Fire Watch: Volume 12, Issue 4

HALL SHOWCASE ON STATION 135 VOLUME 12 | ISSUE 4

THE OFFICIAL PUBLICATION OF THE TORONTO PROFESSIONAL FIRE FIGHTERS’ ASSOCIATION

Publications Agreement No: 41203011

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HALL SHOWCASE ON STATION 135 VOLUME 12 | ISSUE 4

5-alarm boroughTHE OFFICIAL PUBLICATION OF THE TORONTO PROFESSIONAL FIRE FIGHTERS’ ASSOCIATION unseamperang rain 17. The 11:00 d later jacent n part 14 26 m the ewells 5km t fire Stanckers 36 the rt of area des om42 28 ial, and FIRE WATCH (ISSN 1715-5134) is published quarterly by the ark.

TORONTO PROFESSIONAL FIRE FIGHTERS’ ASSOCIATION 14 Cosentino Drive, Toronto ON M1P 3A2 ere Tel: 416.466.1167 www.torontofirefighters.org ay E-mail: firewatch@torontofirefighters.org aCHIEF EDITOR Frank Ramagnano he MANAGING EDITORS James Coones & Suzanne Boss nt.

Tel.: 416.466.1167 Fax: 416.466.6632 E-mail: firewatch@torontofirefighters.org as er ASSISTANT EDITORS Mykhail Baehr, Marla Friebe, Rodney Johnston, James Kennedy, Matt Rayner 2

.

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Publications Agreement No: 41203011

Gfl fire

may 25, 2017

The Port Lands waste and located in 32 V O L U Mrecycling E 1 2 | I S Sfacility UE 4 District escalated quickly to a 6-alarm blaze just after midnight on May 25th, 2017. GFL (Green For Llife), located at 242 Cherry Street, caught fire 5 President’s Message at 00:56 and saw more than 170 units attend 7 Secretary-Treasurer’s Message while the incident remained active for 9 Vice President’s Message three days. A 6th alarm was 11 Chaplain’s called Corner just before 02:00.

Thanks to a coordinated 12 Letters to the Editor attack by firefighters through14 TFS Demographics out the night, the fire was 22 Roll The Heavy downgraded to a 2-alarm by 26 Member Isaac25th.

Selby The blaze 08:50Profile on onthe was City fought from all sides by 28 Vertical aerial monitors, crews on the 30 88th 2017 Annual Off-Duty and Media Awards ground, and from the water by 36 The Stable Grounds Lyon Mackenzie the William docked toStation the 135west. Water 38 Hall Showcase on supply was provided in part by 41 Never Shall We Forget hydrant relay, drafting pump42 2017 ersToronto andFires! the fireboat. Large 44 Opioids and Naloxone plumes of smoke and ash floated through the city caus51 Behind the Mask ing numerous false alarms.

56 The Mother of Satan The smell of smoke was pres58 Fitent to Survive as far away as Etobicoke hours later.

60 3888 Recent Happenings

IN THIS ISSUE

Ryu’s

JUNE 9

HA LL SH OW CA SE ON STATIO N 135

DESIGN AND ART DIRECTION Bryan Middleton

VOLUME 12 | ISSUE 4

FIRE WATCH PHOTOGRAPHER Mykhail Baehr & TPFFA Media Team CANADIAN PUBLICATIONS MAIL Agreement No: 41203011 PRINTED IN CANADA Copyright © 2017Toronto Professional Fire Fighters’ Association

On The Cover

ADVERTISING Please contact Bill Monson at 416-466-9180 ext. 322 or e-mail monson@torontofirefighters.org

Toronto Fire celebrating Canada’s 150 along our beautiful waterfront!

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Photo Credit: Captain David Eckerman All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, or otherwise without prior written permission from the publisher.

FIRE WATCH is an official communication tool of the Toronto Professional Fire Fighters’ Association.

The Toronto Professional Fire Fighters’ Association (TPFFA) does not assume responsibility for statements of fact or opinion made by any contributor. Comments made by individuals may not reflect the official position of the TPFFA. Acceptance and publication of articles, advertisements, products and services does not indicate endorsement of same by the TPFFA, and the TPFFA assumes no responsibility for their accuracy.

photos by MYKHAIL BAEHR, Firefighter, Station 232-D

Publications Agreem

ent No: 41203011

Vo l u m e 1 2 | I s s u e 4 | F I R E WAT CH

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PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE A

s there should be, there has been a lot of discussion on promotions and how best to achieve them within the Toronto Fire Service. I thought I would take this opportunity to describe how we got to where we currently are and what the membership asked us to change.

January 1, 1998 we became the amalgamated Toronto Fire Service. We did not form the Toronto Professional Fire Fighters’ Association Local 3888 until December 1, 1998; however we did have an agreement and formed a Presidents council prior to the December date. Various committees were formed and one looked at promotional systems.

After amalgamation, items were brought to the membership for a vote to make them bargaining proposals. For example: shift, vacation, promotions and so on.

Initially, the membership endorsed a seniority based method. There was no agreement with management and it was an item brought before the Telplitsky board. The arbitration board agreed with the Association and awarded a qualified seniority system and also dealt with the various swing and Acting Captains already in the system prior to amalgamation.

2001 was the year when the first qualification for the new TFS were implemented. For Captains, it was a system of a written and oral exam, practical testing and agreement to complete the Ontario Fire Marshall Officer development before becoming a Captain. Although, the ladder requirement was removed shortly after with the agreement of both parties as it was seen as a repeat of what members had already taken. Essentially, it was replaced with a new Captains course to help prepare the newly promoted.

For our 2002 bargaining process, the membership asked for a new method that maintained seniority but had members training and learning the job and then being tested on what they learned. In response to this request, a joint committee was formed with management out of a bargaining process and got educated on the OFM module process. An agreement was reached with management to move to the module process for qualifying and using seniority as the placement on the list.

This went to them membership for endorsement and it was accepted by both parties.

District Chiefs were to move to a similar method once the OFM developed a senior management module process; but in the meantime they would complete the on-going method.

For our 2015 bargaining process the membership approved the following bargaining proposals in relations to bargaining; • That a promotional committee consisting of L3888 and Management be established.

18.01 Operations Promotional Process > Ensure adequate time off for completing TFS promotional exams. > Acting time missed due to training to be paid. > A permanent Captain with 3 years as an Operations A/C shall be eligible to participate in the D/C process.

18.02 Promotional System for Support Divisions > Ensure adequate time off for completing TFS

promotional exams. > Acting time missed due to training to be paid. > All officers to have acting positions as well.

Eventually, we received agreement from management to form a joint committee to look at our current promotional system and make recommendations to each party for change. In June 2016 this was an agreed to item that was awarded by the arbitration board. We have been meeting since that time and there has been progress on new methods for promotion for both the Captain and District Chief level. Once an agreement is reached with management it will go to the membership for endorsement.

In preparation of bargaining, Local 3888 struck a committee of members to review our current promotional system. In order to achieve this, the committee compared our current promotional system to those of similar sized departments across North America, conducted a membership survey and had an actuary examine how the current demographics of the TFS (age & rank) impacts the number of members who may achieve promotion under our current system.

At its first meeting, the committee developed a set of guiding principles to follow in the review and development of possible recommendations for changes to our existing promotional system.

The following are the recommendations of this committee for consideration and that local 3888 is using in our current discussion with management.

1.

That a promotional committee consisting of L3888 and Management be established. The mandate of this committee will be to establish a new promotional process that reflects the interests of both parties. In addition, the committee will conduct an ongoing review of the process and content of the promotional curriculum to ensure our members are being provided with the training and skills needed for the position that they are being promoted to, and that they are being evaluated in a transparent and fair manner.

2.

That competition for promotion should be conducted within a larger band of candidates rather than our current process of an individual class within a band. A majority of the committee recommended a competition within a two year banding. However, it should be noted that the specific size of the competitive band was one issue that the committee had the most difficulty coming to an agreement on.

3. That in a scenario where a candidate fails the process within their band, they will be able to compete in the process within the next eligible band. Their placement will be within the banding that they successfully competed against.

4. That the passing grade for all modules/evaluations should be raised. It was determined by this committee that the current passing grade of 60% within each module and 70% in the final module is not the appropriate threshold given the duties and responsibilities that come with promotion.

5. That there should be a requalification component for those candidates on a qualified acting list who are not designated yet. This requalification will allow the candidate to maintain their current

Frank Ramagnano

position on the list. Successful requalification would not change a candidates ranking on the list.

6. That in addition to the current theoretical testing component (Module 6) there needs to be a practical aspect to the overall evaluation process. One example of this could be a fire ground scenario based evaluation. The committee discussions and information gleaned from the survey identified that there is not enough relevant practical fire ground training under the current process.

Allowing individuals to practice running practical scenarios for example will allow them to gain experience and competence in the role of an officer on the fire ground. These practical skills need to be performed and evaluated under a new system.

7.

That in addition to the current Module 5 – Instructional Strategies course, there needs to be an instructional component to the promotional process. A large component of the position of Captain is that of teaching basic fire ground skills.

One example is having designated and non-designated Acting Captains involved in the instruction of recruit fire fighters. This will provide them the opportunity to develop the necessary leadership and instructional skills required for the position of Captain.

8.

That in addition to our current practice of assigning an Acting Captain to each apparatus with the intent of learning from their Captain, the committee felt that some further mentoring component would be of benefit to candidates.

9. That the new system should apply to members who become eligible for the promotional process starting Jan 01, 2015.

10. That there is a need to develop career paths (or ‘streams’) for members who are interested in positions as senior managers. By providing the required courses to the membership, it will keep firefighters engaged and interested in the job, and will allow management to promote to senior positions from within the department. It is the recommendation of this committee that the union should enter discussions on how something like this could be achieved.

We are working towards a goal of having an MOA by the end of this year, both parties feel that would be sufficient time to put the new method in place if approved and not be without designated actors.

Frank Ramagnano President, Toronto Professional Fire Fighters’ Association, I.A.F.F. Local 3888 Vo l u m e 1 2 | I s s u e 4 | F I R E WAT CH

5

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SECRETARY-TREASURER’S MESSAGE “IF YOU BUILD IT, HE WILL COME” – EVENTUALLY…HOPEFULLY…MAYBE…

D

o you remember the scene from the 1989 movie “Field of Dreams”, where Kevin Costner is standing in the corn field and a whispering voice states, “If you build it, he will come”?

What Costner’s character, Ray Kinsella, was meant to build was a baseball diamond in his corn field, and who would come would be Shoeless Joe Jackson and the other members of the 1919 Chicago White Sox. Field of Dreams was nominated for an Oscar in 1990 for Best Picture and for me at the time, contained some powerful scenes that I recall stirred different emotions. It’s probably why I use this movie, and more specifically, that line from the movie, as an analogy for an issue our Association has long been facing.

We have always known that membership engagement and communication is one of the most challenging issues facing not only our Association but that of so many other Associations as well. Whenever I attend a fire fighter conference, convention or seminar, inevitably, somewhere in the conversation, the issue of how to increase membership engagement, participation and really, a sense of overall ownership, prevails.

For the past three years, I can say that our own Ray Kinsella (Executive Board) has taken some significant strides toward improving membership engagement by building a number of baseball diamonds (new initiatives) in our corn fields for our 1919 Chicago White Sox (members)(please disregard any reference to the Black Sox Scandal however).

One of the first things that was changed in 2015, was to open several standing committees to members of the floor, who possessed some excellent skills and experience to further assist the Executive Board Officers assigned to them. I believe this has helped to improve those committees and provided a step toward succession planning for possible future Executive Board Officers or even just more engaged members, who are given the chance to make a meaningful contribution and help shape their Association.

Another very significant baseball diamond, which quite literally WAS built for the members to come and utilize, and which will finally be realized in the month of October as we move in, is our new Association offices

at 14 Cosentino Drive. This project has been a long time coming and required significant time and resources to achieve. It will most certainly be a building that we can all be very proud of and offers a substantial upgrade to our previous facility. The new building contains a couple of key components that our old building on Commissioners would not allow for. The first is a heritage/museum area that will contain various artifacts, as well as a glass Wall of Honour that will memorialize all our members that have paid the ultimate sacrifice. The other is a fully functional training facility that will be utilized to deliver various courses and certificate programs to not only our members, but our members’ families as well.

The last baseball diamond that I want to talk about is more of a high-tech diamond, which came as a result of our members’ very vocal and persistent pleas for us to find different methods to deliver information and involve them in the direction that their Association was taking. Unfortunately, it is also the one that so far, not many members have shown up to, in order to ‘take some swings’ or ‘toss the ball around’.

Following the successful launch of our new website in 2015, work continued and the newest diamond being built involved utilizing and adapting emerging technology to host various webinars and conduct secure online voting on issues, as allowed in our Constitution.

The many hours required of research, consultation, training and eventually set-up, was going to be well worth it. It was something that the membership so desperately wanted and once it was all done, we were going to sit in the homemade bleachers like Ray Kinsella and watch as the White Sox showed up in droves to their Field of Dreams – “If you build it, he will come!”

Unfortunately, this is where we take a turn away from the movie version – at least up to this point in time.

Since signing a 12-month contract with the two services to provide the ability to conduct webinars and online voting, we have held a total of three Town Hall webinars and conducted one online vote.

The first Town Hall and online vote was conducted back in June 2017 and allowed members to vote on constitutional amendments. Now, albeit not the most stimulating

James Coones

of topics, it is one that undeniably shapes how we conduct business. The results? Of the 194 that registered for the Town Hall, a whopping 89 members attended. As for online voting…the one thing that was going to finally allow all members to have their voice heard from the comfort of wherever they pleased…there were 154 members register to vote and 103 who cast a vote.

That equates to about 3 percent of our total membership.

Benefit of the doubt given, as it was our first one and the issues being voted on weren’t exactly polarizing. We needed something more substantial and interesting that affected the entire membership – something that they had been waiting on for a considerable amount of time and would directly affect them. Enter Arbitrator Hayes’ decision on our long-awaited and expired contract.

Town Halls were conducted on August 25th and 28th to review the decision. Surely this would draw out a majority of our members? Not exactly. In total, 229 members would attend over the two different dates.

Just over 7.5 percent – for a contract that we had been waiting almost three years to receive.

For those who did attend, the vast majority have commented that it is an excellent platform for delivering information and interaction between the membership and Executive Board.

I am still very hopeful that as we continue to host these Town Halls and provide the opportunity to vote online, where permitted, that the membership will grab their bats and gloves and come to the diamond to play.

James Coones Secretary - Treasurer, Toronto Professional Fire Fighters’ Association I.A.F.F. Local 3888 Vo l u m e 1 2 | I s s u e 4 | F I R E WAT CH

7

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VICE PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE STRENGTH IN NUMBERS

T

he rain fell as it often does on days like these. I felt a slight chill through my tunic as the water penetrated my uniform.

The sharp voice of the Parade Marshal snapped us all to attention and the chatter instantly stopped.

The sea of blue from each rank of every division stood together to honor yet another member who had paid the ultimate sacrifice. I remember thinking, “I knew her well”. Something that was becoming more and more common as my years of service continued to add up.

The Honor Guard marched in step, being led by the heart-wrenching sound of the Pipes and Drums. When the last car of the immediate family passed and I dropped my salute, the emotional reality of yet another loss came to finality and I became acutely aware that we have…

Strength in Numbers.

I spent several sad days the week before in Communications. There were many stories of when “she lorded over us at stores” or the “fun she brought wherever she went”.

The tears fell, but the professionalism remained and trucks were directed as they always are to those in need. As call takers and dispatchers covered off one another to make it through the tough times, it occurred to me that we have…

Strength in Numbers.

Unlike most days in the summer of 2017, there was surprisingly no rain when Frank and I spent the morning shadowing Fire Prevention. It was interesting to hear about the demands that were put on our members. Just the thought of trying to inspect every high-rise annually in a city our size seemed like an incredibly daunting task. What struck me most was the dedication of these members to follow up with the fire prevention notes created the night before by the Operations staff. Every division relies on each other to maintain the circle of success.

As we approached the rundown building that took up a block of the downtown core, I could see the distraught landlord anxiously anticipating our arrival. Conflict was in the air; a hoarder who was a tenant refusing to leave his home was guardedly awaiting, with a camera in hand, to record the day’s events. Frank and I stood back as we watched the two officers defuse the situation with ease. As I watched the day unfold, I thought about all the divisions, working together to show we have…

Strength in Numbers.

2017 began with a Toronto-wide transition of benefit providers from Manulife to Greenshield; protecting years of bargaining and past practice is not going to be easy. As the City broadcasted to all employees to reregister for benefits, taking the opportunity to infringe on personal authorization to release information, and erase the years of YOUR benefits history, Local 3888 stood together. Dangling the convenience of online submissions and a flashy app to monitor your account information was not enough to sway our members. The attempts at changing our benefits behaviors by creating obstacles such as making it difficult to get a simple prescription filled or use the medical professional of choice has had little effect. As the cracks started to show and claims began to be denied we banded together. The Benefits Committee created an online form and after the participation of over 500 complainants, the data is being collected to take on a giant in a very difficult arena. In a time where other unions have failed to regain what has been lost, Local 3888 is showing the City that we have...

Strength in Numbers.

Let’s do a Fire Operations at City Hall and create a vertical city training exercise, with on-duty and off-duty personnel, from every division. Uniting those who have never worked together before and run a full fire drill; evacuating every floor

Kevin McCarthy

of City Hall, during business hours, in real time. All the while broadcasting it live to Facebook, CP24 and recording it during an Ontario Firefighters Association Convention. It was all hands on deck, with representation from Fire Prevention, Communications, Fire Inspectors, Fire Educators, Mechanical, Radio Tech, CAD, Analytics and Operations.

Like any emergency situation, there were obstacles to overcome. While my hair took on another shade of grey, our members calmly stayed on course throughout the communication, elevator and a multitude of other issues. The challenges of the day provided a realistic, live view to the over 18,000 people on Facebook and the unlimited potential of the CP 24 audience. In addition, providing the Association with a permanent product that will be edited and be used for many years to come.

