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When lives are in the balance and seconds count.
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OLYMPIC FEAT
Like everyone connected with the 2010 Olympics in British Columbia, Lions Bay Fire Chief Andrew Oliver wants to perform to the best of his ability. His task – and that of his 30-member volunteer department, along with colleagues from Squamish Fire Rescue and Whistler Fire Rescue – is road rescue along the newly widened and repaired but still treacherous Sea To Sky Highway between Vancouver and Whistler. By Paul Dixon. 28
MAKING THE GRADE Fire insurance grades are one of the most influential aspects of fire protection and prevention in Canada but they are also one of the most misunderstood. Michael R. Currie, director of the Fire Insurance Survey for western Canada, explains.
42
NEGLIGENCE 101
Mistakes happen. And when they do, the conduct of the fire department, its officers and firefighters will be held up to the same legal principles and standards that apply when determining the issue of negligence in all types of action. Lawyer Timothy Wilkin provides some insight into negligence cases in Canada and the lessons learned.
BY LAURA KING Editor lking@annexweb.com
ONews and fresh views COMMENT
ur mandate here at Fire Fighting in Canada is to provide news, training tips, lessons learned, in-depth analysis and opinions on pertinent issues for you, our readers. To do that, we need to stay current – keep up with trends and changes in the fire service – and make sure our writers and columnists are life-long learners who embrace progress.
To that end, we’ve expanded our stable of writers for 2010 with the addition of a handful of columnists whose extensive fire service backgrounds, grip on today’s fire-service issues and willingness to share their well-educated opinions with firefighters and fire officers across the country will enrich our pages and, we hope, enlighten (or, perhaps, occasionally enrage!) our readers.
knowledge about effective lobbying that he shares with readers this month and in May, August and November.
First up is Tom DeSorcy, the fire chief in lovely Hope, B.C., whose offering in this month’s Volunteer Vision column is likely near and dear to the hearts of chiefs in volunteer departments from coast to coast (page 32). Tom is also the communications chair of the Fire Chiefs Association of B.C. and a former radio personality whose enthusiasm for the fire service is as infectious as his booming voice. Tom shares the Volunteer Vision column with Fire Chief Brad Patton of Centre-Wellington, Ont. –they will each will write four columns a year.
Tim Beckett also joins FFIC this month with his inaugural Straight Talk column. Tim is the fire chief in Kitchener, Ont., first vice-president of the Ontario Association of Fire Chiefs and a tireless advocate for the fire service. Tim’s success (along with other OAFC directors and members) in bringing fire-service issues such as presumptive legislation for volunteer firefighters and residential sprinklers to the attention of the Ontario government has resulted in a wealth of
Next month, we introduce the tag team of Lyle Quan (our longstanding Cornerstone columnist) and Les Karpluk (a regular FFIC contributor), who join Dave Hodgins on the leadership beat. Les, the chief in Prince Albert, Sask. and the CAFC’s chief of the year, and Lyle, a deputy chief in Guelph, will write six Leadership Forum columns a year – in March, May, August, September, November and December – while Dave Hodgins writes this month and in June. You may have seen Les and Lyle present at the Ontario Association of Fire Chiefs conference or the CAFC convention in Winnipeg last September, or you may see them on the convention circuit this spring/summer.
Our final addition, beginning in the May issue, is Ian Crosby, the wellness and fitness co-ordinator for the Calgary Fire Department. Ian’s experience with the International Association of Fire Fighters Fire Service Joint Labor Management Wellness-Fitness Initiative will help him bring readers a global perspective on firefighter health and wellness at a time when our aging population and myriad health risks need to be front and centre for fire-service managers.
We hope you enjoy our new columnists and their opinions. Let us know what you think – e-mail me at lking@annexweb. com or e-mail our writers at their e-mail addresses, which you’ll find at the end of their columns.
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ON THE COVER
The Olympic rings over Vancouver harbour. See story page 14.
PHOTO BY PAUL DIXON
STATIONtoSTATION
ACROSS CANADA: Regional News Briefs
CFFF
seeks monument design
Ottawa – The Canadian Fallen Firefighters Foundation (CFFF) has launched a twostage national competition for the design of a permanent monument to commemorate the almost 1,000 Canadian firefighters who have lost their lives in the line of duty.
The Canadian Firefighters Memorial is expected to be completed by March, 2012 and will be located across from the Canadian War Museum in Ottawa.
The monument is being partially funded by a $2.5 million grant from Canadian Heritage.
“We have been incredibly lucky to be given the opportunity to work on such an amazing site,” said Capt. Robert Kirkpatrick, president of the CFFF. “We have spent the past six years working on securing the site, the funding and the planning and I am absolutely thrilled that this day has finally come.”
