April/July2008 Volume 17 Issue 2
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:
Gina Pontikas, Acting Editor, Office of the Fire Marshal, 5775 Yonge Street, 7th Floor, Toronto, ON M2M 4J1, Tel: 416-325-3138, Fax: 416-325-3162, Gina.Pontikas@ontario.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 Doug Crawford, Bev Gilbert, Janice Johnstone, Ryan Betts, Chris Slosser, Marie Ainey, Tony Pacheco, Penny Goddard, Robert Harpur, Bruce Weaver, Bruce Dunning, Beth Tate, Tom Marshall, Jana Gillis, Valerie Marasco, Jackie Dyson, Doug Goodings, Lee Tome, Jacquie Hill-Bower, Melanie Duke, Vincent Liu, Gerry Demeules, Jeff McCormick, Ben Rotsma, Vince Giovannini, Fritz Mattern, Jim Jessop, Ken Sheridan, Ken Kurz, Krystyna Paterson, Larry Walpole and Olaf Lamerz.
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.
Doug Crawford
Deputy Fire Marshal of Ontario
During March and April this year the Fire Marshal and I presented at a number of Town Hall Meetings throughout Ontario. I had the pleasure of attending Thunder Bay, Ottawa, Sudbury and Toronto. We spoke in the afternoon following the Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing’s (MMAH) morning session. MMAH consulted on, amongst other items, the extension of mandatory residential sprinklers to high-rise buildings. In our session we spoke about the need for a comprehensive home fire safety strategy that comprises four components: fire prevention, early detection and escape, early suppression, and technology to provide new solutions to historic problems.
We spoke about educating the public and reviewed public safety announcements that have been produced by the Office ‘Safety Council over the years to target certain types of risks and behaviour. The Fire Code requirement for a smoke alarm on every storey of the home was emphasized, and recent technological innovations and regulations such as reduced ignition propensity cigarettes were highlighted. We focused extensively on fire sprinklers in residences and debunked many of the myths associated with them.
At the meetings held throughout the province I enjoyed talking to members of the fire service and as always I was impressed by the passion for fire safety expressed by many individuals particularly when focused on the need and potential benefits of residential fire sprinklers. From the smaller municipalities to the larger cities, the message was clear from you all: we did it with smoke alarms, now let’s do it with residential fire sprinklers.
On June 18, 2008 the Building Code was amended to require fire sprinklers in multi-unit residential buildings higher than three storeys. This new requirement comes into effect on April 1, 2010. This is an important step for the government to have taken to address the residential fire loss problem.
We at the OFM continue to look forward to working with the fire service community and all our other stakeholders in advocating for and promoting a comprehensive fire safety strategy for Ontario. Clearly we need to continue our focus on residential fires, and the tragic impact they have every year on the health and safety of the public of Ontario.
Fire service urged to step-up education, enforcement efforts
BY CHRIS SLOSSER
PROGRAM SPECIALIST
OFFICE OF THE FIRE MARSHAL
The OFM has urged Ontario’s fire service to step-up public education and Fire Code enforcement efforts to increase fire safety in the province. The call came from Fire Marshal Pat Burke and Deputy Fire Marshal Doug Crawford at six information sessions held across the province in March and April.
"We’ve had too many children, older adults and other people at high-risk die in fires across the province this year," Burke stated at the information session in Toronto on April 8. "Someone has to stand up for the most vulnerable in our communities, and that has to start with the fire service."
Burke explained that investigations revealed many of these fatal fires involved negligence on the part of property owners and those responsible for the safety of the occupants of the homes. "When there is a clear case of wrong-doing, and the evidence clearly points to negligence on the part of parents or property owners resulting in a fire death, those individuals should be charged with criminal negligence causing death," said Burke.
"If those same people took a gun and shot their children in their homes, there would be outrage in the community and they would be prosecuted to the full extent of the law," Burke continued. "But when it comes to negligence resulting in fire deaths, society doesn’t react with the same outrage. But it should, and the fire service has to take the lead in developing that shift."
The information sessions, held in London, Hamilton, Toronto, Ottawa, Sudbury and Thunder Bay, were part of a public consultation organized by the Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing (MMAH). The consultation was to inform the public about MMAH’s proposed changes to the Ontario Building Code that would require the installation of sprinklers in newly constructed residential buildings over three storeys in height.
At the sessions, Burke and Crawford outlined the OFM’s comprehensive home fire safety strategy for Ontario. The strategy consists of four key components: fire prevention; early detection and escape; early suppression and technology. Burke and Crawford outlined the work the OFM and the fire service has done, and must accelerate, to increase home fire safety in Ontario.
"While fire death rates have declined significantly over the past decade or so, they are starting to plateau," Burke said. "We must find new ways to educate and to advocate, and use the technologies available to us, if we are to see a further reduction in fire deaths."
The OFM’s support for sprinkler requirements in all new residential construction also was highlighted at each session. "There is little doubt to anyone in the fire service that sprinklers will save lives and property," Crawford told attendees at the Toronto session, "and their proposed requirement in buildings higher than three storeys is a huge step forward. All homeowners are encouraged to install sprinklers in new homes."
Statistics were presented to show that when residential sprinklers and working smoke alarms are installed in homes, the chances of dying in a fire decline by 82%.
The Powerpoint presentation outlining the OFM’s comprehensive home fire safety strategy can be downloaded at www.ofm.gov.on.ca.
See Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing news release on mandatory sprinklers on Page 5
Fire Marshal Pat Burke dispels the myths on residential sprinkler systems at an information session in Toronto held as part of a public consultation organized by the Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing.
Deputy Fire Marshal Doug Crawford presents on the OFM’s
comprehensive home fire safety strategy for Ontario at the 2008 Fire Education
Conference in North Bay.
TORONTO – Ontario is increasing the fire-safety of new
large residential buildings. Changes to the Building Code will require sprinkler
systems in new condos and apartments higher than three storeys.
The changes will come into force on April 1, 2010. Building permit applications
for multiple-unit residential buildings higher than three storeys submitted on
or after that date must comply with the new fire sprinkler requirements.
Residential fire deaths in Ontario have declined steadily since the Building
Code was introduced in 1975, and Ontario has one of the lowest rates of
residential fire deaths in Canada.
The changes will bring the Building Code into greater harmony with the model
National Building Code of Canada and the codes in force in most Canadian and
American jurisdictions.
QUOTES
“We are making our safe buildings even safer. These changes to the Building Code
will ensure residents of new high-rises will have the same fire protection as
all other jurisdictions in Canada,” said Jim Watson, Minister of Municipal
Affairs and Housing.
“The experience of other jurisdictions across North America is clear:
residential sprinklers significantly reduce injuries, deaths and property loss
due to fire. This requirement is a huge step forward in the protection of
citizens of this province from fire,” said Pat Burke, Fire Marshal of Ontario
“Ultimately, residential sprinklers will provide a safer working environment for
the brave men and women who put their lives on the line to protect us,” said
Linda Jeffrey, MPP for Brampton-Springdale, a long-time advocate for sprinklers
in residential settings.
QUICK FACTS
• The Building Code is a regulation under the Building Code Act, 1992. The code
applies to the construction of new buildings, and the renovation and change of
use of existing buildings.
• The effective date of April 1, 2010 will ensure there are sufficient numbers
of trained technicians available to install the newly required sprinkler
systems.
• The model National Building Code of Canada is published by the National
Research Council of Canada. Provincial and territorial governments, however, are
responsible for building regulation and adopt their own codes.
Excerpted from Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing news release June
18, 2008.
A fire in a storage locker of a Burlington low-rise resulted in a ticket being issued to a tenant of the building for intentionally removing a smoke alarm.
Crews responded to a report of a fire in the basement locker room of a three level apartment building. Whey they arrived, smoke was visible on the lower level and residents of the building had been evacuated.
Firefighters worked quickly to control the blaze, which destroyed the contents of one small storage locker and caused smoke damage to contents of other lockers. Early detection by the building fire alarm system played a key role in warning the residents of the fire and causing them to call the fire department.
