January/February 2005 Volume 14 Issue 1
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, Janice Johnstone, Tony Pacheco, Penny Goddard, Heather Wadden and Gina Pontikas.
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.
Bill Blackborow,
Chief Executive Officer,
Municipal Health and Safety Association
My first six months as the new chief executive officer of the
Municipal Health and Safety Association (MHSA) have been most rewarding. In that
time I've had the opportunity to meet with various representatives of the fire
service, police and paramedic sectors and gain first-hand experience of the
tremendous dedication these people have to public safety. It is my hope that in
the coming months and years we will expand our relationship with these committed
individuals and organizations as the MHSA moves in a new direction and expands
its role: focusing its efforts on municipal hands-on emergency services training
throughout the province of Ontario.
Since its inception in 1986, the MHSA has enjoyed a reputation within the
municipal sector for first-rate health and safety training. It is our intention
to build upon this strong history and expand MHSA services to the fire, police
and paramedic sectors.
We realize there is a real need for hands-on, specific training in the emergency
services, particularly in the areas of confined space entry and trench rescue.
As a result, the MHSA has recently purchased a mobile training unit that will
enable our personnel to travel across the province, and eventually throughout
Canada and parts of the United States, to deliver hands-on training to emergency
services personnel.
The OFM has agreed to partner with MHSA on this new initiative, which will
result in greater training opportunities for both full-time and volunteer
firefighters across the province. The mobile training unit means we will be able
to bring training to the people and provide an opportunity for those individuals
to participate who may not have been able to in the past because of availability
or cost. The mobile unit will make training more accessible and cost effective.
My previous experience includes management and leadership roles in operations,
human resources, and health and safety at national and international
organizations that span manufacturing, the service sector and health care. This
experience, along with my former roles as member and chair of the Industrial
Accident Prevention Association, has shown me that close cooperation with
community partners is vital to reaching common goals.
Enhanced community safety is a goal we all share and I look forward to the
expanded role of the MHSA to enrich an already strong partnership with Ontario's
fire service and emergency responders.
Bill Blackborow can be reached at (905) 890-2040 or via email at
bblackborow@mhsao.com.
The Province of Ontario has appointed Julian Fantino
Commissioner of Emergency Management as part of its ongoing plan to ensure the
security of Ontarians.
"Julian Fantino has a long record of public service through public safety," said
Ontario Premier Dalton McGuinty. "His years as chief of police in London, York
Region and Toronto have equipped him well for this new challenge: working with
government, police, fire departments, transit systems and all Ontarians to
ensure we're prepared to cope with a major emergency."
Fantino has developed an expertise in public security in times of crisis. He
directed the policing response for the SARS outbreak and the blackout that hit
Toronto in 2003. He directed the development of an upgraded emergency response
plan for the Toronto Police Service, and he has spoken around the world on
emergency preparedness, fighting terrorism and providing security for events
such as the Olympics and papal visits.
Fantino is only the second person to hold the post of Commissioner of Emergency
Management, which was created last year to ensure a coordinated response to
emergency situations.
He succeeds Dr. James Young, who has accepted a new post with the federal
government.
"I want to thank Dr. Young for his work, and I want to thank Chief Fantino for
taking on the job," said Monte Kwinter, Minister of Community Safety and
Correctional Services. "Ontarians are fortunate to have someone of his stature
and his experience."
Premier McGuinty stressed that Ontario must be prepared in case of a crisis.
"After the challenges posed by SARS and the blackout, we know Ontarians can
respond magnificently in challenging times. We need to work together to ensure
we can respond quickly and effectively to all future challenges as well," said
Premier McGuinty.
"In a post-9/11 world, there's no reason to alarm people, but there is every
reason to equip and inform people so an action plan is always in place, should
we need one. I know Mr. Fantino is going to work with us and people across the
province to do just that."
Reprinted from a media release from the Office of the Premier dated February
8, 2005.
Ben Bonser, former fire chief of Toronto Fire Services, passed away on January 26. The former chief first joined Toronto in 1946. At the climax of his distinguished career, Bonser was appointed fire chief in 1977, a post he held until 1988. In 1985, he was appointed a member of the Order of Canada.
Pictured above: Toronto Fire Services held a memorial service for former Fire Chief Ben Bonser on February 5. (Picture courtesy of Karen Reid)
Eight Clearview firefighters received the Medal of Bravery
from Governor General Adrienne Clarkson at a ceremony in Ottawa on February 11.
The volunteer firefighters, along with two other men, received the award for
pulling a 15-year-old out from under a 300-pound slab of concrete in the teen's
collapsed basement in Stayner on December 30, 2002.
On that day, the teen, Wayne Micks, and his friend, Sean Spragg, were helping
Wayne's father, Murray, and his uncle, Bruce, dig dirt out of the basement of
the home where Wayne and his family live. As they tunneled under an old stone
wall, the foundation of the house collapsed, pinning Bruce and Wayne under a
pile of rubble.
With the house sitting precariously on three walls, Clearview Fire Chief Dave
Carruthers called every volunteer he had to the scene.
Bruce Micks didn't survive the collapse; he had no vital
signs when firefighters arrived. But Wayne was still alive, and for 40 minutes,
in incredibly dangerous circumstances, the nine men and one boy worked to get
him free.
For Carruthers, who submitted the nomination to the government, the event was
just further proof of the excellence of his volunteers.
"My guys go above and beyond the call every time they go out, as far as I'm
concerned," he said. "But this was very unusual, it was out of the ordinary.
These men put themselves in serious jeopardy."
"We have an excellent team," said Ed Forster, a captain with the Clearview
department and one of the eight firefighters receiving the award. "Sure, there
were eight of us that went down into the basement, but there were 60-plus other
firefighters that were involved on the outside of the house, too. It was an
extremely huge effort."
"I think everybody deserves the award," said Murray Micks. "I certainly
appreciated the help, that's for sure. If it hadn't been for the firefighters,
we wouldn't have gotten Wayne out."
Those who received Medals of Bravery included Ed Forster, Gerald Kers, Andrew
Lowe, James Lowe, Mark McKean, Robert McKean, Murray Micks, Michael Payne and
Derek Sheard, all of Stayner, and 17-year-old Sean Spragg of Meaford.
Excerpts of this article are reprinted from an article written by Brad Holden
for the Enterprise-Bulletin newspaper in Collingwood. The article appeared in
the January 14 edition of that newspaper.
The 2005 Northwestern Fire Education Conference, entitled
"Changes in Latitudes, Changes in Attitudes," will take place in Dryden on April
22 and 23.
Conference highlights will include presentations on the new TAPP-C; changes to
Risk Watch; keys to delivering great presentations; and Wildfire Prevention
Week. Speakers will include Fire Marshal Bernard Moyle; Ryan Betts from the OFM;
and Deanna Pacheco, principal of the Oxdrift Public School in Oxdrift.
Registration for the conference costs $100. For more information, contact the
Dryden Fire Services at 807-223-1178.
On January 17, the Fire Marshal's Public Fire Safety Council
(FMPFSC) hosted a meeting with representatives from approximately 15 fire
departments across the province to discuss public education initiatives.
The purpose of the meeting was to discuss initiatives that are working and what
needs improving, Ottawa Deputy Fire Chief Bruce Montone, who facilitated the
meeting, told the group. The information collected at the meeting would be used
to help the FMPFSC understand the public education needs of the fire service
when designing campaign materials, Montone said.
Pictured above: Bruce Montone (standing), Deputy Chief of the Ottawa Fire Services, facilitated the FMPFSC's meeting with fire departments about public education programs.
A new survey of Americans conducted by the National Fire
Protection Association (NFPA) shows that only 25% have devised and practiced a
plan to escape from the home during a fire.