The overarching principle was we did it TOGETHER. The support of our Provincial, International and Senior Management made what many believed to be impossible, possible. More importantly, when called upon, it was our members; over 90 in total volunteers and a full complement of on-duty staff that made it a success.

Whatever challenges that lie ahead, we can depend on one another, because at Local 3888, we have….

Strength in Numbers.

Kevin McCarthy, Vice President, Toronto Professional Fire Fighters’ Association I.A.F.F. Local 3888

Vo l u m e 1 2 | I s s u e 4 | F I R E WAT CH

9

CHAPLAIN’S CORNER

Principles for developing good relationships

G

reetings, I hope you are well! For the last couple of months I have been enjoying what is called a Sabbatical from my church position.

My wife and I have been serving at the same church for 20 years and in recognition of that, our church gave us a 3-month break. Needless to say, I like keeping busy and so the time has gone by lickety-split. A few projects have been: renovating our basement, shingling Sue’s parent’s cottage and carrying the lead phone for the peer support team for the month of June.

During this time, I’ve enjoyed having a bit more time to observe life.

One thing that I have noted about life in general is that relationships make our lives richer and more enjoyable but that they can also cause us a lot of stress. In striving to improve my own relationships, I have noticed a couple of things that sometimes trip folks up and lead to unnecessary conflict and stress. With this in mind, I’d like to share 3 simple principles that I try to implement in my life that help me to get along with others.

The first principle is to “get the handshake right”. In the Bible, which is (as you might have guessed) my “go-to” resource, it says “Greet one another with a holy kiss”.

For many cultures this is practiced and acceptable; for someone such as myself, with a British heritage, not so much. However, there is a point here: how we greet others, how we introduce ourselves, how we start off a conversation is really important. Giving our name, a smile, and asking “How are

you?” are all conducive to starting off on the right foot. The first 30 seconds with a person are formative moments. In our current digital age filled with acronyms and emoji’s, these social skills bridge the gap between “impersonal” and “warm, friendly, trustworthy, likeable, and caring”.

A second principle for building relationships is to practise effective and clear communication. In my opinion, the least effective way to communicate, especially when it comes to something that is of a personal nature is to use things like Facebook or texting. These methods are a great media for sharing facts but not such a good way of sharing one’s feelings. Talking on the phone is more effective but when it comes to personal communication, and especially conflict resolution, “faceto-face is best.

The third principle for developing good relationships is to “let your “yes be yes, and your no be no”. This principle comes from the Bible and concerns keeping our word. A couple of years ago I had

WEST COMMAND Rev. Todd Riley 416.318.9167 tsriley@teksavvy.com

a friend who was a pioneer in fleet management in the early 1960’s. He would make verbal contracts when purchasing trucks. It was just his word and a handshake. While those days are gone, we now live in an era where if someone says “I’ll be there” or “I’ll do that” we might as well put them in the “maybe” category, for half the time they don’t come through.

It’s hard to get things done and run anything - whether it be a baseball team, a club, a church event, or a fire hall when others don’t keep their word. For good relationships, when we say we are going to do something or be somewhere, we need to keep our commitments, even if it becomes inconvenient. If we can’t keep our word, we owe it to the other person to call them personally and to offer an explanation and apology.

I hope some of these principles will help you avoid some of the traps that I have inadvertently fallen into when it comes to getting along with others, whether it be a colleague, friend, spouse or child.

Thanks for your time and the privilege of serving you. I look forward to connecting with you.

Todd Vo l u m e 1 2 | I s s u e 4 | F I R E WAT CH 11

This event could not have happened without their tireless work throughout the evening. And your kind donations added to our silent auction, greatly increased the final take home – not to mention the live auction item – dinner at the station – which raised $400.00 on its own.

Despite being held on an evening when there were many other events, The Function in the Junction sold out! One hundred and three people came and in total, we raised $5250.00 for Green13.

It is my understanding this money will be used towards their initiative for geothermal energy in the Junction.

This great success is due to your continued support of this event – Thank you.

We look forward to working with you again for Function in the Junction 2018!

DEAR TORONTO PROFESSIONAL FIRE FIGHTERS’ ASSOCIATION I am writing to express my sincere gratitude and appreciation for the direction and support the TPFFA has provided in presiding over the arrangements and service for my husband, Captain Stephen Forsey.

I want to thank the Association for undertaking all aspects of Steve’s journey, complete with honour, respect and the traditions of the profession he so loved.

It was a truly fitting tribute for someone who lived life large.

Chris Sornberger and Gerlando Peritore were instrumental in coordinating all the details with great kindness and compassion.

Our family is extremely moved to know that Steve’s service and commitment to his profession will live on through a lasting tribute at each of the Fire Fighters memorials. We will forever cherish this special dedication in memory of his devotion and courage.

From our family to Steve’s Fire Fighter family, we thank you. We are fortunate enough to have lived, walked and breathed among the bravest heroes.

Best wishes, Catherine Illingworth, Ruth Yeoman, Rob Playter, Paul Mero and Rita Bijons Members of the Junction Residents’ Association and Green13

“Courage is not the absence of fear, but rather the judgement that something else is more important than fear” – James Neil Hollingworth With our heartfelt thanks and deepest gratitude, Dianne, Renee and Brandon Forsey.

THANK YOU STATION 423!!

On behalf of the JRA (Junction Residents’ Association), the Function in the Junction committee and our recipient Green13 – I do not have the words to thank your volunteers enough – for their generous support of the Function in the Junction 2017.

12

Vo l u m e 1 2 | I s s u e 4 | F I R E WAT CH 12

THE BRANTFORD PROFESSIONAL FIRE FIGHTERS ASSOCIATION On behalf of the Brantford Professional Firefighters Association Charity Gala Planning Committee, we would like to express our sincerest thanks to you in supporting the BPFFA Inaugural Charity Gala.

We are extremely grateful for your generosity in making this event a huge success and one that can build on in the future. Your participation and donation to the Gala helped raise an amazing $10,508 which will be donated to The Sunshine Foundation of Canada, which is a very special charity that makes dreams for children with severe physical disabilities or life threatening illnesses come true in a few different ways.

A Sunshine Dream is an individual experience, dreamed by a child and fulfilled by our dedicated DreamTeam. These experiences are as unique as the kids who dream them and can include (and often do) family members joining in a once-ina-lifetime customized adventure.

A Sunshine DreamLift is a day of “Yes!” and a whirlwind adventure that transports a plane full of Sunshine Children to a Disney theme park and back home in just one day! For many children, a DreamLift is more than just fun. It’s a day to experience the excitement and adventure of a first plane ride and a taste of independence away from mom and dad. It’s a day to be a regular kid in a magical setting and make memories that will last a lifetime.

One magical day recently dreams came true for over 80 children in Brantford, Brant County and surrounding areas, when The Sunshine Foundation of Canada took them to Walt Disney World on May 2, 2017, which just happened to be the 62nd Sunshine DreamLift organized by The Sunshine Foundation of Canada.

Thank you again for your generous sponsorship and we hope to build on the year’s successes with the help of your organization and the community for many years to come.

Sincerely the planning committee, Aaron Barker, Patrick Vincze, Janice Blaj Local 460 Brantford Professional Fire Fighters Association

FGS PROGRAM SUPPORT, I have heard from Geoff Boisseau following the IAFF FGS Train the Trainer course the other week where you along with Chief Pegg, Rob Hyndman and I gave greetings to the participants. I am pleased to report that everyone passed. As well, I received great comments from Geoff about the strength of the class. This will bode well for delivering this critical training to our members throughout the province.

I know from Geoff that you have been personally supportive and I wanted to thank you for that support as we embark on a new delivery of service from the IAFF and OPFFA for our members.

Thanks for your continued efforts on behalf of Local 3888 and your support of initiatives such as the FGS program.

In solidarity, Fred LeBlanc

Vo l u m e 1 2 | I s s u e 4 | F I R E WAT CH 13

Toronto Fire Services Staff Complement By Rank (2016) DIVISION Fire Prevention and Public Education

FIREFIGHTERS

CAPTAINS

DISTRICT CHIEFS

MANAGEMENT/ EXCLUDING STAFF/ LOCAL 79

TOTAL

165

36

8

9

218

Communications

60

10

4

2

78

Information and Communication Systems

12

4

2

4

22

Accreditation Service

1

1

Software/data analysis

1

1

Administrative Services

7

1

1

42.3

51.3

Mechanical Maintenance

37

7

2

4

50

29

4

3

6

4

1

1

8

506

60

23

2,693

4

1

2

7

7

7

Professional Development and Training Emergency Planning and Research Operations

2,104

Policy, Project and Public Information Senior Management Staff*

2,385

601

83

99.3

3,168.30

Note: Based on approved positions as reflected in the 2016 Operating Budget and Organizational Chart.

Senior Management Staff* - Fire Chief, Deputies & AA at Fire Chief’s Office.

14

Vo l u m e 1 2 | I s s u e 4 | F I R E WAT CH 14

27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38

2 8 4 1 12 8 8 2 4 5 3 2

2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 Average Age 45.9 46.0 46.3 46.6 46.9 46.7 46.2 45.9 45.6 Average Years of Service 17.4 17.5 17.6 17.9 18.1 17.7 17.9 17.9 17.5 Average Age when starting 31.7 30.7 30.6 28.3 31.4 30.1 30.3 30.5 29.8

Average age when retiring 56.1 56.3 56.8 56.9 58.6 57.7 57.9 59 58.6 Average sevice when retiring 30.4 30.5 31.6 29.3 32.0 30 30.8 30.8 30.6

Operations

Captain Average Age 52.9 53.3 53.9 53.9 54.4 54.7 53.6 54.2 53.6 Captain Avg Years of Service 28.0 28.3 28.6 28.5 28.9 29.1 28.8 28.2 28.5 DC Average Age 58.2 57.4 57.6 56.8 57.1 56.9 55.8 55.8 56.3 DC Avg Years of Service 33.8 33.7 33.8 33.2 33.1 32.6 32.4 31.2 32.1

2016 2015 2014 2013 2012 2011 2010 2009 2008 2007 2006 2005 2004 2003 2002 2001 2000 1999 1998 1997 1996 1995 1994 1993 1992 1991 1990 1989 1988 1987 1986 1985 1984 1983 1982 1981 1980 1979 1978 1977 1976 1975 1974 1973

87 157 89 160 93 40 89 97 79 49 50 52 40 63 158 84 93 105 0 135 68 133 67 69 68 126 190 181 129 111 67 99 83 71 35 52 52 24 27 9 5 3 0 1

Left TFS

1 1 1 3 3 8 7 8 4 7 6 7 2 1

# of Members

48 50 51 52 53 54 55 56 57 58 59 60 61 62

Start Date

41 93 99 66 61 31 36 25 23 4 14 7 3 1

# of District Chief per each Service Year

# of District Chiefs each age

25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 39

District Chief Years of Service

Age of District Chiefs

3 6 15 18 24 35 51 49 47 49 51 48 36 29 23 7 3 7 1 1

# of Captains per each Service Year

45 46 47 48 49 50 51 52 53 54 55 56 57 58 59 60 61 62 63 64

Captain Years of Service

136 156 44 99 92 34 73 87 68 43 37 40 37 48 139 61 77 94 124 59 115 60 63 58 101 152 155 111 83 36 54 48 37 8 19 13 8 2 1 1

# of Captains each age

0-1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 41

Age of Captains

# of Members each Service Year

# of Members each age 1 6 9 11 22 40 34 42 44 41 63 56 53 52 47 50 49 43 58 43 54 75 95 86 83 80 107 93 95 103 117 125 124 120 119 110 98 68 50 50 18 9 9 6 1 1

Years of Service 3888 Members

Age of 3888 Members 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 40 41 42 43 44 45 46 47 48 49 50 51 52 53 54 55 56 57 58 59 60 61 62 63 64 65 66

91 78 120 116 70 120 84 113 87 60 49 60 50 91 65 98 124 70 65

*This chart is produced from data on record January 1, 2017 in Operations Division.

312 members can retire without a penality as of this dte. 224 are over 50 years old with at least 30 years service and 46 are 50 with an 85 factor.

Vo l u m e 1 2 | I s s u e 4 | F I R E WAT CH 15

Demographics and Statistics...Continued from page 15

Aerials/Platforms/Towers

Specialty Apparatus

Chiefs Car

Squads

16

Vo l u m e 1 2 | I s s u e 4 | F I R E WAT CH 16

50 49 48

P334

334

1,909

P111

111

1,916

P244

244

1,950

R235 235 Pumpers/Rescues 47 Pumpers/Rescues R224 224 Pumpers/Rescues 46

Pumpers/Rescues 2014

2015

2016

Total

P111 P113 P114 P116 P121

1,916 1,903 2,667 1,878 1,741

1,944 1,867 2,669 1,759 1,753

1,876 1,769 2,627 1,851 1,752

5,736

P123 P125 P131

1,522 1,545 1,521

1,493 1,447 1,639

1,487 1,420 1,680

4,502

P132 P135

2,722 2,027

2,751 2,042

2,751 2,023

8,224

P141 P142 P143 P145 P146 P211 P212 P213 P215 P221 P222 P223 P224 P226 P227 P232 P233

2,364 2,456 2,422 2,310 2,695 1,048 1,598 610 296 950 1,809 2,448 859 1,737 1,325 2,497 1,659

2,249 2,664 2,407 2,500 2,622 1,074 1,636

2,251 2,995 2,412 2,526 2,533 1,142 1,706

6,864

1,672 1,406 2,414 1,655

1,825 1,391 2,276 1,588

5,234

P234 P242

2,555 1,724

2,544 1,831

2,456 1,674

7,555

P244 P245 P311 P312 P313 P314 P315 P322 P323 P324 P325 P331 P332 P333 P334 P335 P342 P343 P344 P413 P415

1,950 1,887 2,158 2,902 3,822 4,342 2,692 2,124 2,036 2,246 2,706 3,120 4,264 2,925 1,909 214 1,568 1,695 2,597 573 2,162

1,617 1,913 2,128 3,249 4,040 4,711 2,780 2,076 2,113 2,186 2,950 3,142 4,613 3,095 2,174 244 1,599 1,788 2,794

5,539 7,963 5,488 5,246 4,412 4,840 6,092 8,115 7,241 7,336 7,850 3,264 4,940 610 296

2,700 1,753 2,273

2,696 1,666 2,176

6,346 5,228 6,897 859

7,187 4,902

1,999

P333 P334 P111 P335 P113 P342 P114 P343 P116 P344 P121 P413 P123 P415 P125 P422 P131 P424 P132 P426 P135 P431 P141 P432 P142 P433 P143 P442 P145 P443 P146 P445 P211 R112 P212 R115 P213 R122 P215 R133 P221 R134 P222 R214

2,925 45 2014 1,909

R423 3,095 2015 2,174

423 3,169 2016 2,129

2,012 9,189

1,916 214 1,903 1,568

1,944 244 1,867 1,599

1,876 255 1,769 1,436

5,736 713

2,667 1,695 1,878 2,597 1,741 573

2,669 1,788 1,759 2,794 1,753

2,627 1,675 1,851 2,667 1,752

7,963 5,158

1,522 2,162 1,545 1,561 1,521 441 2,722 2,029 2,027 1,811 2,364 1,406 2,456 2,138 2,422 2,680 2,310 2,408 2,695 2,240

1,493 2,138 1,447 1,689 1,639 2,751 2,162 2,042 1,838 2,249 1,450 2,664 2,277 2,407 2,830 2,500 2,291 2,622 2,171

1,487 2,321 1,420 1,564 1,680 2,751 1,920 2,023 1,837 2,251 1,522 2,995 2,461 2,412 2,894 2,526 2,198 2,533 2,201

4,502 6,621

1,048 2,581 1,598 2,140 610 1,832 296 2,189 950 2,472 1,809 1,430

1,074 2,508 1,636 2,164

1,142 2,431 1,706 2,082

3,264 7,520

P223 R224 P224 R225 P226 R231 P227 R235 P232 R241 P233 R243 P234 R321 P242 R325 P244 R326 P245 R341 P311 R345 P312 R411 P313 R412 P314 R413 P315 R421 P322 R423 P323 R425 P324 R426 P325 R434 P331 R435 P332 R441

2,448 1,999 859 2,367 1,737 2,628 1,325 1,984 2,497 1,467 1,659 2,019 2,555 1,391 1,724 3,498 1,950 1,295 1,887 1,900 2,158 2,279 2,902 2,114 3,822 1,325 4,342 2,437 2,692 2,157 2,124 2,012 2,036 1,483 2,246 2,804 2,706 1,155 3,120 1,531 4,264 2,214

1,628 2,342 2,700 2,380 1,753 1,523 2,273 2,132 2,407 1,672 2,361 1,406 1,953 2,414 1,426 1,655 2,019 2,544 1,395 1,831 3,718 1,617 1,384 1,913 2,183 2,128 2,314 3,249 1,995 4,040 1,404 4,711 2,576 2,780 2,299 2,076 2,281 2,113 1,536 2,186 2,781 2,950 1,212 3,142 1,682 4,613 2,138 1,507 178,070

Total 6,212

49 48 47 46 45

R235 R411 R243 P135 P322 P323

5,539 4,603 5,488 8,058 5,246 573 4,412 4,814 4,840 441 8,224 6,111 6,092 5,486 6,864 4,378 8,115 6,876 7,241 8,404 7,336 6,897 7,850 6,612

4,940 6,386 610 5,070 1,610 296 6,895 2,364 6,346 2,696 7,247 2,395 5,228 1,666 4,517 1,564 6,897 2,176 6,285 2,154 859 7,060 2,286 5,234 1,825 7,426 2,437 4,122 1,391 5,964 2,027 7,187 2,276 4,302 1,409 4,902 1,588 6,133 2,095 7,555 2,456 4,135 1,349 5,229 1,674 10,760 3,544 5,328 1,761 4,003 1,324 5,702 1,902 6,124 2,041 6,378 2,092 6,804 2,211 9,379 3,228 6,319 2,210 11,809 3,947 4,146 1,417 13,742 4,689 7,602 2,589 8,245 2,773 6,626 2,170 6,267 2,067 6,459 2,166 6,259 2,110 4,510 1,491 6,559 2,127 8,298 2,713 8,570 2,914 3,671 1,304 9,398 3,136 4,840 1,627 13,350 6,633 4,473 2,281 4,729 1,560 176,868Executed 530,713

by ORG\\dsacche on 7/13/2

5,229 5,328 1,761 5,702 1,902 6,378 2,092 9,379 3,228 11,809 3,947 13,742 4,689 8,245 2,773 6,267 2,067 6,259 2,110 6,559 2,127 8,570 2,914 9,398 3,136 13,350 4,473 9,189 3,169 R444 1,662 6,212 Pumper/R 175,775 2,129 escue 713 by ORG\\dsacche 255 Executed Executed by ORG\\dsacche on 7/13/2017 11:30:56 AM Page 1 of 3 on 7/13/2 4,603 1,436 5,158 1,675 8,058 2,667 573 Vo l u m e 1 2 | I s s u e 4 | F I R E WAT CH 17 6,621 2,321

Pumpers/Rescues

2,138

4,122

1,984

50

Pumpers/Rescues

Demographics and Statistics...Continued from page 17

Event Summary

Unit Response Summary

Event Summary By Command

Unit Response

18

Vo l u m e 1 2 | I s s u e 4 | F I R E WAT CH 18

Fleet Purchasing Status

# of Vehicles

Budget year

New Truck(s)

Builder Chassis/ Body

Status Performed the "pre-paint" inspection on the first of four units. Final delivery of the first unit expected mid September, with the remaining trucks delivered Q4 2017 or Q1 2018.

