancake breakfast, served by The Optimist's Club of
Richmond Hill, followed by a great lunch thanks to the help of M & M Meat Shops.
This year, parents enjoyed a silent auction, draws, demonstrations and safety
booths, while children enjoyed games, face painting, entertainment and prizes
that were offered throughout the day. Money raised during the open house went to
the Canadian Centre For Abuse Awareness, which works to eliminate child abuse.
The open house activities raised $5,000 for the centre. This money would not
have been raised without the generous donations of local businesses and groups
such as The Optimist Club of Richmond Hill. The residents of Richmond Hill make
Richmond Hill's open house a huge success year after year.
Pictured above, Richmond Hill Fire Department's Chief of Fire Prevention, Randy Pyle (left), and Public Education Officer Melissa Presley presented the $5,000 donation to the Canadian Centre for Abuse Awareness on air at Toronto's Q107 radio station with DJ John Derringer (middle). (Picture courtesy of the Richmond Hill Fire Department)
This past October, 24 classes, with a total of 586 students, from the Dorset
Drive Public School in Brampton attended the Brampton Fire Life Safety Education
Centre. Students were taught fire safety prevention and what to do in the event
of a fire.
On December 21, a family with a child who had attended the fire safety lessons
had a fire in its home started by unattended cooking.
During the fire, the father, Johnny Raju, wanted to go back into the home to
retrieve some important documents. His eight year old son Shobith remembered
what he had learned with his grade 3 class and grabbed his father's leg,
insisting that he not return to the burning home. Shobith's actions prevented
potential injury or death to his father. The family credits instruct-ors at the
Brampton Fire Life Safety Education Centre for preparing Shobith with the
knowledge need-ed to respond appropriately during an emergency.
Thanks to Dorset Drive Public School Principal Kathy Filkin and the Brampton
Fire Department for providing this information.
Brampton's Fire/Life Safety Education Centre means the fire department doesn't have to wait for an invitation to talk about fire safety.
By mid-afternoon on any given day, George Hitchcock, Division Chief with
Brampton Fire and Emergency Services, will have had up to 60 kids traipse past
his office, buzzing about fire safety.
Hitchcock's office is part of the Fire/Life Safety Education Centre Brampton
opened on May 29, 2003. The centre is a 6,000 square foot building devoted to
providing fire prevention and life safety messages to the Brampton community. It
includes a full-sized model of an average home called Stephanie's Place, named
after the daughter of former figure skating star Barbara Underhill, Stephanie
Gaetz, who died tragically at her home.
The model home, which includes a bedroom, bathroom, living room and kitchen,
provides Hitchcock and his staff with a real-life setting to identify fire and
safety hazards around the home, and to teach life safety skills using practical,
hands-on approaches.
"The education centre allows us to reach more kids," Hitchcock said. "In the
past we had to wait to be approached by a school to get invited into a
classroom. Now we can be more proactive. We can go out and bring kids here."
The idea to build the centre first came in the mid-1990s and was based on a
small education centre at the Peel Children Safety Village in Brampton. "We were
involved with the Safety Village and saw the great results from educating
children there," said Brampton Deputy Fire Chief Andy MacDonald. "We also knew
that Cambridge Fire Department was doing great work at their Fire Safety Centre.
We wanted to use these kinds of programs as a base and build from there."
Every Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday, the centre offers two 90 minute fire and
life safety education programs to classes of 25-50 kids from area schools. The
Bramalea City Centre provides free busing, delivering school classes to and from
the centre.
"First we'll show the kids fire and life safety videos, then we take them into
Stephanie's Place to look around the room and identify hazards," Hitchcock said.
"We'll figure out why certain things are hazards and how to fix them. We'll also
talk about and practice fire safety, including the importance of smoke alarms,
home fire escape plans, what to expect when calling 911, stop, drop and roll,
and crawling low under smoke."
"Our fire safety messages are so much more hands-on when we've got these kinds
of resources," said Chris Gougeon, a Fire/Life Safety Education Officer at the
centre. "And we reach so many more people than before."
Gougeon estimates that 12,000 kids come through the centre a year, and when
those students take the fire and life safety messages home with them to their
families, he estimates an additional 25,000 - 30,000 people are receiving those
messages every year.
Gougeon said this is a great way to spread fire safety messages to hard-to-reach
communities. "A lot
of people in Brampton are newcomers whose first language is not English,"
Gougeon continued. "Spreading safety messages to people through their kids is
one of the few methods we have to reach these communities."
Prior to the construction of the centre, Brampton had three fire-fighters going
to schools on request to make fire safety presentations. But Hitchcock said that
Stephanie's Place and other resources at the centre allow for much more focused,
interactive and meaningful public education programs and activities.
