AIFEMA Emergency Review 2020

Official publication of the ALBERTA INDUSTRIAL FIRE and Emergency Management Association

EMERGENCY Review 2020

www.aifema.ca

PUBLICATIONS MAIL AGREEMENT #40934510

Fatigue, emergencies, and you

Ensuring clean air in fire stations

Fighting the invisible fire: Leveraging COVID-19 to build back better

Why firefighters need to know about FASD

Sprinkler Kits & Sprinkler Trailers Organized * Compact * Fast Set Up * User Friendly Featuring the ELEVATED SPRINKLER MOUNT

Rent Lease Purchase

Elevated Sprinkler Mount System

Structure Protection Unit

The Roll Up Door, Roll Out Tray System Provides One Third More

ESM-8 Sprinkler Kit

Useable Square Footage Than A Conventional Walk Through Trailer

A.S. Roach Fire Services Ltd

780 719 9584

www.asroachfire.com

WHEN YOU NEED THE PROFESSIONALS!

www.delcommunications.com

The key to publishing success.

We offer outstanding personal service and quality in the areas of...

• Creative Design • Advertising Sales • Trade Publications • Video Production & Editing

Safety Training/ Consulting & Rescue Teams • Turnaround Support • Confined Space • High/Low Angle • Water & Trench Rescue • Fall Protection • Industrial Installations • Engineered Ladder& Anchor Inspections Pro Rescue Services believes in creating strong relationships with its customers and their contractors to enable them to provide the safest work experiences possible.

Edmonton

• Qualified Sales & Editorial Team

Calgary COMPLIANT

780-289-2762 587-999-4915

www.prorescueservices.com 2020 >>> AIFEMA Emergency Review >>> www.aifema.ca >>> 3

table of

6 Message from the AIFEMA president, Wayne Rose 7 Message from AIFEMA vice-president, Jason Linton 8 Message from AIFEMA past president, Shawn Hare 8 Message from AIFEMA secretary treasurer, Kerri Sinclair 10 Greetings from Randy Schroeder, president of the AFCA 12 AIFEMA member benefits 12 AIFEMA members 13 AIFEMA membership application 14 In reflection of the ‘new normal’, might there be a better way to do building and facility inspections?

16 Fighting the invisible fire: Leveraging COVID-19 to build back better

18 2020 AIFEMA scholarship winners 20 Tired yet? Fatigue, emergencies and you 24 Trident Pump Inc. in action: Fighting fire the smart way 26 Ensuring clean air in fire stations: Plymovent marks 45 years of service 28 Why firefighters need to know about FASD 32 Emergency management: Flying a RPAS at an industrial complex 34 Drago 36 Tennacor: Looking to 10 years as a member 38 Westvac Industrial Ltd. partners with HMA Fire to provide new ultra-high pressure technology to the Canadian fire industry

40 Index to advertisers

AIFEMA Mission Statement “ To promote awareness of industrial fire protection and emergency management by information sharing, joint problem solving to minimize damage, loss and injury throughout the industry in the Province of Alberta.”

4 <<< www.aifema.ca <<< AIFEMA Emergency Review <<< 2020

Suite 300, 6 Roslyn Road Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada R3L 0G5 www.delcommunications.com President & CEO David Langstaff Managing Editor Shayna Wiwierski shayna@delcommunications.com Sales Manager Dayna Oulion dayna@delcommunications.com Advertising Account Executives Jennifer Hebert Mic Paterson Kari Philippot Ross James Production services provided by: S.G. Bennett Marketing Services www.sgbennett.com Creative Director Kathy Cable Layout & Advertising Art Shawn Bennett, Dave Bamburak

© Copyright 2020, DEL Communications Inc. All rights reserved. The contents of this publication may not be reproduced by any means, in whole or in part, without prior written consent of the publisher. While every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of the information contained herein and the reliability of the source, the publisher in no way guarantees nor warrants the information and is not responsible for errors, omissions or statements made by advertisers. Opinions and recommendations made by contributors or advertisers are not necessarily those of the publisher, its directors, officers or employees.

Publications mail agreement #40934510 Return undeliverable Canadian addresses to: DEL Communications Inc. Suite 300, 6 Roslyn Road Winnipeg, Manitoba Canada R2L 0L5 Email: david@delcommunications.com PRINTED IN CANADA 06/2020

Train with the Best at the Worldâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Largest Live-Fire Training Facility

HazMat Response

Rescue Training

Industrial Firefighting

Oil Spill Response

LNG Emergency Response

E m e r g e n c y S e r v i ce s Tra i n i n g I n s t i t u t e Schedule any of our 130+ courses today!

Call 1-866-878-8900 or visit us online at www.teex.org

C14.7595.04

A Message from Wayne Rose

AIFEMA President

W

e have started the year with a 20/20 vision for a positive outlook. The association has been gaining momentum in terms of membership and overall interest and we continue to strive in providing support for our members through valuable sessions and events. The learnings, products and networking are second-to-none as far as the diversity that attends functions and contributions to materials, like this magazine.

We value all our members and thank each one of you for your continued support in working to achieve an association that prides itself on the promotion industrial fire protection and emergency services through information sharing and joint problem solving.

Sincerely, Wayne Rose

BE PREPARED. WE CAN HELP. We offer a multi-faceted team with over 400 years of combined front-line and leadership experience, and consultation expertise that specialize in Fire, Rescue and Emergency Management.

• Fire and Emergency Services Reviews and Master Plans

• Fire and Life Safety Code Consulting

• Emergency Response Team Feasibility Studies

• Community and Facility Hazard Identification Risk Assessments

• Business Continuity and Recovery Planning

• EOC/ECC Design and Training • Fire Station Location, Design and Functional Studies

• Pre-Fire Plans

• Fire Apparatus and Equipment Procurement Consulting

• Emergency Management Training Design and Facilitation • GIS Mapping and Plotting Services

• Emergency Response Plans

403.444.6940 www.behrintegrated.com

6 <<< www.aifema.ca <<< AIFEMA Emergency Review <<< 2020

Real Experience Matters!

A Message from Jason Linton

AIFEMA Vice-President

F

irst of all, I want to say thank you for placing your trust in me as VP of AIFEMA. I look forward to working with all of you to promote and enhance our association and what we stand for.

Since we last met, the world has changed dramatically with the COVID-19 pandemic, I ask you all to make sure you look after one another both at home and at work, to stay safe and healthy. I encourage each of you to collaborate with one another on common issues to ensure the health and safety of all

our members in the association, whether that means stronger mutual aid or sharing of equipment, PPE, and resources. As economic impacts hit our communities, we can remember that are all in this together, and our actions can help so that we all come out of this stronger.

Thank you for your commitment to the association and its members.

Again, thank you, Jason Linton

FIRE SEA CANS

(TACTICAL RESCUE / TRAINING RESCUE / WATER RESCUE / TOOL CRIB / REHAB)

BRUSH TRUCKS / RAPID RESPONSE RESCUE LIGHTING & EQUIPMENT SLIDEMASTER SLIDES SERVICE & REPAIRS

780-485-6006

4420 - 76 Avenue

www.systemonemfg.com

Edmonton, Alberta

T6B 0A5

2020 >>> AIFEMA Emergency Review >>> www.aifema.ca >>> 7

A Message from Shawn Hare

AIFEMA Past President

D

ear AIFEMA members, colleagues and Emergency Review readers, Over the past few years it has been my honour to serve as the president of the association and as I move into the past president role, I can say I’m very proud of the growth that our association continues to see. Having passed the 30-year mark last year and achieving the highest membership numbers in that long history, the value of AIFEMA is clearly recognized by our members.

Saying that, it is with great pleasure that I welcome Jason Linton into his role as our new vice president and congratulate Wayne Rose as he begins his term as our president. These dedicated professionals, along with Kerri’s support, will be a strong executive that will continue to make AIFEMA the best possible association for its members.

As I’ve said before, I hope you enjoy the 2020 AIFEMA Emergency Review magazine and I would like to thank all the readers, sponsors, contributors and the DEL Communications Inc. team for their continued support and for providing feedback and information to make our magazine better.

Sincerely, Shawn Hare

A Message from Kerri Sinclair

AIFEMA Secretary Treasurer

W

elcome to another edition of our Alberta Industrial Fire and Emergency Management Association (AIFEMA) Emergency Review.

Enjoy!

Thanks for picking up the latest edition of our magazine. We are very fortunate to have active members who strongly support our association. Our association provides numerous benefits that include bi-annual meetings, product updates, networking opportunities, and a vast amount of shared information with some amazing guest speakers.

In 2013, AIFEMA partnered with Lakeland College Emergency Training Centre to honour fire students who were residents of Alberta, who achieved the highest cumulative GPA (minimum 80 per cent required), and were considered leaders in their program. The two 2019 scholarships valued at $500 each were awarded to Blayne Wagemakers from Calgary (Firefighter

8 <<< www.aifema.ca <<< AIFEMA Emergency Review <<< 2020

Training Program) and Jesse Sinclair from Trochu (Emergency Services Technology: Fire Program).

Each year, AIFEMA proudly donates money to a worthy cause. This year we donated $500 each to the Calgary and Edmonton Firefighter Burn Camps, foundations that assist young burn survivors!

