Salute to Firefighters — The Free Press
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Thursday, October 3, 2019 Page B1
Be a fire prevention hero: plan your escape route October 6 to 12 is Fire Prevention Week. Each year, Fire Prevention Canada endorses the National Fire Protection Association’s chosen theme. This year it’s Not Every Hero Wears a Cape. Plan and Practise Your Escape! This campaign is designed to educate people about the small but important steps they can take to stay safe in the event of a fire. Ensure smoke alarms work The first step in escaping a fire is being alerted to it. There should be smoke alarms on each level of your house and one in each bedroom. Test your alarms monthly to make sure they work. Make an evacuation plan If a building is burning, you may only have two minutes to evacuate the premises once the fire alarm sounds. Planning your escape route and practising it with everyone who lives in your home could save lives. Here’s how to create an evacuation plan with your family. • Draw the layout of your home and identify two ways out of each room. • Ensure that evacuation routes remain clear at all times and that all family members can access them. • Pick two meeting places: one just outside your home and another that’s further afoot but still in the vicinity. This is where your family will gather in case of a fire. • Make sure everyone knows how to call 911 or emergency services from a cellphone or a neighbour’s phone. Having an evacuation plan can mean the difference between life and death. This year, be a fire prevention hero and work with your family to create a fire safety plan. For more information about fire safety and Fire Prevention Week, visit fpw.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
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each alarm is working. Pick a meeting place outside. It should be in front of your home. Everyone will meet at the meeting place. — The Free Press Salute to Firefighters www.thefreepress.ca Make sure you house or building number can be seen from the street. LOCATION, INSTALLATION, TESTING Talk about your plan with everyone in your home. AND CLEANING SMOKE ALARMS Learn the emergency phone number for your fire department. • Read and follow the manufacturer's instructions carefully. Practice your home fire escape drill!
How to Make a Home Fire Escape Plan WINDOW
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• For best performance, an alarm should be mounted on the ceiling in or near the centre of the room, hall or stairway, and at the head of each stairway leading to an occupied area. • Optimum location for wall mounts is at least 15 cm (6 inches) from the ceiling but not more than 30 cm (19 inches) from it. • Avoid installing where the temperature is less than 5oC (41oF) or exceeds 48oC (119oF). • Keep alarms away from doors and windows. • Never locate an alarm in front of an air register, fans or vents. • Keep alarms at least 60 cm (2 feet) from any corner. • Don't recess an alarm. • Smoke alarms in rooms with ceiling slopes greater than 30 cm (one foot) rise per 2.4 m (eight feet) horizontally should be located on the high side of the room. • Avoid locating an alarm at the peak of an "A" frame type ceiling. • Never paint a smoke alarm. • Keep alarms 60 to 90 cm (two to three feet) away from light fixtures. When having an alarm connected into the electrical wiring system of a house you should: • Use a qualified electrical contractor. • Never install the alarm in the electrical circuit except at the main panel. Alarms must also never be installed in a circuit connected to an on/off switch. • Check the alarm when installation is complete. With files from Fire Prevention Canada http://www.fiprecan.ca
m Make your own home fire escape plan on the back of this paper. WINDOW
— Keeping Your Community Safe with Home Fire Escape Drills — © 2010 NFPA
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NFPA • 1 Batterymarch Park, Quincy, MA 02169 • www.nfpa.org/education
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m Make your own home fire escape plan on the back of this paper. — Keeping Your Community Safe with Home Fire Escape Drills —
Mayor McKerracher, Council and the District of Elkford staff salute Elkford’s Fire Rescue NFPA • 1 Batterymarch Park, Quincy, MA 02169 • www.nfpa.org/education
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.
Team. Thank you for your dedication to keeping our community and homes safe. To commemorate Fire Prevention Week this year, Elkford Fire Rescue is hosting a
Free Open House and BBQ Saturday, October 5th • 12:00 pm - 3:00 pm Elkford Fire Hall (2300 Balmer Drive) You and your family are invited to join us to meet your local department, enjoy games and draw prizes, and practice home fire safety skills.
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Salute to Firefighters — The Free Press
Thursday, October 3, 2019 Page B3
Babysitter's Fire Safety Guide
As the babysitter, you are responsible for the children in your care. Here are some important points you need to know if there's a fire emergency in the home where you babysit.