MacDonald estimates that the centre has cost about $1.5 million to build.
Approximately $300,000
cash and in-kind materials and services were donated by corporate sponsors, and
the bulk of the rest of the money was provided by Brampton Council.
"Right from the beginning, we had tremendous support from everyone in the
community," said MacDonald. "Once we were able to build some momentum and get
the support of some corporate backers and service groups, our fire chief, our
commissioner, and Fire Marshal Moyle made presentations to Council. Once Council
was on board, the momentum just kept on going."
MacDonald says another key to getting the centre built was the support of
Barbara Underhill. "Following the tragic death of her own child, Barbara has
done incredible work supporting projects focusing on prevention and life safety.
She lent her considerable celebrity to our efforts, made presentations to
numerous community groups, and really gave credibility to our idea."
MacDonald said the key to building a centre like Brampton's is to first build
community support for the idea among Council, corporate partners and community
service groups.
"We want to see one of these centres in every community across the province,"
said MacDonald. "We hope to see someone build a centre in their community that's
bigger and better than ours, and we'd be happy to help any way we can."
"One of the concerns people had when we started was will anybody use the centre
once it's built," MacDonald continued. "Well, now that we're up and running,
we're booked solid for months in advance. We can provide solid evidence to
anyone trying to do this in their community that if they can build it, the
people will come."
Pictured above: Brampton Fire/Life Safety Officer Tina Hickey demonstrates fire safety to a group of elementary school students in Stephanie's Place.
Eddy Coretti was the successful candidate in a recent competition for the
position of administrative assistant, Southwest Region, Field Fire Protection
Services effective December 20. Eddy has been with the OFM since April, 2003 as
the administrative assistant for the Monitoring and Evaluation Unit.
Keri Gysbers began as the administrative manager in Field Fire Protection
Services on November 1. She is on a six-month assignment from the Human
Resources Branch.
Lorne Hooper retired from the OFM after 33 years. Lorne joined the OFM in
November 1981 as a fire safety officer. He had previously been an inspector with
the Liquor License Board of Ontario. He spent his career with the OFM as a fire
safety officer and fire protection adviser in the Ottawa area until his
retirement on July 31.
Jean Kirkland joined Field Fire Protection Services on November 29 as an
administrative assistant. Jean has over 30 years administrative experience in
both the private and public sectors and was previously with the Ministry of
Northern Development & Mines.
Vincent Liu was the successful candidate in the recent competition for the
program specialist, Performance Measurement and Benchmarking project, Field Fire
Protection Services effective December 16. Vincent, formerly with the Ministry
of Municipal Affairs and Housing, has held the position on a contract basis for
the past six months.
Bob Pollard will retire as an instructor at the Ontario Fire College. His last
day will be Dec-ember 31. All the courses that he instructs and coordinates are
very positively received by students, and he leaves them in very good shape for
his successor. He has accepted a position as a professor in the pre-Service
Firefighter Education and Training Program at Georgian College, starting in
January, 2005. All the best Bob!
Doug Tennant joined the OFM on November 8 in Field Fire Protection Section as
the operations manager, Thunder Bay. Doug was previously the fire chief of
Severn Township.
A graduate of the first class of the Pre-Service Firefighter Education and
Training program offered at Sir Sanford Fleming College in Peterborough was
selected from approximately 500 college students as the winner of Fleming
College's Law and Justice Centre Award for academic achievement and significant
contribution to the College community.
Dan Caird completed the 12-month program in December 2003, and by winning the
award, he was selected as the class valedictorian for all college graduates. In
addition to achieving excellent academic results, while enrolled in the program,
Caird worked as a volunteer firefighter with the Havelock Fire Department;
volunteered with the Peterborough/Northumberland Victim Services; volunteered as
a fundraiser for the Kawartha Sexual Assault Centre; and competed as a member of
one of Fleming College's extrication teams.
"The Pre-Service Firefighter program was a fantastic experience," said Caird.
"It gave me the
opportunity to apply all the knowledge I learned in class to practical
situations."
Caird's was the first class to graduate from the new program at Fleming, which
is a collaboration between the Peterborough Fire Department, Fleming College,
the OFM and the Ontario Association of Fire Chiefs (OAFC). It is intended to
provide in-depth training to those entering the fire service.
"One of the best things about the program was that the practical facilities are
right there. We could take the theory learned in class in the morning out into
the training facility that afternoon," Caird said.
"And the instructors were firefighters from the Peterborough Fire Department, so
they had first hand experience that was invaluable to the students," Caird, who
now works for the Ajax Fire and Emergency Services, continued. "They gave us a
real appreciation for the job and what to expect once out working in a
department."