4

2016

4

Spartan/ Smeal

3

2018

Smeal 105' Rear Mount Aerials (with fire pump, tank)

Spartan/ Smeal

Processing documentation to add three trucks to the straight aerial order, but to be built as Quints. This will significantly reduce the time requirements to spec, bid, and award a new contract.

2

Development Funds

High Rise Response trucks

Dependable Emergency

The bodies for these two trucks go into poduction August 4th and September 4th. The chassis are on order, timed for body completion. Delivery of finished units expected prior to the end of 2017

1

2015

Rehab Truck

PK Vans

The truck has been delivered following significant production delays. Currently being outfitted for use.

20

2015-18

Multi-year Pumper Order

Spartan Motors

Fourteen trucks have been delivered so far from this contract. The first seven have been placed in service, with the next seven in the process. The final six trucks are being ordered as soon as the budget funds are released.

1

2016

HAZ MAT Support 145

TBD

The specification is with the Purchasing Division waiting to be placed out for bid.

2

2017

Tahoes

Roy Foss Chev

One vehicle is being purchased for the Fire Investigators, and one as a spare for immediate use if a DC or PC Tahoe is seriously damaged

1

2017

Large Van

TBD

A large delivery van has been specified for Quartermaster use. The specification is with the Purchasing Division waiting to be placed out for bid.

25-30

2017

Small cars

TBD

A number of small cars have been specified for Fire Prevention Division use. The specification is with the Purchasing Division waiting to be placed out for bid.

2

2018

Canteen Trucks

TBD

Specifications will be created to replace the two aging canteen trucks. A committee has been formed to agree on basic design criteria.

Vo l u m e 1 2 | I s s u e 4 | F I R E WAT CH 19

Demographics and Statistics...Continued from page 19

Unit Response Summary Unit Station 2014 2015 2016

Unit Station 2014 2015 2016

Unit Station 2014 2015 2016

A113 113 1,611 1,603 1,615 A131 131 1,596 1,517 1,452 A133 133 1,519 1,587 1,519 A135 135 1,200 1,318 1,235 A142 142 2,290 2,118 2,043 A213 213 1,513 1,952 2,129 A215 215 967 1,259 1,268 A222 222 1,714 1,515 1,582 A226 226 1,450 1,750 1,444 A231 231 2,029 2,159 2,284 A244 244 1,724 1,935 1,713 A312 312 2,503 2,726 2,561 A315 315 1,763 1,803 1,614 A321 321 793 903 730 A322 322 1,275 1,392 1,275 A324 324 909 964 913 A325 325 2,402 2,713 2,349 A331 331 1,794 1,857 1,834 A341 341 912 1,028 905 A345 345 1,080 971 958 A411 411 953 879 965 A415 415 1,349 1,472 1,360 A421 421 1,226 1,047 1,084 A423 423 959 1,012 994 A426 426 1,340 1,296 1,243 A433 433 1,215 1,621 1,395 A441 441 1,441 1,311 1,371 BOX12 0 33 21 23 C1 0 2 1 1 C10 0 110 102 98 C11 111 2,836 2,745 2,604 C13 132 3,060 3,155 3,020 C14 142 2,542 2,384 2,458 C2 0 2 1 C20 0 84 91 107 C21 212 848 861 885 C22 225 2,041 2,094 1,971 C23 231 2,275 2,278 2,302 C24 242 1,663 1,656 1,505 C3 0 4 5 2 C30 0 77 136 157 C31 312 3,989 4,377 4,108 C32 323 2,585 2,608 2,376 C33 332 5,087 5,273 4,799 C34 345 2,460 2,334 2,083 C4 0 3 3 C40 0 105 106 102 C41 415 2,044 1,969 2,041 C42 423 1,970 1,949 1,897 C43 432 1,243 1,390 1,340 C44 445 1,721 1,509 1,551 C6 0 7 2 C7 0 11 5 7 C8 0 6 8 5 C9 0 7 5 3 CMD10 114 113 89 127 CMD10C 0 102 74 98 CMD30 332 122 97 115 DE234 0 9 11 13 FB334 334 198 209 207 HR332 332 4,005 4,596 4,330 HS145 0 10 23 48 HS332 0 14 13 9

HZ145 145 1,847 1,598 1,555 HZ332 332 1,827 1,606 1,546 LA114 114 136 130 171 LA231 231 134 165 209 LA333 333 207 284 341 LA421 421 275 291 310 P111 111 1,916 1,944 1,876 P113 113 1,903 1,867 1,769 P114 114 2,667 2,669 2,627 P116 116 1,878 1,759 1,851 P121 121 1,741 1,753 1,752 P123 123 1,522 1,493 1,487 P125 125 1,545 1,447 1,420 P131 131 1,521 1,639 1,680 P132 132 2,722 2,751 2,751 P135 135 2,027 2,042 2,023 P141 141 2,364 2,249 2,251 P142 142 2,456 2,664 2,995 P143 143 2,422 2,407 2,412 P145 145 2,310 2,500 2,526 P146 146 2,695 2,622 2,533 P211 211 1,048 1,074 1,142 P212 212 1,598 1,636 1,706 P213 213 610 P215 215 296 P221 221 950 2,700 2,696 P222 222 1,809 1,753 1,666 P223 223 2,448 2,273 2,176 P224 224 859 P226 226 1,737 1,672 1,825 P227 227 1,325 1,406 1,391 P232 232 2,497 2,414 2,276 P233 233 1,659 1,655 1,588 P234 234 2,555 2,544 2,456 P242 242 1,724 1,831 1,674 P244 244 1,950 1,617 1,761 P245 245 1,887 1,913 1,902 P311 311 2,158 2,128 2,092 P312 312 2,902 3,249 3,228 P313 313 3,822 4,040 3,947 P314 314 4,342 4,711 4,689 P315 315 2,692 2,780 2,773 P322 322 2,124 2,076 2,067 P323 323 2,036 2,113 2,110 P324 324 2,246 2,186 2,127 P325 325 2,706 2,950 2,914 P331 331 3,120 3,142 3,136 P332 332 4,264 4,613 4,473 P333 333 2,925 3,095 3,169 P333C 0 2 P334 334 1,909 2,174 2,129 P335 335 214 244 255 P342 342 1,568 1,599 1,436 P343 343 1,695 1,788 1,675 P344 344 2,597 2,794 2,667 P413 413 573 P415 415 2,162 2,138 2,321 P422 422 1,561 1,689 1,564 P424 424 441 P426 426 2,029 2,162 1,920 P431 431 1,811 1,838 1,837 P432 432 1,406 1,450 1,522 P433 433 2,138 2,277 2,461

P442 442 2,680 2,830 2,894 P443 443 2,408 2,291 2,198 P445 445 2,240 2,171 2,201 PL432 432 1,119 1,050 1,131 R112 112 2,581 2,508 2,431 R115 115 2,140 2,164 2,082 R122 122 1,832 1,628 1,610 R133 133 2,189 2,342 2,364 R134 134 2,472 2,380 2,395 R214 214 1,430 1,523 1,564 R224 224 1,999 2,132 2,154 R225 225 2,367 2,407 2,286 R231 231 2,628 2,361 2,437 R235 235 1,984 1,953 2,027 R241 241 1,467 1,426 1,409 R243 243 2,019 2,019 2,095 R321 321 1,391 1,395 1,349 R325 325 3,498 3,718 3,544 R326 326 1,295 1,384 1,324 R341 341 1,900 2,183 2,041 R345 345 2,279 2,314 2,211 R411 411 2,114 1,995 2,210 R412 412 1,325 1,404 1,417 R413 413 2,437 2,576 2,589 R421 421 2,157 2,299 2,170 R423 423 2,012 2,281 2,166 R425 425 1,483 1,536 1,491 R426 426 2,804 2,781 2,713 R434 434 1,155 1,212 1,304 R435 435 1,531 1,682 1,627 R441 441 2,214 2,138 2,281 R444 444 1,662 1,507 1,560 S143 143 2,293 2,309 2,275 S232 232 2,353 2,288 2,308 S313 313 3,007 3,214 3,130 S331 331 2,219 2,429 2,309 S445 445 1,942 1,797 1,842 SUP7 0 17 13 25 T114 114 1,870 1,995 1,741 T333 333 1,840 1,989 1,942 TRS235 0 14 28 26 WT211 211 15 11 16 0-P551 0 16 0-P552 0 14 0-P661 0 12 0-P662 0 14 0-PAAQCP 0 1 0-PAEXCP 0 3 0-PAYUCP 0 1 C50 0 2 CMD30C 0 61 97 CMD50 0 2 2 P432CB 0 2 P432CP 0 35 PA_AQUFP 0 1 C5 0 2 ICS2 0 2 MR1 0 1 PIO5 0 1 ZMPS1 0 2

Report Period From 1/1/16 to 12/31/16

20

Total

277,807 283,318 278,080

Data is utilized from Computer Aided Dispatch - Intergraph Business Intelligence Solution. Only Dispatched Events Are Reported Pan Am units are counted as unallocated

Vo l u m e 1 2 | I s s u e 4 | F I R E WAT CH 20

Age of Current Fleet AERIALS

2007

24137

P443

Spartan

Seagrave

2013

25045

R444

Spartan

ERV

1999

26025

A321

Spartan

Smeal

2007

24138

P234

Spartan

Seagrave

2013

25046

R434

Spartan

ERV

2001

27014

A222

Spartan

Smeal

2007

24139

P244

Spartan

Seagrave

2013

25047

R441

Spartan

ERV

2001

27016

A215

Spartan

Smeal

2007

24140

P116

Spartan

Seagrave

2013

25048

R243

Spartan

ERV

2002

27021

A131

Spartan

Smeal

2007

24141

P143

Spartan

Smeal

2013

25049

R134

Spartan

ERV

2004

27024

A324

Spartan

Smeal

2007

24142

P125

Spartan

Smeal

2013

25050

R325

Spartan

ERV

2004

27025

A426

Spartan

Smeal

2007

24143

P242

Spartan

Smeal

2013

25051

R214

Spartan

ERV

2004

27026

A312

Spartan

Smeal

2007

24144

P113

Spartan

Smeal

2013

25052

R326

Spartan

ERV

2005

27027

T333

E-One

E-One

2007

24145

P342

Spartan

Smeal

2013

25053

R435

Spartan

ERV

2006

27029

A423

Spartan

Smeal

2007

24146

P442

Spartan

Smeal

2013

25054

R231

Spartan

ERV

2006

27030

A325

Spartan

Smeal

2007

24147

P223

Spartan

Smeal

2013

25055

R421

Spartan

ERV

2007

27031

A231

Spartan

Smeal

2007

24148

P245

Spartan

Smeal

2014

25057

R412

E-One

E-One

2007

27032

A113

Spartan

Smeal

2007

24149

P334

Spartan

Smeal

2014

25059

R425

E-One

E-One

2007

27033

A244

Spartan

Smeal

2007

24150

P212

Spartan

Smeal

2014

25062

R321

E-One

E-One

2007

27034

A411

Spartan

Smeal

2007

24151

P415

Spartan

Smeal

2014

25063

R345

E-One

2007

27035

A213

Spartan

Smeal

2007

24152

P324

Spartan

Smeal

2014

25064

R122

E-One

2007

27036

PL432

Spartan

Smeal

2007

24153

P432

Spartan

Smeal

2014

25065

R241

E-One

E-One

2006

27037

T114

E-One

E-One

2007

24154

P313

Spartan

Smeal

2016

25072

R 413

Spartan

ERV

2009

27038

A341

Spartan

Smeal

2007

24155

P426

Spartan

Smeal

2012

27039

A322

Spartan

Smeal

2010

25033

P211

Spartan

Crimson

2012

27040

A142

Spartan

Smeal

2010

25034

P333

Spartan

Crimson

2009

28015

S313

Spartan

Seagrave

2012

27041

A415

Spartan

Smeal

2010

25035

P312

Spartan

Crimson

2012

28016

S331

Spartan

Dependable

2012

27042

A441

Spartan

Smeal

2010

25037

P325

Spartan

Crimson

2013

28017

S143

Spartan

Dependable

2012

27043

A133

Spartan

Smeal

2010

25038

P141

Spartan

Crimson

2016

28018

S445

Spartan

Dependable

2012

27044

A433

Spartan

Smeal

2010

25041

P331

Spartan

Crimson

2016

28019

S232

Spartan

Dependable

2015

27045

A135

Spartan

Smeal

2010

25042

P314

Spartan

Crimson

2015

27046

A421

Spartan

Smeal

2010

25043

P323

Spartan

Crimson

2015

27047

A226

Spartan

Smeal

2010

25040

P322

Spartan

Crimson

2015

27048

A345

Spartan

Smeal

2013

25056

P332

Spartan

ERV

2015

27049

A315

E-One

E-One

2014

25060

P445

E-One

E-One

2015

27050

A331

E-One

E-One

2014

25061

P315

E-One

E-One

2014

25058

P433

E-One

E-One

2016

25071

P 311

Spartan

ERV

PUMPERS 1997

24076

P335B

E-One

E-One

2016

25069

P114

Spartan

ERV

2004

24114

P131

Spartan

Smeal

2016

25070

P 233

Spartan

ERV

2006

24118

P335

Ford

Dependable

2016

25067

P 121

Spartan

ERV

2005

24121

P135

Spartan

Seagrave

2016

25068

P132

Spartan

ERV

2005

24122

P343

Spartan

Seagrave

2016

25066

P227

Spartan

ERV

2005

24123

P226

Spartan

Seagrave

2005

24125

P111

Spartan

Seagrave

RESCUES

2005

24127

P146

Spartan

Seagrave

2009

25026

R411

Spartan

Smeal

2005

24128

P222

Spartan

Seagrave

2009

25027

R341

Spartan

Smeal

2005

24129

P145

Spartan

Seagrave

2009

25028

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Spartan

Smeal

2005

24130

P142

Spartan

Seagrave

2009

25029

R235

Spartan

Smeal

2007

24131

P221

Spartan

Seagrave

2009

25030

R133

Spartan

Smeal

2007

24132

P344

Spartan

Seagrave

2009

25031

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Spartan

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2007

24133

P123

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2009

25032

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Spartan

Smeal

2007

24134

P422

Spartan

Seagrave

2010

25039

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Spartan

Crimson

2007

24135

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Spartan

Seagrave

2010

25036

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Spartan

Crimson

2007

24136

P431

Spartan

Seagrave

2010

25044

R225

Spartan

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E-One E-One

SQUADS

SUPPORT APPARATUS 2008

30034

Comm 10

Freightliner

PK Vans

2009

30035

HMS 332

Ford LCF

DEL Unicel

2010

30036

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Spartan

Dependable

2010

30038

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Freightliner

Dependable

2010

30039

A/L231

Freightliner

Dependable

2012

30044

COM 30

Freightliner

EVI

2015

30061

P551

Ford F550

CET

2015

30062

P552

Ford F550

CET

2015

30066

A/L 333

Freightliner

Dependable

2015

30067

A/L 114

Freightliner

Dependable

2015

30070

Rehab

Freightlinter

PK Vans

2003

20285

MRU 20

GMC C8500

Seagrave

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20299

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Freightliner

Dependable

2011

30037

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Dependable

FIRE BOATS AND MECHANICAL SERVICE TRUCKS 1964

10111

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Vo l u m e 1 2 | I s s u e 4 | F I R E WAT CH 21

BY KEN DE JONG, ACTING CAPTAIN, STATION 445-A

“Roll the Heavy” is a series of articles to inform members of the capabilities, equipment and limitations of the Heavy Rescue Squads. By sharing this information, we can better serve the citizens by fostering a professional, team approach. This will improve the chances of a successful outcome in the many complicated and technical emergencies that we respond to.

Toys

Our current approach uses shoring members made up of 2”x12” lumber (known as a “strongback”) attached to a 4’ x 8’ Finform plywood sheet (referred to as a “panel”). These panels are put in place against both trench walls and a series of “shores” are installed to force them apart. The TFS uses a shore kit made by Holmatro which has the option of a pneumatic shore (controlled similarly to our lifting bags) or a mechanical screw-jack shore.