• • • • • •
Before the parents leave: • Write down the complete address and phone number of the place where you are babysitting and phone numbers for: • - Fire, Police, Ambulance & Emergency Service, often one number- 9-1-1. • - Where the parents can be reached. • - Neighbour(s). • Keep this information in your pocket so that it's with you at all times and handy in case of an emergency.
•
Plan your escape: • If there is a fire while you are in charge, you must know what to do: • Is there a fire escape plan? If not, develop one. • Identify all escape routes. • Find at least two ways out of each room. • Plan how you and the children will escape safely. • Decide on an outside meeting place. • Ask for a demonstration of the smoke alarm. Guide to fire safety: • The best way to keep fire safe is to be watchful of the children in your charge:
• • • •
Never leave children unsupervised. Check on sleeping children regularly. Keep matches and lighters out of their reach. Do not light candles while babysitting. Don't smoke on the job. Keep children away from the stove, hot liquids, electric lamps and space heaters. Keep space heaters at least 1 metre (40 inches) from drapes, furniture and bedding. Cook safely and only if you have permission. Turn pot handles in to avoid children knocking them over or pulling them down. Smother a fan fire with a lid. Never use water. Make sure you know what cooking materials can be used for the microwave.
• • • • • • •
If you cannot escape, close the door and seal around it with cloth to prevent smoke from entering the room. Always use the stairs and never the elevators. Designate a meeting place a safe distance from the house and make sure everybody is there. Take the children to a neighbour. Phone the emergency number from the neighbour's home. Give the complete address, describe the situation and inform the operator if anyone is still inside. Stay on the phone until you are told to hang up.
Burn prevention & treatment: • Always test hot foods and liquids before feeding. • If your clothes catch fire, STOP, DROP & ROLL on the floor to smother the flames. • Cool minor burns with cold water. If skin is blistered, charred or dead white, get emergency help immediately. • When you see flames, smell smoke or hear the smoke alarm, get everybody out of the house. • Feel the door first. If it isn't hot, open it very slowly. • If there is fire or smoke use another exit. • Crawl low under smoke – the air near the floor is safer to breathe.
at Canadian Tire we care. Thank you to our local firefighters and volunteers.
1791 9th Avenue 250-423-4222
McDonald’s proudly supports the
COMMUNITY FIRE CHIEF FOR THE DAY KIDS CONTEST
Turn pot handles in to avoid children knocking them over or pulling them down.
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 McDonald’s Highway 3 - Fernie
102 Red Cedar Drive, Sparwood, BC 250-425-2003
Page B4 Thursday, October 3, 2019
Salute to Firefighters — The Free Press
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Fernie Fire Department Fernie Fire Rescue Team
Back Row L to R: FPO Tom Hopkins, Lt. MacLachlan. Middle Row L to R: TysonSchmidt, Brett Robertson, Luc Coultry, Mike Bragg, Lt. Bruce Nelson, Dustin St. Jean, Scott Robinson, Cory Robinson, Benno Hart, Zane Neal, Assist Chief Brendan Morgan. Front Row L to R: Steve Kallies, Liz Allitt, Jason Andreola, Mike Lennox, Trevor Fairweather, Justin Pruchnicki, Dean Borgen, Mark Siewert, Travis Leeden, Mick Prideaux. Missing: Chief Ted Ruiter, Colton Bennett, Robert Betteridge, Brad Filgate, Steve Marlborough, Inaki Sarmiento, Justin Surine, Alan Weir.
Hosmer Fire Department
Hosmer Volunteer Fire Department
Back Row L-R: Grady Killick, Norm Nordstrom, Peter Goettlicher, Ben Goertzen, David Barrett, Mike Hockley. Front Row L-R: Clea Sackville, Humberto Alvarado. Missing: Dave Boreen, Shelley Vaness, Tania Wallman, Bryan Matthews, Richard Reedyk.
Sparwood Fire Department Sparwood Fire Rescue Team
Back Row L-R: FF K. Kunst, FF W. Mortimer, FF D. Piderman, FF H. Marshall, FF J. Winter, FF B. Engel, FF N. Devine, FF D. Plourde, FF T. Wiseman. Middle Row L-R: FF T. Bremner, FF D. Obre, Capt. K. Syrja, Capt. P. Engel, Lt. D. Matatall, FF A. Laidlaw, Capt. S. Tennant. Front Row L-R: FF M. Dolfo, Capt. M. Harrington, Chief D. Spry, AC K. Ehrler, Lt. D. Lawson, Lt. D. Nelson.