The program was launched in 2001 when the OFM and the OAFC began encouraging
local fire services to partner with community colleges to provide in-depth
training for firefighters.
Later that year, Peterborough Fire Chief Lee Grant approached Fleming College to
suggest the program there. "He realized how important it is for his firefighters
to be involved in recruitment," Linda Skilton, Academic Team Leader for
Fleming's Centre for Law and Justice, said of the Peterborough chief, "and
thought this would be the best way for them to be involved."
Twenty-five Peterborough firefighters are involved in teaching the program.
The program curriculum is based on the OFM and the OAFC's pre-service
firefighter curriculum. It includes courses on fire service fundamentals;
communications and public relations; incident management; an introduction to
psychology; fire suppression, safety inspections and physical fitness.
For more information visit
www.ofm.gov.on.ca/english/Education/enhanced.asp or
www.flemingc.on.ca.
Pictured above: Dan Caird
Many in the fire service have talked to, or will talk to, Uyen Ha and Sheila
Callaghan in the OFM's Certification Office. The following is meant to introduce
them and the certification services they provide to members of the fire service.
By Uyen Ha, Program Coordinator, OFM's Certification Unit
Uyen Ha is program coordinator in the OFM's Certification Unit. Her primary
responsibilities are to provide support and assistance to the Certification
Council, and to manage the administrative processes for the Certification
Office.
After graduating from York University with an Honours Bachelor of Arts in
History/Law and Society, Uyen worked at the Management Board Secretariat with
the Ontario Internship Program before joining the OFM.
"When I started with the Office of the Fire Marshal in February 2002, our unit
was receiving only firefighter and fire prevention officer certification
applications," said Uyen. "Since then, the Company Officer Certification Program
has been launched, and a number of pro-grams/courses have received accreditation
from IFSAC and the Pro Board - all of which increases the activity in the
Certification Office." In 2004, the Certification Office issued 2,075
certificates in the Firefighter, Fire Prevention Officer, Company Officer
Certification Programs, Advanced Fire Cause Determination and Investigation
course, Public Fire and Life Safety Educators' Certification Program, OFM Fire
Investigator Certification Program and the Supervisor's and Program Specialist's
OFM Certificate Program.
"Since joining the Certification Unit, I have had the opportunity to develop and
manage a number of program/course databases to track and provide reports; revise
and help maintain the certification/accreditation portion of the OFM website;
revise communication/marketing materials; assist in the development of the
programs/courses; and review certification applications prior to their
approval," said Uyen.
"It has been great for me to see the fire service's dedication to education and
training and to witness the progress that the pro-grams have made in a short
period of time."
Because of the growth in the Certification Office, Sheila Callaghan, program
assistant, joined the OFM about a year ago to assist in processing certification
applications. She also provides support by editing certification documents and
following-up on applications. Her contribution has allowed the Certification
Office to meet the increasing demands placed on it. Prior to joining the OFM,
Sheila was an administrative assistant in customer service with the Emergency
Health Services Branch of the Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care.
The OFM provides clarifications and opinions on Ontario Fire Code matters to assist users in understanding the requirements and their intended use. The chief fire official of the municipality is not obligated to abide by these opinions. The chief fire official has the authority to enforce the Fire Code within the jurisdiction and should be contacted prior to implementing the provisions of these opinions.
Photoluminescent Exit Signs
Q: Are photoluminescent exit signs permitted in lieu of traditional exit signs
under Part 9 of the Fire Code?
A: Photoluminescent exit signs use photo-luminescent materials that absorb and
radiate light. These signs do not require electrical power, but they need to be
charged by light sources in their surrounding area prior to radiating light.
Some of these signs have now achieved listing under UL/ULC 924, "Standard for
Safety Emergency Lighting and Power Equipment".
Sections 9.3 and 9.5 of the Fire Code specify wording, letter sizing and
contrast criteria for exit signs, as well as the need for sign illumination.
There are no requirements for an emergency power supply for illumination of
these signs. Sections 9.2, 9.4 and 9.6 of the Fire Code include additional
requirements for normal and emergency power supply in accordance with referenced
sections of the 1986 or 1990 Building Code. This includes a requirement for exit
sign lighting to be connected to emergency power supply circuits required for
building emergency lighting.
Photoluminescent exit signs were not a consideration when the various Sections
of Part 9 of the Fire Code were written. However, they are acceptable for use in
buildings regulated by Sections 9.3 and 9.5 where they meet the prescribed
wording, lettering contrast criteria and letter sizing for externally
illuminated signs. These signs are also acceptable in buildings regulated under
Sections 9.2, 9.4 and 9.6 if they are externally illuminated and meet referenced
sections of the 1986 and 1990 Building Codes, which include emergency power
supply requirements for externally illuminated exit signs.