The first phase of the competition was a call for
credentials through which artists and designers (architects and landscape architects) were to submit their credentials for consideration. The deadline was Feb. 5.
Six finalist teams will be selected, each consisting of an artist and a designer (architect or landscape architect), and will be invited to submit design proposals for the consideration of the jury. The jury will consist of leading art and design professionals from across Canada.
The deadline for final submissions will be in mid-July.
“We could never have undertaken this project without the support of our government partners and it is our goal to meet the challenge before us,” said Kirkpatrick.
“That is, to build a memorial that will provide a site for public ceremonies, private commemoration, and ensure that we all remember and respect the great sacrifices made by too many brave men and women working in the fire services.”
THE BRASS POLE
Promotions & Appointments
In September, MARIO BERTHIAUME assumed the fire chief’s position with Labrador City Fire Rescue. He served as a volunteer firefighter for six years and, in October 2005, became one of five paid firefighters. He has previously held ranks of lieutenant, captain and chief training officer. Labrador City Fire Rescue is in western Labrador. Its members consist of a paid fire chief, five full-time firefighters and 35 volunteers.
Stokes International president Dave Mellor recently presented a cheque for $9,531.66 to Catherine Sherrard, CEO of Muscular Dystrophy Canada, and Kevin Harrison, National Director of Corporate Giving, as part of Stokes’ 60th anniversary celebrations. Muscular Dystrophy Canada funds research, education and support in the form of referrals and equipment programs for muscular dystrophy patients. Sherrard said Stokes’ donation will help Canadians with neuromuscular disorders live fuller, more active and independent lives.
PEREPELUK retired from the Lynn Lake Volunteer Fire Department on Dec. 31 after 30 years of service. Perepeluk had been an active member of the LLVFD since October 1979 and an invaluable leader. In 1984, he was promoted to captain. He became deputy chief in 1992 and chief in October 1999. Perepeluk was a constant promoter of fire safety and worked extensively with the school, the local hospital and numerous other
community stakeholders. Perepeluk is a driving instructor in Lynn Lake and the surrounding communities, ensuring that there are skilled drivers on the roads. In addition to his fire chief duties, John has spent numerous nights in the local lockup – as a guard. Enjoy your retirement, Chief Perpetrator!
District Chief LARRY BEACH retired June 30 from the Greater Sudbury Fire Services
FIRE CHIEF JOHN “PERP”
Heroes in the Sky event successful
On a crisp September Saturday, Norfolk County Fire and community volunteers stood outside the doors of the local Wal-mart, busily selling The Fire Within (www.thefirewith. ca) calendars to passersby. The objective is that through this fundraising initiative, a fire safety themed colouring book for kids can be created and distributed throughout Norfolk.
Coined “Heroes in the Sky”, the event is true to its moniker. Smiling firefighters perch atop the Simcoe and Courtland Wal-Mart stores, ready to hunker down for an overnight. Below, among the shiny fire trucks on display, folks flip through the calendars searching for their local firehall’s
page; each month depicts the volunteers from one of Norfolk County’s fire stations. Clad in bunker gear, each crew is shown posing near a significant landmark in their station’s fire service area.
Norfolk County, hailed as Ontario’s “South Coast”,
grandly rolls along Lake Erie to the south and stretches to meet Oxford, Brant and Haldimand Counties to the west, north and east respectively. In all, 240 volunteer firefighters representing 11 stations respond to fire emergencies in Norfolk County, all of whom
hope that the colouring books purchased through this fundraising effort will touch the lives of many families in the region.
Walmart is always a weekend magnet for shoppers, and this day was no exception. Ken Sheridan, fire prevention officer for Norfolk County is glad. He and his crew sell hundreds of the calendars, making Heroes in the Sky a triumph. In a surprise announcement, Wal-mart reveals that it will match all funds raised over the weekend. The Fire Within calendar project has been a success and has helped yet another community raise much needed funds for its local fire department.
-Claire Senko
CAFC introduces medallion to support children’s program
Canadian fire chiefs are well aware of the need to help young children in their communities who are involved in fire setting. TAPP-C (The Arson Prevention Program for Children) brings together fire service and mental health professionals to help families deal effectively with children and teens involved in fire play. Fire service professionals educate the children and their families about fire
after 17 years as a volunteer.
Larry also retired from the Ontario Provincial Police after 31 years of service and is now enjoying the good years retirement in Collingwood, Ont.
safety, while mental health professionals assess the risk of continued fire involvement and help children and their families deal with problems that may contribute to the fire setting. TAPP-C is free-of-charge and is available for children aged two to 17 years.