As always, we’d like to thank everyone who contributes to our magazine to make it a success. A big thank you to DEL Communications for their assistance and dedication to our association.

Contact me at info@aifema.ca if you’d like to join! Check out our website at www.aifema.ca or give me a call (780-581-2038) to learn more. Stay safe out there!

Sincerely, Kerri Sinclair

ONLINE ORDERING, another way we are With you Every Step of the Way

Sign up for an account at www.wfrfire.com/sign-up Your Equipment Destination: WFR Wholesale Fire & Rescue Ltd. 1.800.561.0400 | sales@wfrfire.com

2020 >>> AIFEMA Emergency Review >>> www.aifema.ca >>> 9

Greetings from Randy Schroeder

President - Alberta Fire Chiefs Association (AFCA)

I

t was my pleasure to address your delegates on behalf of the Alberta Fire Chiefs Association during your annual general meeting. The opportunity to network with many of your members during the meeting highlighted the similarities in both the successes and challenges that our respective or mutual members have in delivering fire service in a changing environment. Municipalities along with industrial and private service providers must have a symbiosis to address public safety concerns for all types of developments and the transportation of dangerous goods within our respective communities.

I was very impressed with the passion that exists amongst your members to establish partnerships in learning and communication between one another in an effort to support your initiatives. The emergence of the global pandemic of COVID-19 will undoubtedly change the face of public and private fire service delivery in the province for many years to come. Our success in fostering and developing new innovations and

approaches to delivery will be through the cultivation of new ideas from all stakeholders, including your association and ours.

On behalf of the Alberta Fire Chiefs Association, I look forward to a great working relationship with the Alberta Industrial Fire and Emergency Management Association.

Sincerely, Randy Schroeder

GET READY TO TAKE THE LEAD When a major emergency happens, you need to make smart decisions in the heat of the moment.

Prepare for the challenges you’ll face by completing emergency preparedness courses.

We offer the following ICS Canada recognized courses: • 1-100 Introduction to Incident Command • 1-200 Basic Incident Command System • 1-300 Intermediate Incident Command System Don’t get caught unprepared. Contact us today for more information or to arrange training.

Lakeland offers many other courses and programs including Bachelor of Applied Business: Emergency Services, Emergency Services Technology, Firefighter Training, Safety Codes Officer practical courses, NFPA 1072 Hazardous Materials Incidents and more.

1.800.661.6490 • lakelandcollege.ca/fire-ems

10 <<< www.aifema.ca <<< AIFEMA Emergency Review <<< 2020

Brooks Regional Fire Training Facility • Train in an Approved Facility • Multiple Live Fire Props specifically designed to educate and prepare your employees on proper techniques of Firefighting, Hazmat, Technical Rescue, etc.

Facility Information & Rental Inquires

Approved Site Available Year Round for NFPA 472, NFPA 1001, NFPA 1002, NFPA 1006, NFPA 1051 and NFPA 1081.

www.brooks.ca / BrooksFire@brooks.ca 403-362-2331

Brooks City of

JOIN THE AIFEMA TODAY Membership Benefits • Promote awareness of industrial fire protection and emergency services through information sharing and joint problem solving • A IFEMA is endorsed by the Alberta Fire Chiefs Association and the Office of the Fire Commissioner in Alberta and have a voice within these organizations • Network with your peers and discuss incidents in the mining, pulp and paper, petrochemical, fertilizer and oil refining sectors throughout Western Canada • Receive invites to bi-annual membership meetings in Edmonton and Calgary • Guest speakers from industry, government and regulatory agencies inform AIFEMA members about ever-changing codes, regulatory requirements and how they impact industry

• A IFEMA members practice the sharing of information from incidents within our organizations. We bring back to our companies lessons learned, making our environment a safer place to work • Vendor members present industrial/municipal members with new fire and safety cutting-edge product lines and technology as they come on the market • Interact and exchange information with current members and keynote speakers at bi-annual meetings •D evelop solutions with other emergency management, emergency response professionals and organization stakeholders from all sectors •S ponsorship opportunities for vendor members to display and promote their products

• The Office of the Fire Commissioner in Alberta, enabling us to keep up on and have a say on issues which pertain to emergency response and training for emergency response personnel

COME AND JOIN OUR CURRENT MEMBERS TODAY! INDUSTRIAL/MUNICIPAL Airdrie Fire Department Alberta Agriculture and Forestry Alberta Pacific Forest Industries Inc. ARC Resources Brooks Fire Department Canadian Natural Resources Ltd. — Horizon Oil Sands Canadian Natural Upgrading Limited (CNUL Albian Sands) Cenovus Energy Consumers Cooperative Refineries County of Vermilion River Dow Chemical - Prentiss Site Edmonton Fire Rescue Enbridge Fort McMurray – Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalo Husky Energy Corporation Husky Energy - Lloydminster Husky Energy – Sunrise Project Imperial Oil - Kearl Operations Imperial Oil - Kearl Oil Sands Project Imperial Oil (ESSO) - Strathcona Keyera Energy Methanex Corporation Nova Chemicals Ltd. Pembina Pipeline Corporation Railway Association of Canada (RAC) Shell Canada Scotford Complex Sherritt International Corporation

Strathcona County Emergency Services Suncor Energy Corporation Suncor Energy Oil Sands Suncor Energy Fort Hills Suncor Energy Edmonton Refinery Syncrude Canada Ltd TC Energy TransAlta Corporation West Fraser Mills

VENDORS

1892585 Alberta Inc. Associated Fire Safety Group BEHR Integrated Solutions Inc. Blackline Safety Building Reports Canada Coast Lubricants Ltd. Commercial Emergency Equipment Co. Convergint Technologies Drager Safety Canada Ltd. Drago-ISI Inc. Dynamic Rescue Systems Electrogas Monitors Ltd E-ONE Inc. Emergency Response Assistance Canada Fire and Flood Emergency Services Ltd. Fire Industry Repair & Maintenance Inc. (The) Fireforce Solutions Firemaster Oilfield Services - Red Deer

12 <<< www.aifema.ca <<< AIFEMA Emergency Review <<< 2020

Firemaster Oilfield Services Inc Drayton Valley FireRein Inc. Firetek Emergency Vehicles Ltd. FireWise Consulting Ltd. First Response Inc. Flash Fire & Safety Global Training Centre Guillevin International IDEX Corporation Integrated Emergency and Safety Services Inc Jensen Hughes Johnson Controls Canada LP Lakeland Emergency Training Centre Levitt Safety Local Helicopter Emergency Response Organization Foundation Meridian Fire Protection MES Architecture Ltd. Motion Canada MSA National Foam Inc. NorQuest College Paratech Inc. Paul Prevost, Consultant Perimeter Solutions PMO Global Services Pro Rescue Services Inc Quintech Fire Services Ltd. Rapid Response Industrial Group Ltd.

Raven Rescue Rocky Mountain Phoenix Rotaflow Controls Inc. Safety Boss Inc. Saracen Fire and Rescue 3M | Scott Safety Starfield-Lion Superior Fire Control Ltd SPI Health and Safety Tennacor Canada Inc. Terra Water Systems Precision Drilling Total Fire Solutions Trident Pump Inc. Uniform Works Ltd. Vereburn Medical Supply Ltd. Victaulic Wasp Manufacturing Ltd. Westvac Industrial Ltd. WFR Wholesale Fire & Rescue Ltd. Williams Fire and Hazard Controls Winner Garment Industries Ltd.

ASSOCIATE Alberta Fire Chiefs Association Alberta Municipal Affairs Public Safety Division Alberta Emergency Management Agency

APPLICATION FOR MEMBERSHIP APPLICATION FOR MEMBERSHIP ALBERTA INDUSTRIAL FIRE AND EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT ASSOCIATION Date Name

Title

Organization Name Primary Mailing Address City

Province

Phone Number

Cell Number

Postal Code

Primary Email Website (this website will be posted on www.aifema.ca)

If you would like other individuals in your company to receive information about upcoming meetings, industrial or vendor updates, please list their name(s) and email address(es) below: Name

Email Address

Name

Email Address

$250 Membership Fee:

Please issue a receipt

Cheque

Mail completed application and cheque to Alberta Industrial Fire and Emergency Management Association, c/o Kerri A. Sinclair, 5704 College Drive, Vermilion, AB T9X 1K4

Credit Card

Email completed application to info@aifema.ca and a request for payment will be emailed to the primary email address

QUESTIONS? Telephone: 780-581-2038 Email: info@aifema.ca

In reflection of the ‘new normal’, might there be a better way to do building and facility inspections?

By Shayne Mintz

A

s communities deal with the escalating impact of COVID-19, and what may be coming in the future, jurisdictions are determining how to continue critical building, life, and electrical safety functions while personnel are deployed elsewhere, buildings are (or have been) closed, or access to buildings is limited to reduce virus exposure. The National Fire Protection Association® (NFPA®) is offering guidance on the concept of remote video inspections (RVI), which could be an alternative to physical inspection. With social distancing requirements now in place, this type of inspection may be able to accomplish critical and emergency permit work that may be underway.