Photoluminescent exit signs that are not provided with an external illumination
source connected to building emergency power supply circuits do not meet the
exit sign requirements of Sections 9.2, 9.4 and 9.6 of the Fire Code. However,
the unique properties of these exit signs to stay visible during power failure
conditions permits the chief fire official to use the discretion available in
Article 9.1.2.4. of the Fire Code to approve variances from the prescribed
criteria in Sections 9.2, 9.4 and 9.6. Any variance from the stated criteria for
exits signs in Sections 9.3. and 9.5 can also be dealt with in the same manner.
A recent BMEC Authorization (#04-06-298) may serve as the basis for the approval
of these exit signs under OFC Article 9.1.2.4. This Authorization can be viewed
at www.obc.mah.gov.on.ca/userfiles/HTML/nts_4_8751_1.html.
The Use of Mesh Filters for Grease Removal in Commercial Cooking Equipment
Q: Some maintenance technicians are replacing Type 1 grease filters in
commercial cooking equipment with mesh filters. Are mesh filters acceptable
under Article 2.6.1.12. of the Fire Code as grease filters in the exhaust hoods
of commercial cooking equipment?
A: Sentence 2.6.1.12.(1) of the Fire Code requires that commercial cooking
equipment be provided with exhaust and fire protection systems in conformance
with the 1994 edition of NFPA 96. Chapter 3 of this standard requires that
listed grease filters be used and that mesh filters shall not be used as grease
filters.
Sentence 2.6.1.12.(2) of the Fire Code, however, does permit existing exhaust or
fire protection systems to be approved, which may have resulted in mesh filters
being accepted as grease extractors.
Mesh filters differ from proper baffle type grease filters (Type I) in
commercial cooking exhaust hoods in that they do not adequately drain off the
grease once collected from grease-laden vapours during the cooking process.
Because of this tendency to retain grease, they can become a fire hazard. As a
result of this increased hazard, mesh filters should not be used as a
replacement for Type 1 grease filters, and should be removed whenever found as
such.
By Michael Ng, OFM Fire Protection Engineer
In March 2003, the OFM introduced the guideline, "Preparation of a Smoking
Policy in Long-Term Care Facilities" to assist owners, managers and staff of
these facilities to develop and implement a fire safe smoking policy. The
guideline advises that smoking be restricted to designated areas that prohibit
the use of oxygen dispensers. Further, it advises that precautions should be
taken for residents who intend to enter the designated smoking area soon after
an oxygen therapy session.
Concern has been expressed that absorbent materials such as cotton clothing can
become saturated with oxygen and remain saturated for a period of time after
removal from the oxygen-enriched environment, making them more readily ignitable
and susceptible to an intense fire.
The OFM guideline references both CSA Standard Z305.12-98, "Guide for the Safe
Storage, Handling, and Use of Portable Oxygen Systems in Home, Domiciliary, and
Healthcare Settings" and CGA Standard P-39-2003, "Oxygen-Rich Atmospheres" on
the topic of oxygen saturation. The standards recommend that individuals who
have been exposed to high concentrations of oxygen should either change their
clothing or ventilate their clothing in a normal atmosphere for at least 30
minutes before exposing themselves to the presence of an ignition source.
Although it has been well established that clothing will burn more vigorously in
an oxygen-enriched environment, it is unclear how much time it takes for the
oxygen to dissipate to a safe level in normal air.
Michael Ng and Meg Mc-Neil of the OFM undertook demonstrations at the Ontario
Fire College to determine how long oxygen-saturated clothing should be
ventilated in normal air so that it does not burn at an enhanced rate. In brief,
the demonstration consisted of:
1. Oxygen saturating seven cotton bathrobe samples in separate plastic bags for
a 24 hour period,
2. Removing and subjecting the samples to varying ventilation times (46 seconds,
five, 10, 15, 20, 25 and 30 minutes) in normal air
3. Burning each sample with a small flame ignition source on a hanging assembly.
4. Burning an eighth unsaturated bathrobe sample to serve as a benchmark for
comparison purposes.
5. Comparing the flame propagation rates between the samples.
The demonstration showed:
• the oxygen-saturated sample ventilated for 46 seconds burned at a
significantly enhanced rate when compared to the unsaturated sample;
• the oxygen-saturated samples ventilated for five, 10 and 15 minutes burned at
a slightly enhanced rate when compared to the un-saturated sample;
• the oxygen-saturated samples ventilated for 20 minutes and longer did not burn
at an enhanced rate when compared to the un-saturated sample.
