Salute to Firefighters — The Free Press
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Thursday, October 1, 2020 Page A9
3 essentials of a
fire-safe kitchen Did you know cooking is a leading cause of residential fires? In response to this alarming fact, the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) has chosen the theme Serve up fire safety in the kitchen! for this year’s Fire Prevention Week, which runs from October 4 to 10. Here are three components of a fire-safe kitchen. 1. A watchful eye According to the NFPA, unattended cooking is the number-one cause of kitchen fires. Therefore, you should never leave the kitchen when frying, boiling, grilling or broiling food. If you need to leave the room, even briefly, turn off the burner. While it’s safe to leave food briefly unattended if it’s simmering, baking or roasting, you should check it regularly (set a timer to remind you) and never leave the house. 2. A clean space To reduce the likelihood of a kitchen fire igniting, make sure your cooking area is free of clutter. This includes keeping flammable items like oven mitts, wooden utensils and food wrappers away from the stovetop. You should also avoid wearing loose clothing when you cook. Remember to clean food and grease from the stovetop and oven after each use. 3. A nearby lid The most effective way to put out a small grease fire is to carefully slide a lid over the pot or pan and turn off the burner. Never use a portable fire extinguisher to put out a grease fire. Similarly, in the event of an oven fire, turn off the heat and keep the door closed until the appliance cools. For more safety tips, consult the Fire Prevention Week website at firepreventionweek.org.
Our Valley’s fire departments are always looking for more volunteers. Get involved with the department in your area! Baynes Lake: Elkford: Elko/Jaffray:
250-429-3133 250-865-4020 250-429-3133
Fernie: Hosmer: Sparwood:
250-423-4226 250-429-3133 250-425-0558
Page A10 Thursday, October 1, 2020
Salute to Firefighters — The Free Press
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4 fire-safety measures to implement at home A fire can spread rapidly through your home, leaving you with just a few minutes to safely evacuate. This means every member of your household needs to be prepared to act quickly in an emergency. If you haven’t done so already, here are four things you should do to protect your family. 1. Install an alarm system You should have at least one smoke alarm and one carbon monoxide detector on each floor of your home, as well as near the bedrooms. Regularly make sure they function by holding down the test button until the alarm goes off. Always keep extra batteries in the house. 2. Buy a portable extinguisher Make sure you have a working fire extinguisher on hand to quickly put out small fires before they cause extensive damage. Install it in a visible location out of the reach of children, ideally on a wall near an exit. Additionally, make sure you know how to use it.
3. Create an evacuation plan Draw a floorplan of your home that clearly identifies possible exits, escape routes and a meeting point. This diagram should also note the location of fire extinguishers and alarms around the house. Conduct a fire drill at least once a year to ensure everyone can evacuate your home within three minutes. 4. Keep exits clear Exits should be free of obstructions at all times. In the winter, make sure snow is promptly cleared away from doors and ground-floor windows, and that none of these exits are frozen shut. Additionally, make sure furniture and other objects don’t block escape routes. These simple steps can help keep you and your family safe in the event of a fire.
www.fernie.ca letstalk.fernie.ca emal letstalk@fernie.ca
We Salute Our Local Fire Fighters
The Fernie Fire Department would like to remind you and your family how to be prepared in the event of a fire: Look for places that fires could start in your home, especially in the kitchen. Identify potential hazards in order to reduce them. Listen for the sound of smoke alarms. Ensure they are working and installed on every floor in your home. Learn two ways out of every room in your home, and make sure all doors and windows that lead outside can be opened easily. In the event of an emergency, it is important that your family is prepared. For more information on Fire Prevention Week and Safety in the Kitchen, visit https://www. fernie.ca/EN/main/residents/emergency-services/fernie-fire-department.html.
