August/September2008 Volume 17 Issue 3
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 Bev Gilbert, Janice Johnstone, Ryan Betts, Chris Slosser, Marie Ainey, Denise Wallace, Tony Pacheco, Penny Goddard, Robert Harpur, Martha Murphy, Bruce Weaver, Beth Tate, Doug Goodings, Tracy Jocque, Melanie Arsenault, Carol-Lynn Chambers, Larry Crang, Ted Wieclawek, Al Suleman, Bernie Silvestri, John Verbeek, Debbie Maclean, and Vicki Veldman.
K. Bev Gilbert
Manager, Public Education and Media Relations
Traditionally, we are entering the seasons when fires and fire deaths rise as people spend more time indoors. You will definitely notice a heavy emphasis on public education in this issue with articles on a number of seasonal fire safety topics - safe student accommodations, hunting and Halloween, to name just a few.
Leading up to the start of the new school year, many young people attending college and university for the very first time, look for accommodations on their own or with the help of their parents. Fire departments with post secondary institutions in their communities are encouraged to explore events where they can reach out to parents and students to provide advice on fire safety practices and raise awareness on other potential safety hazards in apartments and other types of accommodations.
Creative and concise tip sheets for both parents and students have been developed by the Office of the Fire Marshal (OFM) and are available on the OFM website at www.ofm.gov.on.ca. They are certainly worth a look as the messages were developed with valuable input from parents and students themselves.
The tip sheets are great for distribution and fire departments can request an electronic copy for printing with their own department logo.
Every season brings new changes but there is a constant potential for risk of fire during many of these annual seasonal events. Fire departments can anticipate and plan ahead for public education events in their communities.
To assist fire departments, the Public Education and Media Relations section of the OFM has developed key messaging cards on a multitude of fire safety topics, public service announcements, information postcards and the recently revised fire safety in apartments brochure are available for distribution to local media and residents, and OFM news releases can be modified to suit a local fire department’s needs.
Often resources are developed on a particular fire safety issue that has been brought to the OFM’s attention by the local fire department. Many fire departments have created their own resources and this publication is a means of sharing good public education practices and resources that work well in communities both large and small.
Every year manages to go by so quickly and time is a precious commodity. A helpful tool for fire departments can be a yearly calendar that highlights the holidays and seasonal activities where there is an opportunity to raise awareness on fire safety.
In December, the OFM will be launching a holiday safety campaign and a news conference will be held in Toronto.
The Public Education and Media Relations section at the OFM is available to support the needs of local fire departments. We encourage the fire service to contact us for fire safety education resources specific to the needs of their communities.
On August 10, 2008 a devastating explosion occurred at Sunrise Propane at 54 Murray Rd, Toronto. The Murray Road propane explosion site and other affected properties were transferred on August 11, 2008 to the Office of the Fire Marshal (OFM) and other regulatory agencies to work cooperatively to determine the cause of the explosion during the ongoing clean-up of the site.
The OFM Fire Investigation Services team on scene consisted of 2 supervisors, 5 investigators and 2 engineers.
In the early stages of the on scene investigation, the OFM Fire Investigation Services team experienced difficulties accessing the area of origin. Asbestos was found throughout the area of the explosion and a private contractor was hired to clean up the area, block by block to ensure the safety of everyone at the scene.
A body was found at the scene of the explosion and the Office of the Chief Coroner was notified and joined the investigative team assembled at the site.
The public was advised to contact Toronto Police Services if any debris was discovered on their property that was believed to be related to the explosion.
The OFM estimated that the on-site fire investigation at Murray Rd would take up to approximately 7 days to complete from the time of access to the scene. This was an approximate time frame and depended on what was uncovered during the on scene investigation.
One challenge for the fire investigative team at the scene was the weather. As standard practice, the investigative team wore personal protective equipment (PPE) to work on the scene. During very high temperatures, the team could only work for 1/2 to 1 hour before they had to exit the scene to have their vital signs monitored and to be checked for dehydration. A new set of PPE was donned by each member of the investigative team before re-entering the scene. OFM fire investigators wear some form of PPE at every fire scene they attend and investigate. The safety of the OFM investigative team at the scene and of the public was of paramount concern.
Heavy equipment excavators were called in to carefully move and remove large pieces of debris at the scene for examination. Investigators documented the location of pieces and took photographs. This was a very time-consuming process.
On September 22, 2008, the OFM released the scene to the property owners. OFM investigators and engineers had completed their on-site investigation at the propane explosion.
The OFM had held the scene since the explosion. All reasonable steps were taken to remove any fire and explosion hazards. The Ministry of the Environment ordered the property owner and Sunrise Propane to immediately take control of site security and monitoring to ensure the community continues to be protected. The property owner has acknowledged the site release and has put in place site security.
The OFM investigation is ongoing. The investigative team follows a scientific, systematic and methodological investigative process. Given the number of items taken from the scene by investigators, the process of examining these items may take considerable time. At this time, there is no new information available on the OFM investigation.
OFM investigators were greatly assisted by the City of Toronto, Toronto Fire, Police and Emergency Medical Services, Technical Standards and Safety Authority (TSSA) and numerous provincial agencies during the scene examination.
There were two deaths connected to the propane explosion. An employee of Sunrise propane and Toronto firefighter Bob Leek who was responding to the explosion.
A memorial was held on August 16, 2008 for fallen firefighter Bob Leek. Fire Marshal Pat Burke and many staff off the OFM attended the funeral service. It is estimated that over 3,000 people attended the service for the 25 year veteran firefighter of the Toronto Fire Services.
Deputy Fire Marshal Doug Crawford visits the explosion site at 54 Murray Rd. Toronto, Ontario.
Burned and damaged propane cylinders.
Burned vehicle and debris at propane explosion site.
Fire Marshal Pat Burke and Detective Constable Richard Weller of Toronto Police Services observe the extent of the damage and debris at the explosion site.
The provincial government has retained two independent experts to conduct a comprehensive review of storage, handling, location and transport of propane in Ontario and report to the Minister of Small Business and Consumer Services.
The experts will look at all aspects of propane safety in Ontario including enforcement and inspection. The review will start on September 8, 2008, and will be completed in 45 days.
The experts will work with the government, the Technical Standards and Safety Authority (TSSA), the propane industry, the municipal sector, other provinces, and other stakeholders to review the current propane-related legislation. The review will focus on the Technical Standards and Safety Act, 2000, and Ontario’s regulations compared with internationally-recognized best practices.
Following the review of propane safety the government may review the safety of other volatile fuels.
Other entities are investigating the occurrence at the Sunrise facility. This is not a review of that occurrence. This review will not make any findings of fault.
Scope of the Review
The review will examine and make recommendations on the legislative framework to enhance propane safety including:
Ontario’s legislative requirements for the safe storage, handling, location and transport of propane.
The standard setting criteria and process in Canada and how these compare to international processes.
Administrative procedures/requirements.
Trades personnel training, education and certification requirements for the storage, handling and transportation of propane.
Operator obligations.
Distance and zoning requirements/guidelines for propane storage sites.
Inspection and reporting requirements.
Emergency management plans at propane sites.
Offences and enforcement.
Whether a review of Ontario’s legislative framework for any other fuels is needed.
Other matters considered to be advisable.
The review will include a comparison of Ontario’s legislative framework with leading international jurisdictions.