The survey also revealed that two-thirds of Americans have an escape plan. But
most of those who say they have plans have not practiced them - a key step in
preparedness.
A study conducted in Canada by the Canadian Association of Fire Chiefs and
Duracell last year found similar results. The study revealed that while 64% of
Canadians claimed to have a home fire escape plan in place, 63% of those people
failed to practice it (up from 55% a year earlier).
"Surveys such as these give the fire service an idea of just how much work we
still have to do if we're going to get the public prepared to respond to an
emergency," said Deputy Fire Marshal Doug Crawford. "Despite our public
education and prevention efforts, many people still aren't prepared should a
fire start in their home. The fire service has to redouble its efforts to get
fire safety messages
out there."
The NFPA survey also found that people older than age 65 were most likely to
have developed an escape plan. But they were least likely to have practiced
their escape plan if they had one. Those least likely to have even developed an
escape plan are 18 to 24 - an age when children are less likely to be part of
the household.
One reason why people may have neglected escape planning is that many
overestimate how much time they will have to escape a fire. Two out of five
respondents to the NFPA survey said they thought they would have six minutes or
more before a fire turns life threatening, and one quarter thought they'd have a
full 10 minutes. In fact, people may have less than one minute to get out
safely.
Excerpts of this article are reprinted from a NFPA media release dated
January 7, 2005.
By Donald Mcarthur,
The Windsor Star
A job-skills program benefiting disadvantaged youth run by Windsor Fire and
Rescue Services received $150,000 in federal funding in early January.
The six-month program, which has been operating for five years, targets young
people between 15 and 30 who are out of school or unemployed.
"This is to help them gain experience, confidence and self-esteem," said Guy
Dorion, planning and development officer for Windsor Fire and Rescue Services.
"This is an investment in people, not bricks and mortar.... We've had some real
success stories."
The 13 students who successfully applied or were referred by social service
agencies to this year's program are paid minimum wage for the duration of the
program and take classes at the Cleary International Centre.
"It's like a full-time job for six months," said Dorion. "It's quite remarkable
to see the changes they go through."
The focus of the program in years past was fire safety but this year's focus is
emergency preparedness and crime prevention.
The money earmarked for Windsor is part of $866,695 for nine projects across
Ontario funded by the federal government.
This article originally appeared in The Windsor Star on January 7, 2005.
Angela John celebrated her 20th year working with the Office
of the Fire Marshal in January. Angela, who works in the OFM's Statistical
Services Unit, was presented the Fire Marshal's Long Service Award for Fire
Services' Administrative Personnel by Fire Marshal Bernard Moyle on January 6.
Pictured above: Anglea John with Fire Marshal Bernard Moyle
By Bruce Hain,
Orillia Today
Students of Georgian College's Pre-Service Firefighter program will now have the
benefit of learning techniques and life-saving methods from a larger collection
of regional firefighters.
And in turn, local fire services will be able to take advantage of a large pool
of well-trained, potential full-time and volunteer firefighters.
The college has inked a partnership agreement with the majority of fire services
across Simcoe County. The program already has had an agreement in place with
Barrie Fire and Emergency Service.
"We take great pride in seeing how the program has evolved," said Barrie Acting
Fire Chief Terry Dicks. "We're very pleased with the caliber of the program's
graduates. Barrie Fire has hired several graduates. It's a great partnership we
have had with Georgian College."
Participating agencies include fire departments from Bradford, West Gwillimbury,
Midland, Mnjikaning First Nation, Orillia, Oro-Medonte, Severn, Springwater,
Innisfil and Wasaga Beach.
The enlarged partnership program will include the loaning of equipment,
providing guest speakers to the college, and on-site demonstrations and
practical training.
Program lead Mike Cadotte of Barrie Fire and Emergency Service, says, "We're
hoping to get all areas of the county involved. Basically, we're trying to work
together in partnership for the education of our Pre-Service students, while
developing more professional candidates."
Dave Dubois, Georgian's dean of community studies, said the signing of the
agreement "is a great day for us. The program is two years in the making. We
will continue to look at developing our graduates to being fully competent as
entry-level firefighters. We'll be working closely with our partners."
Vicki Cyr, fire prevention officer for Oro-Medonte, said "because we're a
volunteer fire service, the program will bring a lot of benefits. The people
coming out of the program can keep up their training, and hopefully come back
and volunteer with us."
For Severn Acting Fire Chief Eric Dowell, who administers a complement of 76
volunteers, the program provides much needed training to smaller
municipalities.
"It benefits everyone," Dowell said. "We get trained and dedicated volunteers."
This article originally appeared in February 8 edition of the Orillia Today.
It is reprinted with permission.
By Brian Berringer,
Director, Fire Prevention/ Investigation, Thunder Bay Fire and Rescue
Early in the summer
of 2003, Thunder Bay Fire and Rescue Services was approached by the staff of
Camp Quality to facilitate a fire-fighter-oriented activity day for their annual
summer camp.
Camp Quality is a camp that exclusively serves kids who have been affected with
cancer. The camp gives kids a week where they can just be kids; a week away from
hospital, treatment and family. Participating kids are assigned to volunteer
`companions' and every minute of every day is filled with fun activities. The
camp ensures that every medical and personal need of every child is looked
after.
After seeing the Firefit Challenge hosted by the Thunder Bay Firefit Team in
2003, I came up with the idea of adapting the challenge so that the kids at Camp
Quality could have their own challenge.
Each event in the challenge was scaled down so that all the kids at Camp Quality
could participate. The kids were dressed in real helmets and turnout coats to
complete the seven events of the challenge. (Participants began at the starting
line and were `dispatched' on the command "Firefighters ready, set, go!")
The events were set out in the same order as the adult competition. They
included:
• raising a 4.5 kg (10 lbs.) bundle of hose up a 3.6 m (12 ft) tower and hooking
a loop in the rope over a peg;
• running to a cowbell suspended from a wobbly pole and ringing it;
• sitting at a trough
and dragging a weighted box for 2.4 m (8 ft), the catch being that the
participants have to sit down and pull hand over hand;
• shuttle walking through pylons to the opposite end of course (23 m or 75 ft);
• dragging a 38mm hose (with a brass standpipe nozzle) back to the start line;
• crashing through spring loaded doors at the start line, then dropping the
nozzle and squirting water at a target from a water pressure extinguisher;
• running back to the other end of the course and dragging a 11.5 kg (25 lbs.),
full sized dummy backwards to the start line.
The first time the competition was held at Camp Quality, 35 kids lined up on the
starting line with great determination on their faces. Every child and all the
leaders went through the course at least twice as the skill level was a perfect
fit for the kids. Small prizes - tattoos, fridge magnets and colouring books -
were given to all participants.
Since the initial event, Camp Quality has requested another competition, which
has been booked for next summer. Manitouwadge Volunteer Fire Department has
borrowed the equipment for their annual town festival, and the O'Connor
Volunteer Fire Service has requested the course for their O'Connor Days
Celebration. Also, the Navy League in Thunder Bay has hosted the competition
during one of its "Sports Night" events.
The equipment can be easily transported in the back of a half-tonne truck, and
takes about 20 minutes to set up. All of the lumber used for the equipment was
salvaged from the scrap bin at a local manufacturing plant (minimal carpentry
skills were required to build the equipment). The dummies were made from old
coveralls donated by a drycleaner and the turnouts and helmets were obsolete
items, also donated. Hosanna Fire and Safety provided `loaner' pressurized water
extinguishers; the pump-type work too. The total cost for constructing the
course was a mere $30.
Anyone interested in developing this event, please contact Brian Berringer at
the Thunder Bay Fire and Rescue Service, 807-625-2103.