THE RDEK SALUTES OUR VOLUNTEER FIREFIGHTERS IN HOSMER, ELKO, JAFFRAY & BAYNES LAKE 1-888-478-7335 | www.rdek.bc.ca
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Salute to Firefighters — The Free Press
Why cleaning your chimney
Thursday, October 1, 2020 Page A11
is a must
How and why you should regularly check your smoke detectors
If you have a wood-burning stove or fireplace in your home, you should have your chimney cleaned by a professional at least once a year. Here’s why.
Each floor of your home, including the basement, should be equipped with a smoke detector. It’s also a good idea to put a smoke detector in every room. However, the most important thing of all is regularly checking that they work properly.
To remove creosote Every time you use your wood stove or fireplace, smoke and soot build up inside the flue. This residue, known as creosote, is highly flammable and the primary cause of chimney fires. In addition, sweeping your chimney ensures that smoke and carbon monoxide are ventilated outside your home.
How to inspect smoke detectors Once a month, press the “test” button on each of your smoke detectors. If you don’t hear anything, replace the battery immediately.
It should be noted that even a thin layer of creosote is a fire hazard. So while almost anyone can use a chimney brush, a thorough sweep by a professional is necessary to ensure your chimney is safe to use. To identify defects Once all the creosote is removed, the chimney sweeper can inspect the components of the ventilation system. This includes the interior ducts and the chimney cap outside. The purpose of this inspection is to identify any damage or deterioration and make necessary repairs. While you should have your chimney cleaned and inspected once a year, additional maintenance may be required if you frequently use your stove or fireplace during the winter. This will ensure your home and family are safe.
In addition, you should confirm whether your detectors can actually detect the presence of smoke. Once a year, blow out a candle under them. If they don’t go off, then they need to be replaced as soon as possible. Smoke detectors save lives The best way to prevent casualties in the case of a fire is to have functioning smoke detectors. Here’s why. • Most fire-related casualties occur overnight. A smoke detector’s alarm allows occupants to wake up and evacuate in time. • Smoke inhalation is the leading cause of fire-related death. Smoke spreads quickly, and occupants have on average two minutes to evacuate before smoke inhalation becomes life threatening. Smoke detectors allow you to react before it’s too late. The bottom line is that well-functioning smoke detectors are the best way to keep you and your family safe.
THE DISTRICT OF SPARWOOD IS PROUD TO SALUTE OUR FIREFIGHTERS
During Fire Prevention Week we are given the opportunity to tell all of our firefighters just how much they are appreciated and to thank them for all they do to keep our community safe. We extend a heartfelt thanks to all of our skilled and qualified firefighters for their dedication, commitment to fire rescue, training, fire safety and education, and pay tribute to them during Fire Prevention Week.
Page A12 Thursday, October 1, 2020
Salute to Firefighters — The Free Press
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Thank You to Our Our firefighters Courage that can’t be extinguished Most people will flee from a burning building, but firefighters face the blaze head-on. Indeed, there are few professions that require the kind of selfless courage that’s displayed by members of the fire service. Plus, many are volunteers, particularly in rural areas. In addition to putting out fires, firefighters are often the first responders during medical emergencies and at car accidents. As such, they must be trained to perform basic lifesaving interventions and assist paramedics. In some regions, they even carry naloxone to treat opioid overdoses. Similarly, when firefighters are called to the scene of a car crash, their duties aren’t limited to extinguishing an engine fire. Firefighters must assist other emergency personnel to extricate victims from damaged vehicles and clear the wreckage. They may also receive special training to safely rescue people from confined spaces, collapsed buildings and beneath ice. Firefighters carry out their duties in extreme heat and blinding smoke. They work long shifts, both day and night, and risk their lives. In recent years, many firefighters have even volunteered to help their colleagues in other regions and countries battle volatile wildfires. This is a profession where altruism knows no bounds.