For more information, contact Sarbjit
Kaur, Minister’s Office, 416-326-1939 or Ciaran Ganley, Communications Branch,
416-325-8659.
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 Hamilton Justice of the Peace has sent out a strong message to the registered owner of a local automotive salvage yard: that continued violations of the Ontario Fire Code will not be tolerated.
A numbered company and an officer of that company, pled guilty in Provincial Offences Court to five violations of the Ontario Fire Code and were fined a total of $25,000 along with being placed on probation for two years.
The registered owner was convicted of failing to provide access gates with a clear width of at least 3.5m to allow access by fire department vehicles, failure to install no smoking signs in the salvage yard, failure to post the location of the nearest telephone and contact number for the fire department within the yard, failure to arrange storage piles so that they are at least 3m from property lines and not in excess of 3m in height and 100m2 in area and failure to maintain a space of 3m, clear of grass and weeds, between combustible salvage piles.
This was the third conviction for the owner in the past four years. On September 24, 2004, the officer of the company was convicted of Ontario Fire Code violations and fined a total of $3,500. On November 5, 2004, the same individual was fined a total of $750 for another Fire Code violation.
The property owners of a two storey building in Millbrook, Ontario were charged and convicted with two violations of the Ontario Fire Code.
The two storey building consists of a restaurant on the main floor with two apartments above on the second floor.
The first charge was for refusing or neglecting to obey or carry out the directives of the Fire Chief given under the authority of the Fire Protection and Prevention Act, 1997 and the second charge for contravening sections of the Fire Code related to commercial cooking equipment, fire separation between major occupancies and the accumulation of combustible materials.
In August, 2007, a Superior Court Justice order was obtained to close the building until necessary repairs were made.
Both parties were convicted and each was ordered to pay $2,000.
For more information, contact Fire Chief Nelson Edgerton of Cavan Monaghan Fire Department at 705-932-2765.
BY STACEY ROY
STAFF WRITER
RECORD NEWS
(Excerpted from an article of the Record News)
The cost of not maintaining smoke alarms goes beyond a potential loss of life. Breaking this provincial law will hit property owners in the wallet as well.
A Smiths Falls landlord found out just how much last week in Perth Court when he was fined $1,000 for failing to maintain a working smoke alarm.
The fine was handed down by the Ontario provincial court July 8 as a result of a February 2008 complaint-driven inspection of a local triplex.
Pascal Meunier, fire prevention officer with the Smiths Falls Fire Department, said the property owner opted to have his case heard in court after refusing to accept a ticket of just over $200 for non-compliance that was served by the fire department following its inspection.
Have conviction information? Let’s
hear about it!
The Ontario Fire Service Messenger would like to inform all readers about recent
convictions and other successful enforcement initiatives in Ontario.
Visit www.ofm.gov.on.ca, then click on the Prosecutions & Convictions Form link
in the Legislation box.
"In the interest of public fire safety, please immediately stop distributing this product and recall any product that has already been distributed to the marketplace." So stated the Fire Marshal in a letter to an Ontario distributor of a product known as ItzaGasCan, in August 2008.
The Office of the Fire Marshal was made aware of this portable container earlier this summer. This one-time use, disposable emergency gas can is a cardboard box that contains a plastic bladder. The box is stored flat until needed, at which time the box joints can be manually locked into place, and there is a spout sealed into the plastic bag for filling and dispensing.
Containers for flammable liquids must comply with Division B Part 4 of the Ontario Fire Code [Ontario Regulation 213/07]. Because this container does not comply with any of the documents referenced in Article 4.2.3.1. of the Fire Code regarding acceptable portable containers for flammable liquids, it is not legal for use in Ontario.
In addition to the non-compliance with the Fire Code, there are other safety concerns with this product.
· Although the manufacturer states the container is meant for one-time use only there is no way to control frequency of use.
· Purchasers may use the container for the long-term storage of gasoline.
· While in storage the container could be subject to an increase in ambient temperature that will result in a build-up of pressure inside the container. This container has no provision for venting.
· Being constructed of cardboard and plastic film, the container will offer almost no resistance to a fire and will fail almost immediately.
There is also concern of how the container will be disposed of after use. Residual gasoline and flammable vapours remaining in the container make it a fuel source that only needs an ignition source, such as a discarded cigarette butt in a waste receptacle, to result in a potentially serious fire.
Several jurisdictions in the United States have prohibited the distribution and/or retail sale of this product, and the US Consumer Product Safety Commission has been asked to address the safety of this product.
While we are not aware that this product is being sold in stores in Ontario, it is available over the Internet from several sources for sale in convenience stores, grocery stores or for distribution as a promotional item. This container may also be marketed under the names Gas-O-Haul or Flat-Can.
Should you encounter this type of container, or get related queries from the public about this type of container, remember that it is not legal for use in Ontario - it does not comply with any of the documents referenced in Article 4.2.3.1. of the Fire Code.
Provincial CBRNE/Hazmat (chemical, biological, radiation, nuclear and explosives/Hazardous materials) teams participated in an annual program exercise on September 9, 2008 in Sarnia to demonstrate their readiness and ability to respond and support municipal fire services when required during an actual emergency or disaster.
"Complex major emergencies can and do happen. This exercise demonstrated the strengths and skills of municipal and provincial CBRNE/Hazmat resources working together to safely mitigate an actual hazardous material emergency in Ontario," explained Pat Burke, Fire Marshal of Ontario. "The members of the provincial CBRNE/Hazmat teams must be able to work with local responders to assess any CBRNE/Hazmat incident and make vital decisions very quickly. This type of ongoing training helps improve and refine the skills of both our provincial teams and municipal fire services."
The simulated complex emergency was created at a busy intersection and involved the collision of a tanker and a box trailer transporting a mixed load of chemicals and products. The tanker was damaged and was leaking a hazardous chemical.
Sarnia Fire Rescue Services suppression crews and their hazardous materials response team were the first to respond and assess the situation. The Sarnia Hazmat response team quickly determined that they would require additional assistance as the fire department was already responding to a serious fire elsewhere and their resources were limited. The combined Level 2 Provincial CBRNE/Hazmat team from Cambridge, Kitchener, and Waterloo and a Level 3 team from Windsor were then notified and deployed to respond.
As the morning progressed, details were revealed to the teams to simulate a realistic emergency. The teams were continuously challenged by a series of rigorous scenarios, with students from Lambton College posing as victims with serious injuries.
"The effectiveness and level of preparedness of the teams are evaluated during this type of exercise. The results help us as we work with our teams and municipal partners to continually enhance the program to serve the needs of local communities in the interest of public safety," said Carol-Lynn Chambers, OFM Operations Manager/Chief of the provincial program. "Through a partnership with the City of Sarnia, the local mutual aid system, provincial emergency response support systems and in cooperation with the United States, State of Michigan, Bluewater Bridge Authority and the Canadian Border Security Agency, a successful exercise was achieved."
"The provincial CBRNE response teams fit well within Sarnia’s unified command system, " said Pat Cayen, Fire Chief of Sarnia Fire & Rescue Services. "Overall, the exercise was a positive learning experience for all the participants and organizers."
Strategically located throughout the province, support from these teams can be requested by mutual aid fire coordinators on a 24/7 basis through the Provincial Emergency Operations Centre.