Simple plywood sheets are also in the cache and are used as ground pads (to distribute the rescuer’s weight). Large 8”x8” beams are used to span voids or undercuts. Low pressure air bags may be used in conjunction with these to backfill when it isn’t possible to access the void with shovelled soil.

De-watering pumps and ventilation fans are available to mitigate water or hazardous environments and a long list of hand tools are also used to secure the shores, dig out the soil and access the hole and edges (pike poles, ropes, ladders, etc). New additions to the cache include a tip for a Badger vacuum truck, an “Air Knife” which uses pressurized air to loosen dirt safely near a victim and a protective shell called a Rescue Shield that can be lowered over the victim to provide initial protection from secondary collapse. These new items still need training and equipment notes, but will help expedite the process.

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Vo l u m e 1 2 | I s s u e 4 | F I R E WAT CH 22

TRENCH RESCUE Cities are constantly in the process of building or maintaining their infrastructure. To do this, they need to excavate and dig trenches to access foundations and city services. Most days, this is done in a manner that adheres to safety rules. An example is using a trench box (a temporary metal shoring structure) when a worker must enter a trench more than 4 feet deep.

Lowering this structure takes some additional time, but is critical to the safety of the worker in case the trench walls fail. For a more lengthy operation, workers install more intricate shoring systems to access pipes or utilities.

When workers are either ignorant or lazy, bad things happen and we are called to rescue them from their difficult situation. One of the most challenging factors of Trench Rescue is time. To jump in the hole and start digging out the patient is simply too high a risk to the rescuers.

We must build a shoring system to create a safe working area so that we can release the patient from the soil and tend to any injuries that may have occurred.

The Challenge As mentioned, time is our biggest enemy. Most soil in the city has been disturbed at some point, and while it is not as fluid as sandy soils (like the soils found in Florida, for example), it is very unstable and susceptible to secondary collapse. Working near the edge is particularly dangerous if there are undercuts or fissures, so rescuers may need to use pike poles and rope tethers to manipulate equipment into place.

These dangers can be amplified if machinery is causing vibrations or if the spoil pile is near the edge, adding additional weight to the uncontained trench walls.

Utilities, such as electrical, water, gas and sewers can be compromised in the collapse and this may endanger the patient and rescuers with the possibility of electrocution, drowning, choking or poisoning. The utilities may also get in the way of shoring and/or patient removal.

Depending on the depth, the coldness of the soil can, over time, lead to hypothermia if the patient is enveloped in the soil. Weather can also play a factor – sun and heat can dry out the soil, leading to more fissures, and rain can cause the soil to act more like a mud.

To further complicate the challenge, we may be faced with multiple rescue disciplines. A vehicle can drive into a trench and then you have an extrication to add. When a victim is severely injured, a high-angle system may need to be employed to remove them. Large pipe systems could turn the call into a combination hazmat/confined space scenario. This all makes it a tricky business for the rescuers.

Vo l u m e 1 2 | I s s u e 4 | F I R E WAT CH 23

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REALLY TOUGH OUT THERE SO WE WANT TO MAKE THIS AS EASY AS POSSIBLE. First Responders and their family: 3% over invoice on all Toyota models plus other generous allowances on warranty and protection packages.

Contact Paul Stancer at Richmond Hill Toyota for complete details: Mobile: (416) 402-0316 Email: pauls@richmondhilltoyota.com Paul Stancer

Father of Toronto Firefighter

RICHMOND HILL

Roll The Heavy...Continued from page 23

The Approach All of our calls begin with a size-up and Trench Rescue is no different. Information from other people on scene is critical and can be difficult because emotions are involved. Shutting down heavy equipment and cordoning off a hot zone are important steps to gain control of the situation. A ladder should almost immediately be placed in the hole in case a rescuer falls in or if other victims need to be removed. If a spoil pile exists near the hole, it is generally moved (by firefighters and shovels) and ground pads are laid to distribute the weight near the lip of the trench.

Ladders (with 2 x 12’s lashed to them) can be used as bridges and installed on cribs to make a working platform while still distributing the weight near the edge. The first major goal is to get a set of panels with shoring installed on either side of the patient.

This reduces the immediate danger to him/her. Additional sets on either side (known as a 6-panel set) create a workspace on either side of the first panels for rescuers to remove dirt, attend to wounds, package the patient, etc.

The panels must be lined up properly with each other (for the shores) and must be kept vertical to avoid kicking out under pressure. Sometimes this requires dirt to be backfilled behind the panels. The shores must be spaced in a certain way that their strength overlaps to keep the trench walls from overcoming them. As mentioned earlier, if there are voids or undercuts, low pressure bags and/or wooden beams (known as “whalers”) are used to distribute the forces of the trench wall.

While doing all this, – an exit strategy has to be considered. If the patient is severely injured and needs an International Basket, the shores can get in the way. Sometimes the whalers are planned into the design ahead of time to create a big enough space to do the basket work.

Additional Options

As with many disciplines, a scenario rarely presents itself as it does in the textbook. An example of this is a fly-by-night company or do-it-yourselfer that excavates a two foot trench beside a house to reseal the foundation. When the collapse buries them up to their waist and they are 8 feet down, it can be a real challenge. Options? Since we can’t install the shores in a two foot trench, we have the option of digging either a slope outwards from the foundation or a series of “benches” (which are four foot cuts horizontally and vertically). In a number of calls, access through the foundation of the house was the answer. Structural integrity of the house foundation then must be considered as well. The mechanical screw jack shores are also an option (since they are shorter), but they still need foot plates and the panels to be in place.

What Else to Know Of all of the technical rescue disciplines, this is one of the worst for initial rescuers to “go past their training”. With the pressure from the workers for us to “do something” and the inherent desire of the first in crews to help, it is very difficult not to jump in the hole and start digging. The fact is, the risk versus the reward is just too high. There are no warnings signs of secondary collapses and if the soil gets above your chest area, it can be the equivalent force of a small vehicle. You can exhale, but you can’t expand your chest for a new breath of air and you soon suffocate. The notion of entering a trench without shoring would be equivalent to entering a house fire with no SCBA – it is just not done. What you can do is secure the scene, remove workers and initial responders from the trench, establish a hot zone, gather as much information about the trench, utilities and last known locations of potential victims, shut off all heavy machinery (make sure all fire trucks are at least 150 m away) and update the incoming Squads and Chiefs of the situation. Through a controlled and coordinated effort, we can all do our best to bring these challenging calls to a positive outcome.

See you on the pile – (and not in the trench!).

Vo l u m e 1 2 | I s s u e 4 | F I R E WAT CH 25

Member Profile on

I

saac (Ike) Selby grew up in the Kawartha Lakes area of Ontario with his parents and three brothers. “I am really grateful for my awesome, selfless parents. When I was 5 years old, they packed up the family for a full year tour of Australia, in an old pop-up tent trailer on a shoestring budget! By the time I was 5, I had snorkeled the Great Barrier Reef, climbed Ayers Rock and caught my own seafood with a hand spear!”

Ike played competitive hockey in the winter and rugby in the summer. As a dual citizen of Canada and Australia, he lived down under for about 5 years of his life.

He played Men’s 1st Division rugby in Australia, and also out west in Canada. One of his most rewarding experiences was

26

BY TONY MACDONALD, RETIRED TORONTO FIRE CAPTAIN being the head Coach of Lindsay Rugby Football Club’s U16’s Men’s Rugby team, winning a Provincial Championship in 2009.

Being on many sports teams, and growing up in a close-knit family, formed a natural fit at an early age for Ike to become a Firefighter.

Ike graduated from Lindsay Collegiate Vocational Institute and received some advice that Fire Departments would be more interested in hiring someone who had a trade. Ike worked hard to become an Electrician, then moved out west for 3 years performing service work on oil rigs, power plants and large industrial sites in Northern Alberta, Saskatchewan and BC. Upon returning to Ontario, Ike became a Master Electrician and started his own business.

Ike performed some electrical work for a man named Gord Rodin. He soon learned that this man and his wife Heather were the founders of a charity named ‘Hope Grows Haiti’. Ike traveled to Haiti on a couple occasions to install power systems for Rodin’s charity. “They do amazing work, sponsoring over 750 kids so they can attend school, and they also run a feeding program that nourishes more than 400 children a day. I believe we were all given special talents, abilities & gifts in life. I believe it is our responsibility to use them to help and serve others.”

Inspired by the work that ‘Hope Grows Haiti’ were doing, Ike travelled to Grande Goave with Gord to do some electrical work on one of their projects. He went back again in June 2015 to help out with more electrical work at a newly built Medical clinic on their five-acre property.

During that visit, Gord shared his vision to build a school on the property. ‘Hope Grows Haiti’ presently funds and operates five schools in the mountains of Grande Goave, but there isn’t a school in the Central area. Though Heather and Gord had hoped to start building the new school in September 2015, the funds just weren’t available.

Seeing the difference first-hand, between the lives of kids who received an education versus those who didn’t, Ike decided to step up and raise the funds himself. He has always had a passion for outdoor adventure, for challenges, and pushing himself both physically and mentally! So, Ike decided to combine his talents & passions and put them towards raising funds to build this school. He would begin a fundraising effort with a goal of $40,000 to build a school, and pay for the teachers to teach there.

He planned a solo hike, 4,265-km from Canada to Mexico, along the Pacific Crest Trail!

He would be sleeping in his tent for over 100 nights in the mountains! This was a lofty goal for a reserved, humble, small town boy, but he was determined to move this dream into action.

The Pacific Crest Trail runs from Canada to Mexico, passing through 25 National Forests and seven National Parks.

Ike regularly takes back country canoe and portage trips in Algonquin Park, has competed in adventure Vo l u m e 1 2 | I s s u e 4 | F I R E WAT CH 26

Isaac Selby

races, triathlons & Ironman competitions, and has hiked through volcanoes in Indonesia.

This trek was his longest outdoor challenge, both in time and distance, and he did it alone!

One of the reasons he chose the trail, besides its wild and majestic appeal, was because its unpredictability is symbolic to the work of ‘Hope Grows Haiti’. That did not discourage him. Just before he started his trip he was quoted by a local newspaper as saying “I’m pumped. I’m well aware of the challenges and it’ll be difficult but I think I’m well prepared to tackle it.” “Ultimately, if you have a vision, faith, and you work your ass off, you know you can accomplish your goal.”

Heather Rodin was quoted as saying “’Hope Grows Haiti’ often doesn’t know what they’ll encounter along the way, but they just go after it. We think what Ike is doing is absolutely incredible! We’re still absolutely blown away that someone would be willing to do this! We’re thrilled beyond what you can imagine”.

Ike set up a website to collect donations and chronicled his journey through a blog, as well as with social media postings on Facebook and Instagram, so that supporters could keep up to date with his trip.

After flying to Seattle, Ike took 12 buses heading north-east. He then hitch-hiked a couple times up a few old logging roads, followed by hiking over 50 km just to arrive at the starting point of the Pacific Crest Trail in Manning Park, BC. On July 21st 2015, his trek began. He typically hiked over 50 km per day with a large pack on his back. The trip was entirely self-supported, with Ike carrying all the food, water, tent, and supplies necessary.

“At different times, depending on the elevation, weather conditions and distance

between re-supply areas, the trail can play with you physically and emotionally.

It is challenging!”

Much of the Pacific Northwest was consumed by wildfires. Many of the fires overran the trail he was following. Near Mojave & Tehachapi in California, Ike ran into a major landslide / mudslide that swept away major parts of the trail and took over 120 vehicles close to Hwy 58 with it.

In October, he was caught in some treacherous snow storms in the High Sierra mountain ranges! He was plowing through fresh snow up to his waist. Travelling up and down mountain passes that reached heights of 14,000 feet! At times, he had no idea where the trail was under all of that snow. He would just pick a pass to climb through and hope it kept him close to the trail.

“Sometimes I had to melt snow to get drinking water, and other times in hot dry desert areas I couldn’t find water. You quickly realize how precious water is, and how much we take it for granted. Typically, I would look at my maps and form a basic plan as to where I would hike next, to find the best water source. Water is heavy, so I would only carry enough to make it to the next water source.”

On occasion, Ike found that a charted water source was bad, or had dried up. In one

section, he travelled 36 miles late into the night, past many potential water sources that had completely dried up. “I was so severely dehydrated that I was worried if I went to sleep, I wouldn’t wake up.”

He met more bears than people on some sections of his trek. In one week he ran into 7 bears, and only 4 people. “Two of the most intense interactions were being charged by a huge bear and having a face to face show-down with a cougar at night on a dry rugged mountain close to Mexico!”

“Life is so simple on the trail. I am humbled by my few necessities. Really just food, water, and some basic form of shelter is all I had. Even so, I have witnessed some of the most kind and generous souls in a long time. You have nothing… and everything, at the same time!

Even with so few possessions, I was so happy and content.”

While he was working his way across the Oregon border into the California Mountains, Ike received an email from TFS that he had an interview in 3 days! He had to reply that he could not make the interview. He did not hear back from TFS and thought that he had lost out on a great opportunity. Two months later, as he was just finishing his trek, he got a voicemail inviting him to another interview. He had to rush back to Toronto, shave off his 4 month growth of beard, to make it to this interview. He was hired by TFS and started his recruit class in March 2016. He thanks Monica Edwards for that second call!

After returning from his trek, Ike did some public and inspirational speaking engagements, and was elated that he had successfully raised the money to accomplish his goal. The Grand Opening of the school will be this fall 2017, and Ike will be travelling down shortly to hook up the power for the school.

Vo l u m e 1 2 | I s s u e 4 | F I R E WAT CH 27

BY JAMES REED, CO-CHAIR, GOVERNMENT RELATIONS COMMITTEE

have been involved in several traditional Fire-Ops. Each involved directing politicians and media through stations, demonstrating what we do and giving them the opportunity for a hands on experience. It’s a formula used across North America, and has proven to be effective. So why did we go off script on June 5, 2017? Here is the story…

Vice President Kevin McCarthy and I were named Co-Chairs of the Government Relations Committee in January of 2017. We were already engaged in a battle as management was proposing to cut 4 Aerials to meet the budget restrictions arbitrarily put in place by the City. We had lost 4 apparatuses and 9 training staff in previous budgets. We needed to make Councilors aware of what a mistake it would be to remove more. Our lobby was a success. However, we knew this was going to continue to come back on us every budget cycle if we didn’t do something to educate them. We decided to focus on the significant differences between responding to a high-rise fire vs. a traditional house fire. This is where the idea for the high-rise scenario was conceived.

As our planning progressed, the idea of a “real-time” event was born. Our concept was to run the scenario in synchronization to allow viewers to see the fire progress, while watching our response in real-time. As we worked on logistics, we considered using City Hall for the venue; thereby allowing us to have a captive audience of Councilors. While it seemed unlikely, we started to ask questions. To our surprise, staff at City Hall seemed receptive. In fact, it was their idea to tie it to a full-scale fire drill. This would allow us to evacuate the entire building. We were excited by the opportunity!

We enlisted Geoff Boisseau to assist with the technical aspects of running the scenario. In addition, the High-Rise Committee, and the IAFF became involved with the planning.

The goal would be to run it as a genuine fire response, with all appropriate apparatus and equipment on scene. A simulated fire would be occurring on the 9th floor. The building would evacuate as our crews entered. All the while we would play it live in the council chambers for politicians, staff and media to view.

The event was starting to take shape, but management “buy in” was critical.

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On April 26, 2017 a woman climbed a construction crane in downtown Toronto. The rescue was covered live on television and went viral on the web. The publicity received focused attention again on our vertical city, and as you can imagine, it was used to our advantage. We pitched our idea as a training scenario, not a traditional Fire-Ops. This would benefit all crews involved, as well as City Hall staff. Admittedly, we were not met with excitement at the initial idea.

After many emails and meetings, we were given the green light and permission to have an on-duty first response attend. We were given access to portable radios and SCBA. Fire Investigators were given permission to attend with their vehicles for demonstration.

We wanted to highlight every aspect of what we do, including both operations and support staff.

The success of this event hinged on those willing to volunteer, but we had no idea how many would be required. With the OPFFA Convention kicking off that day, we knew we could count on support from other Locals. Then something incredible happened.

A Union Notice was issued requesting volunteers. The response was immediate. Within 24 hours of the release, sixty members

a white strobe light flashed to indicate alarms in the building.

Outside chambers, the sound of the alarms filled both towers of City Hall. Staff began their evacuations. In Chambers and on Facebook the sound of the dispatch could be heard, requiring a full response to alarms at Toronto City Hall. On screen shots from in the Fire Hall showed Firefighters donning their gear and getting on the trucks. The clock kept running and the fire grew. Trucks began to arrive and perform their duties. Chris kept a running commentary in between the radio traffic. As is often the case in emergency situations, things were not going smoothly. Radio communications from the underground, (where the first in trucks must go) were practically non-existent. Primary elevators were out of service and keys given were not the right ones. It was realistic, and the fire grew. More trucks arrived and the stairwells were full of evacuating staff. They were directed to use a single stairwell as the firefighters needed the other. This caused confusion and it was exactly what we had been hoping for – a REAL life scenario.

Chris continued his commentary as the firefighters did what they do every day - worked around the problems and got the job done! Another counter had been added to the screen overhead. It

offered to come and assist. In the end, more than ninety members across all divisions agreed to come on their own time to help out.

We were ready to proceed. All the permits had been signed, the walkthroughs were completed, and City Hall staff were fully on board.

On the morning of June 5, 2017 we arrived very early at City Hall. Volunteers were streaming in. The mechanical division arrived with dozens of SCBA. The film crew had been in since late the night before setting up. Outside, in Nathan Phillips Square the Rehab Unit, Command Vehicle, and Fire Investigators vehicles were put in place. Communications staff arrived to assist with radios and coordinating with the TFS Communications Centre.

