Cottage Express 2015, Gravenhurst Fire Department

GRAVENHURST FIRE DEPARTMENT

Spring 2015 Mark your calendar: Pan Am Games Torch Relay— June 9th, 11:00am until 3:00 pm at the Muskoka Wharf.

COTTAGE EXPRESS Choices, choices...

Inside this issue: Message from the Fire Chief...

2

MAS

2

Access

2

Protecting what you value most...

3

Open Fires/Fireworks...

3

The first 72 hours...

3

Help Wanted

4

In an emergency, it seems like help takes forever to arrive. And you

Many people choose to ignore some of the really simple things they

don’t need anyone to tell you that you’re more than a stones throw from help living in this corner of

can do to prevent a tragedy from occurring. Fire safety can be as simple as making sure candles and open

Muskoka. In many cases, being away from the hustle and bustle of urban living is why many people chose to

flames are never left unattended, that pots are never left unattended on the stove, and of course that

live in cottage country in the first place. Living in this beautiful area of Muskoka has many rewards, and living safely is also a CHOICE that

smoking is not a pastime enjoyed while in bed or lying on the couch.

you can make!

IF you choose to take the steps necessary to turn these mere words into ACTION!

Special points of interest:  Only WORKING smoke alarms save lives—have you changed the batteries in yours?  You MUST plan (and practice) how to escape from your home before fire strikes...  Get out and Stay out!

“Oh, that’ll never happen to me!” say many, but we’re almost certain that the families of those people mentioned above said the very same thing a few short months ago.

The reality is, fire can strike anywhere at any time… and just like any other emergency, fires can occur when you least expect them.

So we urge you to protect your

This newsletter has been designed specifically for you and your family. It is full of information that we firmly believe can save your life— IF you heed the words you read, and

people perished in fires in Ontario last year!

family by spending just a few minutes tonight when you get home to review the information we’ve provided

These three issues continue to be the leading causes of fires and fatal fires in Ontario. In fact, over 80

for you in this newsletter. Invest the time in your family’s safety. Then turn these ideas into reality. Don’t wait—tomorrow may be too late!

Carbon Monoxide Detectors Mandatory!

You’ve heard it said that carbon monoxide is a colourless, odourless gas that can kill! Too many lives have been lost to ”the silent killer” and that’s why effective April 15th of this year, it’s now mandatory in Ontario for residences to have CO detectors installed if your home (or cottage) has ANY type of fuel fired appliance (wood stove, propane fueled furnace/stove/ refrigerator/hot water heater etc.). Have appliances checked regularly by qualified technicians, and make sure you’ve INSTALLED a CO detector now!

(These inexpensive devices are available locally at Home Hardware, Canadian Tire and other fine retailers).

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CO TTAGE E XPRE SS

Message from the Fire Chief

“...do everything you can to prevent fires and to protect your family.

Doing so will help to protect OUR family! “

Gravenhurst relies almost entirely on a group of almost 50 part-time (volunteer) firefighters to provide

stranger who was trapped in a burning mobile home. Sadly, this person perished in the blaze. Our firefight-

We ask you to do YOUR part!

Make a conscious effort to do everything you can to prevent fires and to

firefighting and rescue services to our community. These dedicated men and women serve our commu-

ers were taken to hospital, and one of them spent nine days in the burn unit of Sunnybrook hospital where

protect your family. Doing so will help to protect OUR family!

nity year round and have continually demonstrated the true meaning of “community spirit”.

he received excellent care from another group of professionals.

I share this story because you

firefighters out and about at many community events. Please say “Hi” and feel free to ask us about any fire

Like those who have gone before them, our firefighters are willing to drop what they are doing at a moments notice and respond to an

should know that this is the type of selfless service that is embodied by those who step forward to wear the uniform of a firefighter. Whether

safety issue that important to you.

Our fire prevention officer will also be glad to visit your cottage or home to offer tips on how to keep your

emergency because “somebody” needs help.

they serve in a career capacity in “the big city” or in a volunteer capacity in small town Ontario, fire-

family safe. To arrange a visit, please call us at 705-687-3414. Stay safe this summer!

fighters everywhere dedicate themselves to YOUR protection.

Larry Brassard, Fire Chief

This past winter, two of our firefighters suffered serious injuries while trying to save the life of a

Again this year, you’ll see our

MAS—Muskoka Addressing System Those little blue reflective signs that indicate your address are a crucial part of our community’s emergency response system. Police, fire and ambulance workers rely on the presence of these signs to help speed the response to emergencies.

When a loved one experiences a heart attack, the presence of this sign can mean that paramedics are able to locate your home quickly.

Conversely, the absence of the sign can add precious minutes to a response.

Please take the time to ensure your MAS sign is installed and easily seen especially at night or in poor weather conditions.

When calling 9-1-1 to report an emergency, state this number clearly along with the road name. In some

Access “You can’t get there from here...”

This may be a funny line in a television commercial, but it has very real

Roadways with overgrown brush and tree limbs that encroach on to roadways can block access and pre-

implications for emergency response—especially for those properties on privately maintained roads.

vent firefighters from reaching the scene of an emergency… and if we can’t get to your property in the

Emergency vehicles, notably large fire trucks cannot deliver effective service if they’re unable to access a property.

event of a fire—well, the results can be disastrous.