Backgrounder
After 9/11, the province, through the Office of the Fire Marshal (OFM), helped to establish a comprehensive emergency response support system for the province in which certain provincial and municipal resources could be deployed in support of local municipalities that experience major emergencies. Under the coordination of the OFM, the capability of purchasing and maintaining the equipment and then funding the ongoing training to respond to major CBRNE and HUSAR incidents is now shared by the provincial government for the safety of all Ontario residents, not just a few.
The purpose of this system is to provide an appropriate response to provincial emergencies and disasters, either natural or human-caused. Working in partnership with local municipalities, mutual aid systems and emergency responders, the system is implemented whenever these types of events exceed the local capabilities of a community and the broader mutual aid system.
Through an ongoing series of Memorandums of Understanding with nine municipalities, and the OFM’s own resources, this province-wide system provides additional resources and capabilities in support of local municipalities that may experience "significant" emergencies, either natural or human-caused. Working in partnership with local municipalities, mutual aid systems and emergency responders, the system is implemented whenever these types of events exceed the local capabilities of a community and the broader mutual aid system. In all, there are a total of nine CBRNE teams (and one HUSAR team) strategically located throughout the province:
CBRNE/Hazmat Teams (Level 3 – Technician) – Windsor, Toronto, and Ottawa
CBRNE/Hazmat Teams (Level 2 – Operations) – Thunder Bay, Sault Ste. Marie, North Bay, Peterborough, Cornwall and a combined team from Waterloo, Kitchener, and Cambridge.
HUSAR (Heavy Urban Search and Rescue) - Toronto
In this context, significant emergency is defined as:
· a large-scale or complex natural or human caused chemical, biological radiological, or nuclear emergency, or
· a large-scale or complex natural or human caused heavy urban search and rescue emergency,
where
· the need for resources to respond effectively to the situation exceeds local capabilities, and
· the municipality has declared an emergency or is in the process of doing so.
The provincial program operates in accordance with recognized standards (the National Fire Protection Association Standard 472, Professional Competence of Responders to Hazardous Materials Incidents) that covers minimum competencies of persons responding to hazardous materials incidents and specifies three levels:
· Level 1 or Awareness level: first responders are expected to recognize the presence of hazardous materials, protect themselves, call for trained personnel and secure the area;
o All municipal first responders are expected to operate at a minimum "awareness" level of response to hazardous materials emergencies that may occur in their communities.
· Level 2 or Operations level: persons who respond as part of initial response are expected to respond in defensive manner to control the release of hazardous materials from a safe distance and keep it from spreading;
o Provincial teams: Thunder Bay, Sault Ste. Marie, North Bay, Peterborough, Cornwall, and a combined team from Cambridge/Kitchener/Waterloo
· Level 3 or Technician level: person who responds for the purpose of controlling the release of hazardous materials using specialized protective clothing and control equipment.
o Provincial teams: Windsor, Toronto, and Ottawa.
Provincial teams may be activated through the county, district or region fire coordinator, subject to the following conditions being met: · The local municipality has responded but has insufficient resources or capability to effectively deal with or resolve the situation.
· Appropriate resources available through the local county, district or region are also insufficient to effectively deal with or resolve the situation.
· The fire coordinator, or alternate, for the county, district or region has verified that the two conditions above have been met.
· The municipality has declared an emergency, or is in the process of doing so.
A fire department may have to respond to incidents that are not "significant emergencies" but that nonetheless are beyond the fire department’s capabilities and require additional resources. Through the Provincial Emergency Operations Centre (PEOC), the OFM can deploy technical and/or equipment support in order to assist in mitigating the situation. The OFM may in turn request specialized technical expertise from the MOU partners or other sources of assistance to help the fire department.
Combined with a focus of working with municipalities to mitigate provincial emergencies and disasters, CBRNE teams are also multi-disciplinary. On a regular basis they are trained to be knowledgeable about the latest technologies and innovations when it comes to chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear materials. It is fortunate provincial emergencies and disasters do not happen everyday. However, when they do happen, the citizens of Ontario can rest assured a system is in place to address them, particularly if they require the coordination of municipal and provincial resources.
Sarnia Fire Rescue Services Hazardous Materials Team
The Sarnia Fire Rescue Services Hazardous Materials Team was re-established in 2004 due to the identified needs and circumstance of the municipality. The department purchased specialized equipment and initiated department wide training after a ten-year absence.
Since 2004, over one hundred firefighters have been trained to the hazardous materials operations level and over 40 firefighters to the hazardous materials technician level.
Currently, Sarnia Fire Rescue Services has a Technician Level team consisting of 21 committed members. Each year, members attend annual technician refresher courses, industrial training and participate in various exercises involving neighbouring industries, cross-border municipalities, and other government agencies.
CBRNE/Hazmat exercise site at Preferred Towing in Sarnia, Ontario.
Windsor Fire & Rescue Level 3 CBRNE/Hazmat team arrive in Sarnia.
2008 CBRNE/Hazmat program exercise participants from the OFM, Sarnia Fire & Rescue Services, the combined Level 2 Provincial CBRNE/Hazmat team from Cambridge, Kitchener and Waterloo, Level 3 team from Windsor, Lambton College students and Sarnia Emergency Medical Services.
Seventeen Ontario recipients received Fire Safety Awards this year at the 20th annual Fire Marshal’s Public Fire Safety Council’s award ceremony.
Fire Safety Partner Awards and Fire Safety Advocate Awards recognize organizations and individuals who have contributed to fire safety in their communities. Fire Safety Action Awards are presented to children whose quick actions helped to avert potentially life-threatening situations.
"Education saves lives. Ontario’s fire services are enhanced by citizens and organizations that help to spread the message of fire safety. I would like to congratulate the recipients of this year’s Fire Safety Awards, and thank each of you for helping to ensure a safer Ontario," said Rick Bartolucci, Minister of Community Safety and Correctional Services.
"All of the award recipients were recognized for taking responsibility in their communities to prevent tragic fires, injuries and deaths," said Fire Marshal of Ontario Pat Burke. "Their collective efforts have significantly impacted public safety in Ontario."
The recipients of this year’s awards are: Ryan Ball, age 11, from Bowmanville;
Michael Taylor, age 9, from Markham;
Julia Warren, age 10, from Brooklin;
Joe Adams, Technical Standards and Safety Authority (TSSA) inspector, St. Catharines;
Carolin Dimitroff, teacher, Fairmont Public School, London;
Leo Mercier, Electrical Safety Authority (ESA) inspector, Niagara Falls;
Jo-Ann Slack, teacher, O’Connor Public School, Toronto;
Greg Wheeler, graphic artist, Russell;
Jeffrey J. Young, teacher, Monsignor Uyen Catholic School, Chatham;
Kathy Foch, real estate agent, Keswick;
Star Board Communications, Belleville;
The Kiwanis Club of Brantford
Niagara Falls Review;
Lambton Seniors Association, Point Edward;
Union Gas Limited, Hamilton;
Windsor Family Credit Union; and The Co-Operators Group, Guelph.
This year’s winners are a very diverse group. The Niagara Falls Fire Department had three successful nominations. Joe Adams of TSSA, and Leo Mercier of ESA were recognized for their technical expertise and commitment of countless hours to help combat the emerging problem of marihuana grow operations and clandestine drug labs across the province.