The initial loss is estimated to be $15,000 to the locker room and its contents. The suspected cause of the fire was a temporary electrical cord running through the locker that appeared to have failed and caused a spark, which in turn ignited nearby combustible material.
A review of all residential units in the building was conducted during the follow up to the fire to ensure the required smoke alarms were in place. This revealed that the owner of the building had installed electrically operated alarms in all units however one smoke alarm had been removed. After further discussion with the cooperative tenant, they admitted to removing the alarm due to false alarms. A ticket with a set fine of $235 was issued to the tenant.
A representative for the owner of a Burlington low-rise apartment building appeared in the Ontario Court of Justice, Provincial Offences Division in Burlington in relation to three charges for failing to comply with the requirements of the Ontario Fire Code. The charges were filed in connection with a Burlington Fire Department response to a fire in an apartment unit in Burlington.
Fire crews were dispatched to a fire in a kitchen just after 11:00 p.m. and found the occupant had extinguished a stovetop fire after he had left a pan of oil unattended on the stove. He returned to the kitchen when he noticed smoke filling the apartment. Three children were also in the unit and were assisted outdoors by the firefighters. Crews quickly determined that there were no smoke alarms in the unit and the tenant alleged there had never been alarms provided.
Although the owner did demonstrate willingness to comply after the fire, they were unable to provide the proof in a timely manner that they had originally installed the alarms as required.
The representative for the owner of the apartment entered a guilty plea for the following Ontario Fire Code infractions:
· Failure to install a smoke alarm in the apartment unit.
· Failure to install a smoke alarm in the hallway adjacent to the bedroom of the unit.
· Failure to maintain smoke alarms in operating condition.
Total fines of $3,000 (plus victims surcharge fee $735).
The owner of a residential duplex in Brantford, Ontario was convicted of two Fire Code violations resulting in a $1,500 fine and 30 days in jail.
The owner was sentenced to 30 days in jail for failing to have a general inspection conducted by the Electrical Safety Authority as required by Article 9.8.6.1. Div. B of O. Reg. 388/97, as amended, contrary to Section 28(1)(c) of the Fire Protection and Prevention Act, S.O. 1997 c. 4 Part VII.
On the second count, the owner was fined $1,500 for failing to make a letter of compliance from the Electrical Safety Authority available to the Chief Fire Official as required by Article 9.8.6.1. of O. Reg. 388/97, as amended, contrary to Section 28(1)(c) of the Fire Protection and Prevention Act, S.O. 1997 c. 4 Part VII. This was the third conviction for Count #1. Previously the owner had been fined $1,500 for the first offence (as well as $3,000 for two smoke alarm violations) and on the second offence for Count # 1 the owner was sentenced to 10 days in jail. The owner has sold the house.
A representative of a Burlington billiard hall appeared in the Ontario Court of Justice, Provincial Offences Division in Burlington on Tuesday April 8, 2008 in relation to two charges for failing to comply with the requirements of the Ontario Fire Code.
A complaint of overcrowding at a billiard hall in Burlington initiated a site visit by the Burlington Fire Department. Further investigation and inspections revealed that the location was being used to host live bands after some pool tables were removed and a stage was constructed. These changes, along with others, were made without required approvals and re-calculations of the occupant load.
The corporation that owned the billiard hall was found guilty for the following Ontario Fire Code infractions:
· Failure to maintain the approved occupant load for the club at or below the approved capacity of 100 people. A count provided by the operator and confirmed by fire officials revealed the club had 389 persons in the facility, which was almost four times the approved capacity.
· Fine $5,000 (plus victims surcharge fee $1,255)
· Failure to have a fire safety plan prepared, approved and implemented for the facility.
· Fine $2,500 (plus victims surcharge fee $630)
On January 15, 2008 a Grimsby building owner was convicted on three violations of the Ontario Fire Code and received a fine of $37,500.
In February 2007 the Grimsby Fire Department responded to a fire in an eight storey residential building. When fire crews arrived they found heavy smoke in the public corridors and exits. The quick actions of the suppression crews contained the fire to a third floor suite.
Due to the complaints and observations made by the suppression crews a formal fire inspection was conducted. As a result of the inspection, the building owner was charged with failing to maintain smoke alarms, failing to maintain required fire separations, and failing to maintain required closures in a fire separation.
"We always try and work with building owners and try to educate them as to their duties and responsibilities as outlined in the Ontario Fire Code but in this case, charges were inevitable" states Vince Giovannini, Fire Inspector for the Grimsby Fire Department. "Resident safety is our number one concern," he added.
"The conviction has sent a strong message to the residents of the Town of Grimsby. Building owners have a responsibility, legally, as well as morally to make sure their tenants are protected from fire", stated Deputy Fire Chief Michael Cain.
Kapuskasing - The owner of a 28-unit apartment building was fined $5,000 after pleading guilty to three violations under the Ontario Fire Code.
After a routine inspection was conducted in 2006, the Kapuskasing Fire Department found a number of infractions (18) including failure to maintain smoke alarms, failure to maintain portable fire extinguishers and failure to maintain written records.
City of Kawartha Lakes – Owners of a restaurant in Fenelon Falls were found guilty on three counts for violations under the Ontario Fire Code. A $5,000 fine for not having a proper hood and fire suppression system was levied against the owners.
The owners were also found guilty for not having proper fire separations and failing to provide and implement an approved Fire Safety Plan.
The restaurant was initially inspected in March of 2006. After several re-inspections and negotiations to obtain compliance with the Fire Code had failed, charges were filed with the court in January of 2007. The owners were found guilty in in January of this year. The restaurant is not currently in operation.
Landlord charged with failing to install smoke alarm
Norfolk County Fire & Rescue has charged a landlord at a Hwy 3 address, near Delhi, with "Failing to Install a Smoke Alarm".
Acting upon a property standards complaint, Norfolk County By-Law Division investigated the residence and found property standard infractions including lack of smoke alarms in the residence. Working in conjunction with the By-Law Division, the Fire Prevention Bureau issued a Provincial Offences ticket to the owner who lives in Burlington, ON. Under the Fire Protection and Prevention Act, the Ontario Fire Code states that all Ontario residences, including apartments, must have a working smoke alarm on every storey of a home and outside all sleeping areas.
A ticket was issued to the landlord for $235.00.
BY ALISON LANGLEY
NIAGARA FALLS REVIEW
Three people were fined a total $40,000 and a fourth will spend some time behind bars as the Niagara Falls Fire Department continues to crack down on fire code violations. Judy Le pleaded guilty recently in Niagara Falls provincial offences court to violating the Ontario Fire Code by "allowing activities that create a hazard in a building for which the building was not originally designed."
The charge stems from a police raid at a Rysdale Street home in February 2007 which uncovered a marijuana grow operation.
In an unrelated case, Mai Luong also pleaded guilty that day to a similar charge. In that case, police found a large pot crop inside a Valley Way home.
Both women were fined $10,000 each.
"This court and this Justice of the Peace finds these types of situations of marijuana grow ops in residential neighbourhoods appalling," said Justice of the Peace Tom Froese.
Last week, Luom Quach, was sentenced to 38 days in jail for code violations relating to a grow op discovered inside a Claude Avenue home in June 2007.
Also last week, Michael Tam was fined $20,000 after a fire inspection at a McCrae Street apartment in June 2006 revealed numerous violations including no working smoke alarms and no portable fire extinguishers in the corridors. Assistant Fire Chief Jim Jessop was pleased with the court rulings, saying it sends a strong message to building owners that violations of the code will not be tolerated. From January until the end of April, the fire department has laid 113 charges under the Ontario Fire Prevention and Protection Act. The local fire department launched a zero tolerance policy in 2004 with respect to fire code violations. Since that time, well over 500 charges have been laid. Of those charges, there have been over $1.5 million in fines levied and nine custodial sentences imposed.
"The Niagara Falls fire service will continue with their zero tolerance policy with respect to any violation of the fire code that could impact the health and safety of not only the public but emergency responders at well," Jessop said.
Under the Ontario Fire Code, all homes must have a smoke alarm on every storey of the residence, including basements, and outside every sleeping area. It is the owner’s responsibility to install and maintain the alarms.