Clear your roads/laneway, trim your brush and trees please!

cases you’ll need to provide the community name as well (i.e.— ”Gravenhurst, in the Severn Bridge area”) as some internet telephone service providers may not interface with the Bell 9.1.1. system. If you use one of these internet telephone systems (VoIP—Voice over Internet Protocol), check with your service provider for additional information on reporting emergencies.

CO TTAGE E XPRE SS

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Protecting what you value most...

Did you know that smoke alarms that are more than 10 years old need to be replaced? And Carbon Monox-

important as having a working alarm.

In a fire, you may have less than a minute to get out of your home

ide alarms also have limited life spans (check yours for an expiry date).

and so you need to talk with your family NOW about home escape planning. Talk with your children

Ontario law requires that working smoke alarms be present on all levels in all homes—and that includes seasonal residences like cottages and trailers. Carbon Monoxide detectors are now mandatory for homes and cottages in Ontario as well!

But knowing what to do when that alarms sounds at 3am is just as

er and know how to use it! Call us if you need help with any of these.

Don’t put these things off to tomorrow or next week… do it now, and protect what you value most!

about primary and secondary escape routes, the importance of getting out quickly and having a safe meeting place outside. Decide how and who will call 9-1-1 and if there's a need to temporarily shelter at a neighbours.

Do a home and cottage safety audit and remove any hazards you find. Invest in a good fire extinguish-

Open Fires/Fireworks/Forest Fire Danger Rating Burning brush and having a campfire with the kids is part of our way of life here in Muskoka, but like

limited in size and are only permitted in the evenings. They must be attended at all times and you must

tions are listed on the town’s website, on prominently displayed signs in the community and can be ac-

anything, some common sense goes a long way to making these activities safe, fun and enjoyable.

have a means to extinguish the fire immediately available.

cessed toll free by calling:

Gravenhurst has a by-law that regulates open air burning and so if you consider having a fire, please

tions will require a complete ban on fires because of an increased risk of forest fires. The Muskoka Forest Fire

check the town’s website for the regulations. Essentially, fires must be

Danger Rating system is utilized by all fire departments. Current condi-

Sometimes, environmental condi-

1-877-847-1577.

The use of family fireworks are currently not regulated though the fire department strongly discourages their use in forested areas due to the risk of grass/brush/forest fires.

The First 72 hours...

The Town of Gravenhurst maintains a “Community Emergency Management Team” whose mandate

such as floods, tornadoes and other emergencies by preparing a family survival kit. Preparing your family to

is to maintain the town’s official emergency plan and conduct activities that are regulated by provincial

be self-sufficient for up to 72 hours is important.

legislation.

Current trends in preparedness planning suggest that every family be prepared for severe weather events

You can make it a fun activity too for all family members. Go to

www.getprepared.ca for more information on how to prepare

YOUR emergency kit and other helpful information.

“Check the town’s website for details on Gravenhurst’s open air burning by-law.” www.gravenhurst.ca

GRAVENHURST FIRE DEPARTMENT Mailing Address:

The Gravenhurst Fire Department can trace it’s roots back to the mid-late 1800’s when, like many small Ontario Communities, a fire brigade was formed to safeguard the community from its greatest threat—FIRE.

190-1 Harvie Street Gravenhurst, ON P1P1H3 Phone: 705-687-3414 Fax: 705-687-5725 E-mail: fire@gravenhurst.ca

www.gravenhurst.ca Today, the Gravenhurst Fire Department is composed of over 50 members who operate ten large pieces of fire apparatus from three stations. Answering over 300 calls for help annually, the members of the fire department strive to maintain a rich heritage of selfless service established over the decades by those that have gone before us…

UT ALII VIVANT (“That others may live!”)

HELP WANTED! TOUGH JOB—TOUGH TEAM!

We offer:

That’s the tag line for our recruiting initiative which is underway as of NOW.

 Excellent training and transferrable

We’re always looking to bolster our ranks of volunteer/part-time firefighters and the need is especially acute here during the traditional work day.

 All personal protective clothing and

If you are between the ages of 18 and 60, are in good physical condition, enjoy learning new skills and being part of a high performing team, becoming a part-time firefighter could be right for you.

 Full WSIB coverage and supplemental

Homemakers, truck drivers, electricians, gentlemen farmers… all have made great Gravenhurst firefighters in the past… now its your turn!

skills

uniforms

 Competitive wages insurance benefits

 Friendships that can last a lifetime  Fun, excitement and a sense of selfsatisfaction from helping others in their time of need.

Interested? Call us or go to our website and download an application.

Final Thoughts… we overheard a retired firefighter talking at the coffee shop the other day…

“The power went out last week so I couldn’t use my TV, computer, radio, laptop, or stereo. Then I found out my cell phone battery was dead, and to make matters worse, because it was pouring rain, I couldn't go for a run, walk or bike ride! So, I sat in the kitchen and talked with my wife. She seemed like a nice person!”