A remote video inspection is an inspection of a building or building component that uses video technology to allow parties to be remote from each other while the inspection is being performed. These inspections are typically associated within a jurisdiction’s permitting process and would need to be approved by the authority having jurisdiction (AHJ). It is important to note that RVI is not intended to be less complete than an on-site inspection. Rather, RVI should be employed to achieve the same (or enhanced) results as an on-site inspection.

For those interested in using RVI, it is recommended that the following minimum considerations be observed. While RVI could be considered for recorded video, photographs, or other media types, the considerations below are generally provided for live video use.

Set clear expectations…

As RVI is new to many, it is important to clarify and communicate four important items.

First, identify the types of inspections that an RVI can address. Not all inspections lend themselves well to a remote environment. Consider carefully the types of inspections you may choose to utilize.

Second, determine if it is safe to use RVI based on time of day/weather/job site/safety considerations. These important questions need be addressed on a case-by-case basis.

Third, consider the administrative provisions for an RVI, and how would an RVI request be made and received?

Thought needs to be given to matters such as, is there a special application process needed; how will permit fees be addressed;

14 <<< www.aifema.ca <<< AIFEMA Emergency Review <<< 2020

what other administrative items need to be considered; and so on. Once finalized, it is recommended that these provisions be made publicly available to all stakeholders.

Finally, establish what a successful RVI looks like. Crafting examples of successful RVIs will establish a benchmark for success and perhaps further growth and use of RVI practises.

Selecting suitable technology The selection of suitable technology is imperative. AHJ’s need to assess the types of technology to be used. Each technology generally offers useful features but may also have specific requirements. The following two items should be considered to select the technology that best fits the RVI need.

Items requiring consideration are: do all parties have Internet connectivity via a cellular service, WiFi, or other means? Is the source of connection adequate and stable?

These important questions will need to be answered to select appropriate technologies, as well as to safeguard against interference or dropped connections.

What types of technology should be used? There are many jurisdictions that currently use smartphone video software to provide RVI. These are commonly used formats, and their use is usually intuitive. Consideration should be given to an approved technology that all parties performing the RVI are comfortable using. Also, it’s important to have a steady hand or some type of tripod or support for holding the RVI device and ensure there is proper lighting so that video can be seen clearly.

Location verification Knowing where the inspection is to take place is important.

Verification is recommended and should accurately demonstrate that the RVI is occurring at the correct location, including a specific location within a structure (for example, a second-floor storage room in a three-storey structure). There are many ways to accomplish this, which will vary from project to project.

Who are the participants Consider who will be performing the RVI. Is it the general contractor for the overall structure; the subcontractor who installed the specific system; the building owner or

The National Fire Protection Association® (NFPA®) is offering guidance on the concept of remote video inspections (RVI), which could be an alternative to physical inspection.

an approved third party? Having all parties clearly identify

an inspection of a building or building component. RVI

themselves ahead of time can reduce confusion when the

typically occurs as part of a jurisdiction’s permitting process,

RVI is performed. Additionally, if more than one party is on

project, or contract schedule, and needs to be approved by the

site for the RVI, it may be beneficial for everyone to identify

AHJ for that area.

themselves when speaking.

Needed dialogue

While performing the actual inspection, it is important

to engage in dialogue. Similar to an on-site inspection, an RVI should allow all parties to communicate on what is being reviewed. Be sure to ask questions, provide information when requested, and review any possible areas of confusion. It could be helpful to have the contractor or appropriate subcontractor available to answer questions about the project.

As code officials, enforcers, and inspectors work to ensure building safety, the NFPA has developed a number of remote video inspection (RVI) resources.

The NFPA Standards Council has approved the development of a new standard to address remote inspections. That standard, titled NFPA 915 – Standard for Remote Inspections, is in the early developmental stages prior to beginning full public review and initial revision cycle.

For more information, including resources such as an NFPA Journal article, blog posts, a five-step tip sheet, a

Signoff/follow up

Guidance for Remote Video Inspections fact sheet, and a

inspection has concluded. Ensuring that proper sign off/re-

www.nfpa.org/RVI.

Determine how the permit holder proceeds once the

inspection instructions are clearly communicated is critical for all parties.

whitepaper on Conducting Remote Video Inspections, go to

Shayne Mintz is the Canadian regional director for the NFPA and can be reached at Canada@nfpa.org, or by

Additional resources from NFPA

phone at (705) 812-2924.

inspection, enabling one or more parties to remotely perform

Inspection (RVI) Fact Sheet ©.

RVI provides an effective alternative means for building

Acknowledgment to NFPA Guidance for Remote Video

2020 >>> AIFEMA Emergency Review >>> www.aifema.ca >>> 15

Fighting the invisible fire Leveraging COVID-19 to build back better

By Suzanne Bernier, CEM, CBCP, MBCI, CMCP

“ Stop saying ‘back to normal.’ Instead of wanting the past back, want the future sooner. Think about what we might create, instead of mourning what we have lost.”

W

ell, it now seems like a lifetime ago since we were recently all gathered together in Edmonton for the 2020 AIFEMA Conference, and what a fabulous event it was! In retrospect, it also ended up being one of the last conferences to be held in Canada, as the Coronavirus shutdown orders quickly started spreading across the country like wildfire. But, unlike wildfire, this deadly threat is an invisible one, which makes it that much more challenging to respond to and recover from. It also cannot be contained, and we are now realizing it will continue to burn through our communities for many more months to come.

As such, communities and companies across Canada should start planning now, not only for how they will navigate through the pandemic waves to ‘rebuild’, but how they can also use this opportunity to build back better and become more resilient from this or any other future crisis as a result.

For the past 17 years, I’ve worked with governments, communities, and companies to help them plan for a potential serious global pandemic. Unfortunately, what we’ve been advising people to plan for since SARS is now upon us, at a very escalated scale, and is dwarfing our SARS and H1N1 experiences.

By now, we are all well aware that this pandemic will challenge us for months, not weeks, with the likely potential of additional waves hitting us before a vaccine may be distributed or herd immunity is achieved, and COVID-19 is considered eradicated.

In the meantime, there are a number of things we can do as first and second responders to ensure we are ‘ahead of the curve’ before the next wave or health emergency comes our way.

When something bad happens, you have three choices – you can let it define you, destroy you, or strengthen you. How do you want your company/organization to be seen during and after the crisis? After this is over, what will people think about your response?

Flattening the curve To ensure we continue to ‘flatten the curve’ and keep it that way throughout the height and length of this pandemic, we must continue to remind and encourage all of our employees

16 <<< www.aifema.ca <<< AIFEMA Emergency Review <<< 2020

– Alistair Croll

and clients to follow the proper hygiene rules and etiquette to avoid continued spread (washing hands, covering your cough, six-foot/two-metre social distancing, wearing a mask, adopting enhanced cleaning procedures, etc.). We all now know that the most effective way to help stop the spread of this virus and not become infected ourselves is to wash our hands with soap and warm water for at least 20 seconds.

To help promote and enforce proper handwashing, where possible, landlords and building owners should be encouraged (if not ordered) to ensure they have warm water coming out of the bathroom faucets, not cold water only, which is a current common practice in many public spaces and workplaces, which only discourages people from taking the proper time to wash properly and effectively, which in turn means the spread within your workplaces or our public spaces could continue. Examine additional measures to enhance the safety and security of your bathroom facilities, and consider installing hand sanitizer stations in your shared work environments where access to soap and water is not available or accessible. Enhanced cleaning procedures should also be considered throughout the workplace, specifically to high-touch surfaces in high-traffic areas.

Working through the waves As we saw during the 1918 Spanish Influenza pandemic, the second wave was worse than the first. Hopefully, this will not be the case for COVID-19, but it will really depend on how well social distancing and other measures can be followed throughout the pandemic to prevent additional community spread and outbreaks. As such, it’s imperative that we think of ways to help promote this within our communities and organizations throughout the short and long term.

One day, this pandemic will be eradicated or become part of ‘regular’ society and much less dangerous than it is now. While our ultimate goal is to eventually extinguish this pandemic fire for good, it’s also important for us to use this experience to prepare us for the next health emergency we may face. While we hopefully won’t see another pandemic of this scale or magnitude within our lifetime, we will most definitely experience other

infectious disease outbreaks and epidemics. If anything, I predict we should all be planning for a potential explosion of measles outbreaks once the pandemic is over, due to the already growing anti-vaccination movement pre-pandemic, combined with those who are choosing not to vaccinate their children during the pandemic. We should all be ready if and when that happens. We now have no excuse.

Assessing and mitigating the risk Now is the time to take a good hard look at what the risks are in your current working environment. Are there additional measures you can implement, not only during the pandemic, but for the longer term? Complete a pandemic risk assessment to see what steps can be taken to mitigate future infectious disease outbreaks within your community or your organization.

Psychological first aid While our priority as first and second responders focuses on physical life safety and operational response and recovery, it’s also extremely important to emphasize and promote psychological first aid and mental health awareness throughout this long-term health emergency. This pandemic will have, and is already having, numerous psychological impacts and effects on our community members and our critical employees. Be sure to provide them with links to up-to-date information and resources from trusted sources on managing fatigue, overload, isolation, and the additional emotional stress of the ongoing pandemic and all of its cascading effects throughout the short and long term.