The Canadian Association of Fire Chiefs and the Fire Marshal’s Public Fire Safety Council have introduced an exciting new product that
Last Alarm
On Oct. 9, the Lynn Lake Volunteer Department in Manitoba was saddened by the passing of Deputy Chief LAWRENCE “ROCKY” HUNT, following a lengthy battle with cancer. Lawrence joined the department in June 1990. He was promoted to the captain in September 2003 and promoted to of deputy chief in September 2005. He was an excellent commander on the
speaks to the heritage of the Canadian fire service and the commitment of firefighters across Canada to saving lives and protecting property.
The CAFC is asking for your support of this year’s fundraising initiative. A newly designed Canadian firefighter medallion is available for purchase at a cost of $20 each. Profits will be directed to TAPP-C in support of the fire service and the families of chil-
dren involved in fire play. This campaign provides an opportunity for the dedicated men and women of the fire service to support those involved with helping these young children and their families.
Fire departments can support this campaign by completing an order form at www.cafc.ca (scroll down to the Canadian Fire Services Medallion promo on the right-hand side).
fire ground and had a priceless impact on the development of the department.
FRED FOX, chief of the Windsor Fire Department in Nova Scotia, died Nov. 9 after a lengthy battle with cancer. He was 56. He joined the fire department in 1971 and became chief in 1988. The town made the job a paid position in 2002.
REX HEATH, a 41-year veteran of the Pickering Fire Service,
died Dec. 26 after a battle with work-related mesothelioma, a cancer caused by exposure to asbestos. Heath, 61, started in 1968 as a 21-year-old volunteer firefighter and became full time in 1982. In 1986 he became a fire investigator.
ALISEN ZWICKER, 68, the fire chief in Quinan, N.S., died suddenly at home on Dec. 31. Zwicker was a long-haul truck driver, a fisherman, a seaman and a lumberman.
STATIONtoSTATION
BRIGADE NEWS: From Stations across Canada
ARÉO-FEU/AREO-FIRE
The COTEAU-DU-LAC FIRE DEPARTMENT in Quebec under chief Stephane Massicotte took delivery in October of a Rosenbauer-built pumper-tanker. Built on a Spartan Furion chassis and powered by a Cummins ISC 330-hp diesel engine and Allison 3000 EVS transmission, the truck is equipped with a Hale Q-Flo Plus 1,050 IGPM pump, 1,500 IG water tank, 3.3 Hale Foam Logix foam system, 16-gallon foam tank and storage for 12 SCBA.
ARÉO-FEU/AREO-FIRE
The LAC SAINT-FRANCOIS FIRE DEPARTMENT in Quebec under chief Michel Pitre took delivery in September of a Rosenbauer-built pumper-tanker. Built on a Spartan Furion chassis and powered by a Cummins ISC 330-hp diesel engine and Allison 3000 EVS transmission, the truck is equipped with a Hale Q-Flo Plus 1,050 IGPM pump, 1,500 IG water tank, 3.3 Hale Foam Logix foam system, 16-gallon foam tank and storage for 12 SCBA.
ARÉO-FEU/AREO-FIRE
LA VILLE DE BROWNSBURG-CHATHAM in Quebec under chief Marc Desforges took delivery in September of a Rosenbauer-built tankerpumper. Built on a Spartan Furion chassis and powered by a Cummins ISC 360-hp diesel engine and Allison 3000 EVS transmission, the truck is equipped with Hale Q-Flo Plus 1,050 IGPM pump, 1,500 IG water tank and storage for 12 SCBA.
ARÉO-FEU/AREO-FIRE
The MUNICIPALITY OF LONGUE-POINTE-DE-MINGAN FIRE DEPARTMENT in Quebec under chief Allen Albert took delivery in September of a Rosenbauer-built pumper-tanker. Built on a Spartan Furion chassis and powered by a Cummins ISC 360-hp diesel engine and Allison 3000 EVS transmission, the truck is equipped with Hale Q-Flo Plus 1,050 IGPM pump, 1,500 IG water tank and storage for 12 SCBA.
ARÉO-FEU/AREO-FIRE
The VILLE DE WATERLOO FIRE DEPARTMENT in Quebec under chief Patrick Gallagher took delivery in August of a Rosenbauer-built tanker-pumper. Built on a Spartan Metrostar chassis and powered by a Cummins ISL 400-hp diesel engine and Allison 3000 EVS transmission, the truck is equipped with a Hale Q-Max 1,250 IGPM pump, 3.3 Hale Foam Logix foam system, 2,500 IG water tank and storage compartments for 12 SCBA.