With the increasingly difficult problem of marihuana grow operations and clandestine drug labs in the Niagara region, the Niagara Falls Review was awarded for playing a key role in informing the public about the dangers of these operations and the risks they pose to the community.
Fire departments are encouraged to nominate people in their communities when nominations forms become available in March 2009.
Fire Marshal Pat Burke, Action Award recipients Michael Taylor, Ryan Ball, Julia Warren and Minister of Community Safety and Correctional Services Rick Bartolucci.
Minister Rick Bartolucci, Fire Marshal Pat Burke, Joe Adams of TSSA, Alison Langley of the Niagara Falls Review, Leo Mercier of ESA, Niagara Falls Assistant Fire Chief Jim Jessop and Niagara Falls MPP Kim Craitor.
Sand tables and virtual scenarios build wildland fire response strength in municipal fire service
BY DEBBIE MACLEAN
Information and
Marketing Specialist
Forest Fire Management Program - West Fire Region
In the case of local municipal fire departments and the Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources fire program, some of the real work in preparing for wildland fire response starts with playing out virtual fire scenarios with a sand table exercise!
Make no mistake though, while the scenario may begin with sand in a box and an imaginary fire to fight, the benefits of such exercises come to life in strategic and effective multi-agency response to real wildland fires.
The foundation training in Ontario is Wildland Fire Strategies and Tactics for Municipal Firefighters offered through workshops designed to train fire service personnel who will function as Incident Commanders on wildland fires. The training allows fire department supervisors to safely and efficiently undertake the duties and responsibilities of the Incident Commander of a single or multi-agency response to a wildfire. Subject matter covered includes wildland fire behaviour theory, fire weather, suppression tactics, multi-agency response guidelines, case studies and exercises.
The scenario building and sand table training sessions are offered in addition to the strategies and tactics workshops. This extra training focuses on joint operations and cross-training.
The sand table exercises and fire response scenario building has generated a lot of interest among local fire departments across northwestern Ontario proving to be relevant training tools that are easy to use and have built in flexibility that allows for a very effective and interactive training experience with easily modified and adapted scenarios to cover just about any situation.
D
ryden District Fire Management Headquarters and the City of Dryden Fire Department conducted a sand table exercise this summer at the main Dryden Fire Hall.It took about four hours to complete and involved six MNR personnel from Dryden Fire Management Headquarters and nine personnel from the Dryden Fire Services. Equipment included the sand table as well as recent satellite imagery.
The intent of the exercise was to simulate a fire that escaped in the municipality and challenged both the MNR and the municipal fire department’s resources. The area chosen was a wildland /urban area in a local park.
The first portion of the exercise involved just the sand table portion of the simulation. As the fire grew the simulation moved over to satellite imagery, allowing the large fire situation to unfold.
After the exercise ended, a debriefing was carried out so that lessons learned could be drawn from this and applied to future scenarios or actual wildfire situations. The feedback was good and plans are being made for future joint training in the district.
Training exercises are also conducted in other MNR districts with other fire departments in Northwestern Ontario. Fort Frances Fire Management Headquarters also participated in training exercises with fire departments in Fort Frances and Atikokan in the spring and summer of 2008.
In one session, MNR fire personnel discussed "After Action Reviews" as a process where the fire managers and crews meet following a fire and discuss what was planned, what happened and what could have been done differently to improve things the next time around, or to capture what went well that should be captured and shared with other staff.
Computer based fire simulations are also effective, providing an overview of the types of fires that the MNR encounters and the sand table exercise provides a demonstration of fire scenarios which are very effective for scenario building, and also for conducting the all-important "After Action Review" on a fire.
Both the Fort Frances Fire Department and the Atikokan Fire Department participated in sand table exercises and scenario building with MNR fire staff, resulting in a total of about 24 municipal fire department staff attending and participating.
The sand table is proving to be a relevant tool because of the ease and flexibility it provides for interactive training. Plans are being made for future exercises that involve inter-agency response with the MNR and municipal departments.
Thunder Bay Fire Management Headquarters staff have also participated in electronic sand box exercises with their municipal fire department partners.
There they work through the Zone 1 fire chiefs, who coordinate the training/workshops for the group. The MNR fire staff attend quarterly meetings with the Zone and keep them informed on fire management program updates. They approach it from the perspective of municipal fire departments being equal partners in suppression, and also prevention. The information exchanges range from safety bulletins, Fire Smart information to a newsletter to keep them abreast of fire preparedness levels.
The training continues each year. In 2007 they conducted pump and hose training with all local departments and provided classroom safety presentations with the same group. A "Fire Smart" train the trainer session was well received by the Zone last year with 21 participants in attendance with the Regional MNR fire prevention and compliance specialist leading the instruction supported by Thunder Bay District fire management staff.
In 2008, they conducted the pump and hose training with many of the same departments and the classroom presentation was on air attack safety.
A highlight this season was having two fire chiefs (municipal and unincorporated) conduct the presentation regarding mutual agency response. It gave the MNR fire staff an excellent idea of the thought process when en route, on site and following a forest fire incident. It also gave them an insight into the liabilities each department faces on these types of dispatches.
The most successful delivery this season was the development and implementation of the electronic simulator including photos from a previous forest fire in the Thunder Bay area where multiple agencies had been dispatched. The photos were incorporated into the software to produce a visual of the fire. As they walked through the fire scenario with all the groups fire perimeter maps where shown in the inset. This gave a fairly accurate depiction of the fire scene. The participation was very interactive.
There have been very positive responses to these types of operational and cross training teachings, and the Thunder Bay Zone is very active as shown in the numbers of participants.
On the prevention side the MNR continues to partner with the Zone at the Outdoors Show, the Hymers Fair, and with several Fire Smart presentations.
Sand table exercises prove to be an excellent tool for setting up and learning about operational strategies for wildfire management.
MNR fire personnel and Dryden Fire Department personnel gather around a map and work out effective strategies on dealing with a forest fire within the municipality.
A fire department firefighter trains in wildland firefighting techniques.
WHITEHORSE, YUKON, – Calgary Fire Chief Bruce Burrell has been elected as the new president of the Canadian Association of Fire Chiefs (CAFC) at its annual conference in Whitehorse.
The CAFC, which is celebrating its 100th anniversary this year, is a non-partisan national association representing some 1,000 chief fire officers located in every province and territory of Canada. It is the only association that speaks for all elements of the fire services in Canada.
In accepting the presidency from outgoing President Patrick Burke, Fire Marshal of Ontario, Fire Chief Burrell stated, "My focus continuing to highlight the need for a national voice for the Canadian fire service. I will continue to support initiatives and calls to action by all levels of government to support volunteer firefighters and changes to the building and fire codes." He added, "I will work with CAFC members to enhance the capability of municipalities to deal with the broad range of risks facing them and their fire departments."
Fire Chief Burrell began his firefighting career as a volunteer firefighter in New Minas, Nova Scotia and joinedthe Halifax Fire Department in 1984, and became deputy chief director for the department in June 2003. He became Calgary Fire Chief in August 2005.
The Calgary Fire Department has approximately 1275 members. There are currently 33 fire halls in Calgary, with another being opened in about a month, serving Calgary’s population of over one million.
Before his election as president, Chief Burrell was first vice-president of the CAFC.