As the pandemic progresses and our communities continue to be impacted financially, physically, and emotionally, I predict workplace violence issues will only intensify throughout and after COVID-19 is eradicated. In the meantime, all workplaces should be developing solid workplace violence/active shooter plans, training sessions, and exercises to ensure they will be able to deal with these effectively if they should occur, or potentially prevent them from happening at all.

Recovery plans and public/private partnerships This pandemic will change the fire industry forever (and all industries, really). As such, apart from responding to the current and rapidly-evolving environment day-by-day (which of course is our main priority right now), we must also start proactively thinking ahead and planning for what will be the ‘new normal’ for our services and our communities once we are on the long road to recovery.

Now, more than ever, we must encourage and promote collaboration and innovation within our industry, including looking at empowering our citizens, volunteers and ‘everyday heroes’ to step up and help provide critical support if or when they are needed. Now is the time to consider whether or not it’s feasible to call back retirees, train local volunteers, etc. to replace your ill or absent essential workers. I call this adding another ‘P’ to the whole public/private partnerships concept: People.

Business as unusual and building back better Although dealing with the pandemic is our primary focus right now, it’s also important for us all to plan and prepare for other more typical disasters we may face over the coming

months. For example, flood, forest fire, tornado, and hurricane seasons are just around the corner, and if we haven’t already, we should be re-thinking how we will be able to respond effectively while continuing to maintain our critical operations in a pandemic environment, with possible reduced levels of critical staff and additional social distancing measures and orders in place over the next several months, if not years.

To ensure we are ahead of the ‘continuity curve’ and do not slow down the recovery process, now is the time to start re-evaluating all of our current business continuity, emergency/ crisis management, and crisis communications plans with a ‘pandemic lens’. Consider how much of your core business you can perform online or remotely that hasn’t already been implemented. Do you have the proper bandwidth to support this over the coming weeks and months? Plan for multiple intermittent failures of our critical infrastructure over the next several months, including virtual meeting platforms, access to Internet, cell networks, power, etc. Do you have the appropriate back-ups in place and tested if or when this happens?

Spammers and scammers While this pandemic is bringing out many helpers and ‘disaster heroes’ of all kinds, it is also unfortunately bringing out some ‘disaster villains’ as well. For example, as this is prime time for cyber attacks, which I’m sure your IT folks are already aware of and planning for, it’s a good idea to take this time to remind all your staff to be extra-vigilant and aware throughout this vulnerable period. It’s also important to be mindful of and remind employees to be aware of the many scams out there (door-to-door fake COVID-19 tests, miracle cures, etc.).

The new normal Finally, while it may seem too early for this, long before COVID-19 is officially declared eradicated, businesses will have to start re-evaluating not only how they run their business in the coming ‘new normal’, but also how their offices/workspaces are designed. For example, while many businesses have adopted and encouraged ‘open/shared workspace’ concepts over the past few years, this only encourages and speeds up the spread of infectious diseases within such work environments. I predict many who must work in office environments versus remotely will have to go back to the ‘old school’ concept of having individual enclosed offices and not promoting the sharing of workspaces and tools, keeping in mind the six-foot social distancing rule or ‘tactical spacing guideline’ for those with a military background.

Long after this pandemic is over and we (hopefully) have a vaccine distributed, communities and businesses must look at how they may be able to prevent rapid spread of another infectious disease localized outbreak, epidemic or pandemic in the future.

In the end, I believe we will take this pandemic as an opportunity to ‘build back better’ and stronger, as we slowly and safely build back to a better new normal.

Suzanne Bernier, CEM, CBCP, MBCI, CMCP, is the president of SB Crisis Consulting and author of Disaster Heroes.

2020 >>> AIFEMA Emergency Review >>> www.aifema.ca >>> 17

2020 AIFEMA

Scholarship Winners

AIFEMA is proud to partner with Lakeland College’s Emergency Training Centre for the seventh AIFEMA Scholarship. Congratulations to the winners of this year’s AIFEMA $500 scholarship: Jesse Sinclair (Emergency Services Technology (EST): Medical Program) Blayne Wagemakers (Firefighter Training Program)

Continue reading to learn about our two outstanding scholarship winners.

H

AIFEMA scholarship winner Jesse Sinclair

ello, my name is Jesse Sinclair, I am a recent graduate of the 2019 EST program at Lakeland College’s Emergency Training Centre.

I chose this program after hearing great reviews and it being highly recommended to me by two of my fellow firefighters at the Trochu Volunteer Fire Department. I joined my hometown department as a junior when I was in Grade 11 at the age of 16, there I began learning and developing skills through training that later aided me in being successful throughout my program. I highly recommend Lakeland College’s EST program to anyone who aspires to become a firefighter and/or EMT and willing to put in the work!

To finish the program, I completed my practicum at Rocky View County Fire Service’s Balzac Station. Here I learned many new things from experienced mentors to blend school learning with real life experiences. This assured me that firefighting was my calling and I had made the right choice! I am ecstatic to start my career as a full-time firefighter.

I am currently in the hiring process for the Calgary Fire Department and keeping an eye out for other job openings. I will also continue to serve my community on Trochu’s volunteer fire department.

Sincerely, Jesse Sinclair

18 <<< www.aifema.ca <<< AIFEMA Emergency Review <<< 2020

B AI FEMA scholarship Winner Blayne Wagemakers

orn and raised in Calgary, I continue to live and work here as a geophysicist, and for a number of years have been working towards building my credentials for work in fire rescue. I was a graduate from the first 2019 E-Learning session at Lakeland College. I am extremely grateful that I was able to find a program that would let me attend while being able to continue working full time. It was a long but gratifying few months of staying up late each night after work and studying full-time hours on the weekend to learn the material before eventually heading to Vermilion to attend the hands-on portion of the course.

My time at Lakeland was incredible, I can say that I learned a lot, both about the lifestyle and requirements of a firefighter, but also about myself. Without the great education, and expertise from the excellent faculty at Lakeland, as well as the help and friendship from my platoon and classmates, I would not have had the success that I had and would like to thank all those that were involved. I plan on continuing on my emergency, fire, and rescue education and certification path. Thank you for the honour of being the recipient of the AIFEMA scholarship, it goes a long way in assistance with recruitment processes across Canada, as well as continued training.

Sincerely, Blayne Wagemakers

2020 >>> AIFEMA Emergency Review >>> www.aifema.ca >>> 19

Tired Yet?

Fatigue, Emergencies and You

By Ken A. Jones, CEM CBCP HSA

F

or most emergency responders working ‘long and hard’ is worn as a badge of honour, rarely talked about in the negative. To

do otherwise is considered weakness something for mere mortals.

The road to successfully resolving

emergencies is often paved with fatigue, road-signed with resultant poor decisions, then littered with the real consequences.

While basking in triumph we sweep away any thought that some aspects may have been worsened by the very (tired) people sent there to help. Bad choices by burned-out ICP and EOC staff. Added harm to public or property. Injured responders. Even the occasional fatality.

Sure, sometimes we might really be that ‘last line of defense’ with no-one left to call. But most times fatigue is a choice and its consequences avoidable.

How safe are you when fatigued?

Here are a few facts from credible and oft-cited studies: •O vertime work is associated with a 61 per cent higher injury hazard rate.1 •1 2 hour workdays are associated with a 37 per cent increased injury hazard rate.1 •6 0 hour work weeks are associated with a 23 per cent increased injury hazard rate.1 •A ccident and injury rates are 18 per cent higher on evening shifts and 30 per cent higher on night shifts.2 •S taying awake for at least 24 hours is comparable to having a 0.10 blood alcohol content – the same judgement and reflexes as an impaired driver. 3 This could be the story for those on your response, in your EOC, or staffing your IMT. Those statistics reflect normal workplaces – without the added stressors

20 <<< www.aifema.ca <<< AIFEMA Emergency Review <<< 2020

of emergency conditions. Could the protracted nature of emergency response further exacerbate general fatigue?

Consider these escalating factors.

• Poor or disrupted diet. On response do you have control over what and when you eat? You’ll often be fed high fat, carbs, sugar and caffeine – at hours not of your choosing. They interplay poorly with adrenaline, fatigue and stresseating.

• Sleep pattern disruption. Unpleasant emergencies can disrupt sleep quality.

But what if we add in an out-of-town response - how well and long do you sleep in an unfamiliar location? If you’re lucky to get a full night, it’s most assuredly not as effective rest as at your own home.

• Rest days pattern disruption. The days of work matter as much as the hours.

You’re wired to your body’s cycle – whether 10 and four shift rotations or nine-to-five weekdays. Five and two workers are not as nimble-minded on day eight following a skipped weekend off, even if their activities were limited to eight-hour ICP or EOC shifts.

Change your routine and it will affect your sleep pattern, diet and alertness.

• Severed social supports. Long or distant responses add stress through disconnection from home, family, social and religious support networks.

Lengths of shifts and rotations can bias the responder pool against those who need or are relied upon to provide those supports (e.g. caregivers; single parents), placing additional time pressure on the remaining pool.

• Out of your comfort zone. Picture an ICP or EOC. Problems without a plan.