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Thursday, October 3, 2019 Page B5
Jaffray Fire Department
Jaffray Fire Rescue Team
L-R: Mike Hockley, Willie Rayman, JP Braaten, Dennis Lightburn, Cindy Lightburn, Glenna Perkins, Terry Montgomery, Dave Boreen. Missing: Aaron Wolff, Mike Keehn, Ron Ek, Kathy McAleese, Laurent Leonetti, Clint Ewasiuk, JT Ewasiuk, Kayla Ewasiuk, Blair Weber.
Elko Fire Department Elko Fire Rescue Team
Back Row L-R: Mike Hockley, Fred Frehner, Mark Johnson, Len Holmgren, Cliff Mare, Dave Boreen. Front Row L-R: Alyssa Shaw, Kate Haarstad, Dean Haarstad, Corlyn Haarstad. Missing: Cody Blumhagen, Angela Fregin, Dale Hark, Julie Holmgren, Joe McPhee, Ilona Webster, Shane Webster.
Elkford Fire Department Elkford Fire Rescue Team
Back Row L-R: Neil Hawthorne, Dave Olsen, Misty Shinners, James Mills, George Mcghee, Kyle Cook, Breanne Newberry, Courtenay Robinson, Jason Kaiser, Sheldon Thiel, Dan Rookes. Front Row L-R: Harvey MacPherson, Patrick Milan, Curtis Nyuli, Corey Kortmeyer, Bruce White, Elov Simmons, Derick Finlay. Missing: Louis Bourgeois, Chris Olsen, Kevin Rookes, Justin Carambetsos, James Fortune.
Page B6 Thursday, October 3, 2019
Salute to Firefighters — The Free Press
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Baynes Lake Fire Department
Baynes Lake Fire Rescue Team
Back Row L-R: Mike Hockley, Rachael Smith, Steve Ebbern, Dave Boreen. Front Row L-R: Marie Cosens, Chad Bevand, Sharon Leeper, Bonnie Kari. Missing: David Sutherland, Ashley O’Neil, Ken Clarke, Sandy Helfrich, Jim Cosens, Karen Bergman.
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
The RDEK salutes our volunteer firefighters in Hosmer, Elko, Jaffray, and Baynes Lake.
Main Office Phone: 250-489-2791 Toll Free: 1-888-478-7335 Email: info@rdek.bc.ca Website: www.rdek.bc.ca
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.
Thank You Firefighters for your dedication and service.
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.
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Thursday, October 3, 2019 Page B7
The winter season is the worst season for fires in Canada
That is why all Canadians must be mindful of the importance of fire prevention and safety. During the winter, we must heat our homes, most of our meals are prepared and eaten indoors, our clothing is dried indoors and people who smoke tend to do so indoors. Besides following the advice provided for in the other fact sheets on this site, for the winter remember that: • Heating appliances such as space heaters should not have anything combustible closeby and need at least one metre (three feet) of space around them. Inspect the electrical cord attached. • Electrical and heating systems can fail and become fire hazards. Ensure they are regularly checked by a professional, especially prior to the winter season. • Smoking while in bed, tired or under the influence of alcohol or medication is the most common cause of fires that kill. • Most chimney fires occur with woodburning fireplaces. Ensure chimneys are cleaned and professionally inspected regularly. • Never use a flammable liquid near a flame or source of spark. Be aware of hidden sources like water heater pilot lights, electric motors or heaters. Never smoke while pouring or using flammable liquids. • If even a small doubt exists about any appliance/equipment that you
use, do not hesitate to contact a qualified technician. It may save your life, and the lives of your loved ones. Fireplace Safety • A Fireplace becomes dangerous when accumulated tar or creosote catches fire or from uncontrolled burning or over-fuelling. Other causes of fireplace-related fires are substandard design or installation and lack of safety precautions. • Open the damper before lighting the fire, and keep it open until the ashes are cool enough to touch. • Ensure the fire is completely out before going to bed or leaving the house. • Use a screen in front of the fireplace opening to protect children and to prevent embers from escaping and igniting carpets, etc. • Use dry, well-seasoned wood in small amounts. • Have chimneys cleaned and serviced at regular intervals by a professional. • Never use charcoal starter fluids, gasoline or any flammable substance to start fires. • When using artificial logs, burn only one at a time and follow instructions on the wrapping. • Always place the ashes in a metal container and take them outside the house. The Winter Season and Carbon Monoxide • It is important to install a carbon monoxide detector in your home.