The demonstration confirmed that the 30-minute ventilation time referenced in
the OFM guideline, "Preparation of a Smoking Policy in Long-Term Care
Facilities" is reasonable and conservative.
For more information on this demonstration, contact Michael Ng at 416-325-3218.
Fire Marshal Bernard Moyle and then Commissioner of Emergency Management for Ontario Dr. James Young visited the nuclear power station at Bruce Power in Tiverton, Ontario on September 27 to review Bruce Power's emergency measures program. Pictured above are (left to right) Frank Saunders, Bruce Power's Vice President, Safety and Environment; Fire Marshal Moyle; Dr. Young; and Randy Henderson, Department Manager, Emergency Measures Department at Bruce Power. (Picture courtesy of Bruce Power)
The following is an open letter released jointly by Rob Browning, President, Ontario Association of Fire Chiefs, and Mike Raine, President, Municipal Fire Service Instructors' Association.
Starting in May of 2005, the Ontario Association of Fire Chiefs and the
Municipal Fire Service Instructors' Association will be joining forces to better
serve the educational requirements of today's fire chief's and training
officers.
Many of the issues facing the Ontario fire service today are requiring more of a
collaborative effort between these two great associations. The constant demand
for the maintaining of our professional skills and competencies make this
partnership a good opportunity for everyone involved.
The OAFC Conference and the MFSIA Educational Seminar will share in two days of
educational opportunities and also have the opportunity for separate specific
training and association business. This type of collaborative fire service
initiative is overdue and one that is welcomed by both associations.
Both the training officers and their respective fire chiefs can attend for the
first time Canada's largest Fire Service Trade Show, where many, if not all, of
the fire service equipment suppliers will be on hand to work with both groups in
making better equipment purchasing decisions.
These first steps are the beginning and foundation of a new trend, whereby in
partnership, we can foster greater educational opportunities for all fire chiefs
and training officers in the Ontario fire service and so create a prosperous
future for all.
Sincerely,
Rob Browning and Mike Raine
The first certificates for the OFM's Supervisor's/Program Specialist's
Certificate Training Program have been awarded to five OFM employees for
successfully completing the program.
Congratulations to Jim Fisher and Pierre Yelle, from the OFM's Fire
Investigations and Evaluation section; and Dave Crowe, John O'Halloran, and
Wayne Bennett from the OFM's Field Fire Protection Services.
Pictured above at the left are (left to right) Trevor Bain, OFM Operations Manager; Pierre Yelle; Jim Fisher; and Bernie Silvestri, Assistant Deputy Fire Marshal. Pictured in the middle are Paul Leslie, OFM Operations Manager; John O'Halloran; and Tony Mintoff, Assistant Deputy Fire Marshal. Pictured at the right is Ted Wieclawek, OFM Operations Manager; Dave Crowe; and Tony Mintoff.
Following a similar study in Canada, a recent survey from the National Fire
Protection Association (NFPA) has found that many Americans underestimate their
risk of fire. Just like Canadians, many Americans do not think fire will happen
to them.
Choosing from a list of disasters, 31% of Americans surveyed in the NFPA study
said they felt most at risk of a tornado, while only 27% named fire as the
highest risk, followed by hurricane (14%), earthquake (9%), flood (9%) and
terrorist attack (5%).
But among all those disasters, fires are actually more common, and many times
more deadly. Fire departments responded to 1.6 million fires in the United
States in 2003. While tornadoes average 70 deaths a year, fires killed 3,925
people in 2003, most of them in the home.
Earlier this year, a Canadian study commissioned by Duracell and the Canadian
Association of Fire Chiefs (CAFC) revealed that 48% of Canadians feel they have
almost no chance of being in a house fire. While 64% of Canadians claimed to
have a home fire escape plan in place, 63% of those failed to practice their
plan even once.
Only 28% of Canadians surveyed had replaced the batteries in their smoke alarms
twice, as recommended by the CAFC, and 19% admitted to never having replaced
the batteries - up 8% from last year. (See the September/October 2004 issue of
the Messenger for more information on the Canadian study).
The NFPA survey asked which kind of disaster Americans feel most prepared for.
The highest percentage of respondents (31%) said they felt most prepared for
fire.
Their answers to other survey questions suggest they are prepared, but not
prepared enough. Ninety-six percent have smoke alarms, a new high for the
nation. But only one-fourth have developed and rehearsed a plan for escaping
their home in a fire.
The NFPA survey also points to other challenges. Small communities, poorer
households and less educated households had lower rates of smoke alarm
ownership. Only 8% of people whose smoke alarms went off responded as
recommended: assuming there was a fire and leaving the house immediately.