Failure to comply with smoke alarm requirements could result in a fine of $50,000 against an individual and up to $100,000 for a corporation.
The Fort Erie Fire Department is currently conducting a door-todoor campaign offering voluntary home inspections to residents. Firefighters check that smoke alarms are in working condition and look for fire safety hazards within the residence such as unsafe storage of combustibles.
Approximately 18 per cent of residences that have been inspected to date did not have working smoke alarms. That worries the town’s Fire Chief Jim Douglas.
"I’ve seen too much where people have been injured or died because of no smoke alarms. I can’t understand for the life of me why someone would not have an operating smoke alarm in their home."
At a nominal cost of $5 to $10, he said, smoke alarms are the most inexpensive, yet invaluable, safety device. If firefighters find inoperable smoke alarms during an inspection, the tenant will receive a temporary alarm and are given 48 hours to purchase their own.
If the fire department responds to other calls for service such as a medical assistance call, tenants without smoke alarms will be granted 24 hours to get an alarm. It’s a different scenario for fire-related calls for service.
"If, at any time, we come to your home for a fire call and you do not have a working smoke alarm, there are no second chances. We will be charging you," Douglas said.
Meanwhile, the St. Catharines Fire Department recently adopted its own zero tolerance policy. Thirty-two charges have been laid so far.
TOM MARSHALL
PUBLIC EDUCATION OFFICER
SARNIA FIRE RESCUE SERVICES
On Feb. 25, 2008 Sarnia Fire Rescue Services presented five individuals with Life Saving Action Awards recognizing the life saving actions of Sarnia residents who helped save the lives of others during a fire.
The awards were handed out at a City Council meeting in Sarnia on February 25, 2008.
Mr. John Patrick Lambley, of Sarnia, was a recipient of the Individual Life-Saving Action Award for his actions at an apartment building fire on September 3rd, 2006.
On September 3, 2006, a fire forced more than 40 people out of an apartment in Sarnia. Mr. Lambley was visiting a friend when he smelled smoke. After searching the house for smoke, Mr. Lambley went outside and spotted flames coming from the apartment. Mr. Lambley called 911 from his cell phone and continued his life-saving actions by entering the building and knocking on doors to alert residents. He even helped carry children to safety.
No one was reportedly injured in the fire.
Mr. John Maloney, of Sarnia was a recipient of the Individual Life-Saving Action Award for his actions taken at a house fire on College St. in Sarnia on June 17, 2006.
As an incendiary fire was burning on the front porch of a house, Mr. Maloney was informed that there were two children, three and five years of age, still in the basement apartment. Mr. Maloney, recognizing the need for quick action, entered the dwelling through the front door and made his way to the basement apartment, where he found the two children asleep. Mr. Maloney took the children up the stairs and out the back door of the house, to the safety of their mother’s arms.
Unfortunately, as a result of his heroic efforts, Mr. Maloney was rushed to the hospital after falling to the ground with chest pains; John had suffered a heart attack.
John has since recovered and is doing very well.
On April 26, 2007, Sarnia Rescue Services was dispatched to a report of smoke pouring out of a house on London Line.
Kevin Miller and Brett Moss employees at JUNK ETC. on London Line noticed what they thought was dust swirling around the rear of the house behind Willi and Karl’s Service Centre.
Kevin and Brett investigated and as they got closer to the house they saw smoke pouring out of the rear of the house.
At this time Kevin called 9-1-1 to report the house fire.
Kevin and Brett went to the front door where they could see an elderly gentleman sitting in the front room of the house. They started banging on the front door to get his attention. The elderly person proceeded to the back of the house.
A family friend arrived on scene and offered his assistance. The elderly man finally came to the door and was encouraged to leave the house. By this time the house was filling with smoke.
Kevin, Brett, and family friend, Norm took the elderly man to a chair in the yard and stayed with him until help arrived.
Pictured from left to right are John Lambley, John Maloney, Norm Laakes, Brett Moss and Public Education Officer Tom Marshall of Sarnia Fire Rescue Services Missing from the picture is Kevin Miller.
In June 2007 the Office of the Fire Marshal (OFM) established the Community Safety Enhancements Unit as part of its Fire Protection Services Section. The unit also provides advice and assistance to municipalities with respect to the following: the impact of marijuana grow operations and clandestine drug laboratories on health and safety, and on the environment; the investigation, enforcement and prosecution of Ontario Fire Code violations at sites of marijuana grow operations and clandestine drug laboratories; and the remediation of properties used for marijuana grow operations and clandestine drug laboratories. The unit will be developing educational and training packages in consultation with municipalities, first responders, the public and other stakeholders.
One of this unit’s recent initiatives included a two-day symposium in March hosted at the Ontario Fire College. The symposium entitled ‘A collaborative Response to Marihuana Grow Operations and Clandestine Drug Laboratories’ was organized to provide an opportunity for like stakeholders and government agencies to come together to make contacts and share best practices in prevention, best response and eradication methods of marihuana grow operations and clandestine drug labs.
The symposium agenda included introductions by Jay Hope, Deputy Minister of Emergency Planning and Management, Ministry of Community Safety & Correctional Services, Sergeant Tom Carrique of York Regional Police Services and Deputy Fire Marshal Doug Crawford, Office of the Fire Marshal.
Deputy Minister Jay Hope reiterated the provincial government’s commitment to do what it can to assist in the removal of obstacles and barriers to eradicate marihuana grow operations and clandestine drug laboratories in communities across the province. He acknowledged that the symposium was a great opportunity for the sharing of intelligence and to determine where to focus efforts.
Sergeant Tom Carrique stressed that illicit drugs are the foundation of organized crime and that the production of drugs is a serious threat to all communities. He further explained that the availability of drugs such as ecstasy is on the rise and in fact, Canada has become the third largest producer in the world of ecstasy.
Other presentations on the symposium agenda included
"An Alternative Approach to Marihuana Grow Operations" by Chief Len Garis of the Surrey Fire Service. Chief Garis described the serious problem in British Columbia (BC). According the Chief Garis, Ontario has 1/10 the number of grow operations in Alberta. He outlined a number of initiatives that the B.C government is responding with to combat grow-operations and clan labs. Chief Garis and Dr. Darryl Plecas, Director, Centre for Criminal Justice Research University College of the Fraser Valley developed a program that with the help of B.C. Hydro enables local authorities to identify and inspect buildings using excessive amounts of power.
Dr. Joan Morrison of ECT (Canada) Inc. presented information on chemicals and hazards involved with assessement and site remediation inspections. Dr. Morrison stressed the need to follow universal precautions because of the number of diseases and moulds found in marihuana grow operations and meth labs.
Assistant Chief of Niagara Falls, Jim Jessop discussed partnerships in Niagara Falls with local prosecutors and other agencies to prosecute involved with MGO for violations of the Ontario Fire Code.
Attendees at the symposium participated in dialouge centred focus groups facilitated by Rev. Dr. Jim Sitler and OFM staff.
Pictured left to right: Deputy Fire Marshal Doug Crawford, Deputy Minister Jay
C. Hope, Sergeant Tom Carrique of York Regional Police, Chief Len Garis of
Surrey Fire Service and Dr. Darryl Plecas, Director, Centre for Criminal Justice
Research University College of the Fraser Valley.
BY JANA GILLIS
INSTRUCTOR
ONTARIO FIRE COLLEGE
More and more student-learners are attending regionally delivered Ontario Fire College (OFC) courses, presented by OFC Instructors and Associate Instructors. More departments are exploring this option due to the significant benefits to individuals and their departments in timely access to training and in time and cost savings. Last year, OFC Instructors Wayne McIsaac and Ken Benoit initiated the delivery of the Fire Prevention Officer courses hosted by Fire Chief Mo Douglas of Neebing Fire Services. This year the program delivery continues and it is anticipated that the dedicated men and women will be graduating in 2010.
The FPO 501 Advanced Fire Prevention Theory course was held in Neebing the weekends of May 2-4 and 9-11, 2008. Special guest welder is Councilor Roger Shott, who assisted a group presentation by creating a practical scenario of what not to do when welding and cutting. This was a mock demonstration only and no welding and cutting took place inside council chambers!