People, property and environment on the line. No time. The boss expecting you to perform. Staff that with a team of mixed acquaintance - perhaps professional responders alongside non-pros - without pre-established trust. Next expect that team to produce original but unfamiliar work under time pressure in a dynamic, unpredictable, consequential and scrutinized environment - where the outcome may impact their careers. Add to that over-tired, stressed people in adverse workplace conditions. Stir and enjoy!

• Adapting to circumstances. Well over a hundred years of studies have repeatedly confirmed that work productivity rapidly diminishes after the 40-hour mark, then time off is necessary. Less known is that our subconscious conspires with our body to re-establish equilibrium. After not too many 12-hour days and 60-hour weeks we’re unaware that we’re no more productive than we used to be during eight and forties. We think we’ve

adapted to the circumstances, but really the circumstances have adapted us. If you’ve been on a long response, you’ve seen this productivity change in others.

• Fatigue is both daily and cumulative.

You’ve just finished a long emergency.

Great. But your boss doesn’t think you need more than a day or two off.

Besides, you’re backlogged day job awaits. You might feel fine, but your mind and body beg to differ.

Like sleep deficit, the fatigue you earned today really does haunt your tomorrow. And the next day. It’s not just erased by one night’s so-so sleep following a 16-hour shift sprint, or two days off following a two-week marathon. Productivity declines, errors increase, decision fatigue sets in earlier and judgement diminishes.

• Not everything we can do is good for us. Decades of studies have drawn the same conclusions: long work hours result in fatigue and negative health effects. This in turn leads to impaired decisions, increased acute and chronic injuries - or death - among those fatigued. aws permit long work hours, and L often exemptions or extensions for

emergencies. Ask yourself: “Are hoursof-work laws designed primarily for your health and safety, or are they predominantly designed to balance workforce productivity aspirations with societal and labour expectations?”

• Decision Fatigue. When fatigued, we lose the ability to make difficult decisions effectively. We can’t process complexity. Thus, we lean towards the simplest choices requiring the least amount of personal action (i.e. we say ‘no’ vs. ‘yes,’ with a bias toward inaction).

It affects responses widely – explaining why you’ll top up with caffeine and junk food, and why leaders delay critical middle-of-the-night evacuation decisions. It’s also why you shouldn’t ask your boss for a raise, a doctor for a diagnosis, or a judge for an acquittal late in the day!

Fatigue prevents us from recognizing we’re fatigued. Responders aren’t superhuman, they just act like it.

Culturally they’re more likely to downplay signs and symptoms well past the point of impaired judgement – until their physical fatigue becomes obvious to all. How many poor response

Essential.

When everything is not “business as usual”, our commitment to you IS business as usual.

24/7

365

Call. 877-301-FIRE Click. MotionCanada.com Visit. Over 50 locations

AC CE SS

2020 >>> AIFEMA Emergency Review >>> www.aifema.ca >>> 21

decisions can be attributed to fatigued leaders? How many responders have been sent into harm’s way? What percent of injuries, deaths or property damage were avoidable if the decision maker was rested? Tragically for our profession, we simply don’t know.

So how should I apply this knowledge?

1. K now your limit and stay within it.

Emergencies don’t come in tidy one-day packages. Understand fatigue effects and limits. No one is a superhero. Dial back personnel expectations when escalating factors are present.

2. Use synergistic leadership. The title of ‘Commander’ doesn’t come with all the answers, even when well-rested. The majority of people will arrive at better decisions on unfamiliar topics as part of a team, rather than independently. Your team will remain at risk from decision fatigue, but you’ll be more likely to identify gaps when everyone takes off their titles and speaks up.

3. M odel the behaviour and stand your ground. Make the safe call - whether resisting pressure for a night shift, sending tired staff home over objections, or insisting on shortened rotations.

They’re more tired than you or they know.

4. S hort staffed? Change it up. EOC, ICP and field response leaders may

unknowingly be mentally fatigued after only eight hours. Reduce leadership risk by swapping in junior leaders, with senior staff staying on to mentor, backstop, and otherwise support nondecision response activities.

5. Front load the big, complex decisions.

‘Decision fatigue’ teaches us to make the tough decisions early in the day when well rested. Good objectives, strategies and tactics require clear minds to chart the path toward success.

Here’s the most important fact of all.

Cognition science tells us that presenting all these facts and concepts won’t change your mind.4 You’ll change only when you’re curious and willing enough to augment your existing views with additional information. Try these in a search engine: o Going without sleep for a day o Stress, fatigue and emotional exhaustion o Workplace fatigue studies o Firefighter (or emergency medical services) fatigue Like stress, fatigue is a schoolyard bully - challenging even on a good day; all take and no give. If only its consequences could be limited solely to the one fatigued.

Whether as a responder or response leader, fatigue is a choice.

Make better choices.

22 <<< www.aifema.ca <<< AIFEMA Emergency Review <<< 2020

Ken Jones has a 30-year background in emergency response and emergency management spanning the three emergency services, the energy industry, and local/provincial government.

Citations: 1) Dembe A, Ericson JB, Delbos RG, Banks SM [2005]. The impact of overtime and long work hours on occupational injuries and illnesses: New evidence from the United States.

Occup Environ Med 62:588-597.

2) S mith CS, Folkard D, Tucker P, Evans MS [2011]. Work schedules, health, and safety.

In Quick JC, Tetrick LE, eds.

Handbook of occupational health psychology, 2nd ed..

Washington, DC: American Psychological Association, pp.

185 – 204.

3) L amond N, Dawson D. [1999].

Quantifying the performance impairment associated with fatigue. J Sleep Res. 1999;8(4):255-62.

4) M ercier, H., & Sperber, D. [2017]. The Enigma of Reason: A New Theory of Understanding.

Harvard University Press. ISBN 9780674977860.

TRIDENT PUMP INC. IN ACTION: THE FUTURE OF FIGHTING FIRE

W

ith the May long weekend of 2019 just beginning, Rick Baksza, COO Trident Pump Inc, was ready to head out in his camper. Bags packed, family and friends ready, they made their way to their six camp sites, looking forward to some leisure time.

Night one went as expected. With a campfire burning, the weekend was off to a great start. By Saturday things had taken an unfortunate turn. All recreational open fires had been banned, and determined not to let this spoil their long weekend plans – especially being used to Alberta implementing needed fire bans sometimes seemingly out of the blue – the group continued their weekend festivities, rounding up their gas pits and carrying-on like normal.

Late into the night, Baksza received a call from a client asking if he had heard about the fire in Northwestern Alberta. His company was starting to get concerned as the High Level fire, which started a week prior, was gaining strength with the dry weather and high winds.

On Sunday, May 20 at 11 a.m., Baksza received another call stating that his client’s camp was at risk and desperately needed a solution. Within four hours of the call they had their team of four and their CPS (Community Protection Solution) packed up and heading north from their office in Athabasca, Alberta.

After finding the camp on the Chinchaga forestry road (70 kilometres northwest of Manning), the Trident team acknowledged they hit a lucky break, as Google Earth showed a small creek 1,200 metres to the west of the camp. The goal was to draft water from this creek however when they arrived the creek was dry. The Trident team did however find a dugout in the bush that was over 2,100 metres to the east and about 10 metres below the camp’s elevation.

With their four-inch layflat mainline deployed around the camp and running back to the dugout, the 2,100-metre main line (7,200 feet) was the furthest push they had every faced. To make matters even more challenging, their client did not want their high-powered (120 GPM) sprinklers spraying directly on the buildings. By adding the custom Trident water thieves and an additional 600 feet of two-inch hand lines the team was able to water down the areas between the buildings and assets, while the 120 GPM sprinklers protected the surrounding area.

Key factors of the Trident solution Portable: Lightweight and compact size (one cube metre) makes the Trident pump very versatile when it comes to mounting configurations.

Powerful: The ability to push large volumes of water at high pressure over extremely long distances is very important when it comes to all aspects of fire fighting, including the situation discussed above.

Versatility: In addition to power and portability, Trident also recognizes that access to water in remote areas means the ability to pump from natural resources. With their patented design they have the proven ability to draft from lakes, streams, beaver dams and roadside dugouts, locations that most other larger solutions have no ability to reach.

From the time the Trident team arrived, their four-person team took just four hours to get water flowing though the hand lines and sprinklers; safely protecting this valuable asset.

For the next two weeks, the Trident team closely followed Alberta Forestry’s orders, only accessing the camp when they gave Trident the all clear. No valuable assets such as pumps and sprinklers were left behind at the end of each shift.

• Two, six-by-six UTVs were also able to be used as a means of fast escape; helping keep the team in place longer and safer.

• Handline thieves every 200 feet were deployed around the camp. This allowed the crew to carry less gear while having access to ample quantities of water anywhere along the mainline.

Trident Pump Inc. is dedicated to a fast and safe deployment, whether that is with our six-by-six deployment solution or via our helicopter solutions.

Trident’s patented pumps not only can draft from any water source and handle many situations on their own, they are also a very valuable tool that can assist existing infrastructure.

Even though the window of access was limited to a few hours at night, Trident was able to supply 625 GPM @ 90 PSI of water on the area around the camp. They also provided the Fire Gel solution to the walkways and wooden staircases at the site.

Some of the key safety factors this solution provides • Reduced workforce exposure, ability to maintain the protection of an asset with fewer resources.

• Sprinklers that can spray water 120-foot radius drastically reduced ember fall and keep humidity up.