NFPA statistics indicate that deaths from fire in the United States have been
declining steadily over the past two decades. In 2002, fire deaths dropped
sharply. In 2003, the death rate returned to previous levels, jumping 16%
overall and 18% for deaths from fires in the home.
Excerpts of this article are reprinted from a NFPA media release dated October
3, 2004.
By Carol-Lynn Chambers, OFM Operations Manager
The Ontario Fire Service Performance Measurement and Benchmarking Project
reached another major milestone on November 4, 2004, with the release of
www.ofspmbs.ca, the first full version of the web-based performance measurement
and bench-marking tool.
On December 2, 2004, the Office of the Fire Marshal hosted a recognition
luncheon for Project Working Group and Steering Committee members, to formally
acknowledge the outstanding contributions of our partners on this collaborative
project to date. More than 30 members attended, where Fire Marshal Bernard Moyle
and Deputy Fire Marshal Doug Crawford presented each with a unique "glass apple"
recognition award as a token of appreciation.
Following the luncheon, the Project Working Group took the next steps to lay the
foundation for the future, by formally convening an inaugural meeting of the new
Standing Users Group. The Standing Users Group has been established as a key way
to sustain momentum and pro-viding ongoing leadership and oversight to this
important management tool for the fire service, in the continued spirit of the
partnership.
As of December 20, more than 115 fire departments have requested and received
their user ID and password for www.ofspmbs.ca.
On December 2, Deputy Fire Marshal Doug Crawford (left) and Fire Marshal Bernard Moyle presented OFM Operations Manager Carol-Lynn Chambers with a recognition award for her outstanding contribution to the PMBP.
Decision No. 2002A005-136; Date: September 25, 2002
The following is a synopsis of a Fire Safety Commission hearing. More
information may be obtained from the Fire Safety Standards section of the OFM,
telephone 416-325-3100.
SUBJECT MATTER
The issue before the tribunal was a residential building that was found by the
fire department to be unsafe for occupancy. The fire department ordered that the
owner close the property immediately, until a list of fire safety deficiencies
have been corrected. The Order to Close the building was approved by the Fire
Marshal as required by the Fire Protection and Prevention Act. The owner
appealed the Order to Close and the matter was referred to the Fire Safety
Com-mission.
GENERAL DESCRIPTION OF PREMISES
The building is three storeys (plus basement) in height, is of combustible
construction and has a building area of 69 m2. There is an enclosed front porch
on the north side of the building with a floor area of 10 m2.
The basement contains a furnace room and the owner's apartment. The first floor
has a kitchen and two living rooms. A main entrance vestibule is also located on
the first floor and provides access to all floors. The second floor has three
bedrooms and one washroom. The third floor has two bedrooms and one washroom.
The building was vacant at the time of inspection due to a previous fire. It was
alleged to have been used as a rooming, boarding and lodging facility. The five
bedrooms on the second and third floors could accommodate up to five tenants.
A centrally located exit stair provides access to the second and third floors
from the ground floor main entrance vestibule. This stair is contiguous to the
corridors on the first, second and third floors. A separate stair serves as an
exit from the first floor and basement. A third exit from the first floor is
also available through an exterior door in the kitchen.
An electrically powered interconnected smoke alarm system is provided throughout
the building, but is inoperative.
REASONS FOR APPEAL
The owner claimed that Section 9.3 and 9.5 should not apply to his building, as
there are never more than three persons occupying the
property.
APPELLANT'S POSITION
The owner has vacated the building and has completed some of the conditions as
set out in the Order to Close.
RESPONDENT'S POSITION
The fire department identified the building as unsafe and that it be closed
immediately for the following reasons:
1. The electrical wiring is unsafe and poses a risk of fire to the occupants.
2. The fire alarm and detection features provided in the building are inadequate
and inoperative. In the event of fire, the building occupants lack a means of
being notified of a fire condition within the building.
3. The exit features provided in the building are inadequate for the escape of
occupants in the event of fire in as much as:
(a) Two exits are not provided from occupied storeys as required by subsection
9.3.3. of the Ontario Fire Code.
(b) The interior stairwell and doors in the stairwell serving as an exit lack an
adequate fire-resistance rating and fire-protection rating and related hardware,
necessary for the protection of occupants escaping in event of fire.
(c) The interior surfaces of the stairwell exit have a high degree of flame
spread that may increase the spread of fire in the exit.
The building is closed until the following conditions be complied with:
1. The contiguous interior exit stairway/corridor is fire separated from the
remainder of the building by a fire separation having a minimum 30-minute
fire-resistance rating.