Pictured left to right: Bernie Chasse, Schreiber Fire; Wayne Riches, Fort Frances Fire; Ken Armstrong, Neebing Fire: Councilor Roger Shott; Beverly Mercer, Neebing Fire; Monica Budiselic, Neebing Fire; Terry Hanchar, Thunder Bay Fire and Sean Horan, Oliver Paipoonge Fire.
Toronto
- The Ontario Human Rights Commission has reached a settlement between the Days Hotel and Conference Centre, Toronto Airport East and hotel guest Barbara Dodd. The settlement will see the establishment of new fire safety practices for the hotel and sets a positive example for the use of visual strobe light fire alarms for deaf, deafened and hard of hearing individuals in Ontario hotel accommodations as an important practice to be followed by the hospitality industry province-wide.Ms. Dodd, who is deaf, stayed at the Days Hotel for a special event. In the early morning, the fire alarm went off, unbeknownst to her and other deaf guests. Although it was a false alarm, the hotel, like many other hotels, did not have a visual fire alarm system in place to warn deaf patrons of a fire.
The agreement will see the installation of a strobe light fire alarm system in select locations of the hotel, including the lobby, restaurant, swimming pool area, ballroom, public washrooms and four selected guest rooms. Rooms equipped with visual fire warning devices will be reserved for people identifying themselves as deaf or hard of hearing until all other rooms are occupied.
The hotel will also be developing and implementing policies and procedures for safely accommodating visitors with hearing disabilities, in consultation with the Commission, Ms. Dodd and expert advisors.
"This settlement is a win-win for all concerned," stated Barbara Hall, Chief Commissioner of the Ontario Human Rights Commission. "When the retrofit is complete, the Days Hotel and Conference Centre can advertise itself as an accessible destination for people who are deaf or have a hearing loss."
"Fires can endanger lives. Visual and other types of fire signalling devices are a necessity for many people and should not be considered optional," Commissioner Hall added. "To ensure safety and accessibility for everyone, all Ontario hotels should quickly follow suit."
Industry associations applaud the settlement, which will support their efforts to provide leadership and resources to their members to meet accessibility requirements. Terry Mundell, President of the Greater Toronto Hotel Association, points to the new Hospitality Accessibility Checklist featured on the association Website,
www.gtha.com, along with a comprehensive list of resources, suppliers and products to ensure hotels provide safe services to guests with disabilities. The checklist was developed with assistance from the EnAbling Change Program of the Accessibility Directorate of the Ontario Ministry of Community and Social Services."We’re taking accessibility very seriously and will continue to provide tools like the Checklist to help support our industry to increase hotel safety and accessibility for all Ontarians," Mr. Mundell explained. "We encourage our members to invest in a number of important measures to meet the needs of people with disabilities as soon as possible, and ensuring fire safety is paramount among them,"said Rob Evans, President of the Ontario Restaurant, Hotel and Motel Association, "We will be communicating the Commission settlement to our membership with the view to encouraging them to provide similar measures on their premises." Mr. Evans added, "As co-developers of the Hospitality Accessibility Checklist, which is prominent on our Website,
www.orhma.com, accommodation for individuals with special needs, such as a hearing disability, is a priority issue within our industry. This not only makes good business sense but also ensures an enhanced, safe and comfortable stay for our patrons with special needs."Excerpted from Ontario Human Rights Commission news release January 30, 2008.
BY KEN KURZ
DEPUTY FIRE CHIEF
DRYDEN FIRE SERVICE
On April 19, 2008 the Dryden Fire Service celebrated its official 100th anniversary with City of Dryden Fire Service membership past and present. Over 270 people attended the dinner and past and present members were recognized and celebrated for their years of service.
Assistant Deputy Fire Marshal Barry McKinnon and OFM Northwest Region Manager Wayne Bennett attended and delivered greetings on behalf of the Ontario Fire Marshal. The local Member of Parliament brought greetings on behalf of the Prime Minister’s Office and the Mayor of Dryden gave a presentation at the event.
Dryden Police Service Chief presented a painting of the original 1910 Fire Hall, which later became the shared Police Station facility, to the Fire Chief.
Pictured from left: Federal MP Kenora Riding- Roger Valley, Dryden Mayor Anne
Krassilowsky, and Fire Chief Darryl Herbert stand in front of the fully
refurbished 1929 Chev Bickle fire truck, delivered by rail (no highway then) to
Dryden in September 1929 for the cost of $2,122.00, marking the start of the
modern era in motorized apparatus protecting the citizens of Dryden.
Visitors to the library at Kinghurst Community School in Chesley often take a second look when they see the front of a fire truck sitting in the school’s library.
The hand-constructed, life-like looking front portion of a fire truck is the creation of three of Chesley’s volunteer firefighters - Scott Thomson, Larry Walpole and Bob Walpole. Named the Chesley and Area Fire Department Resource Centre, the fire truck library contains books, videos, pamphlets and information cards all relating to fire safety.
Sparky’s ABC’s of Fire Safety videos and a variety of fire safety related books, such as A Day in The Life of a Firefighter and The Fire Engine Book, as well as information on smoke alarms, home fire safety and exit plans grace the truck shelves.
"We wanted to have something here at the school that would allow the students daily access to fire prevention information," Thomson said, adding he and the Walpole brothers "spent many hours" this past summer constructing the resouce centre truck. "We want it to be a permanent fixture in the school," he said, adding the books and information will be regularly rotated and the truck will be taken out during the summer months for public viewing at events, including the Mid-Western Agri-Fair, fall fair and other community events, including the fire department’s Mutual Aid events.
"It’s the first of its kind in Bruce County," Larry Walpole said, adding the three Chesley firefighters got the idea for their creation from the Ontario Fire Service Fire Messenger.
Student and staff reaction to the truck has been "very positive", teacher Becky Elliot said, adding the childrens’ interest in, and discussion about, the fire truck resource centre "really increased" after her kindergarten-grade one class toured the fire hall during Fire Prevention Month. "It is a really good resource, not just for the students, but also for their parents."
In the back, from left to right, are the builders and
volunteer firefighters - Scott Thomson, Larry Walpole and Bob Walpole with
teachers Becky Elliott and Jaclyn Underwood and in front, students (l-r) Sarah
Seeley, Olivia Denomy, Dustin Leask, Emily Seeley, Brook Leask and Jadzia Leask.
Photo and story courtesy of Mary Golem, freelance writer/photographer, Chesley,
Ontario.
BY ROBERT HARPUR, P. ENG.
OFM FIRE PROTECTION ENGINEER
An increasing number of companies are now installing back-up generators to supply power to non-emergency functions such as data centres, process equipment or heating systems.
Where generators do not supply any emergency equipment required by the Building Code or Fire Code then they do not have to comply with C282. Otherwise, both the 2006 Ontario Building Code and the 2007 Ontario Fire Code reference the 2005 edition of CSA 282 Emergency Electrical Power Supply for Buildings.
There has been a significant change in the fuel supply requirements for an emergency generator.
Clause-7.3.2 now gives the authority having jurisdiction (AHJ) the authority to accept an off-site fuel supply for an emergency generator. The standard does not place any restrictions on the type of fuel but in the vast majority of cases it will be natural gas.
The AHJ is not obligated to accept an off-site fuel supply but is given the authority to do so if they think that the fuel supply will be sufficiently reliable. The burden of proof is on the designer and fuel supplier to show that the reliability of the off-site supply is sufficient to provide a minimum 2-hour continuous fuel supply to the generator. Reliability does not have to be 100% since even an on-site fuel supply is not 100% reliable. When assessing the reliability of the fuel supply, the AHJ needs to evaluate the probability that the electrical power supply and the off-site fuel supply could be interrupted at the same time.
Where the authority having jurisdiction is willing to accept an off-site supply clause 7.3.6. stipulates some conditions that must be met.