At precisely 9am our narrator, Chris Tessaro, stepped up to the microphone in the Council Chambers. Our Facebook live feed began to roll. After words from President Ramagnano, Deputy Chief Jessop and Chief Pegg, Chris introduced Vice President Kevin McCarthy. I stepped up to the lectern with Kevin and the show began. As Kevin began to speak something began to happen on the screen above him. What looked like a still photo of an office came to life. Smoke could be seen starting to come from a wastebasket in the corner. Meanwhile, a clock started to roll, counting up from zero.

People in the room began to pay attention. Then it happened.

The fire alarm in the building sounded. In Council Chambers,

showed the number of total fire fighters on scene, and counted up as each truck arrived. It was an incredible visual effect.

Those who stayed throughout the entire event were impressed, and we answered many questions as Councilors were taken around to see the crews and the vehicles. We found out that CP24 had carried the event live almost in its entirety. The Facebook live feed had nearly 20,000 views within hours.

Just nine days later a massive high rise fire occurred in London England. Close to 80 people lost their lives. It was a horrific example of what can happen and it drove home the points we made the week before.

With the assistance of many and months of planning we pulled it off. Our decision to go off script and create our own version of a Fire-Ops was a risk. Hopefully come budget time we will see that it was a risk worth taking.

We’ve sent the raw video from the production company, our in-house camera crews, and CP24 down to the E18 studios in Washington. They will edit together a final product that can be used as an education tool for IAFF Locals and politicians alike.

We look forward to being able to release the video to our membership and Council as we explain the challenges of the Vertical City. Thank you to our volunteers and staff across all areas of Local 3888 for supporting this venture, and for all you do each and every day.

Vo l u m e 1 2 | I s s u e 4 | F I R E WAT CH 29

Our annual TPFFA Media Awards allow us to honour journalists who distinguish themselves with reporting of the highest quality on events involving our members.

Award categories have been developed to recognize those who excel in print, television, radio and online journalism in a variety of distribution markets.

BEST PRINT ARTICLE, CIRCULATION OVER 100,000 Presented to: Adrian Humphreys (National Post) Everyone understands that firefighters fight fires, but not everyone knows all of the many other ways in which Toronto’s firefighters serve our city. In his article “He was trapped in a pool of molten tar’: Rescuers describe struggle to free man ‘encased’ in scalding liquid”, Adrian Humphreys provides readers a thorough account of the very delicate and tedious rescue of a man encased in tar. At 7:37 on the morning of September 26, Toronto firefighters were dispatched to the aid of a road-repair worker who had been covered with 200 degrees Celcius tar when the truck he was working on came to an abrupt stop causing tar to overflow from its container. Adrian’s article, with supporting quotes from the Incident Commander, gives readers a vivid picture of how demanding and time-sensitive this rescue was, providing valuable insight into the dangers workers face, and that when the unthinkable happens, Toronto firefighters will be there to serve our citizens by any and all means necessary.

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Vo l u m e 1 2 | I s s u e 4 | F I R E WAT CH 30

BEST PRINT ARTICLE, CIRCULATION UNDER 100,000

Presented to: Tamara Shephard (Etobicoke Guardian) On May 16, 2016 Tamara Shepard reported on the funeral of firefighter Sara Rosen. Her story focused on a funeral that paid tribute to a wonderful soul who we lost too soon to a tragic off-duty accident. Tamara’s story allowed readers a glimpse into what an honoured member of our department looks like. She highlighted the impact Sara has had on her family, friends, co-workers and community as an advocate for organ donation as well as an active participant in many other charitable initiatives. Tamara’s article also allowed readers an understanding of how we mourn the loss of our own. Death is a part of the firefighting experience. Tamara thoughtfully

BEST WEBLOG Presented to: Joel Levy (Toronto Guardian) On December 29, 2016 Joel Levy transported readers back to the night of April 19th 1904 - the night of ‘The Great Fire’ that decimated Toronto’s downtown core taking over 100 buildings in it’s wrath. They say a picture paints a thousand words. Joel’s piece speaks volumes. The fire took one life and left over 5,000 of the then 200,000 population, unemployed.

Through a series of historical photographs, Joel highlights the estimated $10,387,000 worth of damage from a blaze that took firefighters from Toronto, Hamilton and Buffalo, nine hours to contain a truly monumental moment in Toronto’s history.

BEST NEWS STORY, WEB-BASED Presented to: Nick Westoll (Global) Nick Westoll’s online article (Aug 17, 2016) draws attention to the rising rate of PTSD amongst firefighters.

Nick takes an in-depth look into the journey of Kevin Doherty, a 28-year veteran of Toronto Fire Services. He combines statistical fact along with Kevin’s personal lived experience, to form a well-rounded article providing insight into a disorder affecting many in our profession. He highlights Kevin’s struggle from his point of recognizing something wasn’t right, to asking for help, to the eventual relief of a diagnosis. The article helps the reader understand how this disorder can lead to a personal unravelling for some of the bravest and strongest individuals and, if left untreated, has

crafted an article that shows how we

resulted in suicide for far too many.

as a department deal with this dif-

His piece talks about the need for

ficult reality.

quicker and better access to treatment and treatment facilities while also highlighting the steps that the TPFFA is taking to further support our members dealing with PTSD.

Vo l u m e 1 2 | I s s u e 4 | F I R E WAT CH 31

Off-Duty and Media Awards...Continued from page 31

BEST LIVE NEWS STORY, WEB-BASED Presented to: Janina Palhares & Jennifer Valentyne (BT/CityNews)

BEST COMPILATION OF FIRE WATCH ARTICLES Presented to: Bernice Halsband (343 – C)

In the early morning hours of January

Bernice Halsband has been con-

13, 2016, Breakfast Television spent

tributing articles to our FireWatch

time sharing and learning about ice

Magazine for some time and her in-

water rescue and safety from fire-

sightful pieces are always a welcome

fighters assigned to TFS Squad 331.

addition to our publication. In 2016,

Live segments were broadcast from

her articles showcased three Toronto

Grenadier Pond in High Park where

fire stations - Station 343, former TFD

firefighters demonstrated techniques

Station 30, currently the home of the

for self-rescue should anyone find

TPFFA, and Station 146. These well-

themselves submerged in icy water.

researched pieces provide historical

Jennifer Valentyne literally ‘gets right

background along with interesting

in there’ by immersing herself in frigid

stories about the communities each of

conditions and interviewing crew

these fire stations are an integral part

members who

of. We hope to continue seeing more

explain the risks and dangers of walk-

of her articles in our publication in

ing on ice along with hypothermia and

the years to come.

its effects on a person’s ability to rescue themselves prior to the arrival of emergency crews.

BEST PHOTO BY A FIRE FIGHTER Presented to: Mykhail Baehr (232 – D) Mykhail Baehr is a photographical wonder with a style of photography that truly stands alone. His ability to create art out of some of the most challenging environments is what he has become known for. His body of work highlights the challenges firefighters face daily, often showcasing the myriad of “more than fire” skills and all-hazard response capabilities of the Toronto Fire Service. Mykhail can often be found attending fire scenes while off-duty, skilfully capturing images that allow everyone the opportunity to see a scene from a firefighter’s perspective. Mykhail is often called upon by our members, in support of a variety of causes, to capture images that provoke emotion. Mykhail spent much of 2016 capturing images of fire stations around the City of Toronto, creating impactful black and white photographs that capture the history and ongoing evolution of our service.

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BEST PHOTO, PRINT CIRCULATION OVER 100,000 Presented to: J.P Moczulski (The Toronto Star) J.P Moczulski captured the moment David Dearman, ‘Guardian of the Junction’, received a certificate of merit for his heroic efforts on the early morning of July 24, 2016. David was riding his bike just before the sun rose on the day that he heroically changed the lives of the residents of a burning building. David spotted smoke billowing from the roof and quickly began knocking on residents’ doors to ensure everyone got out and entered the building to help one resident retrieve her cats. When firefighters arrived, David had already left the scene but not before single-handily evacuated the building. The community came together to ensure he got the praise he well-deserved even though David never really wanted recognition. This photo perfectly depicts the modest hero. He was honoured with a ertificate of merit this past year at the Toronto Fire Services Rescue & Merit Awards for his efforts. After receiving his award, he said he was most excited to show it to his mother.

This image captures him as he receives his award from Acting Fire Chief Matthew Pegg and Toronto City Councillor, James Pasternak.

BEST PHOTO, PRINT CIRCULATION under 100,000 Presented to: John Hanley (City Centre Mirror) John Hanley’s award-winning photo captures Toronto firefighters at work on a cold February night, on a roof with a charged hose line doing their best to control a stubborn 2-alarm fire in the common attic of three row houses on Lippincott St.

BEST PHOTO POSTED TO SOCIAL MEDIA - FIRE Presented to: Steve Russell (Toronto Star) Steve Russell’s photograph does a fantastic job of capturing the tough conditions our firefighters face when fighting fires in cold weather. The photograph captures firefighter Jennifer McKay on the frigid fireground of a stubborn 3-alarm fire at a heritage building on Jarvis St. on January 4, 2016.

BEST PHOTO(S) WEB Presented to: Kevin Hardinge & John Hanley (TFSpics.com) TFSpics.com is a photoblog dedicated to the men and women of the Toronto Fire Services. The site was created and is maintained by Kevin Hardinge and co-founder John Hanley and features the work of several talented and dedicated photographers.

Founded in 2007, TFSpics.com has done a fantastic job of shining a light on the valued work our members do.

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Off-Duty and Media Awards...Continued from page 33

The Off-Duty Awards recognize the actions of individuals who have given of themselves to serve others while off-duty.

These awards recognize efforts that range from sudden moments of selfless bravery to ongoing commitments of devoted volunteerism. Each of the Off-Duty Award recipients has made our community a better safer place and has brought honour to our firefighting community.

ROY SILVER AWARD This award is presented annually to the Local 3888 member(s) who distinguished himself/herself/themselves while off-duty by performing CPR and/or First Aid on or for a fellow citizen.

Presented to: Peter Graves (345 – A) On December 20, 2016 Peter Graves and a handful of other firefighters attended the Oasis Dufferin Community Center’s annual Christmas dinner. The Oasis Dufferin Community Centre offers several services including a food bank, mentoring, counselling and a weekly dinner for those in need. The Community Center is located on Dufferin Street about 10 houses south of Station 345. Peter and the group had been asked by Mr. Richard Steinecke if they would be interested in helping prepare and serve the annual meal the community has come to know and love. The group arrived in the afternoon to begin preparations for the classic turkey dinner that would later serve up to 80 patrons. After preparations were complete the group began serving the meal while also having the opportunity of interacting with the community in attendance. During service one of the patrons became distressed and a bit of a commotion ensued. The firefighters in the room recognized what was happening - the patron was choking and unable to breath. Peter approached the patron and there was a clear look of panic on her face as she was becoming very unsteady on her feet. Peter immediately explained to her what he was going to do to help. He stood behind her to support her from falling and performed the Heimlich maneuver. At this point a piece of chicken bone was propelled from her mouth and flew across the room. She immediately took a deep breath and, once she caught her breath, it was clear she felt a bit embarrassed. Peter took the time to comfort her while the rest of the patrons stood and applauded.

Many guests thanked Peter for his quick actions that evening and were grateful to him for clearly saving a life.

BERNARD “BEN” BONSER AWARD This award is presented annually to the Local 3888 member(s) who distinguished himself/herself/themselves while off-duty by making a rescue or being involved in saving the life of a fellow citizen in a hazardous or threatening situation.

Presented to: Captain Cary Stather (225 - A) On Friday October 28, Cary was in Bracebridge with his wife enjoying a relaxing evening while waiting for a firework display to start. Suddenly, an explosion was heard followed by many people screaming for help. Cary immediately got up, grabbed his first aid kit and headed in the directions of the screams to see how he could help. He arrived to find two bystanders trying to help Jean Polak, a lawyer and Rotarian from the Bracebridge community. Jean had suffered obvious serious injury when the explosion went off. Cary took immediate action in caring for Jean while waiting for local emergency services to arrive and remained by Jean’s side until emergency services arrived. Jean was rushed to local hospital and then flown to Sunnybrook due to the extensive injuries sustained in the blast. Jean suffered significant injury to her head, face, arm, and hand, including multiple fractures and burns to her face and chest resulting from the traumatic incident. Afterwards, Cary kept in constant contact with Jean and visited her afterwards while she was recovering to ensure she was doing well. Had it not been for Cary’s quick actions and care immediately following the blast, it’s uncertain whether Jean would be here today. His actions directly impacted Jean’s chances of recovery and his selfless act has forever left an imprint on her life.

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BARRY WHITE AWARD

BOX 12 AWARD

AL PEARSALL AWARD

This is the fifth year the Barry White Award is being presented. This Award is presented annually to the Volunteer(s) of Box 12 or Support 7 for his/her/their outstanding & dedicated service to Toronto Professional Fire Fighters’ Association

Presented to: Captain Andrew Berg (326 – C)

This award is presented annually to the Local 3888 member(s) who contributed time, energy and ability toward the improvement of his/her/their community and fellow citizens, while off-duty.

members at emergency calls.

Presented to: David MacDonald David MacDonald is the ideal recipient for the Barry White Award. He has been involved with the fire service for many years, from visiting the local fire hall behind his house as a young lad to being a firefighter in the Bracebridge area. David, like Barry, gave back to the community by joining the Greater Toronto Multiple Alarm Association (GTMAA) operators of Support 7 Rehab Unit for over 40 years ago. Support 7 originally served the Scarborough Fire Department firefighters and now serves the amalgamated Toronto Fire Services firefighters. At one time, David also was a member of Box 12 (busy guy volunteering with two canteens). He was honoured to receive the Volunteer Service Award in 2015 from the Province of Ontario for his over 40 years of service.

David is a Past President of GTMAA and is currently serving as Treasurer.

In 2012, he was co-chair of TORCON2012 when GTMAA hosted the 60th Annual convention for the International Fire Buff Associates in Toronto. He is well thought of by many friends throughout the fire service.

The Box 12 Award recognizes an active member of Local 3888 who on their own initiative and in a voluntary capacity, undertake an activity or a series of activities that improves the lives of other Local 3888 members. The Award reflects the spirit of volunteerism demonstrated by the members of Box 12.

This year Box 12 is honouring Andrew Berg, Senior Guard Commander of the Toronto Fire Honour Guard who, on his own time, played an integral role along with 31 other intrepid members of Local 3888 to make the Honour Guard a reality. Not only did Andrew play a leading role in establishing the Honour Guard, but he also ensured that every detail about the uniform, formations, procedures and more were executed to perfection.

Andrew continues his commitment to the Honour Guard in his role as Senior Guard Commander, putting members through their paces, so that every joyous or solemn occasion is celebrated with grace and elan. While Andrew is receiving the award, the creation of the Toronto Fire Honour Guard was truly a collaborative effort between the Association, Toronto Fire Services and those 31 Local 3888 members whose idea it was in the first place. Together, they have ensured that in moments of joy or sorrow, the lives of Local 3888 members are made just that much better.

Presented to: Patrick Hayter (315 - C) Patrick Hayter joined Camp BUCKO in 2007 as a counsellor. In 2008, at the last minute, he stepped in as the Program Coordinator. Patrick travelled to Australia as part of the Firefighter Exchange program where he continued his volunteer work by seeking out the burn camp there giving freely of his time for this worthy cause. During his time in Australia he organized and coordinated efforts to have 2 campers and chaperones from that camp to travel to Camp BUCKO in Ontario.

He later rose to a position on the Board of Directors while still ensuring he spent time as a councillor, interacting first-hand with the kids, and ensuring everyone had a wonderful experience at camp. Pat has also helped raise tens of thousands of dollars for camp BUCKO, both on his own and in conjunction with the Toronto Fire Celtic Society. We are pleased to be able to award Pat as he so clearly deserves the recognition for his selfless acts of volunteerism that have touched the lives of many.

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A welcome addition for first responders and uniformed emergency professionals dealing with Occupational Stress Injury.

BY DAN VIEIRA, EXECUTIVE BOARD OFFICER

E

arlier this year I was fortunate to be given an opportunity to privately tour ‘The Stable Grounds’, a new residential treatment facility for first responders and uniformed emergency professionals dealing with Post-Traumatic Stress Injury, on behalf of our Association, along with our WSIB Committee co-chairs, Neil McKinnon and John Snider.

The Stable Grounds, located in Rodney, just outside of London, Ontario, officially opened its doors in February of this year.

The facility was co-founded by Toronto Fire Captain Kevin Webber and his wife, Rachel. Located on a 22-hectare property, the facility features a 697-square-metre treatment centre with 9 bedrooms, an exercise room, yoga space and library. The grounds also feature a horse barn, indoor equestrian arena and hiking trails for use by its residents. The facility provides 30-, 60- and 90-day residential programs focusing on a holistic mind, body and soul approach to the treatment of Occupational

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Stress Injury (PTSD/PTSI). It offers traditional therapies, as well as equine-assisted psychotherapy (optional) with a stable of therapy horses.

“Since the introduction of the presumptive legislation for PTSD, the TPFFA WSIB Committee has assisted over 100 members in submitting claims to WSIB for Traumatic Mental Stress and PTSD. Only a handful of members have been referred to residential programs; however, for those that need this level of care and treatment, it is nice to have a facility and program developed by a firefighter, specifically designed to provide care to first responders. Every firefighter affected by PTSD is a unique person and it’s important to have treatment options that target the unique nature and unfortunate consequences of our occupation. ‘ - John Snider, TPFFA WSIB Committee, Co-Chair.

We are proud to support Kevin, Rachel, and their team at The Stable Grounds, and wish them continued success in their endeavor to assist first responders and uniformed emergency professional dealing with the challenges of post-incident stress injury.

Lastly I’d like to remind all readers that it’s OK to talk about our mental health and well-being. Please direct any questions or concerns regarding Occupational Stress Injury (OSI/PTSI/ PTSD) to one of our WSIB Committee representatives, our TFS Employee Assistance/Critical Incident Stress (EAP/CIS) team at 416-338-9EAP (9327), or your healthcare professional.