2. Closures along the contiguous exit stairway/corridor are provided with a
minimum 20-minute fire-protection rating and equipped with self-closing and
latching devices.
3. A second exit is provided from the third
storey or alternatively the third storey shall not contain an occupancy.
4. The integrity of the second floor fire separation is restored to achieve a
minimum 30-minute fire-resistance rating.
5. A fire alarm system is installed in compliance with sentence 9.3.4.1.(1) of
the Ontario Fire Code, O. Reg. 388/97, as amended.
6. Battery powered smoke alarms are installed in each sleeping room.
7. Fire extinguishers are provided on each storey as approved by the city's fire
department.
8. A fire safety plan as required by section 2.8 of the Ontario Fire Code, O. Reg. 388/97, as amended, has been approved by the city's fire department.
9. Electrical Safety Order Defect Notice is fully complied with.
10. The building is inspected and approved for re-occupancy by the city's fire department.
COMMISSION'S RULING
The Commission ruled that the Order to Close be upheld.
REASONS
The tribunal believes that the property was occupied as a boarding, lodging and
rooming house as defined in Section 9.3 of the Ontario Fire Code. It was
evidenced that at the time of the inspections, lodging was provided for more
than three persons in return for remuneration or the provision of services or
both.
The tribunal also believes that the public is entitled to a minimum level of
fire safety in any building in the province of Ontario.
The Council of Canadian Fire Marshals and Fire Commissioners (CCFM/FC) held its
genesis Forum of Fire and Life Safety Public Educators of Canada in Toronto from
November 21-25.
Public educators identified by fire marshals and fire commissioners from each
province and territory, the Department of National Defense and Human Resources
Skills Development Canada, and lead representatives of the Canadian Association
of Fire Chiefs (CAFC), participated in the forum.
"This is a great opportunity to hear from my colleagues and their public
educators about what educational pro-grams are working and to learn of new fire
safety and prevention initiatives," said Ontario Fire Marshal Bernard Moyle. "We
all can only prosper from the knowledge to be shared through this type of
dialogue."
John McLaughlin, New Brunswick Fire Marshal and Chair of the CCFM/FC Fire
Prevention Committee, led the group in a four-day exercise sharing best
practices and identifying potential gaps in life and fire safety education
design and delivery. The primary objective of the forum was to provide the
Council with ideas and direction regarding the future of public education
nationally. A report resulting from the discussions at the forum, including
recommendations, is expected to be released in 2005.
"The participants in this forum worked very hard to set priorities for the CCFM/FC
and the CAFC to consider in the advancement of fire and life safety public
education initiatives nationally," said McLaughlin. "I commend each and every
one of them for their focus and energy in attaining our objectives."
"It never ceases to amaze me how the fire service in Canada can pull together to
make things happen in such a big way," continued Mc-Laughlin. "There is no doubt
that the collegial efforts of these professional fire and life safety educators
will help set a new and enhanced direction for fire and life safety programs
across our country."
Pictured above are public educators from across the country who met in Toronto to identify potential gaps in public education programs. The forum was organized by the Council of Canadian Fire Marshals and Fire Commissioners Fire Prevention Committee. (Picture courtesy of Gina Pontikas)
A guide to Volume 13 of The Ontario Fire Service Messenger
Editorials:
The Honourable Monte Kwinter March/April
Michael Fenn May/August
Chris Slosser September/October
Bernard Moyle November/December
Education & Training:
Accreditation and certification September/October p. 19
Breaking down barriers March/April p. 14
Fleming's pre-service course Nov./December p. 16
Hazardous materials course May/August p. 20
IFSAC accredits courses May/August p. 9
Incident/casualty reporting guide Sept./October insert
Management training program September/October p. 16
Meeting the standards March/April p. 15
OFM meets highest standards September/October p. 18
Preparation for `dirty bombs' May/August p. 21
Shaking off the winter rust March/April p. 7
Fire Safety Commission Decisions:
Decision No. 2003A002-141 Sept./October p. 22
Decision No. 2002A005-136 Nov./December p. 22
FPPA & Fire Code:
Authorization to Close May/August p. 25
Fire Code gave FPOs teeth Nov./December p. 9
Opinion Nov./December p. 18
Fire Prevention and Public Education:
Alcohol and fire fatalities March/April p. 9
Brampton's education centre Nov./December p. 14
Cambridge Fire Department May/August p. 18