7.3 Fuel Supply
7.3.6 Where the emergency generator is supplied by an off-site utility natural gas supply, the following conditions shall be met:
a) the piping serving the emergency generator or combination of emergency generators shall:
(i) be independent of any other natural gas supply to the building;
(ii) have a manual valve identified by a permanent sign located at the point of entry of the piping system to the building and accessible only to authorized personnel; and
(iii) have a position-indicating contact that will initiate a trouble alarm condition at the generator control panel when the valve is closed; and
b
) the natural gas supply to the generator shall be arranged in such a manner that the natural gas supply serving other appliances can be shut off without interrupting the supply to the emergency generator.To ensure that the above requirements are met and to ensure some consistency in the installations Enbridge Gas Distribution and Union Gas have jointly prepared some guidelines to standardize the service piping design and installation. They have also contacted the other four providers of natural gas in Ontario to ensure that they are also in agreement with the guidelines.
These guidelines address the following issues:
· Design of the piping
· Standardized signage
· Valve colour-coding
· Use of reflective tape to mark the limits of the supply line for the emergency generator
· Use of position indicating valves
· Security of the valves
· Responsibility of the utility to maintain the supply line piping and valves
Anyone wishing more information on the guidelines can contact the appropriate utility below:
Name of Gas Utility Contact and Reference Points
Enbridge Gas Distribution www.enbridge.com/generator
Union gas https://www.uniongas.com/business/otherci/techsol/productService/distributedgen/dgindex.asp
Utilities Kingston Please contact Services Advisors at tel: 613-546-1181 ext. 2285
Six Nations Natural Gas Please call Nick Petruzella (General Manager) at tel: 519-445- 4213 or send fax to: 519-445-4313.
Kitchener Utilities https://www.kitchenerutilities.ca/resource_centre/safety_sound_advice/emergency_generators.asp
NRG Please contact Paul Belfry (General Manager) at tel: 519-773- 5321
It should be noted that following these guidelines would only be one method of meeting the requirements. Under the objective based codes, owners can propose alternative solutions that may also be acceptable.
Example of Inappropriate Installation
Above photo: Example of Conventional Regulator Station
On the left: Photograph should read Gas In and on the right: Gas out
Photo above: Emergency Regulator Station Completed
Toronto, ON - The Office of the Fire Marshal, Ministry of
Community Safety and Correctional Services and the Building and Development
Branch of the Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing are asking Ontario
residents to check their Firex carbon monoxide and combination carbon
monoxide/smoke alarms after the Maple Chase Company issued a voluntary recall.
Sold under the Firex brand, a malfunctioning component in certain carbon monoxide alarms and combination carbon monoxide/smoke alarm devices can cause the alarms to go into a "double chirp" fault mode in the presence of carbon monoxide prior to the unit going into full alarm mode.
According to the Owner’s Manual, the device must be taken out of
service when this fault is present and cannot be reset. Although no incidents
have been reported relating to the hazard, it puts consumers at risk of injury
or death.
Owners of the alarms identified below should contact Maple Chase immediately at
1-888-879-3906 to receive a free comparable replacement alarm and make
arrangements to return their affected alarm(s).
Affected Models:
This recall involves Firex branded 10000 and 12000 series alarms with item numbers:
10000 12200
12000 12220
12000C 12400
12000-6 12400C
The alarms were manufactured between June 1, 2007 and February
1, 2008. 16,000 were sold in Ontario.
Customers affected by this notice or with questions are strongly encouraged to
contact Maple Chase by phone at 1-888-879-3906 or visit their website,
www.firexsafety.com/stepone.aspx for more information.
BY Valerie Marasco
Communications Officer
City of Thunder Bay
Thunder Bay firefighters are stepping out to communicate directly with city residents as part of Fire & Rescue’s biggest ever effort to make sure residents have working smoke alarms in the right places.
On May 29, Chief John Hay kicked off the fourth annual In-Service Smoke Alarm Canvass with a media conference. The campaign will run through September and will see crews visit and inspect 3,788 local homes to make sure that residents are safe in the event of a fire.
"If you don’t have a working smoke alarm on every storey and outside all sleeping areas, put your coat on, go out and buy some and install them as soon as you get home," said Chief Hay. "If ever there was a time to take immediate action for the safety of your family, this is it."
The Fire Service is making a bigger splash than ever before in an effort to improve the alarming statistics that last year’s canvass revealed. Of the homes surveyed in 2007, 41% were at risk in the event of a fire and in violation of the law.
Firefighters from Vickers Station C Platoon stepped up to be featured in billboards that will be seen throughout Thunder Bay. The Fire Service also invited residents to a fire safety open house Saturday, May 31 at the North Central Fire Station where Magic 99.9 FM was onsite broadcasting live on location. The open house is an opportunity for residents and kids to learn how to make their homes fire-safe, meet the firefighters and tour the station and trucks before the canvass begins.
If the Fire & Rescue Service is called to a house for an incident and the home does not comply with smoke alarm regulations the landlord and/or tenant will be fined $235 per missing or non-functioning smoke alarm. During the canvass, or anytime the Fire Service is invited in to inspect a home, no tickets or charges will be issued. Firefighters will show residents how to bring their home up to Code and optimize safety.
"The Smoke Alarm Canvass is a great way to make sure your home is safe, before it is too late," said Brian Berringer, Director of Fire Prevention. "We’re not doing this to impose on people; we want our residents to be protected and don’t want to have to issue tickets if we do get called out for a fire."
Thunder Bay Fire Services Director of Fire Prevention, Brian Berringer, Fire Chief Chief John Hay and Olaf Lamerz of the Office of the Fire Marshal at the canvass launch in Thunder Bay.
The 236th Ontario Fire Service’s Long Service Medal investiture held in Windsor on July 3 was a landmark for Ontario Fire Marshal Pat Burke. Mr. Burke received his 40 year service bars in the city where he began his career. The evening was especially memorable because two of the Fire Marshal’s cohorts from his Windsor firefighting days-Dave Fields and Greg Senay-were also presented with their 40 year bars.
Over the years, the careers of these three gentlemen have run remarkably parallel. All three progressed to be deputy chiefs and fire chiefs; Burke in Windsor and Niagara Falls, Fields in Windsor, and Senay in the City of Vaughan. Interestingly, they also all worked at the Office of the Fire Marshal.
Throughout the past 40 years the three have remained good friends, even as their paths have crossed and diverged and crossed again. In his welcoming remarks, Chief Fields reminisced about those early days in a Windsor fire hall and the life events that led them, 40 years later, to be standing together on that particular stage, on that particular night. Despite the similarities in their careers, Chief Fields joked, "The brightest of us became the Fire Marshal."
The evening was equally special for another 23 recipients who received medals or bars in recognitions of their dedication to the Ontario fire service.
The provincial medals and bars are presented by the Fire Marshal at investitures throughout the province.
The Ontario Fire Services Long Service Medals were first awarded in 1971 and recognize fire service personnel who have served the public for 25 years. Suspended from a red, white and green ribbon, the circular medal bears the Maltese Cross, with the coat of arms of Ontario and the inscription "Fire Services Ontario". On the back of the medal is the inscription "for long service ….. The Fire Protection and Prevention Act".
The Maltese Cross is a symbol of protection. Its origin dates back to the Crusades where history records our first fire fighters from the Island of Malta.
The heroic efforts of these fire fighters were recognized by awarding them with a badge of honour in the shape of a cross, which later became known as the Maltese Cross.
The Maltese Cross is a symbol of protection. It means that the firefighter who wears this cross is willing to risk his or her life to protect others.
An article in the Woodstock Sentinal Review reported: ‘on April 24, 2008, two generations of Embro firefighters were honoured for a combined 140 years of service to the fire department.
"What an outstanding achievement," said Patrick Burke, Fire Marshal of Ontario. "That’s 140 years of dedication and service to their community."
Firefighter Ronald Shewan received a 60-year long-service medal, while his twin, fire chief Donald Shewan, received a 55-year service medal.
Ronald’s son James was one of 42 firefighters from Oxford and surrounding counties who received long-service medals for 25 years of service.