Baynes Lake Fire Rescue Team Members Regional District of East Kootenay Elk Valley South Country Fire Chief Dave Boreen Deputy Fire Chief Michael Hockley Battalion Chief Jim Cosens Captain(s) Rachael Smith, Marie Cosens Firefighter(s) Dave Sutherland, Chad Bevand, Sharon Leeper, Steve Ebbern Logistics Sandy Helfrich, Janet Baher, Bonnie Kari
Fernie Fire Rescue Team Members Fire Chief Ted Ruiter Assistant Chief Brendan Morgan Fire Prevention Officer Brett Uphill Training Officer Troy MacLachlan Lieutenant Bruce Nelson Career Firefighter(s) Trevor Fairweather, Cory Robinson, Sean Gigliotti, Brad Filgate Battalion Manager Steve Kallies Team Leader(s) Zane Neal, Mike Bragg, Mike Lennox Aux Firefighter(s) Nathan Hickerson, Scott Robinson, Justin Surine, Dustin St. Jean, Tyson Schmidt, Alan Weir, Luc Coultry, Sanjeev Parmar, Travis Leeden, Mick Prideaux, Jason Andreola, Dean Borgen, Zackary Jantz, Dana MacMahon, Eric Patison, Justin Pruchnicki, Brett Robertson, Dan Wilkie, Steve Marlborough
Elkford Fire Rescue Team Members Director Corey Kortmeyer Deputy Director Curtis Nyuli Firefighter(s) Bruce White, Louis Bourgeois, Elov Simmons, Harvey Macpherson, Patrick, Milan, Jason Kaiser, Derik Finlay, Sheldon Thiel, Neil Hawthorne, Kyle Cook, Courtenay Robinson, George McGhee, David Olsen, Jason Langille, Misty Shinners, Breanne Newberry, Christopher Olsen, James Mills, David Baines, Curtis Reker, Clayton Thiel
Hosmer Fire Rescue Team Members Regional District of East Kootenay Elk Valley South Country Fire Chief Dave Boreen Deputy Fire Chief Michael Hockley Battalion Chief Jeremy Nordstrom Captain(s) Shelley Vaness, Bryan Matthews Firefighter(s) David Barrett, Humberto Alvarado, Richard Reedyk, Ben Goertzen, Peter Goettlicher, Clea Sackville, Korie Bartsch
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Thursday, October 1, 2020 Page A13
FIREFIGHTERS Sparwood Fire Rescue Team Members
Fire Chief Dean Spry Deputy Chief Brad Hogg; Assistant Chief Karl Ehrler Captain(s) Ken Syrja, Mike Harrington, Preston Engel, Sheldon Tennant, Scott Holberton Lieutenant(s) Duane Nelson, Dwayne Matatall, Darrick Lawson, Pete Race Firefighter(s) Al Laidlaw, James Bosman, Willy Mortimer, Daniel Piderman, Andrew Schmitz, Keyten Kunst, Alex Isaacs, Tony Bell, Taylor Wiseman Rookie(s) Timothy Schindel, Harley Marshall, Miranda Dolfo, Tom Lundrigan, Daniel Flegel, Dayton Obre, Kyle Bodie, Noah Devine, Julie Winter, Dominic Plourde, Brett Engel, Nicole Thurman
Jaffray Fire Rescue Team Members Regional District of East Kootenay Elk Valley South Country Fire Chief Dave Boreen Deputy Fire Chief Michael Hockley Battalion Chief JP Braaten Captain(s) Clint Ewasiuk; Willy Rayman, Laurent Leonetti Lieutenant Terry Montgomery Firefighter(s) Kayla Ewasiuk, JT Ewasiuk, Dennis Lightburn, Cindy Lightburn, Ron Ek, Glenna Perkins, Aaron Wolff, Mike Keehn, Luc Tierens, Austin Sheridan Logistics Lainee Gleeson, Kathy McAleese
Elko Fire Rescue Team Members Regional District of East Kootenay Elk Valley South Country Fire Chief Dave Boreen Deputy Fire Chief Michael Hockley Battalion Chief Dale Hark Captain(s) Dean Haarstad, Leonard Holmgren, Mark Johnson Lieutenant Shayne Webster Sr Firefighter(s) Alfred Frehner, Anissa Haarstad, Corlyn Haarstad, Katy Haarstad, Julie Holmgren, Daigen Wilson, Alyssa Shaw, Cliff Mare Logistics Angela Fregin, Joe McPhee, Ilona Webster
SAFETY TIPS: • Test smoke alarm batteries often, and replace them when you change the time on your clocks: in the spring and in the fall. • In the event of a fire, check doorknobs for excessive heat with the back of your hand before using them. • If you must escape through smoke, crawl on your hands and knees to the nearest exit. • Keep space heaters at least 3 feet away from drapes, clothing and other combustible items. • Make sure all flammable liquids are properly identified and stored away from heat and flames. • Always unplug small appliances when they aren’t in use. • Don’t leave the dryer running when you go out; it could malfunction during your absence. • Never use an extension cord that’s coiled or bunched together. The wires may generate heat that could melt the casing and cause a fire.