Creative ways to get message out May/August p. 4
Educating teenagers Sept./October p. 13
Fire chiefs snuff out candle fires March/April p. 5
Keeping the message on target May/August p. 16
New ideas key to Risk Watch Sept./October p. 15
Spring into Summer campaign March/April p. 5
SummerSmart campaign May/August p. 7
Youth teaches fire prevention May/August p. 35
MFSIA Column:
Joining forces with the OAFC Nov./December p. 20
News:
Artificial smoke passes health test March/April p. 11
Child resistant lighters May/August p. 13
Cigarette fires up in U.S. Sept./October p. 4
Crashes cause firefighter deaths May/August p. 8
Female juvenile firesetters May/August p. 15
Firefighter choir sings for charity Sept./October p. 7
Firefighter's bequest to hospital March/April p. 12
Fire Prevention Week Nov./December p. 12
First CBRN response Sept./October p. 2
Holiday fire safety campaign Nov./December p. 4
Home sprinkler legislation Nov./December p. 6
HUSAR team's deployment Nov./December p. 10
National Public Educators' forum Nov./December p. 23
OMFPOA gets new president May/August p. 5
Safer cigarettes one step closer May/August p. 11
Smoke alarm escape time May/August p. 14
Terrorist response training Sept./October p. 10
Turkey fryers present hazards March/April p. 18
West Lincoln fire Nov./December p. 2
OFM:
Additions to Fire College March/April p. 6
FFPS realignment Sept./October p. 11
Fire service pipes and drums Sept./October p. 12
Israeli delegation visits OFC Sept./October p. 21
New in the OFM library Nov./December p. 24
New in the OFM library Sept./October p. 26
Benchmarking project May/August p. 31
Benchmarking web site Nov./December p. 21
Profile:
Blyth and District Fire Department Sept./October
Henhoeffer family of firefighters May/August
2004 Can-Am Police-Fire Games March/April
Questions & Answers:
Fatal fires and fire loss Sept./October p. 6
Ontario Fire Code Nov./December p. 7
Smoke alarms March/April p. 6
Wildfires May/August p. 6
Statistics:
Fatal Fire Summary March/April p. 6
Fatal Fire Summary May/August p. 10
Fatal Fire Summary Sept./October p. 11
Fatal Fire Summary Nov./December p. 11
Learning from overseas tragedies March/April p. 16
Lit smokers' materials May/August p. 12
Ontario's fire death rate tumbles May/August p. 10
Technical Information:
Bi-fuel emergency generators May/August p. 26
Fire safety in nuclear plants May/August p. 32
Halide lamps present fire hazard March/April p. 19
Hybrid vehicles May/August p. 23
New maintenance for SCBA May/August p. 6
Ventilating oxygen-rich clothing Nov./December p. 19
After 18 years as a firefighter, Ray Ellis of the Belleville Fire Department
is used to long, exhausting days working for the safety of his community.
Now Ellis has taken on a new exhausting challenge for people's health and
safety. For the last two years, Ellis has been competing in Firefighter Combat
Challenges, competitions across North America aimed at challenging the fitness
of firefighters. Last summer Ellis started traveling to challenges located
across the country on his bike to raise funds for cancer research. Ellis calls
his ride Ray's Ride for Cancer.
"I started Ray's Ride for Cancer for two reasons," said Ellis. "The first was to
bring the public's attention to the cancer hazards firefighters are faced with
everyday on the job. The new fabrics and liquid chemicals that are being
developed to make our life easier are giving off more deadly toxic smoke every
day."
"Second, my family has been hit very hard with cancer," Ellis continued. "My
situation is no different than yours. Each of us will be affected by cancer
somehow in our lifetime…. Statistics say that one in three will contract some
form of cancer. That is a statistic that must be changed."
Last year, Ellis rode from Belleville to Petawawa for a competition in July,
then to Quinte West for the competition there. He rode to Longueuil, Quebec in
August, then to Sherbrooke, Quebec for the Canadian National Championship.
"The 2005 season will take me from Belleville to Windsor for the competition
there, then on to Edmonton for the Canadian Nationals in September," said Ellis.
Ellis will leave for Windsor on August 8, arriving August 13. He plans to arrive
in Edmonton on September 6 or 7.
"My goal is to ride 160 kilometres a day," Ellis said. "Last year was a feeling
out process. People at all the competitions were very receptive when I arrived."
Ellis said that when he was biking last year, it was just him on the road every
day. This year he'll have a motor home accompanying him.
So far, Ray's Ride for Cancer has raised about $6,600 for the Canadian Cancer
Society. People interested in sponsoring Ray's Ride can visit Ellis' web site at
www.raysride.com.
Tax receipts are available for donations over $20.
Pictured above: Belleville firefighter Ray Ellis started biking to
Firefighter Combat Challenges last year as part of Ray's Ride for Cancer.
|
||||||||||||||||||