Excerpted from a CAFC News Release, September 25, 2008
There is still time to register for the 16th annual Fire & Life Safety Educators’ Conference hosted by the Office of the Fire Marshal (OFM) and Point Edward Fire and Rescue, along with the Fire Marshal’s Public Fire Safety Council.
The two-day conference, entitled "Get to the Point", will be
held in Point Edward from November 26 to 28, 2008.
Of particular interest at this year’s conference will be an optional
pre-conference workshop on Wednesday, November 26 called Risky Behaviour and
YouTube: The Impact of Media Violence on Youth.
Dr. Sherri MacKay from the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health and others will discuss fire play and young people, and the role that media technologies such as YouTube play in promoting risk-taking behaviours.
Related public education programs aimed at raising fire
safety awareness among high school students in Ontario will also be discussed.
Among this year’s fire fatalities were the deaths of many young children. In
their presentations, the Fire Marshal and a staff member from the OFM’s Fire
Investigations Section will speak about what the OFM has learned from these
tragedies and how this knowledge was translated into prevention and enforcement
strategies and solutions.
This year’s conference boasts a wide array of memorable workshops and sessions
that will arm public educators with the tools and strategies to implement
effective programs in their communities.
Topics will include: developing world class leadership
skills;
· pointing the finger: zero tolerance;
· sticking to your point: resources and tools for planning presentations;
· into the schools with Risk Watch; · using the power of peers to promote smart
- risk- taking behaviours; and · a fire investigator’s point of view: lessons
learned from fatal fires.
The list of distinguished presenters includes Patrick Burke, Fire Marshal of
Ontario, Doug Crawford, Deputy Fire Marshal, Chris Williams, Fire Investigations
Manager, OFM; Shaun Belding of Belding Skills Development; Jennifer Wilson of
SMARTRISK and entertainer Mary Lambert.
The conference, hosted by Point Edward Fire and Rescue, will be held at the
Holiday Inn Sarnia/Point Edward, 1498 Venetian Boulevard, in Point Edward.
The conference fee is $200 for those who register before October 24, 2008 and
$250.00 for those who register after this date.
A registration form for the conference is available on the OFM website at
www.ofm.gov.on.ca.
Check out our sample of new books and audio-visual materials. We provide current resources to support the Office of the Fire Marshal as well as fire departments, emergency services and fire related industries. A full listing of new resources are available on our website!
New Books
Company Officer by Clinton Smoke. 2nd ed. Thomson Delmar. 2005
Essentials of Fire Fighting and Fire Department Operations 5th ed. by IFSTA, 2008.
Fire Protection Handbook By Arthur Cote 20th ed. NFPA, 2008
Flammable and Combustible Liquids Code Handbook by Robert Benedetti. NFPA, 2008
Management in the Fire Service by Harry Carter and Erwin Rausch. 4th ed. Jones & Bartlett, 2008
Phil Ackland’s Inspection Manual for Commercial Kitchen Systems by Phil
Ackland, 2007.
Structural Firefighting: Strategy & Tactics by Bernard Klaene 2nd ed. Jones & Bartlett, 2008
New Videos and DVDs
Essentials of Fire Fighting : Firefighter I (2008)
Twenty-Three DVDs designed to teach current NFPA 1001. DVDs cover topics such as firefighter safety, fire behaviour, SCBAs, portable extinguishers, ropes & knots, fire control, ladders, ventilation, fire hose basics, fire detection, salvage & overhaul, sprinkler systems.
Fire Officer’s Handbook of Tactics. Program Three: Engine Company Operations, 2007.
Third program in a series based on the 3rd edition of the Fire Officer’s Handbook of Tactics.
Fire Officer’s Handbook of Tactics. Program Four: Hoseline selection, stretching and placement, 2007.
Fourth program in a series based on the 3rd edition of the Fire Officer’s Handbook of Tactics.
Hospital Incident Command System. Emergency Film Group. 2007
The Hospital Incident Command System (HICS) has been developed as a way to organize a medical facility’s response to incidents that could cause a disruption to services and safety. Program covers key concepts, safety zones, role of the Decon unit and the relationship to the National Incident Management System.
Surviving a Disaster. NFPA, 2008
Program aims to help families prepare for either man-made or natural disasters so they have a better chance of survival and quick recovery.
Trench and Excavation Rescue, Emergency Film Group, 2006
Examines common factors leading to trench and excavation collapses. Covers hazards at a collapse scene, size up issues, collapse patterns, soil types.
Web Resources
Demonstrative Aids: a case study using interFIRE VR by Cathleen Corbitt-Dipierro. 2008 http://www.interfire.org/features/demonstrative.asp. "To help investigators understand and visualize the strong demonstrative aids they can create, this article reviews the most common types of demonstrative aids and presents sample fictional exhibits based on the facts of the interFIRE VR case at 5 Canal Street."
The Fire Sciences Library & Audio-Visual Resource Centre are located in the Office of the Fire Marshal serving staff and residents of Ontario. 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 website by clicking on Resource Centre at www.ofm.gov.on.ca Phone: (Library) 416-325-3235/3236, (Audio-Visual) 416-325-3121, Email:
firesciences.information@ofm.ca.
BY TRACY JOCQUE
TRAINING OFFICER, SECONDED INSTRUCTOR
GRAVEHURST FIRE DEPARTMENT
ONTARIO FIRE COLLEGE
They have traveled from all over Ontario, each one a firefighter with different industries, to participate in the Industrial Firefighting course offered at the Ontario Fire College (OFC).
The 5-day course develops basic firefighting skills based on the OFC’s Firefighter Curriculum as used by most Ontario municipal fire departments. Student-learners gain both theoretical and practical knowledge in Protective Clothing, S.C.B.A., Incident Management, Fire Streams and Fire Suppression Techniques.
Recent course participants included representatives from Haley Industries (Haley), Essar Steel (Sault Ste. Marie) Lac Des Iles Mines (Thunder Bay), Rieter Automotive (Tillsonburg) and Xstrata Kidd Mining Division (Timmins). Past courses have included students from Bruce Power, DeBeers Diamond, Invista, Agrium KPO and Panolam Industries.
The Industrial Firefighting course was created to provide training for the firefighters serving various industries across the province. No other program in Ontario is offered that meets the unique needs of industrial firefighters.
Instructors for the course have a background from both the industrial and municipal side of firefighting. This year, the course was delivered by instructors George Sesto, Paul Hunter, Bill Peister, Norm Gauthier, Ryan Mahood, Doug Goodings, Tracy Jocque and Tom Gojak.
"My goal for the week is safety first to reach our objectives. Attitude is everything, teamwork is vital and respect for all," said Instructor George Sesto who will be retiring this year.
The training is considered to be very valuable that previous course participants such as the Xstrata team have returned to the OFC for a second time to take the course.
Individuals interested in taking the Industrial Firefighting Course at the OFC are to contact the registrar for further details.
Industrial class of August 2008.
A firefighter from Essar Steel checks the door for heat during a training exercise.
BY Beth Tate, P.
ENG.
Fire protection engineer
ofm
Two fires in trailer homes this summer resulted in the deaths of four people. On June 30, a 34-year-old man and two young children died in a fire in a trailer park in Essex, Ontario. On July 28, a 42-year-old man died in a fire in a trailer home in a campground near Petrolia, Ontario.
Office of the Fire Marshal investigators found no evidence of working smoke alarms in either of the trailer homes where the fires occurred.