Volunteer firefighter Ronald Shewan started his career at age 15. He lived just two blocks from the Embro fire station and remembers driving a 1942 Chevrolet fire truck with soda acid tanks on the back.’
Pictured from left to right is Fire Marshal Pat Burke, firefighter Ronald Shewan, Fire Chief Donald Shewan and firefighter James Shewan.
Pictured from left to right is Deputy Fire Marshal Doug Crawford, Fire Marshal
Pat Burke, Jo-Anne Burke and Bev Gilbert of the OFM.
By
Jackie dyson
Fire prevention
Officer
Markham Fire & emergency services
On March 18th, a total of 10 hotels (seven in Markham, two in Richmond Hill, and one in Toronto) attended and participated in an intense full day seminar on Hotel Fire Safety and Emergency Preparedness at the Delta Markham Hotel. The Markham Fire and Emergency Services goal was to increase everyone’s knowledge level of fire safety and emergency response within hotel establishments.
The Fire Prevention Division was made up a panel of speakers with Markham Fire and Emergency Services including two senior officers, a plans examiner, four fire inspectors and a public education officer. Using the resource package provided by the Ontario Fire Marshal’s Office, instructional information, resource material handouts and visual aids materials were downloaded and customized for this event.
Building owners, property managers, building engineers, maintenance personnel, front desk and night managers were some of the people who attended the seminar to gain knowledge on how to improve life safety and emergency response. The seminar included a number of topics to accommodate hotel establishment needs. Markham Fire & Emergency Services conducted mini demonstrations, provided insight into the great fires that changed history within the hotel industry, conducted a field trip to the sprinkler valve room, and incorporated a mini trade show.
Feedback from participants was very positive.
The Markham Fire & Emergency Services would like to thank the Delta Markham Hotel for all of their help in hosting the event, the Ontario Fire Marshal Office for sharing valuable resources, especially Martha Murphy, Sophie Greco and Bruce Weaver for their continued support and encouragement.
A special thanks to On-Site Mobile Drapery, Classic Fire Protection, Safety Media Inc., Tyco Fire and Security, and Armstrong Fire Pumps who set up stand alone displays showcasing fire protection equipment and products.
Back in the mid-fifties, delegates from London, Sarnia, Chatham, Windsor, Wallaceburg, Kitchener and Brantford gathered in London for a conference at which they discussed fire prevention issues and the problems that each department faced in implementing programs in their local communities. Through this newly established network, they were able to share solutions with each other and decided to form the Ontario Municipal Fire Prevention Officers’ Association in May of 1957 to maintain a more permanent link to their peers in other communities. The OMFPOA continues to be a great resource to the Ontario Fire Service, and London is proud to be its place of birth.
In response to a fire at a hunt camp in Stanhope Township near Minden in August that claimed the lives of three well known Minden residents, the Haliburton County Fire Departments, which include Dysart, Minden Hills, Algonquin Highlands and Highlands East, and the Ministry of Natural Resources teamed up for the 2007 hunting season to send a fire prevention message to local hunters. Conservation officers patrolling during hunting season handed out 74 smoke alarms donated by Haliburton County Fire Departments. This was done in conjunction with their regular field patrols during the moose and deer hunt. The Conservation Officers handed out the smoke alarms to camps that did not have them. They also took GPS coordinates of the camps that did not have 911 numbers so the surrounding fire departments can locate the camps in case of an emergency.
It is hoped that the two agencies can work together again this year and provide batteries to make sure all camps have a working smoke alarm, and an escape plan.
To help promote the practice of home fire escape planning and emphasize its importance, the Office of the Fire Marshal has developed a new information card entitled Plan Your Escape! This card, also available in French as Prévoyez comment échapper au feu!, was produced to assist fire departments with their public education programs and activities.
The new information card informs people that if a fire occurred in their home,
they may have only seconds to escape safely. The card provides simple steps for
home fire escape planning and includes a reminder that working smoke alarms are
required on every storey of the home and outside all sleeping areas.
Fire departments can order Plan Your Escape! and Prévoyez comment échapper au
feu! cards free of charge by using the order form located on the OFM Web site at
www.ofm.gov.on.ca. Click on “Publications” and then on “Forms”.
A limited number of TAPP-C posters can still be ordered free-of-charge by
Ontario fire departments. These posters can easily be tailored to a specific
TAPP-C site by adding a sticker with the community’s TAPP-C intake telephone
number. Please note that TAPP-C brochures and information cards are no longer
available.
The delivery of information cards and TAPP-C posters may take approximately 3 to
4 weeks. Please keep this in mind when placing your order.
To find out more about the new information card or other public education resources, please contact Marie Ainey, Program Coordinator, Public Education and Media Relations, by telephone at (416) 325‑3155 or by e-mail at Marie.Ainey@ontario.ca
The objective of Climbing the Ladder is to keep you informed and up to date on issues related to education and training within the Ontario fire service, and to adequately address your questions and concerns. If there is a particular issue you want covered, send the topic to the Editor of The Messenger and it will be passed on to the appropriate person in the OFM Academic Standards and Evaluation section.
BY ROSE BARG
MANAGER, ACADEMIC UNIT
ACADEMIC STANDARDS & EVALUATIONS
Firefighter Standards Revised
In Ontario, firefighter curricula are based on the Ontario Firefighter Standard. This standard was revised in late 2007, and is resulting in a number of curriculum changes. Additionally, the Ontario Firefighter Standard exceeds NFPA 1001 Standard for Firefighter Professional Qualification (2008), which was also revised. To ensure continued accreditation with IFSAC and ProBoard, the curriculum design team took all these standards changes into consideration.
Introducing the 2008 Ontario Standardized Curriculum for Firefighters Document
All of the changes in Standards were analysed to determine the extent to which curricula needed to be revised. As a result, a single standardized curriculum for firefighters in Ontario was developed. This curriculum, which is called the Ontario Standardized Curriculum Firefighters Document, outlines the learning outcomes, the key content areas and the performance testing requirements for all firefighter education and training in Ontario.
Two Streams for Firefighter Education and Training
Ontario continues to deliver this education and training through municipal fire services as well as community colleges with signed agreements with the OFM/OAFC. The Ontario Fire College is incorporating the changes in this standardized curriculum into the Ontario Firefighter Curriculum Learner and Trainer Guides, for dissemination in June, 2008. Community Colleges will announce when the revised Pre-Service Programs will be implemented.
Provincial Testing to the New Standards
In accordance with the requirements of the Accreditation bodies, ProBoard and IFSAC, provincial testing to the new standards will begin in November, 2009.
Overview of Changes
The following chart offer an overview of the changes in the curricula that result from the above revisions.
Ontario Standardized Curriculum for Firefighters Document (2008) Edition
Note:
- Significant changes from the former Ontario Firefighter Curriculum and the Pre-Service Firefighter Education and Training Programs (2002) are noted.
- For the most part, repositioning of course material from one location to another is not noted here.
- The total time to meet the entire curriculum has not changed.
Module or Section Summary of Key Changes
Introduction to the Fire Service Includes content on Firefighter Safety Practices
Fire Behaviour Minimal changes
Fire Ground Operations
- Firefighter Survival New content
- Apparatus Consistent theory on Aerials and Tankers
- Incident Management Includes content on Pre-Incident Planning
- Fire Suppression New content in Hydraulics, Flammable Gas Cylinders Fires,
Ignitable Liquid Fires and Wildland Fires
Emergency Patient Care - This section was revised to reflect the role of firefighters
more accurately. Therefore, there was significant reduction in
content for all areas, except Pre-Hospital Care
- Sections that were deleted entirely include: Abdominal,
Endocrine, Infant/Child, Older Adult, Behavioural/Psychological
Environmental
- A new section entitled "other" - contains minimal content
formerly in Endocrine and Environmental sections
Environmental Protection & - Building Construction and Collapse - New Content
Rescue - Trench Rescue - New Content
- Hazardous Materials Awareness will continue to be based
on NFPA 472, 2002, which exceeds the 2008 standard, as it
is designed in keeping with the role of fire service response
at this level.