For more info on the facility and programs offered, please check out their website: https://www.thestablegrounds.com // Press:: www.lfpress.com/2017/02/02/post-traumaticstress-disorder-toronto-fire-captain-is-opening-a-centre-inrodney-to-treat-first-responders-with-ptsd Let’s end the stigma surrounding mental health concerns, continue to look out for, and take care of each other. Stay safe.

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STATION 135

BY BERNICE HALSBAND, TORONTO FIRE FIGHTER, STATION 343-C

A DEPARTMENT ONTO ITS OWN Most of us have heard of ‘growing pains’ associated with our amalgamation in 1998, as it was the ambitiously sweeping merger that put all of Metro Toronto under one umbrella with all six fire departments that existed within those former municipalities.

Before the latest merger, there were several smaller ones that are often forgotten. Leaside Fire Department for example, merged with East York in 1967 to form the Greater East York Fire Department and the New Toronto Fire Department merged with Etobicoke Fire Department that same year.

Station 135 as it is known now, had a similar history. Before being incorporated into the Toronto Fire Department in 1967 it had already lived as Forest Hill Station 1 for 35 years.

In 1967 it was renumbered “Station 29”, sandwiched between 28, (Montgomery St. now 134) and 30 (Former Union Hall on Commissioner’s Street now 326 at the Academy on Eastern Ave.).

It served the people of Forest

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Hill much as it did before and even after its requalification as a North Command Hall. Usually being associated with the old North York Fire Department, nothing much has changed as far as the calls they run. Forest Hill has always enjoyed a reputation of high incomes and upscale shops, although in the past few decades the upscale shopping has moved more towards Avenue Rd. and Yorkville.

In 1932 when Station 1 was built, Forest Hill was its own village nestled within the growing City of Toronto with a population of 631,207. At that time, it was the second largest city in Canada after Montreal. The station housed not only the Fire Department, but a Police Station complete with a jail-cell in the basement. By 1967 in was ‘surrounded’ by Toronto, and a merger was indeed like it was for the other municipal services of Leaside, East York, New Toronto and Etobicoke.

Forest Hill Station 1 became Toronto Fire Department Station 29, and Forest Hill Police became part of Toronto Police Division 53. By 2016 half of it had been demolished to make way for ‘progress’. The Metrolinx Line 5 Eglinton will have Chaplin Street entrance in place where firefighters ate their meals and parked their apparatus for 84 years. The eastern portion, however, will remain

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intact because the building enjoys a heritage status.

The station itself moved in October 2016, although plans for its construction had been announced back in February of 2012 with the expectations to have the station ready by May 2013. As far as construction is concerned, a 3 year delay is not the longest wait our fire halls have seen but it is a good reminder that nothing happens fast in a city as large as ours. Cost estimates exceeded the original $4.9 million dollar price to come in at $7.3 million. As the old structure was found to be unstable, the new hall will safely house generations of 135ers to come.

Like Station 221 at Midland and Eglinton, which opened its doors in 2014, the new Station 135 has all the elements a modern fire station would have. Just as 221 took on the former East York apparatus from Woodbine Station 224, the new 135 is now home to the old Forest Hill apparatus; albeit via old 29.

Unlike the old structure, it has a green roof, a dedicated decontamination facility, a state of the art vehicle extractor system, a backup generator and underground parking. Although the fire pole still exists, the history of the old hall hasn’t been transplanted. I’ve even heard a few ghost stories attributed to the jail in the basement, and also a few hauntings of firefighters!

There are, of course benefits to working at the new station but one

benefit to working at 641 Eglinton West was that you really knew how to back up an Aerial. The relatively narrow corridor and busy traffic of Eglinton Ave. turned backing up into a real skill for many of our members. Like a few other halls around the city, the Aerial had to be backed in on an angle and the narrow door did not allow for much error.

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Station 135...Continued from page 39

ONE OF TORONTO’S PREMIER NEIGHBOURHOODS Forest Hill is unique in a city of unique neighbouhoods.

What makes Forest Hill unique isn’t just that it spawned and/or is home to famous Canadians like Drake, Lorne Michaels, Ted Rogers or Peter Munk; but as you can tell by those names, the neighbourhood is one of the richest in Toronto and subsequently the country.

The average household income is a staggering $101,000.00 as compared to the $40,704 average in the rest of the city.

This won’t come as a surprise if you take a leisurely afternoon drive on Old Forest Hill Rd. Houses average in the 5,000 plus sq.ft. in size, and some front yards are bigger than most TCHC family dwellings. Drive just a few blocks west into 341’s run-area and the contrast is utterly amazing!

A City of Toronto census puts the ethnic demographics at mostly Eastern European, English, Canadian, and Irish. The Fillippino and Tagalog languages are listed as the nationality of non-European descent and the second most popular language spoken after English. Also an interesting fact is that the population of Jewish residents grew exponentially in and around World War II. Population density is also lower than in most of the city with the exception of the Bridle Path, Rosedale and other high income neighbourhoods, along with the percentage of single family detached dwellings exceeding the city average. Most of the dwellings are home to 2 member families and up until 1993 residents were able to have their garbage picked up off their doorsteps instead of from the curb like everyone else. When citizens found out that this cost taxpayers an additional $420,000 a year, the original merger agreement stipulating trash pick-up was ‘trashed’.

Ten years ago the average house cost $4.3 million dollars, so the cost of the new fire station falls right into place. The neighbourhood is home to two of the most prestigious private schools in the country, notably Upper Canada 40

College founded in 1829 (“UCC, crumpets and tea”) and St. Michaels College. It is also home to some impressively beautiful synagogues.

Still, 135 gets its share of fires and gritty calls even if they’re asked to take off their boots when traipsing through mansions once in a while. The Aerial ran 1,300 calls in 2015, earning it a solid middle of the pack ranking. The pump sits in a similar spot at rank 47 with 2,042 runs in 2015. In addition the Aerial spent much of last year at 134, continuing to hone the backing in skills into that narrow bay.

Being a nice neighbourhood doesn’t make you immune to the trappings of a metropolitan city. On July 27 2017, firefighters, as well as police were called to a home on Dunvegan Rd after shots had gone off and an SUV had been set on fire. The owner, a ‘white collar’ criminal according to Global News, was not hurt. This is nothing compared to the propane tank explosions from a 3 Alarm fire that saw three houses under construction go up in flames in May 2011, again thankfully with no injuries. A month ago, a man and woman were rushed to hospital with severe injuries after crashing their motorcycle into a TTC streetcar platform.

Generally Forest Hill stretches north and south along Eglinton Ave. West from Bathurst to Avenue Rd. and to St. Clair in the south. Like other halls located along division borders, they routinely run with 31 and 34 districts to the south and 42 to the west once in a while.

STAND MY GROUND From Forest Hill Station 1 to TFD No. 29 to TFS Station 135, this hall has survived mergers, amalgamations and being renumbered. Considering the caliber and solid trajectory of the neighbourhood it seems like nothing will keep 135 from keeping on keeping on. Not even moving the entire hall to a new building! The memories from the old station, the calls and the guys that served are transplanted through a combination of new and old firefighters that work in the station, even when growing pains are a memory long gone, and the last ranks of Old 29ers are retired.

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Tom Ford

Stephen Forsey

March 7, 2017

February 25th, 2017

BY MATT RAYNER, TORONTO FIRE FIGHTER, STATION 345-C

Tom proudly served with the Toronto Fire Department, then Toronto Fire Services, for 37 years, most of them at Station 14 (345).

He was a natural leader. Stepping in as an Acting Captain when his Captain was off for medical reasons, making him my first Captain when I was assigned to aerial 345. He led the crews stationed there both in and out of the hall, training them and looking out for them at some potentially deadly calls. I remember my first emergency run driving with Tom as my Captain, and half-way to the address, the siren on our truck stopped working. When I asked him “What do I do now?”, Tom calmly told me to “lay on the horn”.

He was the first to welcome me to the hall by giving me a tour and introducing me to my soon-to-be crew-mates. The visit was a blur. The only thing I remembered was when he told me to not bring a lunch to work, and that we would always eat together. We did, and still do.

Food and cooking were important parts of Tom’s life; He spent hours watching the Cooking Network and taking cooking classes. One shift, he spent hours in the kitchen, toiling on what smelled like a gourmet dinner. When someone finally asked what we were having, he laughed (the same way he laughed when he sniped you at the kitchen table) and said “It was not for us”, and “It was going home with him” because He and Judy were having guests for dinner!

Judy Snyder was Tom’s partner and best friend. They had met while he was working part-time at the Credit Union. They loved spending time with family and friends, including their dogs. Tom loved spending time outdoors, especially birding (which took him all over) and camping. He was very involved with Camp BUCKO, both as a counselor, and on its Board of Directors.

Unfortunately, Tom was diagnosed with lung cancer just over three years ago. He passed away March 7 of this year. He was last assigned to Squad 331. Rest in Peace, Captain Ford.

The Toronto Fallen Firefighters’ Memorial Service was held on Sunday June 25, 2017 where eighteen of our Members were honoured and added to the granite wall.

• 1991 Oct. 9 Captain William Terrell • 2001 Mar. 17 Captain Walter Churchmack • 2011 Nov. 9 Firefighter James Cox • 2014 Nov. 26 District Chief William Fredrick Smith • 2015 Jan. 10 Captain Charles ‘Bud’ Exton • 2015 Oct. 29 Captain Richard Barker • 2015 Dec. 2 Firefighter William Parker • 2016 Jan. 15 Captain George Powell

Stuart Bryan

December 24th, 1986 to February 25th, 2017

Marcy Stratton February 6th, 1973 to April 25th, 2017

The year was 1989 and a young man named Stephen Forsey was able to make his lifelong dream come true when he was a successful candidate in a recruitment drive held by the North York Fire Department.

Stephen was a successful fire fighter and a leader from day one, showing initiative and the ability to adapt to the changing fire service.

Stephen was the kind of guy that followed through with his intense passions and worked on numerous apparatuses so that he could truly be a well-rounded and knowledgeable fire fighter. When the opportunity arose, Stephen accepted the challenge and the opportunity to lead his crew as a newly promoted Captain to station 114.

In Stephen’s personal life, from a very young age he persevered and proved that he was a fighter. A young boy full of energy was faced with a medical condition that required both of his legs to be surgically broken; then had to wear leg braces throughout his childhood. This alone would be a very challenging circumstance for a young child to deal with. Stephen continued to struggle health wise and was faced with an uphill battle with kidney disease, which required blood transfusions and many surgeries.

Throughout his younger years he continually met and overcame challenges that led to the leadership qualities and drive that he exuded and shared with fellow Toronto Fire Service members.

Off the job, Stephen had numerous passions including swimming, coaching and mentoring swimmers of all ages. Stephen himself was an accomplished swimmer participating in two Olympic trials and making the Canadian National Team in just his first year of swimming. Through his love of swimming he was able to meet and swim competitively with his wife Dianne.

Stephen and Dianne had two children, Renee and Brandon. As a family they spent many weekends at the cottage in Georgian Bay where Stephen enjoyed family time and was able to unwind while fishing and taking the kids tubing. Family vacations were a chance to get away whether they were travelling down south or taking a family road trip in a camper to the East Coast.

Stephen was a fighter, a mentor and a leader that will be missed greatly by everyone who knew him.

Rest in peace Brother Forsey.

• 2016 Mar. 13 Captain Rickie Dale • 2016 Jan. 15 Captain George Powell • 2016 Mar. 16 Firefighter John Dowdel • 2016 Mar. 21 Firefighter Michael Kane • 2016 May 21 Captain Charles Mearns • 2016 Aug. 9 Captain Dennis Moore • 2016 Aug. 11 Acting Captain Gino De Amicis • 2016 Aug. 18 Firefighter Steven Crites • 2016 Dec. 28 Captain William Davies

• 2017 Feb. 25 Captain Stephen Forsey • 2017 Mar. 7 Captain Thomas Ford

Michael Decker November 22nd, 1956 to February 8th, 2017

Milda Morgan April 10th, 1965 to July 17th, 2017

They shall grow not old, as we that are left grow old; age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn.

At the going down of the sun and in the morning, we will remember them.

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Topper Uniform & Linen

STANDARD AUTO WRECKERS

February 11, 2017

A fire broke out at commercial laundry service in the Junction on February 11th, 2017.

Firefighters responded at 05:08 after a police officer saw smoke coming from the industrial building located at 22 Mulock Avenue. Some area residents were evacuated due to potentially combusting hazardous materials. The fire was deep-seated in the basement where floor mats were stored. The evacuation order was lifted just after 14:00 allowing residents to return to their homes. 99 units were dispatched to the incident.

APRIL 6, 2017

Yonge & St. CLAIR February 14, 2017

The “Valentine’s Day Fire” broke out at the Badminton and Racquet Club of Toronto before 09:30 on February 14th, 2017. The 6-alarm blaze made headlines across the city for it’s tenacious hold on the 93-year old structure and the harrowing efforts of more than 160 trucks and 500 firefighters. Located at 25 St. Clair Avenue West, just off Yonge Street; the racquet club presented multiple access issues for crews in a high density area of the city. The alarm level continued to escalate as additional crews arrived.

Some creative thinking lead crews to set up on adjacent private balconies directing hose streams at the blaze.

Many local businesses experienced water damage as runoff from firefighting efforts flooded their properties. The fire was declared under control at 05:45 on February 15, 2017.

Crews battled a 5-alarm fire at a Scarborough auto wrecker in unseasonably cold temperatures and driving rain on April 6th, 2017. The fire started after 11:00 in an oil pit and later engulfed the adjacent structures, due in part to high winds from the south. 1216 Sewells Rd. is more than 5km from the nearest fire hall (Stn-211.) Standard Auto Wreckers is located in the northeastern part of 21 District, an area which includes residential, commercial/industrial, rural farmland and a national park.

13+ trucks were involved in relay pumping operations from the nearest hydrant.

The fire was brought under control at 17:42 and saw 70+ units respond.

The auto wrecker was the site of a 4-alarm blaze just 3 years ago on March 3rd, 2014.

words by JAMES KENNEDY, Firefighter, Station 322-C 42 42

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Gfl fire

may 25, 2017

The Port Lands waste and recycling facility located in 32 District escalated quickly to a 6-alarm blaze just after midnight on May 25th, 2017. GFL (Green For Llife), located at 242 Cherry Street, caught fire at 00:56 and saw more than 170 units attend while the incident remained active for three days. A 6th alarm was called just before 02:00.

Thanks to a coordinated attack by firefighters throughout the night, the fire was downgraded to a 2-alarm by 08:50 on the 25th. The blaze was fought from all sides by aerial monitors, crews on the ground, and from the water by the William Lyon Mackenzie docked to the west. Water supply was provided in part by hydrant relay, drafting pumpers and the fireboat. Large plumes of smoke and ash floated through the city causing numerous false alarms.

The smell of smoke was present as far away as Etobicoke hours later.

Ryu’s Noodle Bar, 33 Baldwin St. JUNE 9, 2017

A 5-alarm blaze broke out in a popular ramen restaurant in Baldwin Village on June 9th, 2017. Located at 33 Baldwin Street amongst mixed-use rowhouses; Ryu’s Noodle Bar caught fire during lunch service at 13:17. The fire originated in the restaurant kitchen and quickly moved into a common attic, forcing a family of three and their dog out of an adjacent apartment. No injuries were reported. The fire was brought under control at 15:55 leaving approximately $2 million in damages. 55 units were dispatched to the incident which remained active into the dinner hour.

The restaurant had an average rating of 4+ stars from over 500 online reviews, it remains closed.

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Opioids and Naloxone

BY DAVE ARCHER, EMS COMMITTEE MEMBER

Toronto Firefighters to be Trained to Administer Naloxone North America is currently experiencing an opioid overdose epidemic. Jurisdictions in Canada and the US are dealing with an alarming number of opioid overdoses and opioid related deaths. Vancouver recorded 25 opioid overdose deaths and approx. 600 overdose calls in June alone. Last year the opioid crisis claimed 935 lives in B.C. (Canadian Press).

Like other municipalities across Ontario and Canada, Toronto has seen a dramatic rise in opioid overdose calls and opioid related deaths. Between 2004-2015 there was a 73% rise in in the number of reported opioid overdose deaths in Toronto. In March 2017 the City launched its Overdose Action Plan, a detailed strategy to help deal with the current opioid crisis in Toronto and to be better prepared in the event of a spike of overdose incidences. This action plan provides a comprehensive set of actions to prevent and respond to opioid overdoses. One of these actions was to make naloxone more widely available (to first responders and the public).

During the week of July 24-August 1, 2017 the city recorded approx. 93 overdoses and 4 deaths where opiates were suspect. Toronto Police have reason to believe fentanyl could have played a part in these overdoses. In response to the spike in overdoses, the City announced it was going to ramp up its efforts and on July 31, 2017 Mayor John Tory announced that Toronto Firefighters will be trained in the use of naloxone for suspected opioid overdoses. Deputy Chief Jessop stated that once a medical directive is put in place, the drug is purchased, and all members are trained, TFS will be providing naloxone as part of their treatment protocol for suspected opioid overdoses.

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OPIOIDS Opioids/opiates are a group of drugs which are used medically to help manage pain (post surgery, post injury or chronic pain issues). They relieve pain by acting upon specific nerve receptors within the spinal cord and brain. Opioids are naturally derived from opium which is made from poppies (i.e. Morphine) whereas Opiates are synthetic versions of the drug (i.e. Fentanyl). Most opiates/opioids are regulated and require a prescription. When used at the correct dosage they successfully manage pain, however when taken improperly they can suppress the body severely leading to unconsciousness, respiratory arrest, and ultimately death.

Opioids/opiates come either as legitimate medications (pharmaceuticals) or illegal street drugs (Illicit).