Following these tragic fatal fires, Petrolia and North Enniskillen Fire Department with the advice and encouragement of OFM investigators took immediate action. They conducted a smoke alarm blitz on July 29 and August 2, 2008 at Lorne C. Henderson Conservation Area, in Lambton County.
During this blitz, 96 trailer sites were surveyed and inspected. This is what the fire department identified during their visits:
· 77 trailers had smoke alarms (80.2%)
· 19 sites had no smoke alarms (19.8%)
Where there were smoke alarms:
· 59 smoke alarms functioned when tested
· 18 smoke alarms did not function when tested.
Also identified during this blitz:
· Of 8 new trailers with smoke alarms installed at the time of manufacture, 6 had smoke alarms that did not work, as the batteries were installed incorrectly. The occupants had not tested the smoke alarms since taking possession.
· Aside from smoke alarm issues, 4 trailers had serious improper electrical connections.
Upon completion of this event, fire department staff had installed 35 smoke alarms where previously there was no detection, devices were not functional, or additional protection was needed. All inspected trailers had working smoke alarms.
The Ontario Fire Code requires every ‘dwelling unit’ in Ontario to have working smoke alarms on every storey and outside all sleeping areas. The term ‘dwelling unit’ includes seasonal homes such as park model trailers, cabins, cottages and boats with sleeping quarters and also includes trailer homes (e.g., 5th Wheels), motor-homes (e.g. Class A, B and C) and other recreational vehicles (e.g., pop-ups).
In this particular case, the trailer sites contained wheeled trailers that did not have motors. Some trailers had not moved for many years, and had attached decks, patio roofing, sheds, etc. However, "dwelling units" can take many forms, as shown in the following images.
Recent tragic fires and the results of this blitz highlights the importance of ensuring RVs, trailers, motor homes and other recreational vehicles have and maintain working smoke alarms.
Fire departments are encouraged to include these types of accommodations in their smoke alarm programs and assessments.
Examples of the various types of RV, trailer and motor home a required to have working smoke alarms.
In August, 2007, three people died tragically in a fire at a hunting and fishing camp in the County of Haliburton. In June of 2008, two separate fires in trailer homes resulted in the deaths of four people. There was no evidence of working smoke alarms in any of these fires.
"To prevent further fire injuries and fatalities, anglers and hunters should remember to pack a new smoke alarm and some extra smoke alarm batteries," urges Pat Burke, Fire Marshal of Ontario. "Fire safety is not just for homes, it’s for cottages, cabins, seasonal hunt camps, RVs, trailers, and mobile homes too. It’s the law in Ontario to have working smoke alarms in every dwelling."
In addition to working smoke alarms, anglers and hunters are encouraged to thoroughly check and clean all heating appliances, (i.e., woodstoves, propane heaters, kerosene heaters, naphtha stoves and lanterns) in their cabins, camps, trailers and recreational vehicles before using them. Chimneys also need to be inspected for any damage or obstructions prior to use and cleaned if deposits of creosote are present. Other important safety tips for anglers and hunters include:
· Bring a flashlight with extra batteries and a carbon monoxide alarm.
· Ensure standby and portable generators are properly maintained in good working order.
· Ensure combustibles are kept well away from heating appliances, stoves and lanterns.
· Smoke outside and keep a large can with water nearby so smoking materials can be safely discarded. Tobacco use and excessive alcohol consumption are contributing factors in many fires and can lead to serious injuries or death.
· Check with the local fire department, municipality, or the Ministry of Natural Resources for any restrictions on burning before starting campfires or burning brush.
BY TED WIECLAWEK
Operations Manager, Fire Protection Services Team
OFM
I
n the summer of 2007 concerns were brought to the attention of the Office of the Fire Marshal (OFM) about some code red protocols included in a presentation developed by the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) and Joint Safe Schools Task Force that could potentially impact fire safety during a code red situation.The presentation was developed to provide guidance to school officials on the establishment of emergency response protocols (code red) to violent incident occurrences at schools.
Representatives from the OFM met with OPP representatives to investigate the concerns and work with them to resolve the matter to address fire safety. The original graphics in the presentation contained instructions suggesting that during a code red lock down, should the fire alarm system activate, staff and students were to ignore the fire alarm signal. Municipal fire officials and the OFM felt that adherence to such instructions would be unacceptable and could lead to serious injuries and loss of life.
The purpose of implementing a lock down protocol in schools is to reduce the risk of injury to students and staff during a violent incident involving a gun, knife, or other weaponry. Typically, in the event of a code red occurrence, the following message will be announced over the school public address system: "Emergency -Code Red, Code Red, Code Red Initiate Lock down". Staff and students on hearing this message are to promptly carry out specific lock down procedures for their safety.
The situation can be complicated by a fire alarm activation. It is important to recognize that the fire alarm may be activated in situations of this nature:
• By the intruder(s) at the start of an incident, and before the code red is initiated. This is a worst-case scenario as staff and students would be evacuating the school potentially becoming targets;
• By the intruder(s) during the incident;
• As a result of tactical responses occurring within the building by police responders including tactical units (i.e. forced entry, via wall which activates alarms); and
• As a result of an actual fire and or explosion.
Subsequent to OFM meetings with the OPP, the graphics contained in their presentation were revised to state that - "If a code red has been initiated, and the school is in lock down, disregard the fire alarm if it is safe to do so" and further that "staff and students must always be aware of the potential for other emergencies such as fire. Should this occur, staff and students must be prepared to react and possibly evacuate a locked down area for their own safety."
While the issue of disregarding the fire alarm has been addressed, a number of other issues respecting fire and police responses also require the attention of the fire service:
• The police services may not be on scene and providing IMS prior to fire services. This is likely in most rural and suburban areas of the province;
• The police services may not always be on scene with an adequate response of personnel;
• The intruder may start a fire while the building is in lock-down by code red.
I
f that occurs, there is no provision to address fire spread, eventual evacuation and fire suppression measures;· The school board ensures that their staff and student populations are trained and educated on the code red protocol; and
· That there is joint emergency service response training for the code red policy.
The Ontario Fire Code requires schools to have an approved fire safety plan in place and that schools be evacuated upon activation of the fire alarm system.
The OFM recognizes that the updated and revised ‘code red’ protocol is consistent with fire emergency evacuation procedures adopted in schools.
Fire emergency evacuation principles promote flexibility for occupants to make case specific decisions that may include exceptions for evacuation using a specific route or to defend in place should evacuation not be possible.
For example, it is reasonable to conclude that it would be unsafe to use a means of egress that is obstructed by fire and smoke. In the same manner, occupants could determine that a specific egress route is unsafe to use due to the presence of an armed intruder.
Teachers, student care providers and older students must be conscious of their primary, secondary and any other alternative means of escape such as windows, that could be used, should it be necessary.
The OFM recommends that fire departments take a direct and active role with schools boards/
schools in the development of code red protocols. Therefore, the OFM recommends the following:
· Contact your local school board(s) to review existing code red protocols to ensure that fire alarm activations are not being ignored;
· Participate with police and other first responders and local school board officials when revising or reviewing a code red protocol, and provide advice and assistance on fire safety plan requirements to ensure fire safety requirements are not compromised;
·
In each jurisdiction the response by the fire department and other emergency services will vary. In some jurisdictions where a code red is initiated the fire department may not even be notified, whereas in other jurisdictions they are. Therefore:• Develop an emergency response plan with police, emergency medical services and other emergency services that meets the needs of all agencies;
•Coordinate with the police and other first responders the dispatch procedures in the event that a code red response is required; and
• Pre-plan and conduct a simulated test of the fire department response for all foreseeable incidents at schools considering local needs and circumstances.