Page A14 Thursday, October 1, 2020
Salute to Firefighters — The Free Press
Thank you to the dedicated men and women of our local and volunteer fire departments.
Jeanie MacIntyre 701 9th Avenue flameguard@telus.net Cell: 250-423-1484
Fire Extinguishers • Inspection & Installation • Fire Safety Plans
McDonald’s proudly supports the Community Fire Chief for the Day Kids Contest
McDonald’s Highway 3 - Fernie
Courage Under Fire We Salute Our Firefighters. For the important role they play in protecting our lives and for their brave and selfless sacrifice. A special thank you for your dedication and hard work. We gratefully recognize your service to our community. You are all heroes, and we thank you for all that you do.
Causeway Bay Hotel 102 Red Cedar Drive, Sparwood, BC 250-425-2003
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What to do if there’s a fire in your kitchen More house fires start in the kitchen than in any other room. Of these, most are caused by grease. Here’s what to do if a fire breaks out while you’re cooking. The first step is to eliminate the heat source. If it’s possible to do so without injuring yourself, turn off the oven or stove. Next, you need to deprive the fire of oxygen. In the case of an oven fire, leave the door closed and wait for the fire to extinguish itself. If it’s in a pan, smother it with a lid or baking sheet. To do this safely, hold the cover in front of you like a shield and cover the pot from front to back. Don’t throw the lid on the fire, as you risk spreading the flames around. If you don’t have a cover, baking soda can be used to smother the flames. However, you’ll likely need more than the small box you keep in your fridge. You can also use a fire extinguisher, as long as it’s rated B, which designates that it’s safe to use on grease fires. Never use water to extinguish a grease fire. If the fire is burning too hotly to be smothered or it begins to spread fast, evacuate the house and call the fire department immediately.
Help the firefighter find the right path to the fire station.
Salute to Firefighters — The Free Press
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FU N ! FU N !
Thursday, October 1, 2020 Page A15
Sparky youtotostop, learndrop, to stop, drop, rollclothes if your clothes catch fire. Sparky youwants to learn and roll and if your catch fire. FU N ! wants Can you find the objects below in the pictures? Circle them and thenthe color the pictures. Can you find the objects below in the pictures? Circle them and then color pictures. Sparky wants you to learn to stop, drop, and roll if your clothes catch fire. Can you find the objects below in the pictures? Circle them and then color the pictures.
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NFPA’s Fire Prevention Week website. © 2020 NFPA
The name and image of Sparky® are trademarks of the NFPA.
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at Canadian Tire we care.
Developed by the NFPA. 1 Batterymarch Park, Quincy, MA 02169
The name and image of Sparky® are trademarks of the NFPA.
The name and image of Sparky® are trademarks of the NFPA.
Thank You Firefighters for your dedication and service.
Thank you to our local firefighters and volunteers.
1791 9th Avenue 250-423-4222
250-423-4607 792 2nd Ave., Fernie
250-425-6489 2-101 Red Cedar Dr., Sparwood
OPEN EVERY DAY 8:00 A.M. - 9:00 P.M.