- The Hazardous Materials Operations section is based on
NFPA 2008 Chapter 5. This is a theory chapter that requires
one skill (Emergency Decon)
Education & Fire Prevention Public Education/Relations: This section was revised to
in the Community reflect the role of firefighters more accurately.
The OFM’s Public Education and Media Relations section recently produced sets of reference cards that address 20 of the most common fire safety issues. On the back of each card are "key messages" about that topic. Also included are two cards on the dangers and warning signs of clandestine drug labs.
The cards are not intended for distribution to the public, but rather as a resource for fire service personnel in developing and delivering programs, talking with the media, or interacting with the public at incidents or community events. The cards will help ensure that fire services across Ontario are delivering accurate and consistent public education messages.
Every fire department in Ontario received a sufficient quantity for their public education staff, fire stations and vehicles.
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.
April 2008: 5 fatal fires resulting in 5 fire deaths
Age Group 0-15: Male - 0, Female - 0, Total - 0
Age Group 16-64: Male - 1, Female - 1, Total - 2
Age Group 65 and over: Male - 2, Female - 1, Total - 3
Total: Male - 3, Female - 2, Total - 5
Fire Cause - Accidental 2, Undetermined 0, Under Investigation 3, Incendiary 0
Time of Day - 0001-0800 - 2, 0801-1600 - 1, 1601-1800 - 0, 1801-0000 - 2
Locations of fatal fires: Cambridge (1), Toronto (1), Norwich (1) Kitchener (1)
Hawkesbury (1).
May 2008: 3 fatal fires resulting in 4 fire deaths
Age Group 0-15: Male - 0, Female - 0, Total - 0
Age Group 16-64: Male - 4, Female - 0, Total - 4
Age Group 65 and over: Male - 0, Female - 0, Total - 0
Total: Male - 4, Female - 0, Total - 4
Fire Cause - Accidental 0, Undetermined 0, Under Investigation 2, Incendiary 1
Time of Day - 0001-0800 - 0, 0801-1600 - 0, 1601-1800 - 2, 1801-0000 - 1
Locations of fatal fires: Toronto (1), Adjala-Tosorontio(1), North Dumfries (1).
The third annual National Fire & Life Safety Educators’ Meeting was held in Toronto on March 7, 2008.
Public educators from 9 provinces and territories attended the two-day meeting moderated by Kathy Danino of the Manitoba Fire Commissioner’s Office and Bev Gilbert of the Ontario Fire Marshal’s Office.
The theme of this year’s meeting was "Full Steam Ahead". Dr. Robert Conn of SMARTRISK presented on strategic planning and the group discussed strategies to ensure that public education programs, initiatives and materials were on track.
Mary Prencipe, a Fire Protection Engineer of the OFM highlighted the benefits and challenges of data collection across the country. At the initial meeting of the National Group, it was identified that Provinces and Territories were collecting data differently. A recommendation was made to the Canadian Council of Fire Marshal’s and Commissioners to establish a uniform data collection.
As provincial and territorial leaders in Fire and Life Safety Education, it is essential to have sound leadership and motivational skills. The public educators participated in a workshop delivered by Shaun Belding of Belding Skills Inc. focusing on honing worldclass leadership skills.
Other presentations at the meeting included a session entitled "Busting the Myths on Smoke Alarms" by Bruce Paterson, Fire Protection Engineer of the OFM. Dr. Sherri MacKay of the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health offered insight into the impact of media violence on youth.
A number of previous recommendations were reviewed and new ones proposed for further action. Recommendations presented in Ottawa at the Fire Marshals and Fire Commissioner’s meeting in July included the development of a national fire statistics collection and analysis system and the need for national strategies that will build knowledge, influence attitudes and change behaviours to prevent fire and protect everyone from fire.
Photo of the national group of fire & life safety educators.
The City of Greater Sudbury Fire Services held its 4th Annual Recognition Awards Ceremony on May 12, 2008. In his last official function for the fire department, outgoing Fire Chief Donald Donaldson was on hand to present the recognition awards to firefighters, and individuals, groups or associations in the community that had demonstrated support for the fire department.
Career and volunteer firefighters were recognized for reaching each 5-year interval of service with the fire department. Recently retired Chief Fire Prevention Officer Fern Bourque was recognized for his outstanding dedication and commitment to fire prevention and fire safety education. Volunteer firefighter Michel Proulx was also recognized for his selfless act in rescuing 3 people from a burning house across the street from his residence prior to the arrival of the fire department. He was previously awarded the Ontario Medal for Firefighter Bravery for his efforts.
Also among the award recipients were OFM Program Specialist Ryan Betts, and representatives from the Girl Guides of Canada, Ontario Council Dawn Moore and Linda Denton. This trio was recognized for their efforts in developing the Sparks Ablaze program to teach fire safe behaviours to young Girl Guides in the Sparks age group. Over 4,000 Sparks (girls aged 5 – 6) across Ontario took part in the three-week program in November 2007, which included a visit to their local fire station to get some of the fire safe messages directly from their local firefighters.
Pictured are Dawn Moore and Linda Denton of the Girl Guides of Ontario and Ryan Betts, Program Specialist with the OFM.
OFM staff delivered a seminar on the 2007 Fire Code in Ottawa on February 27, 2008. The seminar was hosted jointly by the Ottawa Fire Services and Society of Fire Protection Engineers (National Capital Region Chapter) and drew over 200 attendees including fire and building departments from eastern Ontario, federal government, industry, schools, hospitals, consultants and manufacturers. For information on hosting a seminar or attending a scheduled seminar, please go to the OFM web site at http://www.ofm.gov.on.ca/english/Legislation/firecode/FireCodeInfoSessions.asp.
On April 15, 2008 Sault Ste. Marie Fire Services (SSMFS) rolled out its newest tool in education and prevention – literally.
SSMFS recently acquired a portable message sign board to promote education and prevention messages throughout the region. Funds were provided by the Sault Ste. Marie and District Social Services Administration Board (DSSAB).
SSMFS is constantly looking for new and innovative ways to convey crash and fire prevention messages to residents.
Sault Ste. Marie’s most recent risk assessment indicates that the majority of fires and preventable injuries occur within single family dwellings. Other municipalities in the region share this concern. It is essential to communicate prevention messages to the Class C residential occupancy by repeatedly drilling messages into new and existing subdivisions using a variety of methods.
SSMFS is an integrated service providing both fire and emergency medical services. The EMS division will use the sign board to communicate messages to residents (i.e. visibility of house numbers, making a list of prescriptions).
The dynamic message sign board is programmed with several messages such as "Test your Smoke Alarms", "CPR Saves Lives" and "Don’t Drink and Fry". The sign board is set up on roadsides for 2 to 3 days and then relocated within the region. Messages are programmed to rotate at 10 to 15 second intervals. The versatility of the sign is its biggest asset. Setup takes approximately 15 minutes. It is light, tows easily and can be programmed with up to 99 messages.
In addition to communicating crash and fire prevention messages, the sign may be used at emergency scenes and during training exercises to convey information to the public.
For more information regarding this portable message sign board, please contact the Sault Ste. Marie Fire Prevention Division at (705) 949-3372
On June 30, a 34-year-old man and two young children died in a fire in a trailer park in Essex, Ontario. It has been confirmed by Office of the Fire Marshal investigators that no working smoke alarms were found in the trailer.
As a result of this tragic fatal fire, the Fire Marshal of Ontario is urging everyone to have a working smoke alarm in their trailer home, motor home or other recreational vehicle.
"The Ontario Fire Code requires every ‘dwelling unit’ in Ontario to have working smoke alarms on every storey and outside all sleeping areas," explained Pat Burke, Fire Marshal of Ontario. "What many people may not know is that the term ‘dwelling unit’ includes seasonal homes such as park model trailers, cabins and cottages and may include trailer homes, motor homes and other recreational vehicles".
While many new trailer and RV models may already meet a construction standard requiring working smoke alarms, older models may not be equipped with any or they may not have been properly maintained. It is a good practice to install working smoke alarms in any recreational vehicle, trailer and boat with sleeping quarters. Test the alarms monthly and after any absence of more than a few days. Replace any smoke alarms that may be more than 10 years old.
