April 23, 2007
2007-11
Fires on farms and other agricultural business properties can bring
significant emotional and economic damage to a farming community. These damages
can take the form of large dollar losses, loss of livestock, and fire exposure
to other buildings and houses. Fortunately, many of these fires can be prevented
if a few simple steps are taken and fire safe practices are adopted.
The Office of the Fire Marshal (OFM) has developed, in consultation with the
Farm Safety Association, an information sheet entitled Fire Prevention on the
Farm and a checklist entitled Farm Fire Safety: Spread the Word. These tools,
enclosed, describe steps that should be taken by farmers, family members and
farm employees to reduce the risk of fire on farm properties. The tools also
encourage farmers to develop and implement a customized fire prevention plan to
diminish the risk of personal injury and property damage. The information sheet
and checklist can be downloaded from the OFM Web site at www.ofm.gov.on.ca.
The Ontario fire service can play an important role by actively promoting farm
fire safety within their community. Data from the OFM indicate that dollar
losses on farm properties affected by fire ranged from $20 million in 2002 to
$29 million in 2004. These amounts represent losses in farmers’ equity and loss
of families’ livelihood.
Fight farm fires with education and prevention. With fire service agencies
working together, farm fire safety messages can be disseminated to as many
people as possible this year. Rural fire departments are encouraged to promote
farm fire safety in their municipalities by organizing and participating in
educational activities, particularly in any upcoming summer and fall fairs.
For more information about farm fire safety or the enclosed resources, please
contact:
Carol Gravelle, Public Relations Officer, Office of the Fire Marshal, by
telephone at (416) 325‑3138, or by e-mail at Carol.Gravelle@ontario.ca; or
Ryan Betts, Program Specialist, Office of the Fire Marshal, by telephone at
(705) 897‑1191, or by e-mail at Ryan.Betts@ontario.ca.
Fire Prevention on the Farm
Farm Fire Safety: Spread the Word
Disponible en français
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