Page A16 Thursday, October 1, 2020
Salute to Firefighters — The Free Press
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Portable fire extinguishers:
To avoid hindering your quick departure to safety, make certain that the doors and windows that serve as emergency exits are unobstructed at all times. Put away all items strewn around them (shoes, backpacks, toys, etc.) and be sure not to block emergency exits with furniture or large objects. Also, in winter, carefully remove snow from all doors, balconies, windows and terraces after every snowfall. Make sure your house number sign is kept clear as well. Additionally, you should regularly ascertain that windows intended as evacuation points effortlessly open (that they don’t get stuck due to ice or rust, for instance). And if you have young children, also make sure these exits are easy for them to reach and open. Finally, don’t forget to identify all possible hitches in your evacuation plan. Ideally, set up a strategy that allows for two different paths to get out of each room in your house.
Used to douse the flames of a burgeoning fire, a portable fire extinguisher is a valuable piece of safety equipment that you should have on hand at home. Do you need to buy or replace one? If so, be sure to look for a fire extinguisher that has the following four features: 1. It has a seal from a recognized organization such as the Underwriters Laboratories of Canada (ULC). 2. It can put out A, B and C type fires. In other words, it puts out fires from combustible materials (wood, paper, cloth, etc.), flammable gases or liquids (oil, gas, grease, etc.) and electrical equipment (wiring, electrical panel, etc.). 3. It has a minimum 2A 10B C rating, which means it can put out a 2 ft3 paper or wood fire (2A) and a 10 ft2 gas or oil fire (10B). The letter C means that the extinguishing agent does not conduct electricity. 4. It’s lightweight and easy to use, since the extinguisher won’t be of any use if it’s too heavy for you to wield. Furthermore, check whether it’s refillable or has a limited lifespan. Once you get home, install the fire extinguisher near an exit, but at a good distance from possible fire sources (oven, heater, etc.). Most importantly, learn to use it and be ready to act in case of an emergency.
Fire safety: test your knowledge How would you react if a fire broke out in your home? Are you well prepared to act fast? To find out if you could better protect your loved ones and belongings, test your fire safety smarts with this short quiz. TRUE OR FALSE? 1. A smoke detector should ideally be replaced every 15 years. 2. The majority of fire-related deaths are caused by smoke inhalation. 3. The majority of fire-related deaths occur at night. 4. Smoke takes at least five minutes to spread throughout a home. 5. One smoke alarm in the home is sufficient to warn occupants of a potential fire. 6. The best way to put out a cooking fire is with water. 7. Candles left unattended, placed too close to a flammable object or left within a child’s reach are a major cause of house fires. 8. Portable fire extinguishers are only effective against small, recently started fires.
Using a portable fire extinquisher:
PASS
We salute the firefighters of the Elk Valley and South Country!
Keep your back to the exit and stand 10-20 feet away from fire
P - PULL THE PIN A - AIM NOZZLE AT BASE OF FIRE S - SQUEEZE THE LEVER SLOWLY S - SWEEP FROM SIDE TO SIDE
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Answers
In the event of a house fire, smoke can invade your home in less than three minutes. It’s therefore vital that everyone evacuate the premises quickly. Will your emergency exits allow for this to happen?
Making the right choice
1. False. Smoke detectors generally have a 10year lifespan. 2. True. 3. True. Hence the importance of having several functioning fire alarms in the home. 4. False. Smoke can spread throughout the home in only three minutes. Make sure to have an evacuation plan in place, and practice it!
Are your fire escapes accessible?
5. False. It’s recommended to install at least one smoke detector on each floor of the home, including the basement. 6. False. Never try to put out a kitchen fire with water. Instead, smother the flames by placing a lid over the burning pot or pan. 7. True. 8. True. Portable fire extinguishers should only be used if the room isn’t already filled with smoke and if you’re still safe from harm.
Fire safety
Sparwood
110 Centennial St 250-425-6634
Elkfork
814 Michel Rd 250-865-2261
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