"Smoke alarms can alert you and give you and your family the precious time needed to safely escape a fire," said Burke. "Install smoke alarms in any structure where people may be sleeping or living."
Failure to comply with the applicable Fire Code smoke alarm requirements can result in a ticket for $235 or a fine of up to $100,000.
BY LEE TOME
Chief Fire Prevention Officer
WINdsoR FIRE & RESCUE SERVICES
In January of this year, Windsor Fire & Rescue Services launched a new fire safety pamphlet entitled "Fire Safety, Protecting Your Home and Your Family". As a pilot project, this pamphlet was produced in five key languages for the Windsor demographic: Simplified Chinese, Urdu, Punjabi, Spanish and Arabic.
"Safety begins with proper education," says Windsor’s Chief Fire Prevention Officer Lee Tome. "The right information isn’t always available in a suitable language for new Canadians, but this will help us provide them with crucial information to protect them and their homes."
The need for fire safety education in other languages became apparent during a risk assessment, which reviewed public education programs and the demographics of the City of Windsor. Statistics indicated that 30% of Windsor residents listed English as a second language and that 11% of Windsor’s population had arrived in Canada within the last 10 years. The fire safety pamphlets were conceived as a solution to reach this segment of the population with essential fire safety information.
These pamphlets are now available throughout Windsor in ethnic grocery stores, places of worship, cultural meeting places, educational centres for new Canadians and at Windsor Fire & Rescue Services. Fire safety talks are also taking place throughout the City.
Windsor Fire & Rescue hopes these important fire safety messages will give new Canadians the knowledge to ensure a safe environment in their homes as they adjust to their new surroundings. "We want our new Windsorites to feel welcome," says Tome, "and we want them to be safe."
To view the pamphlets online, visit the Prevention/Education page of http://www.windsorfire.com/divisions-prevention
BY JACQUIE HILL-BOWER,
Chief Fire Prevention Officer
CLARINGTON EMERGENCY AND FIRE SERVICES
As a result of two recent restaurant fires believed to be linked to on site laundry operations, the Clarington Emergency and Fire Services developed a fire safety bulletin for restaurant owners and managers on basic safety precautions for dryers used in their businesses. Some of the prevention tips included:
· Empty the lint trap after every load
· Be sure to shut off the appliance when closing your business for the night
· Empty the dryer of all fabrics/materials when the drying cycle is completed.
· Do not leave a load of laundry in the dryer overnight.
· Do not dry materials on which there is anything flammable (alcohol, cooking oils, gasoline, spot removers, dry-cleaning solvents, etc.). Flammable substances give off vapours that could ignite or explode
· Check the vent piping on a regular schedule for accumulation of lint and clean as necessary
· Clean the inside of the dryer of lint build-up. This is the area around the drum. Consult your instruction manual for directions on accessing the heating element and cabinet interior.
· Be sure to follow all safety precautions
· Take the lint filter out and wash it with hot soapy water and scrub it with a brush. In some cases, the filter mesh may be clogged with an invisible waxy build up from fabric softener sheets.
By following the above recommendations, not only may you reduce your chance of a fire but your dryer will work more efficiently and may last longer.
Trevor Bain was the successful candidate in the competition for the community safety enhancement manager. Previously, Trevor served as a fire investigations operations manager.
Jeff Dick was permanenty appointed as the issues management program specialist for Fire Protection Services.
Michael Dube began on May 12 as a program specialist assigned to the Emergency Planning & Strategic Development unit in Fire Protection Services. Michael brings a wealth of experience as a career firefighter and as a training officer with the City of Greater Sudbury Fire & Emergency Services.
Jim Fisher was the sucessful candidate in the competition for operational support manager in Fire Investigation Services.
Dennis Gannon was the succesful candidate in the fire protection specialist competition for Fire Protection Services. Dennis joins the OFM from the Ministry of Health and Long Term Care.
Cynthia Hammond was the successful candidate in the competition for training officer in Fire Protection Services.
Peter Jobe officially retires at the end of July. He has served in the fire service for over 40 years. Congratulations on your retirement Peter!
Nancy MacDonald Duncan was the successful candidate in the competition for program specialist, prosecutions in the Community Safety Enhancement Unit of fire Protection Services. Previously Nancy was a full-time prosecutor for the Region of Niagara.
Rachel Nichols was the successful candidate in the recent competition for information analyst. Rachel continues to work in the Sudbury office
John O’Halloran is retiring on July 31 after 18 years with the OFM. All the best John!
Laura Oakes (formerly Newton) was the sucessful candidate in the competition for human resource assistant. Laura continues to work from the Midhurst office.
Alice Raymond was the successful candidate in the competition for financial officer. Alice continues to work from the Sudbury office.
Joyce West officially retires on July 31. Congratulations and enjoy retirement Joyce!
Denise Wallace was the successful candidate in the competition for the Fire & Life Safety Educator’s position with Public Education & Media Relations section .
Aug 14 - 16 IAFC Fire Rescue International Conference Denver, CO
Aug 24 - 27 AMO 2008 Conference Ottawa, ON
Sept 14 Canadian Fallen Firefighters Memorial Ceremony Ottawa, ON
Sept 19-20 Fire Con Thunder Bay, ON
Sept 21-24 Canadian Association of Fire Chiefs Conference Whitehorse, YK
Oct 5 - 11 Fire Prevention Week 2008 Province-wide
Oct 5 Fire Fighter Memorial Services - Queen’s Park Toronto, ON
Oct 5-9 Fall 2008 Labour Education Seminar Niagara Falls, ON
Oct 8 - 12 Fire and Emergency Manufacturers and Services Association Tuscon, AZ
(FEMSA) & Fire Apparatus Manufacturers’ Association (FAMA)
Meeting
Nov 26 - 28 16th Annual Fire & Life Safety Educators’ Conference Point Edward, ON
Back Cover:
The Community Safety Village of York Region is located in Bruce’s Mill Conservation Area, Stouffville and is operated by York Regional Police. The Safety Village opened in May 2005 and teaches traffic safety, bike safety, fire safety and Internet safety to children in Grade 1 through Grade 5.
A new program was recently introduced in December 2007 with a York Region Fire Safety Educator teaching Personal Emergency Preparedness to Grade 5 students. To date there has 1500 participants have taken part in the hands-on learning experience.
The Program
York Region Grade 5 students had a 70 minute, interactive learning experience as they got ready for "pretend emergencies". The students learned the difference between natural and man-made emergencies as well as the top five emergencies that could happen in York Region.
The students were divided into 4 groups and helped "pretend families" prepare evacuation bags and/or enough supplies to be self-sufficient in their homes for 3 days (or 72 hours). The students looked through the apartment to collect and present the necessary materials for:
1. A Go-Bag (in case of evacuation)
2. Items to shelter-in-place (for 3 days or 72 hours)
3. A Car-Kit (in case a family is stranded in their car)
It is believed that this is the first time such a course has been offered to school-age children in Ontario, by a Fire Safety Educator. The pilot lesson plan was created by Educator Melanie Duke and is based on learning objectives from the Risk Watch curriculum.
Early indication suggests that parents and teachers think this is a very important topic to teach to this age group and that the students "loved it". One parent wrote,
"I think the program was very good. It covers an important topic that many families probably haven’t addressed."
During the class the students complete an Emergency Preparedness crossword puzzle which they take home along with a York Region Emergency Preparedness Guide and an emergency whistle on a key chain.
The program was evaluated by teachers and parents and their comments and suggestions will be used to enhance the program for the next winter session in 2008-2009.
The Emergency Preparedness kits and materials were on display during March Break (March 10-14) with approximately 750 members of the public viewing the kits and asking questions.
For more information on the Emergency Preparedness program, please email: melanie.duke@york.ca
The Community Safety Village of York Region is located at 3291 Stouffville Side Road in Stouffville. For more information on the Community Safety Village of York Region, please email: 5475@yrp.ca
Classroom presentation with Fire Safety
Educator
Melanie Duke.
Fire Safety Educator Melanie Duke prepares a car emergency kit.
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