• Continue to provide advice and assistance on fire safety plans and enforce the development and implementation of fire safety plans as required by the Ontario Fire Code.
It is important to note that in other jurisdictions where municipal police services are the primary provider of police services, code red protocols may have also been developed. Fire departments should review these protocols based on the provided information in this article.
Given the seriousness of this issue, the OFM strongly encourages fire departments to follow-up with their local school boards to ensure that responses to fire alarm activations during code red activation are not being ignored. Specifically, school officials including teachers and students must clearly understand the appropriate actions to take during fire alarm activation, including during a code red situation.
The Office of the Fire Marshal is available to provide advice and assistance regarding this issue. Fire departments are asked to contact their local fire protection adviser (FPA) of any issues related to the code red protocol that cannot be solved locally.
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.
July 2008: 8 fatal fires resulting in 8 fire deaths
Age Group 0-15: Male - 1, Female - 1, Total - 2
Age Group 16-64: Male - 3, Female - 1, Total - 2
Age Group 65 and over: Male - 1, Female - 0, Total - 1
Total: Male - 5, Female - 3, Total - 8
Fire Cause - Accidental 4, Undetermined 1, Under Investigation 3, Incendiary 0
Time of Day - 0001-0800 - 2, 0801-1600 - 2, 1601-1800 - 0, 1801-0000 - 4
Locations of fatal fires: Richmond Hill (1), Oakville (1), Niagara Falls (1) Kitchener (1), Kirkland Lake (1), Enniskillen (1), District of Kenora (1), Cambridge (1).
August 2008: 7 fatal fires resulting in 8 fire deaths
Age Group 0-15: Male - 1, Female - 0, Total - 1
Age Group 16-64: Male - 4, Female - 0, Total - 4
Age Group 65 and over: Male - 2, Female - 1, Total - 3
Total: Male - 7, Female -1 , Total - 8
Fire Cause - Accidental 1, Undetermined 1, Under Investigation 5, Incendiary 0
Time of Day - 0001-0800 - 3, 0801-1600 - 3, 1601-1800 - 0, 1801-0000 - 1
Locations of fatal fires: Toronto (2), Perth East (1), North Frontenac (1), Chatham-Kent (1), Casselman (1), Alnwick/Haldimand (1).
John Benedetti, fire investigation coordinator, left the OFM on June 6. He first joined in 2000 as a fire investigator.
Todd Clarke, was the successful candidate in the competition for operations manager in Fire Investigation Services. Todd was a fire investigation coordinator previously.
Larry Cocco and Scott Evenden were the successful candidates for the Fire Investigations Coordinator competition. Both Larry and Scott were on acting assignments as Coordinators.
Bill Hiscott, Bryan Fischer and Mike Potvin were the successful candidates for the Fire Investigations Supervisor competition.
Gisele Cote transferred to the position of administrative assistant in Fire Investigation Services.
Jean-Marc Dos Santos returned to his home position of receptionist at OFM head office.
William Hay was the successful candidate for the position of fire investigator located in Kingston. Bill has over 15 years of criminal investigation experience as a former member of the Kingston Police Service. He was a fire inspector with Kingston Fire Service prior to joining the OFM.
Carmen Palitti joined the Academic Standards & Evaluation Section as section coordinator.
Cristina Suzana was the successful candidate for the position of program coordinator supporting Emergency Planning & Strategic Development, and Fire Investigation Services.
Leslie Swan was the successful candidate in the competition for educational consultant in the Academic Standards and Evaluation section. Leslie’s previous work experience includes developing curricula and teaching at both Seneca and Sheridan College.
Jason VanSlack returned to his home position as education consultant with Academic Standards and Evaluation.
Ernie Yakiwchuk was the successful in the competition for fire protection adviser for the Community Safety Enhancements unit in Fire Protection Services.
Fire Service Calendar 2008-09
Oct 15 Simcoe County Mutual Fire Aid
Association Trade Show Simcoe, ON
Oct 24 CASA Seminar for NFPA 25 Chatham, ON
Nov 20 - 21 2007 Fire Code: Objective Based Format Training Ontario Fire College
Nov 26 - 27 CAFC Mid-term Meeting Kingston, ON
Nov 26 - 28 16th Annual Fire & Life Safety Educators’ Conference Point Edward,
ON
Jan 28 - 29 Labour Relations Seminar Toronto, ON
The Canadian Commission on Building and Fire Codes (CCBFC) is inviting all Canadian residents to take part in a public review of proposed changes to the model national construction codes. These codes, consisting of the National Building, Fire and Plumbing Codes, are developed by the CCBFC in partnership with the provinces, territories and the National Research Council Canada. As model codes, they form the basis of many provincial and territorial regulations on building, fire and plumbing.
The Fall 2008 Public Review is a national consultation that affords stakeholders the opportunity to review and comment on proposed code changes that will lead to the 2010 editions of the model National Building, Fire and Plumbing Codes. Ontario stakeholders are encouraged to participate in this phase of the model national code development process as the outcomes of the consultation will be a consideration for any future proposed amendments to the 2007 Ontario Fire Code.
The consultation period begins September 29, 2008 and will run until November 28, 2008. For additional information, please visit the National Codes Web site at www.nationalcodes.ca.
WHITEHORSE, YUKON - Toronto Fire Chief William Stewart and Sechelt Chief Fire Officer Bill Higgs have been respectively named Full-time Fire Chief of the Year and Volunteer Fire Chief of the Year by the Canadian Association of Fire Chiefs (CAFC).
Both awards were announced last evening at the closing ceremonies of the CAFC at their annual conference in Whitehorse, Yukon.
"This year marks the 100th anniversary of our association and so these awards are particularly meaningful to us," said incoming CAFC President, Bruce Burrell, Chief of the Calgary Fire Department. "These two men are now part of a long history of outstanding achievement among leaders of the Canadian fire services who have earned the highest level of acknowledgement from their colleagues."
Fire Chief William Stewart is a 36-year Fire Services veteran , having served in the former City of North York Fire Department prior to amalgamation of the City of Toronto on January 1, 1998. Toronto Fire Services is the largest in Canada and the fifth largest in North America, with 82 fire stations and over 3100 personnel.
Chief Fire Officer Bill Higgs joined the Sechelt Fire Department as a volunteer in 1985 and was appointed fire chief in 1990. The Sechelt Fire Department has a staff of four, and complement of 40 volunteers serving a community of 11,000. Sechelt is located 40 kilometers north of Vancouver on the Sunshine Coast.
Excerpted from a CAFC News Release, September 25, 2008
To minimize the risk of fire and burn injuries from arson and other activities that may involve open flames, the Fire Marshal of Ontario is urging Ontario families to focus on fire prevention and safety as they prepare for Halloween this year.
Provincial data from the Office of the Fire Marshal (OFM) indicate fires have increased slighty on October 30 and 31 in the last five years (2001-2005), compared to other days. Specifically in the days leading up to Halloween, there were an average of 40 fires per day. On October 30 and 31, there were 54 fires per day. Although this does not indicate a trend, the increase is due to arson-related fires.