• Powered hose deployer that speeds up both deployment and removal reduce stress and time on the team.

Trident offered services • Mainline water delivery to fill relay tanks, mobile equipment or engines where topography limits the access.

• Pressurized water source for sprinklers in both the WildLand Urban Interface and to support wildfire containment lines.

• Helicopter skids for use on remote fly-in fires.

• It can draft water from depths as shallow as six inches.

• It has the ability to shoot a four-inch stream of water hundreds of feet into the air to help wet an area down.

• 28-foot Tri-axle fifth-wheel trailers, with 2250 IMP. Gallon Fire Gel Trailers with dual pumps that supply 260 PSI. Dual side-mounted one- to one-and-a-half-inch hose reels utilized for structural protection.

Trident is here for you no matter the situation. With their fast response time and innovative fire fighting techniques, the Trident team is ready when you need them.

For more information about the Trident solutions discussed in this article feel free to contact Trident by phone or email, or visit their website.

To watch the pump in action, please visit

https://youtu.be/o7MSd6BFeX0 T: 780-675-2023 TF: 1-877-524-2444 E: Rick@tridentpumps.ca W: https://www.tridentpumps.ca

Ensuring clean air in fire stations

Plymovent marks 45 years of service

By Kerry Falzone, Plymovent Marketing Coordinator

F

or more than 45 years, we have made it our business to ensure clean air in fire stations.

Hazardous vehicle exhaust emissions in a fire station are a firefighterâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s most significant cancer health risk.

Eliminate this hazard from your fire station with Plymovent code compliant vehicle exhaust capture and removal systems.

From existing stations, to new turnkey facilities, our totally automatic start-up and disconnect source capture systems are the recommended method for controlling exhaust emissions at your station.

26 <<< www.aifema.ca <<< AIFEMA Emergency Review <<< 2020

We are an ISO 9001:2015 certified worldwide manufacturer of vehicle exhaust removal systems and provide high-quality products to protect firefighters, EMS personnel, and others from exposure to hazardous diesel exhausts. Our broad range of exhaust extraction systems is supported by complete engineering services.

Find us on social meads with the #hookupthehose.

For more information visit http://www.plymovent.com/.

DO YOU PROTECT YOUR FIREFIGHTERS? WE DO. For more than 45 years we have made it our business to ensure clean air in fire stations.

We provide high-quality products to protect firefighters and others from exposure to hazardous diesel exhaust. We offer a broad range of exhaust extraction systems, supported by complete engineering services. Contact us to find out what genuine commitment to customer requirements really means. www.plymovent.com

Authorized Plymovent Dealer

780.446.3805 2020 >>> AIFEMA Emergency Review >>> www.aifema.ca >>> 27

Why firefighters need to know about FASD

F

etal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD) is a life-long organic brain whole body disability that affects approximately four per cent of the Canadian population.

This disability occurs when babies are exposed to alcohol through maternal consumption during pregnancy. There is no known safe time, no known safe kind, and no known safe amount of alcohol for pregnant women to consume. It is widely recommended that women abstain from all forms of alcohol while attempting to become pregnant and throughout their pregnancy. It is also very important that partners, family, and friends support mom in having a healthy pregnancy.

per cent of the people diagnosed. These features develop throughout a small number of days within the first weeks of pregnancy. Mom has to have consumed alcohol on these specific days for these features to become impacted displaying FASD traits.

This leaves 90 per cent of individuals diagnosed with an FASD undetectable on sight, which is why FASD is known

as a hidden disability. When a person can see that someone has challenges they often change how they respond to that person, such as speaking slower, adjusting height to get to their eye level, using simpler words, and only asking one question at a time, to name a few.

However, if you cannot detect challenges a person has by looking at them, you expect them to be able to “act their age”.

You cannot tell whether a person has an FASD as the “stereotypical” facial features associated with the disorder, thin upper lip, flatter groove between nose and upper lip, and smaller eye openings only occurs in less than 10 Areas of baby’s brain development often impacted by exposure to alcohol during pregnancy are: Brain Domain Impacted by FASD

How Damage is Displayed Through Behaviour

Motor skills

Movements may appear slower or faster, difficulty with movements like fine motor skills, balance, hand/eye coordination, may have joint or muscle pain.

Neuroanatomy/neurophysiology

Differences in structure of nervous system with higher risk of nervous disorders.

Cognition

Difficulty in learning through thought, experience, and the senses. May take more time to learn and require a lot of repetition. May appear slow or unable to understand.

Language

Often quite verbal, with appearance of large vocabulary, however understanding what they are saying, and understanding what another person is saying may be difficult.

Academic Achievement

Difficulty in learning at school, lower grades, in trouble at school, higher drop-out rates.

Memory

Difficulty with working memory which impacts ability to reason or think in the moment.

Short- and long-term memory can be impacted. Individual often makes up for poor memory by “filling in the blanks”, storytelling, and fabrication, which looks a lot like lying.

Attention

Many individuals diagnosed with attention deficit disorders, such as ADHD. They are easily distracted and it is difficult to get their attention in the first place.

Executive Functioning

Often have impulse control issues and are seen as hyperactive. Appear not to think before they act, and “live only for the moment”. They don’t understand consequences of behaviours beforehand and sometimes not at all.

Affect Regulation

Difficulty controlling emotions, act erratically or unexpectedly during stressful situations, emotions don’t appear to match the current situation, temper tantrums, shutting down, and running.

Adaptive Behaviour

Poor social skills, difficulty with communication, appear to act younger than they are, may associate with younger peers, difficulty with relationships can lead to violence and sexual assault.

28 <<< www.aifema.ca <<< AIFEMA Emergency Review <<< 2020

With FASD that is not always possible.

Firefighters, as first responders, often come into contact with individuals impacted by FASD without realizing it.

People with FASD are more likely to get into trouble at school, at home, and in the community; get into trouble with the law; wind up in jail; have an addiction; have a mental health issue; have higher suicide rates; have a physical disorder/ disability; have poorer health in general; utilize emergency services greater than average; call 911 more often and at times for non-emergent issues; get into more accidents, including automobile accidents; get into fights; have family violence issues; are at greater risk to become victims of all types of abuse; and be a perpetrator of abuse. This is not a full list and FASD impacts each individual differently so many will experience only some of these outcomes.

Firefighters need to know about FASD as those impacted have a greaterthan-average chance of being involved in a situation where firefighters are called in to support. Knowing the signs and

symptoms of FASD can help de-escalate a crisis situation, acquire necessary information accurately and readily, and positively affect the outcomes of the situation. Learning strategies on how to work with people with FASD, particularly in crisis situations, could mean the difference between life and death. Firefighters are also in a great position as they are often the first responders to a scene and some of the first people to recognize that an individual may be impacted by FASD. Many individuals and their families impacted by this disorder do not even know about it themselves. Firefighters can pass on important information in order to help these people get the support they need.

about rules and daily routines.

• Be specific.

• Avoid use of abstracts phrases and sarcasm.

• Speak slowly, allow for processing time.

• Give a verbal or visual cue when you are giving and completing instructions.

• Use visual cues and schedules when appropriate.

Communication strategies to use with individuals with FASD •U se the child’s name at the beginning of any verbal exchange to ensure he/ she is paying attention.

•K eep language simple and concrete.

• Keep language consistent – especially

Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder • Awareness & Prevention • Education & Training • Assessment & Diagnostics • Support for Individuals and Caregivers

FASD connections across Alberta 780.305.8827 angelak@nwcfasd.ca

403-342-7500 • Fire System Inspections and Testing • Pre-Fire and Emergency Response Plans • Emergency Response Services • Foam Concentrate Sales • Turnaround Safety and Rescue Crews

www.firemaster.ca 2020 >>> AIFEMA Emergency Review >>> www.aifema.ca >>> 29

One of the biggest barriers support providers come up against with regards to FASD, besides housing and employment, is stigma or prejudice. There is so much ignorance, misinformation, shaming, and blaming that goes on with this disability and it impacts the ability to assist those in need. Mothers are stigmatized because they drank during pregnancy. Fifty per

cent of pregnancies are unplanned and most mothers we work with did not even know they were pregnant at the time they drank. Women who do know are often unaware that alcohol can cause FASD, are misinformed at times even by their own doctors, family and friends, and have so much stress in their life they are self medicating or are consumed by addiction and need support.

Stigma goes on to impact the individuals with the disorder. Due to the potential they have for some challenges in certain parts of the brain, those with FASD often get all get painted with the same brush. This means society views people with FASD as all being of low IQ, violent, alcoholic, homeless, unemployed, forgetful, rude, or troublemaking jailbirds. Is it any

Myths about FASD MYTH

FACT

1

A person has to have the facial features of FASD to get a diagnosis.

You can tell someone has FASD by looking at them.

FASD has a range of effects. Ninety per cent of individuals with FASD have no physical signs, but have developmental and/or behavioral challenges. FASD is mainly a hidden disability.

2

People with FASD have low IQs.

Individuals with an FASD have a wide range of disabilities. Studies have identified an IQ range of 29 to 142 for those with FASD.

3

There is no point in getting a diagnosis, it’s just another label.