Pictured above: Kids tackle the Junior Firefighter Challenge at the O'Connor
Days Celebration last August 28. (Picture courtesy of Willis Mattis)
By Don Crosby,
Owen Sound Sun Times
The Hanover Fire Department has been awarded the Lifesaving Society Rescue Award
of Merit for rescuing a Hanover teen from the Saugeen River in 2003.
Hanover Fire Chief Ken Roseborough called the award an honour and a privilege.
Firefighters were called to rescue 16-year-old Samantha Strong, who had gone
canoeing with her companions Justin Ooshoek, Julia Smith and Rob Fischer.
Neither Smith nor Strong had any canoeing experience.
A few minutes into their trip on July 29, at the confluence of two branches of
the Saugeen River, the cedar strip canoe in which Strong and Ooshoek were
paddling was pulled by fast water into the low hanging branches of a tree that
had fallen into the river. The canoe tipped, dumping them into the water.
Strong and Ooshoek drifted into the fallen tree. Strong resisted the strong
undertow by grabbing onto the overhanging branches.
But before she could haul herself onto the downed tree, water filled the canoe
and it crashed into her abdomen and pinned her. She ended up knee deep in water
with her hips and knees pinned against the tree by the canoe. The weight of the
canoe shut off circulation to her legs.
Five volunteer firefighters, who were untrained in river rescue, responded. They
managed to pull Strong from the water by prying the pinned canoe away from her
leg.
Roseborough said the firefighters were lucky that the rescue went well and none
of his men were injured.
Since then, four of the firefighters have taken training in water and ice rescue
and two more will complete the training next year. The department will also
purchase special equipment needed to carry out ice and water rescue.
Roseborough said Strong limped into the fire hall with her father a couple weeks
after the accident to thank her rescuers.
The award will be made by the Ontario branch of the Royal Life Saving Society
during a ceremony at the Markham Civic Centre on April 1.
The Hanover Fire Department has been awarded the Lifesaving Society Rescue Award
of Merit for rescuing a Hanover teen from the Saugeen River in 2003.
Hanover Fire Chief Ken Roseborough called the award an honour and a privilege.
Firefighters were called to rescue 16-year-old Samantha Strong, who had gone
canoeing with her companions Justin Ooshoek, Julia Smith and Rob Fischer.
Neither Smith nor Strong had any canoeing experience.
A few minutes into their trip on July 29, at the confluence of two branches of
the Saugeen River, the cedar strip canoe in which Strong and Ooshoek were
paddling was pulled by fast water into the low
This article was reprinted from the February 8 edition of the Owen Sound Sun
Times. Reprinted with permission.
The owner of a residential care facility has been fined $20,000 for not
maintaining his building to Fire Code safety standards. The licensed operator of
Clar-Del Retirement Home in Hamilton was found guilty in Provincial Offences
Court on four counts of contraventions of the Ontario Fire Code on January 28,
2005. This is the operator's third conviction in the last six years for Fire
Code infractions involving this building and one other residential care
facility.
The latest charges were the result of findings during an inspection conducted on
April 2, 2004 by the Hamilton Emergency Services.
"Building owners have a responsibility, legally if not morally, to make sure
that their residents are kept safe from fire," said Jim Winn, Chief Fire
Prevention Officer for Hamilton Emergency Services. "The fire service feels that
this is a strong message from the courts that will act as a wake up call to all
owners of residential care facilities that they must be actively engaged in
ensuring the safety of their residents."
The facility is a two-and-a-half storey building that is licensed for up to nine
residents, most of whom are older adults. Fire Code deficiencies included
inoperative smoke alarms in residents' rooms, fire separation doors either not
closing properly or being blocked open, and access to required exits on the
first floor and basement being obstructed. The court applied a fine of $4,000 to
each of the counts, for a total of $16,000. The court also added a 25% victim
surcharge, making the total fine $20,000.
This building was also the scene of a fire in February, 2004 that resulted in
first- and second-degree burns to a resident and first-degree burns to an
employee.
The infractions noted during the April 2, 2004 inspection had been corrected as
of April 14, 2004.
Reprinted from a Feb. 1 media release from the Hamilton Emergency Services.
As part of the Fire Marshal's Public Fire Safety Council's seasonal safety
campaigns, such as last year's Autumn Watch Seasonal Safety and Spring into
Summer…Spring into Safety, Keeping Our Kids Safe is a partnership between
Ontario's teachers and the fire service.
Keeping Our Kids Safe consists of curriculum approved lesson plans developed by
the Council for school teachers to incorporate into their classroom lessons.
These lesson plans focus on preventing
injuries at various times of the year. Because the lesson plans are curriculum
approved, they are easy for teachers to incorporate into every day lessons.
"This is a great opportunity for us to work closer with teachers to disseminate
injury prevention and safety information," said Bernard Moyle, Council Chair and
Ontario Fire Marshal. "Teachers are the educational experts. The fire service
needs to get injury prevention and safety information into their hands so that
these lessons last with kids forever. Keeping Our Kids Safe does just that."
Copies of a brochure advertising Keeping Our Kids Safe is distributed in a
quarterly magazine sent to elementary school teachers across the province. To
encourage teachers to participate, the Council holds a competition every year,
providing prizes to teachers who have taught the safety lessons in their
classrooms.
Every time a safety lesson is taught, teachers can submit a "Lesson Taught!"
form to enter a draw for prizes. Last year, prizes included a trip for two to
Florida, a weekend getaway to Toronto, a gas barbecue, $200 certificates for
classroom supplies, and class pizza parties. Lesson plans and "lesson taught"
forms can be downloaded from the Council's web site at
www.firesafetycouncil.com.
Last year's grand prize winner was Lisa Buccioni. Lisa has won a trip for two to
Orlando, Florida for teaching fire safety lessons in her grades one and two
school classes in Mississauga.
Winners of the classroom pizza parties included 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 were Charles Eppich; Helen Kotsopoulos;
Ganielle Lanoue; Sharon Maxwell and Tammy Chase. Winners of the Toronto weekend
getaway were Caroline Parker; Heidi Werner; Laurel Venney; Karen Harrington and
Angela Martell.
"Keeping Our Kids Safe is a true example of communities coming together for
injury prevention and safety," said Fire Marshal Moyle. "Teachers, the fire
service and the program's committed sponsors should be congratulated for their
ongoing commitment to community safety and injury prevention."
Last year's sponsors of the program included Garrison, Exclusively at Canadian
Tire; CSA International; Direct Energy; Energizer Canada Inc.; Kidde; State Farm
Insurance; TSSA; and Enbridge.
Teachers and fire services across the province participated in the "Keeping Our
Kids Safe" program last year. Pictured above, left are Angell Martelle from St.
John the Bosco School in Cornwall being presented Via Rail tickets by Michel
Bickerstaffe, senior fire prevention officer with the Cornwall Fire Department.
Above, right are Karen Harrington, a grade 1 teacher at Holy Family School in
Hanover and Jeff Dentinger from the Hanover Fire Department. Karen won a Toronto
weekend getaway. On the bottom, left, is teacher Monique Carriere and the grade
1 class at John Campbell School in Windsor, winners of a classroom pizza party.
Bottom, right, Tammy Chase from Mother St. Bride School in North Bay receives a
$200 voucher for classroom supplies from Sheri Korn with the North Bay Fire
Department.
Pictured above (top, left), grand prize winner in the "Keeping Our Kids Safe"
program, Lisa Buccioni, a grade 1 and 2 teacher at Burnhamthorpe Public School
in Mississauga, receives her prize from Fire Marshal and Council Chair
Bernard Moyle. Pictured bottom, left is Lisa's class with Fire Marshal Moyle (back row,
left), Mississauga Deputy Fire Chief John McDougall (back row, right), Council
Coordinator Anne Miller (front row, left) and OFM Administrative Assistant Joyce
Carnevale (front row, right). Top, right, students from the grade 6 class at St.
