NDFS to hold Rooftop Campout for Muscular Dystrophy Canada

been underway to potentially have a team or two stop by. “I’m working on getting Sparky the fire dog to make an appearance as well,” added Sean.

by Brandon Mayer

A couple of weeks ago, I wrote about the green flashing lights that volunteer firefighters use when they are responding to a call. It has always boggled my mind that some people don’t know what they are used for, perhaps due in part to the fact that my dad was a volunteer firefighter for 11 years of my childhood, and he had a green light on his dash even back then. By odd coincidence, a colleague told me a few days after my article was printed (an no, she didn’t read it) that she inadvertently blocked the path of a firefighter with a green flashing light on her way into work, oblivious to the meaning of the light. As a local fire chief told me recently, we will never be able to educate everyone.

Another driving issue that has been going on far too long to make any sense is failing to stop for a school bus that is loading or unloading students – even with the obvious flashing red lights and a large red stop sign mounted to its side. Stopping for a school bus that is loading or unloading passengers should not be new to any driver, and it is a very clear procedure outlined in the driving manual. We are talking about many decades of buses having the flashing lights and stop signs – it is probably safe to say that no one on the road today obtained their driver’s license before stopping for a stopped school bus was the law.

During recreational internet surfing last week, I came across a website for an organization called “Let’s Remember Adam”. It was set up in memory of Adam Ranger, a five year old Ontario boy who was struck and killed by a driver who failed to stop while he was getting off the school bus at his home in February of 2000. Over 23 years ago now, and I can guarantee that his family is still grieving, and that they still miss him every single day. All for what?

Distractedness? Ignorance?

Rebellion? If the person who killed Adam has any moral decency, then living with what they did ought to be a much harsher sanction than any prison sentence they received.

In 2019, the Ontario government announced plans to increase funding and gradu-

No one reading this is a perfect driver. Whether it be occasional speeding (even if just a few kilometres over the limit), or rolling a stop sign, or forgetting to signal, we all break traffic laws. We have to keep in mind, however, that some laws are simply inexcusable to break. If you didn’t know you had to stop for a school bus with flashing lights and an extended stop sign, you shouldn’t be driving. If you didn’t see the bus, you were not paying attention and shouldn’t be driving. And don’t dare pull the “I was late for work” card, because kids like Adam never grew old enough to get a job. Respect road rules – you may very well save a life.

by Brandon Mayer

This weekend, three members of the North Dundas Fire Service will put their safety and comfort on the line in a way far different from usual, all in the name of raising money for Muscular Dystrophy Canada.

From Saturday, February 25 to Sunday, February 26, the three members will be conducting a Rooftop Campout to collect donations in support of the charity.

The members will spend 24 hours at the Winchester Foodland, which includes an overnight campout on the roof. They will be on site from approximately 10 am on Saturday, and end at 10 am on Sunday. The members will be on the ground collecting donations via the traditional “fill the boot” method during the store’s open hours, and will spend Saturday night camped out on the roof!

The firefighters will still remain available for emergency calls, with one fire department vehicle stationed with them for the entire time. Being a firefighter is a 24/7 commitment after all, and one that members of the NDFS are known to serve honourably.

“Dan has been fantastic right from the start,” said NDFS member Sean Donovan, speaking of Foodland owner Dan Pettigrew. “He has advised his overnight staff that we will be there so we have access to the bathrooms if needed. He offered to supply us with meals.”

As of the time of writing, ideas were in the works for things to do for the kids/ adults who show up over the weekend. One of the NDFS members is a minor hockey executive, so plans have

Also in the works, though not confirmed as of the time of writing, is a physical challenge involving a weighted boot. “They get pretty heavy when we collect donations, so I thought we could simulate that,” said Sean. “I did a search for an all-terrain wheelchair which comes in at about $20,000. A quick Google search shows that amount of $5 bills will weight approximately 8 pounds, so we would put that weight in a boot and challenge people to hold it up for as long as they can.”

Muscular Dystrophy Canada is the charity of choice for fire departments across Canada. This weekend’s Campout will be the first of its kind in North Dundas to raise money for the organization, though fundraising for Muscular Dystrophy Canada is done by the NDFS regularly. “We have developed an unbreakable bond with this organization,” said Sean. “We would like to encourage all our residents, throughout North Dundas, to lend their support during this event.”