A diagnosis of FASD can help explain why a person learns, develops, and behaves the way he or she does. Therapeutic interventions tailored to the specific challenges may improve long-term outcomes and mitigate the progression of adverse life outcomes as he or she develops.

4

FASD only affects poor people, alcoholics, and Indigenous communities.

Pre-natal alcohol exposure is common in all socioeconomic and demographic groups.

5

FASD only affects children.

FASD is a brain-based whole body disorder that is lifelong. Children with FASD grow up to become adults with FASD.

6

FASD is just the latest “trendy” disability.

Although there have always been people affected by FASD (it has been observed and documented in Biblical and Greek and Roman times), only since 1973 have we been able to accurately diagnose and recognize the enormous prevalence of this developmental delay.

7

Light drinking during pregnancy is fine. If the doctor says it’s okay for me to drink then I won’t have a child with FASD.

Alcohol is a known teratogen that can cause severe lifelong problems for a person exposed to it prenatally. No amount of alcohol has been proven to be safe to drink at any time during pregnancy. All types of alcohol, including beer, wine and liquor, equally put babies at risk of being born with FASD. If your doctor says it is okay, they are probably not up on the current FASD research. Please get a second opinion.

9

Behaviour is a choice. People with FASD just need to try harder!

Most healthy adults can control their own behaviour and follow rules. FASD affects behaviour and is often under-diagnosed because behaviour is frequently assumed to be a choice. Experts stress that the brain damage associated with FASD often prevents people from being capable of controlling their behaviour. For that reason, it is important to change the assumption that “they won’t behave” to the understanding that “they can’t behave”.

10

People with FASD can be “cured”.

There is no evidence that brain-stimulating therapies can “fix” the brain of a person with FASD. The brain is developmentally, structurally, and even cellularly different.

11

A woman who has FASD will have children with FASD.

The only cause of FASD is alcohol use during pregnancy. There is no genetic link for this disability. If a woman with FASD abstains from alcohol during her pregnancy, her baby will not have FASD.

13 Men who consume alcohol during sex can cause FASD.

There is no statistically valid and reliable evidence to support this theory. By very definition, FASD is maternal alcohol consumption.

Table summarized through information from: https://www.aucd.org/docs/webinars/FASD%20Common%20Myths.pdf https://fafasd.org/myths-fasd/ https://sites.google.com/site/socalfasdnetwork/about-fasd/fasd-myths 30 <<< www.aifema.ca <<< AIFEMA Emergency Review <<< 2020

to. We will assist out-of-province organizations to the best of our ability through connection with local resources, information location, video conferencing, and remaining as a resource for all your FASD queries. We appreciate being invited to present, and/

or train at any facilities or conferences free of charge.

For more information, contact Angela Kemble at 780-305-8827, angelak@ nwcfasd.ca, www.nwcfasd.ca. Visit us on Facebook.

Proudly made in Toronto, Canada

wonder why mothers and individuals impacted are not running out to get the very assessments that could provide the supports they need, and at times, the finances they require to just live day to day?

The Northwest Central FASD Network has taken it upon themselves to be firefighters’ first contact point with regards to education, training, and support for FASD. There are 12 FASD networks in Alberta that we can connect firefighting organizations

Loaded with safety, comfort and mobility features for unmatched performance, Flame Fighter® bunker gear offers a variety of customouter shell fabric, liner system, hardware and pocket options to fit your specific needs. of any department

Made-to-Order High-Performance

ThermaShield ™ An added inner layer of liner material positioned in the upper back and shoulders provides extra protection against compression burns.

BI SWING Back Design ™* A unique bunker coat gusset reduces tugging and binding at the shoulder, allowing your arms to move freely during firefighting activities.

ESTABLISHED 2003

For more information, call 1.800.473.5553 or visit www.lionprotects.com. * Optional Feature

© 2019 Lion Group, Inc. All rights reserved. Flame Fighter, ThermaShield and Action Back are trademarks of Lion Group, Inc.

2020 >>> AIFEMA Emergency Review >>> www.aifema.ca >>> 31

Emergency Management

Flying a RPAS (Remote Pilot Aerial System) at an industrial complex

V

oyageur Technologies Corp. was born as a result of a presentation given by Husky Oil on the using of drones to monitor a Saskatchewan River oil spill. Husky Oil presented at an Alberta Industrial Fire and Emergency Management Association Conference.

After this presentation, with great enthusiasm we rushed off to the UAV (unmanned aerial vehicles) conference in Vancouver. Here we met with aviation enthusiasts, technology fans, and others all with the gleam of money in their eyes. Drones were the new Bitcoin of the technology world.

So, we entered the Wild West of the RPAS marketplace. We are purchased a second-hand drone with low flight hours and then we jumped off the cliff and discovered we should have invested in a parachute.

Lesson learned 1. As a fledgling industry, the regulations were constantly adapting and changing (Incidents like Heathrow Airport disruptions, weaponized drones, aircraft drone strikes caused regulations to change overnight).

2. RPAS 250 grams to 25 Kg. are classified

by Transport Canada as an aircraft.

3. Pilot licenses are required to fly drones in this category. (Fines are between $5,000- $25,000 per incident. These fines also apply if flying on privately owned property).

4. W e experience difficulty in obtaining liability insurance to fly to over plant sites.

5. Flying the drones was the easy part; management of the data collected and providing executable reports was critical. (Having access and experience with the correct software is crucial).

6. A ircraft for application (Selection of the correct RPAS was critical for a successful mission).

Some Applications 1. Fire a. IR hot spot detection b. Fire smart mitigation, management and recovery c. Search and rescue

Deliverables 1. Information was more accurate and quickly obtained.

2. Could be legally used (time, date and location stamped).

3. M ultiple spectrum sensors available to capture a wide range of data.

4. S afer access. (No need to put personal into dangerous situations).

In conclusion RPAS procedures, best practices, and policies need to be place before executing an aerial mission. Voyageur Technology and Rotaflow are able to help you to develop your RPAS and engineering plan.

32 <<< www.aifema.ca <<< AIFEMA Emergency Review <<< 2020

2. Safety a. Incident evidence gathering b. Access and crowed management c. Housekeeping 3. Environment a. Animal tracking and monitoring b. Spill management. c. F lood mitigation, management, and recovery d. Reclamation land management

Submitted by Rotoflow.

Fight Fire With Power Drago ISI leads the way with revolutionary technology Pumper truck equipped with the Drago Cannon

T

he innovative Drago cannon is the result of 11 years of extensive research and tests

by Drago-ISI Inc. It is a true multifunction tool that can quickly and effectively achieve – in a single unit – the three major firefighting objectives: extinguish a fire, cool the air, and disperse smoke and toxic fumes. The Drago cannon’s unique ability to do all three is in the science of evaporation and in the power of water droplets.

This versatile fire-control weapon is certainly set to become an essential element of any fire station or department’s arsenal, whether they serve industrial, residential, forestry agricultural, or petro-chemical sectors.

Key benefits • Extinguishes and cools fire five times faster than a traditional nozzle • Uses 70% less water than a traditional nozzle • Instantly knocks down a fire to regain control • Has a reach of over 200 feet (60 metres) • Shoots water/air, water/firefighting agents such as foam, encapsulator, or any liquid additive Key features • Fully automatic system and remotecontrolled (wireless) • Flap system for jet precision (32 inches | 81 centimetre variable to 26 inches | 66 centimetres) • Rotation: + 135° to - 135° • Tilt: + 45° to - 15° • Fan: 35,000 cfm | 991 m³ / min • Central nozzle system (spider)

Projection The Drago cannon is simple, highly effective, and capable of a water flow up to 755 GPM with a jet distance exceeding 200 feet (60 metres).

Technology behind the spider When fighting fires, water’s most helpful properties are its high heat absorption capacity and unmatched evaporation latent heat.

Starting on the principle that a regular water drop has a onedimensional trajectory, whereas the trajectory of fine droplets sprayed at high velocity is exponentially increased and covers a much larger area, the Drago ISI team set out to create a different kind of water cannon.

Drago’s unique spider design improves the efficiency of using water and accelerates fire suppression for a given water flow by splitting the flow into a large number of fine droplets spread at high velocity over a large area of the blaze to promote more rapid

34 <<< www.aifema.ca <<< AIFEMA Emergency Review <<< 2020

evaporation of the water and heat absorption.

The Drago cannon uses a distinctive and patented constant spray technology and a unique design for its central nozzle (spider) to offer a smooth performance curve with optimal parameters of water flow and droplet quality. This ensures optimal heat transfer and promotes evaporation before the water has a chance to hit and pool on the ground.

Time is critical in fire control: water that does not evaporate is not used efficiently.

The Drago cannon uses 70 per cent less water and makes every drop count.

The Drago cannon was tested

by TEEX (Texas A&M Engineering Extension Service) and demonstrated that it is capable of flowing an effective fire stream to 202 feet (62 metres). It successfully demonstrated its speed and capability in the following trials: Cooling and Protecting; Pit Fire Containment; Foam Blanket; and Circular Tank Extinguishment.

If you and your squad are interested in a demo, please contact Westvac Industrial Ltd., Drago ISI’s exclusive dealer for Western Canada.

Dealer: contact Rob McDonald at rmcdonald@westvac.com.