PHARMACEUTICALS Pharmaceutical opioids come in many forms such as: • tablets • capsules • syrups • liquids for injection • nasal sprays • transdermal (skin) patches • suppositories Table 1 lists common types of pharmaceutical opioids available in Canada including their Trade and Street names

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OPIOID OVERDOSES Anyone using prescribed pharmaceutical opioids or street opioids can potentially have an overdose. Opioid overdoses come in many forms; it is no longer just the stereotypical “junkie” found with a needle stuck in their arm. Opioid overdoses affect all ages and demographics. “The majority of drug-induced deaths in Toronto are accidental, and many involve recreational users, however opioid overdoses are found in many other circumstances.

ILLICIT OPIOIDS The most commonly known illicit opioid is heroin; an illegal and non-controlled drug made from morphine, a natural substance extracted from the seed pod of the Asian opium poppy plant. It is usually in powder form (white or brown) or in a black tar form. It is usually injected (shoot up), inhaled (snorted) or smoked.

Toronto police has seen a rise in heroin being laced with other opioids such fentanyl.

Common risk factors for opioid overdose: • taking prescription opioids more often or at higher doses than recommended • Mixing opioids with alcohol or sedatives like: sleeping pills, muscle relaxants, and benzodiazepines.

• taking an opioid your body isn’t used to, or switching to a stronger drug • taking higher doses than you are used to • using drugs of unknown purity or strength • using intravenous opioids • have opioid addiction

Common Street names for Heroin are: Brown sugar, China White, Dope, H, Horse, Junk, Skag, Skunk, Smack, White Horse

Although the majority of reported overdoses involve recreational use of illicit opiates, first responders need to be cognizant of the signs and symptoms of an opioid overdose even at incidents where there is no evidence to suggest any recreational use of an opioid.

Opioid overdoses amongst adolescents is on the rise. There is a trend where adolescents are using stolen opioid medications (often stolen from home) and will take these opioids unaware of the dosages and consequences. Often these will be taken in combination with alcohol and/or other drugs. Although young children do not consume opioids for recreational purposes, they can still be accidentally exposed to unattended opioids (i.e. ingested) that were within their reach. Another concerning trend is amongst the elderly population (65+) where almost 40% of hospital opioid overdose treatments were for seniors who have experienced an accidental opioid overdose (City of Toronto Staff Report on Overdose in Toronto. Sept 1, 2015). A study of Toronto suicide deaths revealed that opioids were the most frequent drug causing death.

Legitimate pharmaceuticals are being obtained through crime and are being sold on the black market, or used in other “drug cocktails”. Synthetic opiates are illegally fabricated and imported from China. These opioids are added to heroin or are pressed into counterfeit opiate pills to look like Oxycocet. Fentanyl and W-18 are examples of synthetic opioids that has been found in Alberta, Ontario and other parts of the US. (Toronto Star).

Generic Name

Trade Name

Street Name

Buprenorphine

BuTrans®

Bupe, Bute

Buprenorphine-Naloxone

Suboxone

Subby, Bupe, Sobos

®

Codeine

Tylenol 2,3,4 (codeine+acetaminophen)

Cody,Captain Cody, T1, T2, T3, T4

Fentanyl

Abstral®, Duragestic®, Onsolis®

Patch, Sticky, Stickers

Hydrocodone

Tussionex , Vicoprofen

Hydromorphone

Dilaudid®,

Juice, Dillies, Dust

Meperidine

Demerol®

Demmies

Methadone

Methadose®, Metadol®

Morphine

Doloral , Statex , M.O.S.

Oxycodone

OxyNEO®, Percocet®, Oxycocet®, Percodan®

Oxy, Hillbilly Heroin, Percs

Pentazocine

Talwin

Ts

Tapentadol

Nucynta

Tramadol

Ultram®, Tramacetv, Tridural®, Durela®

®

®

®

®

Hydro, Vike

®

Meth, Drink, Done ®

® ®

M, Morph, Red Rockets

unknown Chill Pills, Ultras

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Naloxone... Continued from page 45

Street Drugs

SIGNS and SYMPTOMS of an OPIOID OVERDOSE

Overdoses can come from injected drugs (i.e. heroin). The danger with injecting opioids is that an intravenous dose of opioids is potent. Street drugs are not controlled therefore, the strength and type of opioids available on the street are unknown and can vary.

According to Detective Jeffery Ross of the Toronto Police Drug Squad, drug dealers are “cutting” their heroin with unknown substances to increase profits (i.e. fentanyl and carfentanil).

Firefighters must quickly recognize the signs of symptoms of an opioid overdose (during their primary assessment) and provide basic life support whenever these signs & symptoms are indicated. The World Health Organization listed 3 signs to look for that are consistent with an opioid overdose known as the “Opioid Overdose Triad”

Fentanyl and Carfentanil

Opioid Overdose Triad

In an attempt to boost profits and increase marketing (on the street drug scene) drug dealers are cutting heroin and other illicit drugs with fentanyl and carfentanil (RCMP). The problem is heroin and other street drugs are not controlled so there is no knowing what other ingredients were added to the original product. The unsuspecting person takes a hit of heroin (i.e. cut with Fentanyl) and could rapidly go into an overdose state.

Fentanyl is a legitimate pharmaceutical synthetic opiate used to medically manage pain (i.e. cancer patients). It is 100 times more potent than morphine. Illegally obtained fentanyl is currently being used as a stand alone drug, however it is being found in heroin and other illicit drugs in Toronto and is suspect in the recent rash of overdose responses and deaths in July/August (Toronto Police Drug Unit). Fentanyl is found in liquid, tablet and transdermal (skin) patches. The illegally produced Fentanyl is being produced in and exported from China where it is ether cut into other drugs (i.e. Heroin) or is pressed in tablets and sold as counterfeit opiates (i.e. Oxycocet).

Carfentanil is an extremely potent synthetic opiate which is designed exclusively for veterinary use on large mammals such as elephants; it is not approved for human use. The big danger of carfentanil is its potency – it is 10000 times more potent than morphine and 100 time more potent than fentanyl. Because of its high potency, there have been reported incidences across North America where first responders were exposed to carfentanil and experienced overdose symptoms requiring immediate medical treatment. Although there have been no publicized incidences of carfentanil overdoses or exposures (to first responders) in Toronto, it is only a matter of time before it does. According the Toronto Drug Unit, carfentanil is already on the streets of Toronto. Firefighters should exercise caution when attending opioid overdoses and to wear the appropriate level of PPE to minimize exposures to potentially lethal opioids. Standard medical PPE is appropriate when treating opioid overdoses (bunker pants and boots, gloves, mask if there is any airway intervention needed). Firefighters should avoid contact with unknown powders or liquids and exercise safety with any exposed needles. The risk of inadvertent first responder exposure is likely highest when dealing with clandestine drug labs. Materials in these labs should be considered hazardous.

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• pinpoint pupils • unconsciousness • inadequate breathing.

Other signs and symptoms:

• Hypotension • Bradycardia (low heart rate) • Limp body. • Pale face.

• Clammy skin. • Cyanosis (bluish tinge to skin) • Vomiting Other clues suggesting a potential Opioid Overdose

• Drug paraphernalia (syringes, burnt spoons, etc.) on scene.

• Drug containers (Rx Label), baggies with power or pills on scene • Witnesses, bystanders, family who can provide some details on the overdosed patient.

• Patient has track marks, or multiple transdermal patches applied to the skin, even in the mouth.

TREATMENT OF OPIOID OVERDOSES According to the World Health Organization (W.H.O.) death following an opioid overdose is preventable if the patient receives Basic Life Support (BLS) and the timely administration of naloxone (World Health Organization Information Sheet on Opioid Overdose, 2014).

Basic Life Support (BLS)

The “golden standard of care” for any suspected opioid overdose patient is to maintain airway management and provide ventilations (with BVM and high flow oxygen @ 15 liters/minute) for any unresponsive patient who has a pulse and is not breathing adequately. Proper maintenance of an airway and provision of venatilations is life saving and may be all that needs to be done.

Firefighters will provide ventilations in accordance to the current Heart and Stroke Foundation guidelines which is the standard of care according to Ontario BLS Guidelines established by the Ministry of Health and Long Term Care. It is important that first responders quickly initiate airway management and ventilation support to prevent brain damage, lung damage, cardiac arrest and death. Table 2 details the ventilation rates and CPR ratios pursuant to the HSFO (AHA) guidelines.

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NALOXONE FACTS

NALOXON Naloxone, which can also be sold under the name Narcan® in Canada, counteracts the effects of an opioid overdose. Administering naloxone during an opioid overdose can be life saving when maintaining an airway and ventilations do not work.

How does Narcan Work?

The Narcan® binds with the brain receptors quicker and stronger (than opioids). This prevents the opioids from binding with brain receptors which results in the patient to resume breathing. Naloxone only counteracts the effects of opioids and is ineffective on other drugs (i.e. alcohol, benzodiazepines). Narcan is easy and safe to use as it is administered intra nasal (through the nose) and there are no syringes or vials eliminating a sharps hazard.

• In 2016 Narcan was changed to a schedule II drug by Health Canada making it a non prescribed drug.

• Currently Naloxone is available in injected forms (Intramuscular (IM), Intravenous (IV) and sub cutaneous (SC) • Health Canada has approved a nasal dose device (Narcan®) which dispenses 4mg of naloxone.

• Has no contraindications except when the person is known to have a life threatening allergic reaction to naloxone (extremely rare).

• Administering to a person without an opioid overdose will do no harm • Blocks the effects of opioid drugs only • takes 3-10 minutes to take effect • Benefits last from 30-90 minutes • The goal is to provide adequate amounts of naloxone to initiate spontaneous respirations but not enough to bring responsiveness Naloxone plays an important role in treating suspected opioid overdoses, however Basic Life Support (BLS) should always be initiated before (or in the absence) of naloxone.

NALOXONE HAZARDS Although there are no known adverse side effects from using naloxone, however first responders need to be cautious when using naloxone, as it can have profound effects in a patient who is addicted to opioids or has taken multiple drugs.

If too much naloxone is administered, it can result in the patient becoming fully responsive. The opioid is suppressed and the patient will no longer experience their high. This can potentially bring a patient to a withdrawal state leading to potential complications such as seizures, vomiting and cardiac arrest. Patients who are fully revived from naloxone commonly become agitated, violent, may refuse treatment, and flee the scene. The danger rests in that the naloxone is short-lived and once the naloxone wears off the patient may once again slip into an overdose state. Another scenario is the user may obtain additional opioids to maintain their high. Once the naloxone wears off the double-dose of opioids can become fatal.

The reality is that most drug users are not just taking one opioid/drug. They are taking multiple drugs or using drug cocktails i.e. speed balls (heroin and Cocaine) the naloxone will suppress the opioids, however, the other drugs will be unaffected, resulting in potential overdoses from the other drug(s) plus the potential of violence against first responders.

For example, cocaine causes severe high blood pressure while heroin reduces blood pressure. If naloxone is administered, the unopposed effect of cocaine can cause agitation, hyperthermia, seizures, heart attacks, and strokes. The goal here is to support ventilations and only administer naloxone if these maneuvers fail.

Dr Michael Feldman, Medical Director for TFS, noted that in some jurisdictions that have equipped first responders with naloxone, it was noted that some first responders immediately used the naloxone in error when airway and ventilations could have been enough to keep a patient alive. Further, cardiac arrest guidelines recommend that naloxone NOT be given in cardiac arrest, as it will not restart a heart and could delay CPR. Cardiac arrests due to opioid overdoses are invariably due to respiratory arrest. Therefore, immediate CPR with AED as per the medical directive is to be used without modification for cardiac arrest due to suspected opioid overdose.

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Naloxone... Continued from page 47

FIRST RESPONDERS USE OF NALOXONE Barrie Fire Services and Vaughan Fire were one of the first Fire Services in Ontario to administer naloxone.

Currently Toronto Paramedics are the only first responders authorized and trained to administer naloxone in suspected opioid overdoses in the City of Toronto.

• Toronto ALS Paramedics (for past 20 years) • Toronto Primary Care Paramedics (since 2015) • Toronto Firefighters – (Effective October 1, 2017) • Toronto Police – No plan to carry Naloxone was made known at time of print

TFS TRAINING FOR

NALOXONE ADMINISTRATION In response to the City’s Overdose Action Plan back in March 2017, Toronto Fire Services had been making preparations in the event there became a need for TFS to start using naloxone. After the events that unfolded on the last weekend of July, 2017, the Mayor has stated that Toronto Firefighters will receive the training and will be administering Naloxone in suspected opioid overdoses.

Training for naloxone administration will be provided in a blended format; there will be an online ELI course and a hands-on practical component done in class. There will be an ELI online course where firefighters will acquire all the technical knowledge on opioid overdoses including the Medical directives on opioid overdoses, the treatment of opioid overdose, and the administration of naloxone. Firefighters must also participate in hands-on training where they will get an opportunity to practice the sequence of events starting with stimulation, assisting ventilations, and then administration of naloxone under the supervision of a Training Officer or Station Training Instructor (STI).

Initial rollout of the naloxone program will cost $40,000. The live training will be conducted during the last 2 weeks of September starting with areas that have a historic problem with opioid overdoses. The intended “go live date” is October 1, 2017. As this program is still being developed, more information will be posted by TFS in the future.

CONCLUSIONS For the past 10 years Toronto has experienced an opioid overdose crisis which is getting worse every year. After the recent rash of opioid overdoses and opioid related deaths (in Toronto) and from observing what is happening in other cities across Canada, the City has revamped its Overdose Action Plan. Toronto Firefighters are reminded to use BLS protocols for opioid overdoses and will be additionally trained to use Naloxone (Narcan®) to any patient who presents the signs and symptoms of a life threatening opioid overdose when those BLS maneuvers fail to result in any improvement.

Studies have proven that when presented with a patient who displays the signs of an opioid overdose, immediate Basic Life Support (BLS) followed by naloxone when necessary will provide the patient with the best chances of surviving a lethal opioid overdose. Toronto Firefighters will continue to provide Basic Life Support when presented with an apparent opioid overdose patient. By October 1, 2017 firefighters will be trained to administer Naloxone in accordance to established TFS medical directives. By continuing current patient care practices and by adding Naloxone to our list of skills, TFS firefighters will be better trained and equipped to effectively treat anyone suffering from an apparent opioid overdose in the City.

Thanks to Dr. Michael Feldman - TFS Medical Director, Captain Michael Nemeth - Base Hospital Manager and Detective Jeffery Ross - Toronto Police Drug Squad for their contributions to this article.

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Letter from the Editor…

Lynn Pezzelato

A hot topic that continues to be prevalent in many different realms today, is that of resiliency. It encompasses the ability of a system to recover from a disruption and serves to remind us that building resiliency is designed for “durability” over time; for us humans, our entire lifespan.

A good portion of our life is spent working.

For us, it’s a career in the Fire Service. The very nature and scope of work means that there is very good reason to build and/or maintain resiliency. Toronto Fire Services revisited the need for staff mental and physical health and well-being and initiated, with the support of L3888, the development of a Wellness Plan, of which there are many facets. The TFS Employee Wellness Plan, for which your Peer Support Team, along with other sources, informs, outlines and responds to recommendations from the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health’s (CAMH’s) Needs and Capacity Assessment (NCA) and can be found in this link http://insideto.toronto.ca/wes/fire/index.htm on our main TFS Intranet page.

One aspect of the Health and Wellness Plan is staff training and, as such, the Road to Mental Readiness (R2MR) has been rolled

out. Senior Management has received training on the 8-hour program, which is also now being scheduled for DC’s, ADC’s and the Peer Support Team. The 4-hour program will be scheduled for Captains and Firefighters starting in 2018. Another aspect is the provision of internal and external resources and, as such, a new website has been developed with information on them and how to access them. See link http://insideto. toronto.ca/wes/fire/wellness/index.htm.

“Hire to Retire” is the main theme of the TFS Wellness Plan with awareness and education being pivotal goals, through preventative measures and resiliency building.. While the Post-Traumatic Stress (PTS) Prevention Plan was an obligatory requirement of the Ministry of Labour, Toronto Fire Services is committed to promoting mental and physical health and well-being for all staff.

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From Disaster to Development

By Louise Chen, Peer Support Team

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word like resiliency is used in many different industries, including economics, business, and even construction; it has come to mean many different things. This fact, in combination with its relatively new utilization in the sphere of mental health, has led to a fair amount of fogginess surrounding the topic and many people may not be familiar with its exact definition. Resiliency is not only hot in the industry and practice of psychology, but in the application of mental health initiatives throughout the public and private sectors. Unravelling the concept with respect to human well-being and psychological recovery is critical to understanding the intent behind its expanding use in society today. Essentially, how to foster resiliency in ourselves can keep us afloat when the present moment or circumstance seems bleak and hopeless.

Google defines resiliency (yes, Google provides definitions now ) as ‘the capacity to recover quickly from difficulties; toughness’. Merriam-Webster defines it as: ‘an ability to recover from, or adjust easily to misfortune or change’.

Unfortunately, both these definitions give the false idea that resiliency is something static – that is, something that is innate and inborn in individuals. Making use of the words “ability” and “toughness” offers the impression that people are either born resilient or not, or rather, that some people are naturally more resilient than others. Those ‘psychological Herculeans’ ranking high on this hypothetical ‘resiliency spectrum’, therefore, are tougher mentally and more impervious to trauma and suffering. They must simply be better at recovering from tragedy and dealing with stress because of an emotional gift bestowed upon them by the luck of the gene pool draw. The natural deduction flowing from this is, of course, the stigma that, if we don’t normally handle stress well, show signs of being affected by a tragedy, or have had difficulty in dealing with a personal disaster, we are ‘emotionally inferior’ or perhaps even ‘mentally unstable’.