James the Apostle School in Hamilton won a class pizza party. Pictured with
students are (back row, left to right) Margaret Janeczko, the student teacher
who took the lead in teaching kitchen safety to the class; Firefighter Biran
Moar; Firefighter Paul McKinney; Captain Martyn Wingfield; Acting Deputy Chief
Gary Beasley; and Hamilton Chief Jim Kay. Bottom, right is a bulletin board of
fire safety artwork created by the class. (Thank you to each fire department for
submitting the pictures)
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.
November 2004: 6 fatal fires resulting in 13 fire deaths
Age Group 0-15: Male - 4, Female - 3, Total - 7
Age Group 16-64: Male - 4, Female - 2, Total - 6
Age Group 65 and over: Male - 0, Female - 0, Total - 0
Total: Male - 8, Female - 5, Total - 13
Fire Cause - Accidental 0, Undetermined 0, Under Investigation 6, Incendiary 0
Time of Day - 0001-0800 - 0, 0801-1600 - 1, 1601-1800 - 1, 1801-0000 - 4
Locations of fatal fires: Lanwick/Haldimand (1); Brighton (1); Mississauga (1); Ottawa (1); Toronto (1); West Lincoln (1).
December 2004: 11 fatal fires resulting in 12 fire deaths
Age Group 0-15: Male - 0, Female - 0, Total - 0
Age Group 16-64: Male - 8, Female - 2, Total - 10
Age Group 65 and over: Male - 1, Female - 1, Total - 2
Total: Male - 9, Female - 3, Total - 12
Fire Cause - Accidental 3, Undetermined 0, Under Investigation 8, Incendiary 0
Time of Day - 0001-0800 - 4, 0801-1600 - 4, 1601-1800 - 2, 1800-0000 - 1
Locations of fatal fires: Central Manitoulin (1); Chatham-Kent (1); Cochrane Town (1); Greater Napanee (1); Kawartha Lakes (1); Mississauga (1); Montague (1); Sudbury, Unorganized, North Part (1); Timmins City (1); Toronto (1); West Nipissing (1).
By Julianne Wever
Public Fire & Life Safety Educator, London Fire Department
On October 7, 2004, Tim Hortons and the London and Middlesex Risk Watch
Coalition hosted a Risk Watch® teacher training workshop at the Thames Valley
District School Board in London, Ontario. At the workshop were some of Carolin
Dimitroff's grade 2 students from the Fairmont Public School in London. Mrs.
Dimitroff has been an advocate of the Risk Watch program since it was first
implemented in London in 1999. Since that time, Mrs. Dimitroff has been teaching
the Risk Watch program in her school helping children think independently and
learn to make smart choices in their day-to-day lives to minimize risks. The
grade 2 students acted out a fire safety play found in the grade 2 Risk Watch
curriculum. After acting out the play the students illustrated the fire safety
lessons they learned.
Over the last two years, Tim Hortons stores have donated enough Risk Watch
curriculum sets to implement the program in 88 schools.
"The Tim Hortons stores in London and Middlesex have been instrumental in
supporting the coalition's mission to successfully implement the Risk Watch
program into every school in both the Thames Valley District School Board and
the London District Catholic School Board," said Julianne Wever, public fire and
life safety educator with the London Fire Department.
Every year more school aged children die or are disabled from unintentional
injuries than from disease and drugs combined.
"Without the Risk Watch program in our schools, these injuries will continue to
escalate," said Wever. "The good news is that there is something we can do -
continue to grow our Risk Watch partnerships in the community."
Pictured above: grade 2 students participated in a Risk Watch teacher training
workshop at the Thames Valley District School Board in London on October 7.
(Picture courtesy of the London Fire Department)
By Bill Blackborow,
CEO, Municipal Health and Safety Association
The latest initiative by the Municipal Health and Safety Association (MHSA), the
Toronto Fire Services and the Office of the Fire Marshal (OFM) is a perfect
example of the transfer of theoretical research into practical action.
Data shows that heart attacks due to heat stress is the number one cause of
death in firefighters. Thanks to a recent study entitled The Management of Heat
Stress for the Firefighter, conducted by researchers Dr. Tom McLellan and Glen
Selkirk, the MHSA, Toronto Fire Services and the OFM are working in partnership
to get the message out about how to reduce the adverse effects of heat stress on
the firefighter.
The study, supported by the Research Advisory Council of Ontario through a grant
provided by the Workplace Safety and Insurance Board (WSIB) and the
participation of the Toronto Fire Services, looked at establishing safe work
guidelines for firefighters wearing firefighting protective clothing and
self-contained breathing apparatus at ambient temperatures representative of
summer conditions in Toronto. Working with Toronto Fire Services Captain Tim
Metcalfe and department firefighters, the researchers also examined active and
passive cooling strategies combined with different levels of hydration.
As a result of their study, Dr. McLellan and Mr. Selkirk made several
recommendations, including the development of a heat stress calculator designed
to assist dispatchers and incident commanders in calculating heat stress
conditions for firefighters on the job.
In the spirit of prevention, the MHSA, the OFM, the WSIB, the Toronto Fire
Services and the researchers are working together to take this research to the
next level and enable the transition from research into practical application by
developing a training program centered around the heat stress calculator tool.
The partners hope that the use of this new tool will validate and standardize
current practices involving cooling strategies (i.e. forearm submersion) among
firefighters, and become the new best practice used by firefighters throughout
the province and beyond.
Plans are currently in the works for the MHSA to develop the training program
that will accompany the heat stress calculator and assist the OFM in communicating
the information to firefighters throughout Ontario. The OFM has already
committed to add the training and the calculator to existing programs at the
Ontario Fire College (OFC), and the MHSA will make the program available as part
of its offerings of Emergency Services Programs, which currently include
Confined Space Entry and Trench Rescue, as well as through its website and new
mobile training unit. Future plans include expanding training and communication
activities to firefighters throughout the rest of Canada and in other countries.
Any proceeds from the sale of the training program and heat stress calculator
will be driven back into the development of future training programs for the
fire service via the OFC and the MHSA jointly.
The idea to start the "Ride With Us Tour" came to Keith Hepburn after meeting a
man at the Barrie Speedway who had had his right leg above the knee and his left
foot amputated.
Keith, a firefighter with the Wiarton Fire Department, has a brother, Brent, and
a niece, Mitzi, who had leg amputations after being hit by a vehicle while
riding a motorcycle about two years ago.
"I told the man at the Barrie Speedway that my brother Brent is a firefighter in
Wiarton and is now back working at the fire station," Keith said. "I will never
forget the uplifted look on his face when he heard my brother was back working."
Wanting to provide similar hope to others, Keith, who also works with ALSTAR
Racing, has organized the ALSTAR Motorcycle Charity Ride. People can make
pledges to support participants who will be riding their motorcycles, rigs,
haulers and vintage cars from Shallow Lake, Ontario to Barrie on August 20.
"This is the first year for the ride, so we're not sure what to expect," Keith
said. "The interest in this event has been rising and we have not done very much
publicity to this point." All proceeds generated by the ride will be donated to
The War Amps. For more information and how to support the ride, visit
www.alstarseries.com/ALSTAR_Officia/Motorcylce_ALS.html.
By Jennifer Young,
OMNR Fire Management Intern
Every year in Ontario, communities are evacuated or homes and cottages are
destroyed due to wildfire.
During the summer of 2003, British Columbia experienced their worst fire season
ever. Over 2,500 wildfire starts in the province destroyed over 334 homes and
many businesses, and caused the evacuation of over 45,000 people.
Ontario has been lucky in avoiding this scale of disaster but the potential to
experience fire seasons like these is very real here too.