Manufacturer 1-866DRAGO01 (372-4601) Drago-isi.com | info@drago-isi.com

FIGHT FIRE WITH POWER

BRING IN THE HEAVY ARTILLERY! DRAGO ISI LEADS THE WAY WITH REVOLUTIONARY TECHNOLOGY.

Extinguishes and cools fire 5 times faster than a traditional nozzle.

Uses 70% less water than a traditional nozzle.

Instantly knocks down a fire to regain control.

Has a reach of over 200 ft.

Shoots water/air, water/firefighting agents such as foam, even agents.

1 866 DRAGO01 (372-4601) Drago-isi.com | info@drago-isi.com

PROVED AP

PATENT AP

PR O V E D

Can be mounted on a variety of platforms: Truck Mounted Trailer Mounted Stationary

Tennacor

Looking to 10 years as a member

I

f this is the first time you have picked up a copy of the AIFEMA magazine, or you are reading this article on the AIFEMA website, we want to encourage you to join us as a member of the Alberta Industrial Fire and Emergency Management Association (AIFEMA).

The benefits of being an AIFEMA member are tremendous and far reaching. You can promote and advertise your company and products.

You can meet new and existing customers in a friendly and professional atmosphere. You can learn what your peers in the fire and emergency

By Brad Annett

management industry are working on to keep up with evolving government and industry regulations.

The executive team at AIFEMA organizes diverse and interesting conferences. The keynote speakers have always been exceptional. For example, we have had speakers tell us about their tragic near-death experiences and how they survived and now thrive. We’ve heard the former fire chief for the City of Toronto detail the inner workings and dynamics in managing Canada’s largest fire department. We’ve heard how companies and cities who experience major disasters manage and overcome them. And, we always hear about new products and management response plans that save lives.

Tennacor joined AIFEMA as a vendor member in 2011 and we look forward to the bi-annual AIFEMA conferences for the presentations, group discussions, and networking opportunities.

Members may remember our Compressed Air Foam (CAF) backpack demonstration in the parking lot of the Grey Eagle hotel during an AIFEMA conference in Calgary. We had the CEO of the HNE Technologie fly to Calgary to demonstrate at the conference. As a company, we saw first-hand how effective it is to introduce a neverbefore-seen product to the Canadian market with current and potential customers in one place at one time.

Please join us in congratulating the Alberta Industrial Fire and Emergency Management Association for celebrating 30 years as an association in 2019. We look forward to seeing you at the next conference.

Brad Annett is co-owner and business manager at Tennacor.

36 <<< www.aifema.ca <<< AIFEMA Emergency Review <<< 2020

SWING LEVER

2.5 HYDRANT GATE VALVE

MISC ADAPTERS

2.5”, 4” & 5” HOSE CLAMP

WRENCHES

Westvac Industrial Ltd.

partners with HMA Fire to provide new ultra-high pressure technology to the Canadian fire industry

W

estvac Industrial Ltd. is a municipal and industrial dealership that operates throughout all the provinces of Western Canada. With three divisions, Westvac Industrial prides itself on providing value and expertise to the public services that aid our Canadian communities.

Westvac Industrial understands that all fire departments are held to an unmatched standard, which is why the organization only represents the highest quality products available in the fire industry.

Westvac Industrial has recently made the decision to partner with the pioneers of ultra-high pressure fire suppression systems, HMA Fire. Being the fastest growing fragment of the business, this partnership allows Westvac Industrial’s fire division to further continue its growth and potential.

“We have an opportunity to keep up within the industry by offering the best options to our customers, this is HMA Fire,” says Gary Vermeulen, president of Westvac Industrial.

HMA Fire’s foundation: research & development HMA Fire’s original parent company, Orbital Technologies Corporation, worked with NASA to develop spacecraft propulsion systems and formulate propellants to fuel them. It was from that partnership that HMA Fire developed a deep understanding of high-pressure fluid dynamics, including ultra-high pressure water flow-through nozzles.

As the technology evolved, its potential for tactical firefighting applications became clear.

HMA Fire was officially formed in 2003 and partnered with the US Air Force to develop UHP technology for firefighting.

38 <<< www.aifema.ca <<< AIFEMA Emergency Review <<< 2020

Applying UHP technology to firefighting More than a decade of research followed, with HMA Fire engineers working side by side with scientists at the Air Force Fire Research Laboratory at Tyndall Air Force Base in Florida. This extensive research and development effort led to the creation of ultra-high pressure (UHP) technology for tactical use in the fire service.

In 2010, HMA Fire and USAF introduced the L3, a technologically advanced, off-road, rugged-terrain vehicle with superior fire suppression capabilities. The debut of the L3 showed just how game-changing UHP would be for the fire service.

Gaining real-world testing and validation Adapting UHP technology for use by departments of all sizes and budgets required innovation and real-world testing and validation. Frontline firefighters brought their hard-earned

experience and expertise to help guide the development of HMA Fire UHP technology and products.

HMA Fire equipment has been field-tested and validated by researchers, military personnel, and fire service professionals in real-life settings, including structural, engine, fuel, and wildland fires.

HMA Fire today In 2017, HMA Fire was acquired by the Robbins family, founders and owners of Robbins Manufacturing, a world-class metal fabrication company based in Wisconsin.

From the headquarters in Fall River, Wisconsin, HMA Fire has entered into a new era of growth and innovation. HMA Fire remains the leading manufacturer of UHP technology in the fire service, with more than 400 units currently in service.

The HMA Fire team remains true to their roots in rigorous scientific discovery and technological innovation

with the goal of making firefighting faster, safer, and more efficient.

HMA Fire’s current focus is creating UHP fire suppression systems that integrate with every apparatus and every platform.

Westvac Industrial Ltd. knows HMA Fire will make an incredible introduction in the Western Canadian market.

“Having already been successfully introduced in the U.S., we think HMA Fire’s Ultra High Pressure System will have an immediate impact for our customers,” says Vermeulen. “It allows a quicker response time for the departments and will eliminate a lot of wear and tear on their mainline and first call units. It also enables fire damages to be minimized.”

Westvac Industrial already has an UHP HMA Fire demo unit deployed into the territory. They are making rounds throughout the Western provinces showcasing the system to interested departments.

HMA FIRE

SMALLER DROPS. MORE SURFACE AREA.

BIGGER IMPACT.

Authorized Dealer

THE SCIENCE OF ULTRA HIGH PRESSURE....

IS NO LONGER DEBATABLE!

1 866 962 1218 westvac.com 2020 >>> AIFEMA Emergency Review >>> www.aifema.ca >>> 39

Index to Advertisers A.S. Roach Fire Services.................................................................................................................................................... 3 Behr Integrated Solutions............................................................................................................................................... 6 City of Brooks.......................................................................................................................................................................11 Commercial Emergency Equipment Co.........................................................................................................OBC Drago-ISI.................................................................................................................................................................................35 Enbridge Pipelines Inc..................................................................................................................................................IBC Firemaster Oilfield Services Inc................................................................................................................................. 29 Lakeland College................................................................................................................................................................10 Motion Canada...................................................................................................................................................................21 Northwest Central Alberta FASD Services Network Society.................................................................. 29 Pacific MAKO........................................................................................................................................................................37 Plymovent / Aqua Air......................................................................................................................................................27 Pro Rescue Services............................................................................................................................................................ 3 Rocky Mountain Phoenix............................................................................................................................................IFC Rotaflow..................................................................................................................................................................................33 Starfield Lion.........................................................................................................................................................................31 System One Manufacturing Inc.................................................................................................................................. 7 TEEX / Texas A&M Engineering................................................................................................................................... 5 Tennacor Canada Inc...................................................................................................................................................... 36 The Coverall Shop............................................................................................................................................................ 38 Trident Pump Inc.................................................................................................................................................... 23 & 24 Westvac Industrial Ltd.................................................................................................................................................... 23 WFR Wholesale Fire & Rescue Ltd.............................................................................................................................. 9 Wide Valley Fire Service.................................................................................................................................................31

Specializing in 3M Reflective Materials Including Graphics & Striping • FR Apparel • Gloves and PPE • Cresting 7610 Edgar Industrial Dr. Red Deer AB T4P 3R2

• Embroidery

jeremy@thecoverallshop.ca www.thecoverallshop.ca

Phone: 403-314-0346

• Industrial Laundry

|

Toll Free: 1-855-252-5523

40 <<< www.aifema.ca <<< AIFEMA Emergency Review <<< 2020

PLEASE RECYCLE

Stronger together. We didnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t get suited up at the sound of the alarm.

Or battle not just a fire, but a case of the nerves. But through our Safe Communit y Program, we have invested over $14 million to help ensure first responders have exactly what they need to get the job done.

When the energy you invest in life meets the energy we fuel it with, life-changing moments happen.

SALES · PARTS · SERVICE • Best In Class product knowledge, customer support, and technical expertise • 24 Hour Emergency Service • OEM parts and equipment • Fire pump, foam and CAFS testing & maintenance • Inspections (apparatus, delivery, aerial)

Vancouver · Surrey · Calgary · Edmonton · Regina · Winnipeg · Woodstock

www.comemerg.ca

•

Canada’s largest fleet of mobile EVTs

1-800-665-6126

24 Hour Emergency Service

1-877-443-2626