"It is essential to prevent fire from occurring," says Ontario Fire Marshal Pat Burke. "Ontarians should ensure leaves and other combustible debris are cleaned up around homes so that fire has no place to start. It’s also a good idea to keep car doors locked, install motion detector lighting around properties and ensure that everyone, including children, know to call 9-1-1 or their local emergency number, if there is an emergency."
In addition to these recommendations, everyone is urged to use caution when using open flames as they continue to pose a concern for the Ontario fire service. All candles should be kept away from combustible objects such as costumes and out of reach of young children and pets.
To keep families safe from fire this Halloween, the OFM has developed a Halloween Safety Tips sheet geared to children, adults and home safety. Some of the important tips include wearing bright and reflective costumes for children, adults accompanying children as they trick-or-treat and using small flashlight candles in jack-o’-lanterns.
Halloween can be a fun and exciting time for children. Fire departments are encouraged to share the following fire safety tips with their local media:
SAFETY TIPS FOR CHILDREN
• The best costumes are light coloured or bright and reflective. Keep costumes short to avoid tripping and falling. Minimize the risk of contact with candles or other ignition sources by avoiding baggy pants, loose frills, or billowing skirts.
• Give every child a flashlight with fresh batteries. Remind them of traffic safety rules, and that they should cross streets at corners and never cross between parked cars.
• Make sure that children know how to call 9-1-1 or their local emergency number if they experience an emergency.
• Teach children to STOP, DROP and ROLL should their clothing catch fire: STOP immediately, DROP to the ground and cover face with hands, and ROLL over and over to extinguish the flames.
SAFETY TIPS FOR ADULTS
• Be extra careful when driving as excited children can forget safety rules when crossing the street.
• Appoint a designated driver if you attend adult Halloween parties.
• Accompany children when they go out trick-or-treating.
SAFETY AT HOME
• Consider using only battery-powered lanterns, flashing lights or chemical light sticks instead of candles in decorations.
• Small flashlight candles are the safest for use in jack-o'-lanterns. If you must use a candle, try a tea light or votive candle in a non-combustible holder. Always keep candles, matches and lighters out of the reach of children. Place candlelit jack-o'-lanterns on sturdy tables, away from curtains and other flammable objects. Never leave them unattended.
• Candlelit jack-o'-lanterns should be kept away from landings and doorsteps where costumes can brush against the flame.
• Ensure that electrical outlets are not overloaded with holiday lighting or special effects. Keep exit doors unblocked. Replace bulbs on outdoor lights. Check that the batteries in your smoke alarms work.
• Keep pets safe by ensuring they stay away from the door. Do not let them outside.
For a copy of the Halloween Safety Tips sheet visit: www.ofm.gov.on.ca
BY AL SULEMAN, P. ENG.
FIRE PROTECTION ENGINEER
OFM
The fall harvest season and Halloween period often give rise to a variety of popular indoor and outdoor public amusement activities across the province. Examples include corn mazes, fun houses, and haunted houses. While festive and entertaining, a fire in 2002 involving an outdoor maze constructed of hay bales demonstrated that such activities can present a significant fire risk.
Although the dozens of people inside the maze escaped without injury during that particular fire incident, the consequences could have been much worse.
The 2007 Fire Code, which came into force on November 21, 2007, now includes a number of specific provisions in Subsection 2.7.4. and Section 2.14 of Division B for fire safety of indoor and outdoor public amusement areas respectively. Issues addressed by the Fire Code provisions include the following:
1. Approved use of hay, straw, shavings, textiles, films or similar combustible materials;
2. Control of all potential ignition sources such as smoking materials, candles and other open flames, heat-producing equipment, temporary wiring, improper or insecure lighting components, etc.;
3. Provision of emergency egress points that have appropriate width and height, are sufficient to handle the maximum anticipated occupant load, are adequately illuminated and are clearly identified with signage to facilitate evacuation;
4. Limitations on maximum travel distance to an emergency egress point;
5. Development and implementation of a fire safety plan where applicable, or ensuring that appropriate fire safety procedures are developed and implemented.
Fire departments are requested to utilize available resources, including community media contacts, to alert operators to potential fire hazards associated with both indoor and outdoor amusement activities and of their obligations to comply with the applicable provisions in the Fire Code.
The Office of the Fire Marshal has prepared a draft notice for fire departments to provide to owners or operators of indoor or outdoor amusement areas in their communities to ensure they are aware of the safety requirements.
For additional information, please contact your local Fire Protection Advisor or the Fire Safety Standards Section of the OFM at (416) 325-3100.
The Canadian Automatic Sprinkler Association has generously donated a demonstration residential sprinkler trailer to the Ontario Fire College. The trailer will be a valuable resource for company officer courses as well as for fire prevention officer courses.
The trailer is available for use by provincial fire departments to promote the value of residential sprinklers to the public. For more information, contact Fred McLennan at the Ontario Fire College at (705) 687-2294.
Similar trailer, as pictured, donated to Ontario Fire
College.
Every year, thousands of students moveinto residence or away from home for the first time to attend college or university.
The Ontario Safety League, Office of the Fire Marshal (OFM) and Toronto Fire Services held a news conference and live burn cell on August 26, 2008 to demonstrate the potential fire and electrical hazards that may be found in student housing.
City TV and Global Television reporters attended the news conference and shared with their viewers the importance of recognizing safety hazards. Both stations aired live footage of the burn cell proving how quickly a student’s room may catch fire if candles are left unattended.
To assist students with a safe transition into their new living spaces the OFM has prepared a set of tips for living safely that everyone should follow to prevent a fire tragedy.
Safe Student Accommodations 101 offers post-secondary students living away from home for the first time, as well as those returning to college or university, advice on fire safety practices. It also raises awareness about potential safety hazards in apartments and other accommodations.
Fire departments are encouraged to download the tip sheet at www.ofm.gov.on.ca and distribute them to the student housing and support services at their local colleges and universities.
In addition, it’s a good idea to participate in orientation week and other year-round activities to educate students on fire safety and prevention measures in residences and off-campus housing.
The tip sheet was distributed to all Ontario media, including newspapers and television stations and copies were provided to all Ontario colleges and universities.
These years can be the most exciting in the life of a student and following these 10 tips can help prevent fire tragedies.
Vicki Veldman, a Fire Inspector with Kingston Fire has used the previously developed Guide to Student Accommodations during public education events at Queen’s University.
In February, 2008, the City of Kingston and Queen’s University initiated an inspection of an entire student housing on one of the main streets in the student housing neighbourhood. Letters were sent out to all of the owners in the area advising them of the city driven initiative and they were invited to be present.
Students were encouraged by their Alma Mater Society to allow inspection teams into their residences.
The inspection teams consisted of one Property Standards Officer, one Kingston Fire & Rescue representative and two students from the Student Property Assessment Team. Outside teams included members from the City’s roads and recycling departments.
Fire Marshal Pat Burke, OFM Fire & Life Safety Educator Denise Wallace and Manager Bev Gilbert of the Public Education and Media Relations section of the OFM demonstrate a student accommodations safety kit.
City TV reporter Marianne Dimain provides viewers with some footage of a live burn cell at the Toronto Fire Academy.
Global Television reporter Jennifer Palisoc discusses safe student accommodations tips with Pat Burke.
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