Forests cover approximately 85% of Ontario's landmass. Forest fire is a natural
process that has shaped these forest ecosystems. In the last decade, Ontario has
experienced a yearly average of 1,370 forest fires, burning approximately 21,704
hectares.
Each year more people are choosing to live in peaceful rural surroundings and
build their homes outside cities and towns that are surrounded by forests - in
areas known as the "wildland/urban interface". Living in these areas means
living with an increased threat of wildfire.
Wildfires that occur in the wildland/urban interface have particular
complexities due to the proximity to human populations, homes and businesses and
are becoming an increasing concern to forest fire agencies and fire departments
in Ontario and around the world. The Ministry of Natural Resources (MNR) has
been helping Ontarians deal with protecting property from wildfire for decades,
as well as working with municipalities and other fire protection organizations
to ensure wildfire response systems are in place to respond to wildfires.
In the spring of 2004, MNR and the OFM, with support of the Wildfire Committee
of the Ontario Association of Fire Chiefs, adopted a program called FireSmart.
FireSmart is an integrated approach to preparing for and responding to the
wildfire threat in the wildland/urban interface. It incorporates the latest in
fire science and stresses the community's and fire agency's responsibilities for
ensuring the proper systems are in place to prevent and mitigate loss and damage
from wildfire.
MNR, with the participation of the OFM, has initiated a FireSmart Communities
project to develop a strategy for Ontario FireSmart communities. This strategy
will go beyond homeowner property protection guidelines and look at the role of
MNR, local fire departments and other fire and emergency response agencies in
the many aspects of community protection from wildfire.
The Ontario FireSmart Communities project will initiate discussion with other
stakeholders at the provincial level on FireSmart issues, and look towards
developing co-operative solutions to planning and mitigating wildfires in the
wildland/urban interface.
This year, Wildfire Prevention Week takes place from April 17-23. Like last
year, the MNR and the OFM will produce and distribute a FireSmart Communities
Education package to all fire departments across the province to assist with
wildfire safety programs in local communities. Among the materials will be a
wildfire fact sheet; public service announcements for radio and newspapers; and
sample lesson plans that can be distributed to area teachers.
Other public education materials that have been developed include the FireSmart
Protecting Your Community from Wildfire guide that includes practical tools and
information on how individuals and communities can work towards reducing the
risks and losses from interface wildfires. This manual describes wildland/urban
interface fire issues; outlines a wildfire hazard assessment system; provides
solutions for vegetation management, infrastructure and structural options;
outlines emergency response measures for agencies and individuals; describes
interface training for municipal firefighters; and discusses communication and
education strategies to reduce the risk of fires in the wildland/urban
interface.
The Home Owners FireSmart Manual provides property owners with information and
steps they can take to reduce the risk of loss in a wildfire event. The
manual deals with site preparation and maintenance; building materials; avoiding
causing a wildfire; and includes a checklist for assessing home and site hazard.
Copies can be downloaded from the Aviation and Forest Fire Management web page:
http://affm.mnr.gov.on.ca/spectrasites/internet/affm/fire.cfm.
The MNR and OFM encourage municipalities to adopt Ontario FireSmart principles
within their communities and make use of the information provided to mitigate
wildfire risk wherever there is a potential risk of wildfire in their community.
Questions regarding Ontario FireSmart can be directed to your local MNR Fire
Management Headquarters.
Pictured above: Fire Ranger Jory Korbanik presented the Home Owners FireSmart
Manual to Sioux Lookout residents Gail Sayers and her daughter Christina as part
of last year's FireSmart Communities campaign last spring. (Picture courtesy of
MNR)
Gerry Armstrong retired from the fire and life safety specialist position with
the OFM's Public Education and Media Relations section on January 31. Gerry has
been with the OFM for over 18 years. Congratulations and best wishes in the
future, Gerry!
Meredith Crawshaw has accepted a contract to fill the position of program
specialist, Shaping Fire Safe Communities, for the period of January 4 to March
31. Meredith brings an extensive background particularly in project management,
intergovernmental and stakeholder relations, and was most recently responsible
for implementing an electronic data management system throughout BC/Yukon to
manage information on homelessness.
Timothy Lee was the successful candidate in the recent competition for the
position of Training Officer with Field Fire Protection Services (FFPS),
Midhurst. In this capacity, Timothy will be facilitating a systematic approach
to training for FFPS staff that supports the recent realignment in helping to
meet the needs of the section and its clients, as well as fostering a culture
of continuous learning. Timothy brings a strong background in applying adult
education principles within the fire service, combined with recent experience as
a fire protection specialist with the former monitoring and evaluations unit of
FFPS.
Laura Newton has accepted a contract to temporarily fill the position of central
administrative assistant. Laura comes from the OFM's investigations section, and
will fill this vacancy for a 5.5 month period, beginning February 1.
Theresa (Frank) Wensing has returned to her position as administration
coordinator with FFPS, Midhurst, effective January 4, after a year-long
maternity leave.
A soapstone sculpture, called "Thundering Silence," commemorating the victims of
September 11, 2001, was presented to the people of New York City on March 7.
Artist Paul Shier of Tweed, Ontario spent over 1,100 hours completing the
sculpture, which includes a life-sized replica of a firefighter's helmet and
boots.
The sculpture was presented at Bellevue Hospital in Manhattan, just blocks from
the site of the World Trade Towers.
Pictured above: The "Thundering Silence" sculpture presented to the people of New York City on March 7. (Information and picture courtesy of Wayne Mastromatteo.)
By Rose Barg, Manager, Emergency Preparedness Academic Unit, OFM, with
assistance from Mark Breen, Coordinator, Emergency Management Unit, Ministry of
Health and Long Term Care.
The OFM continues its commitment to collaborate with multi-agency groups to
improve emergency preparedness and response within Ontario. The most recent
initiative involved all levels of government. This was an innovative training
course offered at the Ontario Fire College (OFC). Participants were trained to
set up a mobile emergency hospital unit, made available by the Government of
Canada through Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC), formerly part of Health
Canada, and coordinated through the Ontario Ministry of Health and Long Term
Care (MOHLTC) and the OFM.
Background
The federal government, through PHAC, has pre-positioned mobile emergency "field
hospital" units in strategic locations throughout Canada. This is part of the
National Emergency Stockpile System (NESS), which is designed to provide
emergency hospitals, medical and social services (such as food and shelter), in
the event of complex emergencies or for immediate response to natural or
human-caused disasters.
Owned and operated by PHAC, the NESS emergency hospital units contain beds and
blankets, reception centres, triage stations, and other supplies and equipment
to care for up to 500 casualties. Supplies from NESS hospitals have been used in
recent years to support the thousands of passengers who landed at Canadian
airports when they were diverted from flights headed for the United States on
September 11, 2001. They have also been used during major floods, forest fires
and ice storms.
In order to facilitate a quick response to local emergencies requiring these
emergency services, PHAC has pre-positioned medical equipment and supply
stockpiles throughout Canada. This includes more than 100 pre-positioned 200-bed
emergency hospital units, which are deployed by PHAC. In Ontario, hospitals are
pre-positioned in Thunder Bay and Sudbury, and additional hospitals are stored
in the Brampton and Ottawa federal depots. The equipment and supply storage
consists of non-perishable units or kits packaged for long terms storage. In the
event of deployment, pharmaceuticals and other dated items, which are stored at
the federal depot in Ottawa, are taken to the emergency as determined by the
nature of the emergency. The entire NESS system is coordinated through the
Office of Emergency Services (OES).
Protocol for Release of Equipment and Supplies
In the event of a local health emergency that overwhelms available local
resources, the protocol of accessing the pre-positioned equipment and supplies
requires the local municipality/community to contact MOHLTC's Emergency
Management Unit (EMU). EMU will attempt to access the appropriate resources in a
timely fashion by contacting the NESS manager at PHAC. Simultaneously, EMU will
alert the duty officer at the Emergency Operations Centre. EMU can be contacted
through a 24-hour hotline at 1-866-212-2272.