However, carbon monoxide detectors do not replace the need for prevention through yearly maintenance and inspection of heating systems and appliances. • Smoke inhalation from fires is the most common form of carbon monoxide poisoning. Cigarette smoke and vehicle exhaust are the most common sources of regular carbon monoxide exposure. • There must be an adequate supply of air for complete burning or combustion, or an excessive amount of carbon monoxide will accumulate indoors. Ensure that your wood stove or fireplace is not competing – for long periods of time – with your clothes dryer, kitchen, bathroom and attic vent fans, central vacuum cleaners and kitchen barbecues, which exhaust air from the home and so starve the furnace or the fireplace of oxygen. • Never insulate or try to seal up a drafty hood, wind cap or exhaust vent on any natural gas appliance (furnace, water heater, range, dryer, space heater or fireplace). Keep all fuelburning equipment free of lint, dust and trash. Don’t store anything close to the equipment that could restrict air circulation. • Periodically check vent pipes between gas appliances and the chimney for corrosion or rust. • Equipment that uses natural gas should show a clear blue flame—a yellow or orange flame may indicate a problem. If a problem appears, call a qualified technician. • Ensure a source of fresh air is available, for an example an open window or flue, when operating a wood-burning fireplace.
The Dangers of Extension Cords • Extension cords are a common cause of electrical fires. That is why you must be careful to use only extension cords that are rated for the power used by the device they are powering. • Extension cords must never be run inside walls or under rugs or furniture. They can be damaged by traffic or heavy furniture and start arcing, which can lead to a fire. • Extension cords can get warm during use and must be able to dissipate this heat or they can start a fire. Signs of an Electrical Problem • Flickering lights. • Sparks. • Warm electrical cord. • Frequent blown fuses or broken circuits. • Frequent bulb burnout. How to avoid Dryer Fires • Lack of maintenance is the number one cause of dryer fires. That is why it is critical to clean the lint filter before and after each use, and wipe away any lint that has accumulated around the drum. • Perform periodic checks to ensure that the air exhaust vent pipe is unobstructed (lint accumulation) and the outdoor vent flap opens readily. • Do not run the dryer without a lint filter.
You Are All Heroes.
We gratefully acknowledge the dedicated men and women of our local fire departments. Your bravery, courage and commitment are what helps to keep our communities safe.
Thank You To our FireFighTers
The Free Press
Tom Shypitka
Kootenay East MLA
tom.shypitka.mla@leg.bc.ca 302-535 Victoria Avenue N., Cranbrook,BC V1C 6S3 Phone: 250-417-6022
Page B8 Thursday, October 3, 2019
Salute to Firefighters — The Free Press
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Fire safety: test your knowledge! 1. False. Smoke detectors generally have a 10-year lifespan. 2. True. 3. True. Hence the importance of having several functioning 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! 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.
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.
ANSWERS
TOP WAYS TO PREVENT FIRES AT HOME House fires can stem from negligence, mechanical mishaps or electrical failures. Need some specific advice on how to protect your home? Room by room, this graph shows you the fire-safety habits and protocols you should adopt. BATHROOM • Make sure all electrical outlets have an integrated circuit breaker.
ATTIC CHIMNEY
• Don’t store fuel or flammable materials in the attic.
• Have your chimney swept at least once a year.
BEDROOM • Never smoke in bed. • Install a fire alarm in every room and check the batteries once a month. Batteries should be changed every year.
KITCHEN GARAGE • Store flammable products (paint, solvent, etc.) in approved containers and far from heat sources. • Install a carbon monoxide alarm near the garage door and on each floor of your home.
LIVING ROOM • Always keep an eye on lit candles. • Only plug appliances that use small amounts of electricity (lamps, TVs, etc.) into multiple-outlet adapters and power strips.
• Never leave food cooking unsupervised. • When unplugging electrical appliances (toaster, kettle, etc.), do so by pulling on the plug, not on the cable.
STAIRS • To ensure a speedy evacuation, make sure doors, windows and stairs are always kept clear.
BASEMENT • Have a professional look at your heating system every year. • Remove the lint in the dryer filter after each use.