Luckily for you, this article is here to set the record straight. The American Psychological Association (APA), a much more appropriate source for edification on this and other psychological phenomena, describes resilience as “an ongoing process that requires time and effort and engages people in taking a number of steps […] Resilience is not

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a trait that people either have or do not have. It involves behaviours, thoughts and actions that can be learned and developed in anyone”. Resilience is how efficient and astute we can become at bouncing back from crises and the often-unavoidable tragedies that plague the lifespan of humanity. It is not an unchangeable personality trait or God-given aptitude of elasticity and imperviousness. Instead, resilience is a learned and practiced skill that can be developed with conscious effort based on a grounded understanding of what resiliency truly entails.

Dr. Jeff Morley, a Registered Psychologist and Board-Certified Expert in Traumatic Stress, tells us that resilience is a skill that we can use to become stronger and more flexible after a stressful event or traumatic experience knocks us down. More than that, after recovering from trauma (whether singular or repeated) we are not merely returning to our previous or normal state. The loss, change, or life-altering experience that catalyzed the change to our normal mental, emotional, psychological, and often behavioural pattern of functioning becomes integrated into our autobiography. We do not merely return to “who and how we used to be”. Rather, we re-emerge as a new and often quite different version of ourselves. This new state, an arguably regenerated, recreated, and renewed version of ourselves, is more simply referred to in resilience terminology as “The New Normal”.

Now, let’s get in to the proverbial meat and potatoes: how to develop resiliency in ourselves. A full and exhaustive list of all the means and methods tried and tested over time and by science would most likely take the length of a book to cover. For that reason, this article provides 3 of the most essential and fundamental methods to develop resilience.

Method #1: Give yourself permission to feel like $#!T This idea, and even the title for it, is adapted from a podcast created by Dr. Ellen Hendriksen, who produces a weekly show called: “The Savvy Psychologist’s Quick and Dirty Tips for Better Mental Health” . Experiencing a traumatic event, whether through primary, secondary, or vicarious trauma, is going to cause pain. Your response to the

TORONTO FIRE SERVICES EAP/CIS NEWSLETTER - Volume 12 Issue 4 Fire Watch 2

hardship experienced in the moment, and for a while after its occurrence, could make you feel lousy, hurt, unwell, depressed, anxious, etc. (hence the all-encompassing expletive used in the title of this method). Trying to push down or ignore those feelings, thoughts, and even physiological consequences goes against our natural healing processes.

More bluntly put: you feel like shit for a reason. The phrase often used by crisis intervention workers and peer supporters to describe these reactions is that they are “NORMAL reactions to an ABNORMAL event”.

Resilient people are not strangers to pain – in fact, they are more familiar with it than most. As Hara Estroff Marano, the Editor-at-Large of the popular Pop Psychology magazine ‘Psychology Today’ writes: “Resilient people don’t walk between the raindrops; they have scars to show for their experience. They struggle - but keep functioning anyway.” Thus, it is not the avoidance or denial of mental and emotional pain that makes people resilient – but rather, the confrontation and experience with these negative emotions and reactions that enables people to build the skill of resiliency. Giving ourselves permission to be sad, mad, unproductive, etc. enables us to come face-toface with the experience and our reaction to it on a deeper psychological level. It is through this confrontation that we are able to develop insights about the experience and to foster new ways of thinking about what happened – and about ourselves, as a whole. Jason Mackenzie, a motivational speaker and peak human performance expert remarks: “Weakness lies not in feeling sadness, it lies in being too afraid to face the sadness” . If we ignore the fact that something is affecting us, (by perhaps putting up a false front of apathy and indifference or ignoring or avoiding negative thoughts and emotions, we remove the opportunity to learn and explore why and how the situation has affected us. False indifference, therefore, actually lowers our own level of resiliency by preventing us from learning, and subsequently, taking those lessons learned forward into new hardships later in life.

It’s important to follow this step with one or more of the methods below so that we don’t let ourselves feel lousy forever. For a reasonable amount of time following a trauma, however, giving ourselves a compassionate look in the mirror and acknowledging that we are human and feeling pain about something means that we care deeply about that experience for a reason. Try to figure out what that reason is.

Method # 2: Create meaning in your life by exploring your value system Whether we realize it or not, we already have some type of value or ethical system which we generally abide by in daily life. We do or don’t do, say or don’t say, act or refrain from taking action based on what we believe is ‘right’ or ‘wrong’. This system of belief may or may not be based on a religious source, but often it is simply the combination of accumulated ideas accrued throughout our lifespan that have fuzzily or perhaps even clearly been delineated in our mind.

A crucial step in developing resiliency is consciously exploring what pillars form our value system - and why. That is, what aspects of our moral life guide your everyday decisions and actions. On a deeper level, this moral system is part and parcel in the formation of what we believe THE purpose of life is (and especially our purpose in life). We don’t necessarily need to have a concrete description of the meaning of life (after all, who can ever really answer with certainty the question of what it means to be human and alive). What is important to think about is the mainstay: our beliefs guide our actions and intentions. Understanding the configuration of our moral and ethical compass, in at least an explorative and curious way, will help guide and aid us in making decisions when we are lost, stressed, or have that horrible sense of “where do I go from here?”.

Create, develop, and explore your value or moral system – and let those guidelines chaperone a personal exploration of your purpose in life.

Method # 3: Develop and maintain a strong social network Dr. Jeff Morley, a retired RCMP officer who currently works as a psychologist with many first responders and civilians alike, argues that social support is the single biggest predictor of resiliency . Our network of social support can come from family, friends, co-workers, teammates, or some overlapping combination of these and other groups.

Having people we can rely and depend on is crucial to not only our well-being from moment to moment, but also to our recovery from life’s kicks, punches and, sometimes, downright beatings.

Susan Pinker, a developmental psychologist and journalist devotes an entire book to the health and happiness benefits of having and maintaining face-to-face

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relationships with other people. In her book “The Village Effect” , Pinker elucidates the many positive outcomes of having close personal relationships with others, including increased longevity, better recovery from chronic disease, enhanced learning in children, and an overall greater sense of happiness and well-being.

An additional upshot of this idea is that maintaining strong relationships with others by reaching out to them (regardless of whether it concerns good news or bad) is one of the best things we can do, not only for ourselves, but for them, as well. Contacting and communicating with others, even seeking help, guidance, or reassurance, strengthens the connection between those individuals and bolsters positive relational aspects such as trust, reciprocity, understanding, and communication skills. Do yourself (and someone else) a favour and reach out; plan that trip together, make that call, take that oh-so-long drive in rush hour to see someone special – the positive results run deeper than we may realize.

There are many methodologies to developing resiliency (setting realistic goals, practicing self-care and exercise, to name a few) but the three methods described above are basic, easy steps to get the ball rolling and help us on our path to healing, recovery, and growth. Being a strong and resilient individual following tragedy and trauma is a capacity available within anyone who takes the time to explore their own suffering. Exhibiting only a macho or stoically

unaffected persona, and avoiding negative or unwanted thoughts, emotions, and feelings gives us very little leverage to developing true strength. It’s understandable that in day-to-day moments we may need to “hold it together” so to speak, whether it be at work, with our kids, new acquaintances, even strangers. This “exterior” we present to the world is often tightly bound to our self-esteem in terms of how we sense and believe how others perceive us. While this is a reasonable incentive for self-preservation, it’s also important to give ourselves a time and a place and, most importantly, the permission to feel and express these sometimes “unwanted” emotions and thoughts. Some people prefer to take this time in a place when and where they are alone, which is a good and commendable approach in and of itself. However, taking note of method #3, if you feel comfortable enough to share these deep and sometimes “scary” reactions with a trusted, supportive, and non-judgmental friend or loved one, it does much more good than harm (for both of you).

Regardless of whether we face these reactions alone, with a friend, or with a professional counsellor – it is in this act of interacting with those parts, that we acknowledge and accept all the real fragments of ourselves. It is in these moments that we grow, learn, and develop as a person.

Finding a balance between portraying external fortitude and developing internal strength is key – developing resiliency is one essential way to grow and develop real and lasting strength.

TORONTO FIRE SERVICES / TORONTO PROFESSIONAL FIRE FIGHTERS' ASSOCIATION L 3888

PEER SUPPORT / CIS RESPONSE TEAM CONTACT SHEET 416-338-9327

On-Call Team Lead TEAM MEMBER

JOHN DRIMMIE 225/C CARY STATHER 225/A LYNN PEZZELATO Administrative Services LOUISE CHEN 143/A BRIAN MCALINDEN 232/B RODNEYJOHNSTON 226/B TONY MELLOZZI 315/D

HUGH DOHERTY UNION OFFICE

345/D L3888

CHAPLAIN

HUGH DONNELLY TODD RILEY BARRY PARKER TED LECK

City EAP - 416-392-6633

24 hr Line

CONTACT #

905-903-2574 289-314-8100 647-409-3135 416-723-8374 416-723-8376 647-223-2121 416-676-3105

416-433-0446 416-466-1167

EMAIL johndrimmie@gmail.com cstather@sympatico.ca lynn.pezzelato@toronto.ca

louise.chen@toronto.ca bmcalinden@me.com johnston@torontofirefighters.org / rj3111@hotmail.com

tony_rockclimb@hotmail.com

doherty@torontofirefighters.org mail@torontofirefighters.org

EMAIL

CONTACT #

East West South North

416-450-8372 416-318-9167 416-271-7540 647-461-4047

hughdonnelly@rogers.com tsriley@teksavvy.com bparker@stpaulsbloor.org tleck@rogers.com

July 2017

Communications - 416-338-9001

TORONTO FIRE SERVICES EAP/CIS NEWSLETTER - Volume 12 Issue 4 Fire Watch

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BY SAM WARNOCK, FIRE FIGHTER, STATION 145-D

P

ost 9/11, our SOGs and responses have primarily treated “White Powder” as a possible biological agent such as Anthrax.

Many dangerous, non-BioWarfare products present themselves in a white powder form, and firefighters can benefit from information to help identify what they might be. In this article, we discuss TATP (triacetone triperoxide), a white crystalline/powder that Palestinian bomb makers in the West Bank nicknamed: “The Mother of Satan”.

TATP is undetectable to explosive residue scanners, and it’s cheap and easy to produce with over the counter ingredients. This makes it an increasingly popular choice for bomb makers attacking western targets since 9/11. The American Airlines Flight 63 Shoe Bomb (2001), the University of Oklahoma stadium bombing (2005), the London Public Transit bombings (2005), the Paris Bataclan Theatre & Stadium attack (2015), the Belgium Airport & Metro bombings (2016) are just a few prominent events utilizing TATP home made explosives (HMEs).

TATP is a highly unstable product that can be set off by heat, friction, shock or even rough handling, so physical interaction with a product that you suspect might be TATP should be avoided. A strong peroxide, acetone, filters and glassware is all that’s required to make usable TATP, so keep this in mind when you encounter a possible “HME” lab.

Note: Hydrochloric acid and a reaction cooling method are optional but can speed the reaction and production time from weeks to hours.

However, not all TATP producers are terrorists, as a mischievous teen on Youtube can find all the production information they need. Even a small amount can cause serious injury.

When responding to future “white powder” calls, take a moment to scan the scene for clues. Approach with caution, remembering HMEs and biological threats, may appear physically similar but present a very different concern. Using the information above should help produce a quality risk assessment for the public and your crew.

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Fit to SURVIVE

The fire fighter’s guide to health and nutrition

The Benefits of Yoga: From Stress to Serenity

BY ROSELINE MOUANA

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s first responders, I applaud your work and your commitment to our community. I also reach out to you knowing how stressful your job can be: emergency calls, shift work, sleep deprivation, extreme situations, trauma on the scene, even putting your own life at risk.

In our demanding society, stress is a fatal poison and the source of many ailments. What’s tragic is that it’s often overlooked, sometimes with terrible consequences.

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The impact of stress may not be easy to talk about, and may be perceived as a sign of weakness. I get it—I have faced this stigma myself. This perception is wrong. Facing our vulnerability is a sign of strength; so is wanting to surpass our pain, and to live free of tension and trauma.

Why do we hide behind our pain? Is this not what we all seek: a deeper connection with ourselves, and each other?

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In 2011, I signed up for “Yoga Teacher, Training to Heal”. I had been diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and yoga was the only thing that kept me serene. I had deep wounds to mend, and what seemed to be insurmountable symptoms: insomnia, violent nightmares, anxiety, migraines, depression, vertigo, tinnitus, candida, extreme fatigue, heart palpitations, troubled vision, shortness of breath, and loss of memory and mindbody coordination. My nervous system was ruling my body, and it was debilitating.

PTSD is not exclusive to first responders and war veterans, it’s a deep-rooted condition that involves exposure to trauma. For myself, PTSD stems from childhood trauma, years of cumulative and sustained stress, and was severely triggered in 2008 by a terribly toxic workplace. My doctor pulled me out of work for 10 weeks in 2010 and indeterminately in 2011. The second time, she wanted to hospitalize me long-term for rest and recovery. It was that bad.

What stopped her was that there was no one to replace me as my daughter’s only parent.

The challenge is that talking about many of these “invisible” symptoms is still considered taboo. They are extremely common and routinely unaddressed to the point where they destroy families and relationships through fear, denial, judgmental condemnation and, sometimes, death.

Stress wreaks havoc on the body. It affects digestion, sleep, breathing, the heart and blood vessels, the nervous system, and even male and female reproductive systems.

Acute, or short-term stress, such as meeting a deadline, or suddenly braking to avoid a car accident, causes the heart rate to increase with stress hormones adrenaline, noradrenaline, and cortisol acting as messengers. This is known as fight or flight. Once the episode of acute stress passes, the body returns to its normal state. Chronic stress, or stressors experienced over a long period of time, tells the body to remain in fight or flight, has an impact on all other bodily systems, and can increase the risk of long-term problems such as hypertension, heart attack, or stroke.

Yoga directly reverses this process. Specific poses and breathing techniques effectively reduce stress and muscle tension, lower heart rate and blood pressure, decrease the risk of stress-related disorders, such as headaches

and insomnia, and increase a sense of calmness and well-being. Many stress-reducing methods derive from yoga: controlled breathing, meditation, physical movement, mental imagery, and stretching. Yoga is also known to increase strength, relieve allergy symptoms and asthma, reduce anxiety and muscle tension, and provide sound, regenerative sleep.

Yoga is healing. It opens up the body, releasing it of stress, and offers balance and insight. You don’t need to be experienced or flexible to do yoga—it starts with the breath. Yoga is a great complement to other sports and activities, and will help you find balance, ease tension in the body, assist with muscle recovery, enhance memory and concentration, and focus the mind on the serenity of the present moment.

One of the greatest gifts of yoga is the reciprocation with those around us.

We evolve within, deal with life differently, and share this awareness openly; one breath, one pose, one class at a time.

As a teacher, I continue to grow and shift as I adapt to the uniqueness of each student. It’s an endless flow—an exchange—the blessing and awareness of being in constant evolution. Yoga benefits me every day, even when I don’t practice: mindfulness, the breath, and the discipline to be as optimal as I can be Roseline is a Toronto-based health consultant and yoga teacher who understands how the body moves, fails and heals. She offers private and group classes to beginner, intermediate and advanced students, and is the founder of Renu with Rose, a service-based inspirational portal dedicated to optimal health and mindful living. For a free consultation toward your yoga journey, contact Roseline at info@renuwithrose.com.

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3888 RECENT HAPPENINGS

Approximately $28,000 was raised for Muscular Dystrophy Canada Ontario with the help of our newest recruit class outside of Union Station and the Royal Bank Plaza on the morning of Apr. 28th. Wow. Thank you for your generosity Toronto!!

A big congratulations to the TPFFA Members who celebrated their Retirement this year! The TPFFA was happy to honour the 100 Retirees of 2016 who have dedicated their careers to Toronto Fire Services and the communities of Toronto. This year’s Retirement Dinner & Dance took place in the Spring and was celebrated at Quiss Banquet Hall. Each retiree received a framed fire print, a gift bag and a certificate of retirement from the Honourable Mayor John Tory. The TPFFA would like to thank our Chaplain Todd Riley for opening the dinner with grace, Councillor Paul Ainslie for addressing our Retirees and thanking them for their years of services, Deputy Chief Mike McCoy, TFS Honour Guard and Pipes & Drums and the Entertainment Committee for organizing a great night. The dinner was delicious and the dancing and reminiscing of all the members, made for an eventful night of laughter and good memories. We would also like to acknowledge and thank all of the 2016 Retirees for their years of service as these brothers and sisters will always be a part of our fire fighters family, and we wish them nothing but the best on the next chapter in their lives enjoying retirement!

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Congratulations to the Fire Prevention Hockey Team! They won the C platoon tourney this year. Fire Prevention defeated 23 District in a very close 2-1 game and 13 District won the Consolation championship game against 14 District.

Thank you to everyone who participated and help raise $1000 for the Toronto Fire Fighters Celtic Society.

Annual Daffodil Drive! We raised $2800 in one short morning fundraising session on April 24th at Union Station supporting Canadian Cancer Society - Thank you to all our volunteers and to all our generous donors!

The TPFFA celebrated their Annual Picnic this summer at Canada’s Wonderland and the event was a huge success!

Upon arrival all of our junior fire fighters received their own fire fighter helmet, TPFFA sunglasses sponsored by Comtech Fire Credit Union, a large bag of popcorn complements of TD Insurance and washable TPFFA tattoos. With over 1,100 of our members and their families who attended, the day was celebrated within our own private Courtyard with a complementary buffet luncheon, which was joined by special guest mascots from Charlie Brown & Friends, face painters and airbrush tattoo artists. After the Luncheon, our guests got to enjoy the Park and all it has to offer from the famous Leviathan, Behemoth and Ghoster Coaster rides alongside this year’s new 2017 Muskoka Plunge within in Splash Works and the new thrill-ride of Soaring Timbers! The TPFFA would like to thank the Entertainment Chair Mike Russell, his committee members and the TPFFA administrative staff for all their hard work put into organizing and running the 2017 Annual Picnic.

We are looking forward to the summer of 2018 and what the Entertainment Committee will be running for our Annual Picnic – Hope to see you and your families there!

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