Please note that the authority for release of the NESS program's equipment and
supplies remains the manager of NESS. However, in provincial, territorial or
national emergencies, the protocol for deployment of the equipment and supplies
requires that the provincial/territorial EMU director contact the manager of
NESS, PHAC.
The Initial Course
In order to facilitate the quick assembly in local communities, PHAC requests
the support of local personnel who are trained in hospital set up, should
deployment become necessary. To that end, training courses utilizing a smaller
version of the hospitals are being offered within the provinces and territories
so that local personnel will be prepared to assist in hospital set up should the
need arise.
During the week of November 15, 2004, the course facilitators, Frank Smith
(manager, NESS) and his assistants Barry Downing and Mike Turner delivered the
initial "train the trainer" course to participants from Ontario. The three-day
course, entitled "Set up and operation of the 200-bed Emergency Hospital", is
often referred to locally as the NESS Mobile Hospital Set Up course.
The goal of the course is to provide an overview of the management and set up of
the hospital and related equipment and supplies. This includes learning about
the types of units and supplies, how inventory is controlled, the distribution
warehousing, and the federal legislation, policy standards and guidelines that
administer NESS.
The physically demanding, intensive course, which uses many practical exercises,
guides participants in setting up a miniature version of the NESS hospital. Upon
completion of the course, participants are prepared to become trainers for
future delivery. At the initial Ontario course, the trainers and participants
hosted an open house on the last day. This provided participants with an
opportunity to demonstrate their new knowledge and skill in providing a tour of
the miniature NESS mobile hospital to the many curious guests that visited the
OFC for this event.
Functional Areas of the Hospital Participants (our future trainers) were trained
on set up and use of the hospital equipment and supplies for 10 functional
areas. These include:
• Admission and Discharge: This includes the set up of stretchers and trestles
with blankets and supplies for performing triage. This includes supplies like
cuffs for taking blood pressure and stethoscopes.
• X-ray Department: This includes a portable X-ray machine, a processor and a
generator.
• Laboratory: One hospital unit provides enough supplies for up to 500 blood
tests on blood, urine and stool.
• Operating Room: This consists of a table, light, portable suction machine,
oxygen and anaesthetic machine for halothane and ether.
• Pre-Operating and Post-Operating Unit: This includes a setup of stretchers or
beds, suction machines, and oxygen tanks, as other patient supplies such as
gowns, towels, and pillows.
• Central Supply: This is a general re-supply area for the operating room. It
includes pre-packed operating trays for various surgical procedures, such as
sterilizers, gowns, towels and various tubes, sutures, needles, forceps and
scalpels.
• A Pharmacy and Stores unit provides a general supplies for the whole hospital.
This includes blankets, tools, IV poles, utility tables, drapes, carts and
administration supplies.
• General Ward: This unit consists of beds, oxygen cylinders with regulators and
supplies for administering oxygen to patients, and other usual ward items such
as blankets, pillows and gowns.
• A Utilities unit provides a water pump and all the connections for a
1500-gallon water reservoir.
The Newly Qualified Trainers
The six participants who participated in the course were strategically chosen to
assist in future delivery and/or set up of NESS emergency hospitals. The OFM was
pleased that Ken Jones, a former OFC instructor, was able to participate in the
initial training. The other participants included Steve Muholland [Regional
Training Coordinator (RTC) for Base Hospitals, located in Barrie], Mark Breen [MOHTLC,
Emergency Management Unit (EMU), who will become the ministry project lead],
Michael McBride, (RTC, Thunder Bay), Robert Smith, (RTC, Sudbury) and Dan
McGuire, a representative of the Emergency Medical Assistance Team (EMAT).
Future courses will be coordinated through the MOHLTC, and hosted by the OFM.
Newly qualified trainers, Ken Jones and Steve Muholland will be the primary
trainers for courses that are currently scheduled for the fall of 2005.
Summary
The OFM is pleased to have been able to host this exciting and innovative
multi-agency project that encourages collaboration among all levels of
government to improve emergency preparedness in the province. It is with great
pleasure that we are able to thank the Government of Canada, particularly PHAC,
as well as the Ontario MOHLTC for their cooperation in making this inaugural
course come to fruition. We look forward to an ongoing partnership in hosting
future offerings.
References
1. Harwood, C. A. and Smith F. (2004). Canada's National Emergency Stockpile
System. Office of Emergency Services, Health Canada. 14th World Conference On
Disaster Management: Toronto.
2.
http://www.hc-sc.gc.ca/english/media/releases/2002/2002_13bk5.htm
Pictured above: The NESS training course in Ontario was made possible through
the partnership of the OFM, Public Health Agency of Canada and the Ministry of
Health and Long Term Care (MOHLTC). Attending the open house on November 18 were
(left to right) Ontario Fire Marshal Bernard Moyle; Frank Smith, manager of NESS
program at Public Health Agency of Canada; and Dennis Brown, Senior Manager,
Operations and Quality Management, MOHLTC.
By Beth Tate,
OFM Fire Protection Engineer
Fire data in Ontario reveal that fewer people die in home fires when a smoke
alarm is present and activates. Because the majority of fatal fires in the home
occur at night when people are asleep, a working smoke alarm can provide an
early warning of fire and the time needed for occupants to evacuate.
A smoke alarm is a battery operated or electrically connected device that
senses the presence of visible or invisible particles produced by combustion and
that is designed to sound an alarm within a room or suite in which it is
located.
Smoke alarm technology has been around since the 1960s, and the single-station
alarm known by the public has been in use since the 1970s. In the last 25 years,
smoke alarms have evolved into cost-effective, reliable and remarkably
sophisticated devices that can make the difference between life and death.
There are many smoke alarm makes, models and prices available in the
marketplace, and some are intended to serve particular needs within the home.
This article discusses several issues associated with several of these products
based on recent queries handled by the OFM.
Smoke alarms and the hearing impaired
Both the Ontario Building Code and Fire Code identify the need to install smoke
alarms in residential occupancies. By definition, such a device must sound an
alarm. Unfortunately, an audible alarm may not alert an individual who has
hearing loss.
In general, there are numerous smoke alarms available that address the needs of
the hearing impaired. Some devices are designed to produce low and/or high
frequency alarms for the benefit of individuals who are hard of hearing (for
instance, older persons may have high frequency or pitch hearing loss). There
are also devices that have visual alert features, such as strobe lights to
identify an emergency condition for those who have complete hearing loss. Smoke
alarms may also incorporate a tactile alert in the form of a vibration much like
a vibrating pager.
In some instances, these smoke alarm features have energy requirements that
prevent the use of batteries. As opposed to a hard-wired connection to the home
electrical panel, some smoke alarms are designed to plug into a standard house
receptacle. The Standard for Smoke Alarms, CAN/ULC-S-531, identifies that the
primary power supply for a smoke alarm must be either a utility supply or an
integral battery/batteries. A utility supply may take the form of a power-supply
cord connected to a home electrical outlet.
Distinct from this, the Ontario Building Code requires hard-wired smoke alarms
during new construction, to ensure a permanent, non-removable connection. An
exception to allow a battery operated smoke alarm exists for small buildings
that are not provided with access to a hard-wired circuit. The Ontario Fire Code
also specifies that a smoke alarm needs to be powered by a permanent connection
to an electrical circuit. As the Fire Code applies to existing dwelling units,
it also permits the use of battery operated smoke alarms. This option ensures
that occupants can readily install smoke alarms, without having to provide new
electrical wiring.
As the Fire Code provides a minimum level of life safety, a person may choose to
install additional smoke alarms for their own personal protection, acknowledging
that they must be in addition to, not in lieu of, smoke alarms installed to
satisfy Code requirements.
Smoke alarms with remote controls
A recently advertised dual sensing smoke alarm incorporates a hush/silencing
feature that can be activated by most standard household remote controls from
up to 20 feet - great for the classic couch potato, you might think.
The silencing feature is common to many smoke alarm models. It allows a user to
silence an alarm that has sounded due to, for example, bathroom steam or because
of inappropriate placement, say, in a kitchen.
With this product, an alarm can be easily silenced, so there is some concern
that a person could silence an alarm without investigating the source of the
alarm. In fact, this feature does not disable the device, it temporarily
silences the noise. As required by the smoke alarm standard, if smoke around the
unit is dense enough to suggest a potentially dangerous situation, it will stay
in alarm, or may re-alarm quickly even though it has been silenced. Further,
silencing by the remote control will only work once. This smoke alarm is both UL
and ULC listed.
Wind-up alarms
Another device that is being promoted these days is a wind-up alarm. This type
of device, or a variation of it, has been around for over 30 years. It requires
no batteries or electricity to operate, and uses mechanical means that are said
to sound an alarm for more than 5 minutes.
So how does it sense smoke? It doesn't, because it is, in fact, a heat detector,
not a smoke alarm. The "brains" of this alarm is the fusible link that is set to
melt at a preset temperature.
But a heat detector is not a smoke alarm, and this product may be marketed as a
substitute for a smoke alarm, particularly where nuisance alarms are an issue.
Or, a consumer may perceive this product to be an equivalent to a smoke alarm
(a comparatively high end equivalent, priced at over $350 dollars). In fact, the
installation of a heat detector as a life safety measure is only appropriate
when installed in addition to smoke alarms that are required by Code. The OFM
has shared its concerns with the company that distributes this product.
Vocal smoke alarm
A smoke alarm that incorporates a vocal command has recently appeared in the
marketplace.
The premise of this product is that it is an improvement over a traditional
smoke alarm, particularly where sleeping children are concerned. The
manufacturer's website states that "traditional smoke detectors (alarms) are
incapable of awakening sleeping children - not because they are not loud enough,
but rather, it is a function of the way the brain recognizes sounds that are
familiar to the child."
The alarm lets parents record a message in their own voices to be played back in
an alarm situation - for instance, telling the child to go out the door to the
family meeting place. The recording alternates with a more conventional alarm
sound. It is recommended that a smoke alarm be installed in each child's
bedroom.
We understand that this product is currently being reviewed by UL, and that ULC
approval will be sought in future.
Another smoke alarm manufacturer also has a voice-enhanced smoke alarm, however
it uses a generic voice.
As mentioned above, these products are meant to be used in addition to, not
instead of, smoke alarms installed to satisfy Code requirements.
Smoke Alarms Save Lives
The OFM firmly believes in the use of smoke alarms in homes, and supports
innovative products that enhance fire safety, as long as they also meet the Code
and associated smoke alarm standard requirements. Working smoke alarms on every
level and outside all sleeping areas can provide an early warning that can make
the difference between life and death, and form part of an overall home fire
safety strategy that also includes preventing fires by adopting fire safe
behavior, and developing and practicing a home fire escape plan.
It is the consumer's responsibility to assess the circumstances of their
household to select the most appropriate alarm. When purchasing an alarm, look
for a product that has been manufactured and tested to an acceptable standard,
with a marking by the Underwriters Laboratories of Canada (ULC), or Underwriters
Laboratories Incorporated (cUL). We have every reason to believe that alarms
listed by a certification agency accredited by the Standards Council of Canada
will function as intended.
Consider installing more than one device, to take advantage of both ionization
and photoelectric sensing means, or use a combination/dual sensing alarm. There
are numerous features available in the marketplace, such as a hush/silencing
feature, hard-wiring with battery backup, long life batteries, not to mention
alarms that incorporate strobe lights, vibrations or lights, which may be
particularly suited to specific needs.
Watch upcoming issues of the Messenger for more information on smoke alarms.
SUBJECT MATTER
The issue before the tribunal was an Inspection Order served on the owner of a
building being used for livestock auctions. The Inspection Order identified 14
items to be complied with by the end of July, 2002. These items included
upgrading of the exits and installation of a fire alarm system.
GENERAL DESCRIPTION OF PREMISES
The building is one storey in height, is of combustible construction and has an
area of 970 m2. There is a 97 m2 mezzanine located in the northwest area of the
building.
The building is used primarily to hold livestock auctions once a week. The
central and north sections of the building contain pens for horses, pigs, goats
and other large livestock, as well as open areas for cages containing smaller
livestock. The pens extend below the mezzanine. The south building section is an
open temporary livestock holding area.
The building wall and roof assemblies are mostly unfinished exposed wood. A
portion of the north half of the mezzanine is sheathed on the underside with
gypsum wallboard. All of the pen areas are open for public viewing of the
livestock that is being auctioned.
The auction ring comprises 150 m2 of the building area. The auction ring has
five rows of bench seating, providing approximately 76 linear meters of bench
seating. This would provide seating for approximately 168 persons. The normal
attendance at these auctions is understood to be less than 40 persons.
The mezzanine is fully enclosed and separated from the remainder of the building
by wood paneling on wood studs. A doorway connects the mezzanine to the auction
ring. The mezzanine contains an office area and a small snack bar with a seating
capacity of 32 persons. The snack bar kitchen has a deep fat fryer and grill
located under an aluminum exhaust hood, protected by a wet chemical fixed fire
extinguishing system.
The auction ring has one main entrance/egress door that opens directly to the
exterior on the north side of the building and three other means of
egress from the auction ring. The centre section of the building has three
principal doorways that provide egress to the exterior.
The south section was constructed separately and joins the remainder of the
building via a 13-foot long passageway. There are four openings that provide
egress to the exterior.
There is no fire alarm system in the building. Portable extinguishers are
provided throughout. There is no approved fire safety plan for the building. One
emergency lighting unit is present in the auction ring. "No Smoking" signs are
posted throughout the building.
REASONS FOR APPEAL
The owner strongly feels that the requirements as set out in the Inspection
Order are unreasonable and not necessary.
APPELLANT'S POSITION
The owner argued that the fire department does not understand the business
operation. He does not agree that the building has any fire safety concerns, as
the building was built to standards in 1973 and the auction business has been
operating since then.
RESPONDENT'S POSITION
During an inspection on July 10, 2002, the respondent identified 14 items of
fire safety concerns about the building. An Inspection Order was issued and
requires the owner to comply with the following:
1. Provide a second exit from the pit area with clearly defined paths of exit
travel to the exterior, ensuring that doors swing in the direction of exit
travel.
2. Remove combustible waste material from under bleachers near the front exit,
and close-off the underside of the bleachers facing the exit.
3. Provide a second exit from the rear barn area by ensuring that the sliding
doors are open whenever the building is occupied. This exit shall have a clearly
defined path of exit travel to the exterior.
4. Access to the front exit is to be increased by cutting back the side-walls of
the bleachers as per directions.
5. Widen the gate at the second exit from the pit area.
6. Provide fire watch - ensuring there is "no smoking" in the building at all
times and ensuring clear and definite paths of exit travel.
7. Provide the proper panic hardware for the front glass exit door from the pit
area.
8. Provide illuminated exit signs at all doors utilized as exits in the front
and back indicating the direction of exit travel. Also, provide exit signs at
the top of the exterior stairs from the kitchen and at the two large sliding
doors in the rear barn, as well as the main door located in the rear barn.
9. Provide emergency lighting for exits and open floor areas, such as the
kitchen and the pit area.
10. Install a fire alarm, with an alarm panel complete with battery backup.
Manual pull stations are to be provided at each exit and audible devices (bells)
are to be provided in the kitchen and the pit area.
11. Provide a permanent second exit from the rear barn area. This exit shall
have a clearly defined path of exit travel to the exterior and must be available
at all times.
12. Close-off the underside of the exit stairs from the kitchen leading to the
exterior.
13. Provide a fire safety plan acceptable to the chief fire official.
14. All changes to be approved prior to implementation.
COMMISSION'S RULING
The Commission ordered that the Inspection Order be upheld and two additional
items be added:
15. Discontinue use of the commercial cooking equipment until it is upgraded to
meet NFPA 96.
16. The owner shall undertake a Life Safety Study by June 30, 2003, and based on
this document, prepare a life safety plan acceptable to the fire department by
September 30, 2003.
REASONS
The tribunal believes that the public is entitled to a minimum level of fire
safety in all buildings in the province of Ontario. Based on the evidence
presented, the tribunal believes that the work is required to protect the public
and provide a reasonable level of life safety in the building.
During the hearing, evidence was provided with respect to the condition of the
commercial cooking equipment, which triggered an additional requirement in the
decision rendered by the tribunal.
March 18: Ontario Municipal Fire Prevention Officers Association Fire Protection
Course, Ajax, ON
March 31-April 3: Northeastern Fire Education Conference, North Bay, ON
April 3-7: Ontario Professional Fire Fighters Association Spring Education
Seminar, Niagara Falls, ON
April 8: Quality Breathing Air Training Program, Gravenhurst, ON
April 11-14: Ontario Municipal Fire Prevention Officers Association's Annual
Symposium, Kitchener, ON
April 17-23: Wildfire Prevention Week
April 22 & 29: Ontario Municipal Fire Prevention Officers Association
Interpretation and Application of the OBC Act Course, Ajax, ON
April 23 &24: Fire and Life Safety Conference, "Changes in Latitudes, Changes in
Attitudes", Dryden, ON
May 1-5: OAFC 2005 Conference and Trade Show, Toronto, ON
The Fire Sciences Library & Audio-Visual Resource Centre provides current fire
resources to support the Office of the Fire Marshal as well as fire departments,
emergency services and fire related industries. The collection consists of
9,000+ books, reports, standards, statute law and 1,300 audio-visual resources
representing the following subject areas:
• arson and fire investigation;
• fire safety building and engineering design;
• human behaviour in fire/disasters;
• firefighter training, health & safety;
• fire testing of materials;
• fire department management/ operation;
• public safety education;
• rescue work.
New Books
Aviation and airport security by Kathleen Sweet. (2004)
Confined space entry and emergency response by Alan D. Veasey and Lisa
McCormick Craft. (2002)
Fire! The 100 most devastating fires and the heroes who fought them by
Edward C. Goodman. (2001)
Fire and EMS department safety officer by Gordon M. Sachs. (2001)
Fire and life safety in health care facilities by Marvin J. Fischer and
Thomas W. Gardner. National Fire Protection Association (2000)
Forensic fire scene reconstruction by David J. Icove and John D. Dehaan.
(2004)
Ignition handbook: principles and applications to fire safety engineering,
fire investigation, risk management and forensic science by Vytenis
Babrauskas. (2003)
The investigation of motor vehicle fires 4th ed. by Lee S. Cole (2001)
Plastics flammability handbook 3rd ed. by Jurgen Troitzsch. (2004)
Respiratory protection for fire and emergency services by International
Fire Service Training Association (IFSTA) (2002)
When violence erupts: a survival guide for emergency responders by Dennis
R. Krebs (2003)
New Videos
Heat! Working in Hot Environments (2004)
This DVD covers the risks involved in working in hot environments and explains
how individuals can protect themselves through preventative measures. It
describes the signs and symptoms of heat injuries and explains methods to
alleviate heat injuries and demonstrates first aid treatments.
Scene Safety (2004)
This CD-ROM aims to inform and educate police, fire and emergency medical
services personnel and first responders in the safe management of traffic. It
looks at legislation, regulations, standards and best practices applicable to
traffic related emergencies.
Ten Cones of Safety: Highway Safety for Emergency Responders (2002)
This DVD aims to teach emergency responders how to deal with responses on
highways. It covers: apparatus positioning and placement, multi-agency
communication, scene lighting, retro-reflective and florescent personal
protective equipment and co-ordination of on-scene apparatus and personnel.
The Fire Sciences Library & Audio-Visual Resource Centre is located at the head office of the OFM, 5775 Yonge St., 7th Floor, Toronto. We welcome visitors to come to the library and borrow from our collection. We will also courier material directly to clients. Hours are Monday - Friday 8:30am to 4:15pm. Visit our Web site by clicking on Resource Centre at www.ofm.gov.on.ca or call 416-325-3235/3236 (Library) or 416-325-3121 (AV). Email: firesciences.information@ofm.ca.
By Chuck Parsons,
Deputy Chief, Public Education, Training, C.E.M.C., Leamington Fire Service
One way to get children to smile at Christmas is to give them gifts, and a way
to get a community to smile is to have firefighters provide them with music.
This year Leamington and Kingsville firefighters were able to achieve both.
Leamington and Kingsville firefighters recorded a CD of an original song written
by Leamington's Director of Corporate Services, Brian Sweet. The CD also
included recordings of A Letter to Santa, read by Leah Toews (a local student),
and the stories Twas the Night Before Christmas and Yes Virginia, There is a
Santa Claus, read by Terry Raisbeck, Jane Toppi and Paul Vasey (local
personalities).
"The project was the brainchild of Brian Sweet," said Leamington's Deputy Fire
Chief Chuck Parsons. "We knew his song was a catchy tune right from the
beginning but I don't think any of us really expected how popular the song would
become."
The CDs were sold for $5 with proceeds going to Toys4Tots. Sales reached $9,800.
Sweet's song, entitled "I Want To Give a Gift to Santa Claus," was sung by
musician Dale Butler. Firefighters from Leamington and Kingsville sang the
chorus. Dubbed the "Christmas Chorus Response Team," members included Fire Chief
Bob Kissner Jr. (Kingsville Fire), Deputy Chief Chuck Parsons (Leamington Fire),
Lorne Bradt (Leamington Fire), Jordy Clifford (Leamington Fire), Reg Dewhirst
(Kingsville Fire), Jeff Kartye (Kingsville Fire), Andrew Bridges (Kingsville
Fire) and Todd Gate (Kingsville Fire). The song is about deciding on the perfect
gift to give to Santa because he gives so much to everyone else.
Total Fitness in Kingsville, Four Seasons Mens Wear and 96.7 CHYR-FM of
Leamington sponsored the CD.
The Leamington area's Toys4Tots organization started in 1989 to provide local
children with gifts on Christmas. Both fire departments actively support
Toys4Tots. Firefighter Lorne Bradt is the organization's chairperson.
During the Christmas 2004 season, the organization distributed 3,300 toys to 703
children from 309 families throughout the Essex County area. Most of the toys
were donated by the community. Collections were held at the Santa Claus Parade,
the Teddy Bear Toss at a local hockey game and at donation drop-offs in stores
and building lobbies around the communities. The money collected from the CD
helped to purchase toys for children who are difficult to collect donations for
(usually older children).
Since the recording, the song has been heard on the airwaves of a number of
Canadian and American radio stations and live performances were given in public
and on the radio.
"Everything about the CD had a local flavor," said Parsons. "It was written and
recorded locally by local people, and even the graphic design was produced
locally. It was truly an example of people within a community coming together."
For more information about the CD go to the web site
www.toys4tots.ca.
Pictured above: Firefighters from Leamington and Kingsville produced a CD to
raise funds for the Toys4Tots program to bring Christmas gifts to area kids.
|
||||||||||||||||||