ARÉO-FEU/AREO-FIRE
The SAINTE-MARIE-MADELINE FIRE DEPARTMENT in Quebec under chief René Poirier took delivery in August of a Rosenbauer-built pumper. Built on a Spartan Furion chassis and powered by an Allison 3000 EVS transmission and a Cat C7 330-hp engine, the pumper is equipped with a Rosenbauer NH 1,050 IGPM pump, 600 IG water tank, Rosenbauer Fix-Mix foam system, a 5,000 watt Honda generator and telescopic lights and light tower.
VILLE DE WATERLOO
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BY TIM BECKETT Fire chief Kitchener, Ont.
LThe disciplined art of lobbying
obbying, according to the Webster’s dictionary, means conducting activities aimed at influencing public officials, and especially members of a legislative body, on legislation. Therefore, the art of lobbying is the process that we undertake to make an issue known to specific people or organizations. This process is neither simple nor swift. I have witnessed it take several years to move what was thought to be a simple, straightforward issue through the political and bureaucratic government system.
The Ontario Association of Fire Chiefs (OAFC) embarked on an intensive government relations and advocacy program as part of its 2007-2012 strategic plan. The organization wanted to ensure that its voice would be heard; we believed that our opinions and positions were important to the fire service. As leaders, we wanted to promote positive change for the betterment of the fire service and public safety.
The OAFC board of directors sat through strategic brainstorming sessions to develop a plan to move forward. We decided that we needed outside help to ensure that we were on the right path toward moving important fire issues and life-safety issues through government. With assistance from FEMSA (Fire and Emergency Manufacturers and Suppliers Association), we visited with our friends to the south to examine their success and failure in obtaining federal funding, having their voices heard and influencing positive change in the fire service. The Canadian and U.S. political systems, although different in structure, are moulded on similar principles.
In December 2008, we trekked to Washington, D.C., the political hub of the United States. We embarked on a two-day, whirlwind journey to understand federal funding programs, to have discussions with the U.S. Fire Administrator and FEMA director, to attend sessions with senior advisors to key senators of the U.S. Fire Caucus and to have an opportunity to sit down with the executive representatives of the Congressional Fire Services Institute. We heard similar strategies: “Show up and make friends”, and when that is done, “Show up again and make more friends”. To influence change, organizations need to be present at many events – heading to Parliament Hill or your provincial legislature once a year isn’t enough; showing up regularly, as the politicians and key staff members become familiar with faces and names, goes a long way to making your important issues known. Attend your local council meetings. These kinds of appearances by the fire service need to happen regularly and often.
sure you take time to do the research, anticipate questions may face and know if there has been opposition. If you fail to take time to know your issues, gather your facts and understand them inside and out you risk your integrity, respect and credibility. Any one question or comment that you cannot answer or that you answer inadequately will diminish your credibility. Often, you have just one opportunity to move an issue forward; be prepared. Part of being prepared is to establish your plan to move forward. It is imperative to identify your key issue(s), anticipate resolve, know key stakeholders and their positions, recognize the costs and impacts associated and know all the objectives and possible outcomes of the issue.
Lobbying isn’t about persuading people to do something by the force of your personality. It’s about giving the correct people timely, pertinent information, in the best way. The fire service has the respect of the public and politicians but we can’t simply use the uniform to persuade government and politicians to enact change. We need to deliver all the information to the people who make decisions.
Focus and limit your issues; bombarding the government with a multitude will only bury your key issue. Experience has shown that more than three issues at any one time is too many, although the ideal number
We can’t simply use the uniform to persuade government and politicians to enact change.
’’
may vary depending on the circumstances and magnitude of the issue at hand. Three issues or concerns generally allow government to remain focused and are not to cumbersome for your organization to manage.
Take time to learn about your government’s makeup and understand its key players, their advisors and staff, and their roles. Who can schedule the meeting you need with the proper people in attendance? Who can assist with information flow to ensure it reaches the intended destination?
Although showing up is a major component to the process, first and foremost you need to know your issues and know them well. Make
Tim Beckett is fire chief with City of Kitchener and is first vicepresident of the Ontario Association of Fire Chiefs. He has 24 years in the fire service and a degree in public administration from Ryerson University in Toronto. Contact him at tim.beckett@kitchener.ca.
The political system is and daunting. People and positions can change without warning. structure. An understanding of the government cycles of bills and resolutions, along with knowledge of how a budget transpires, is essential.
Finally, forget the fire-ground teachings that you need to deal with issues in five minutes in order to effect change. Dealing with governments requires patience, fortitude and stamina. Stay the course. Stay focused. Remain patient and the successes will come.
Olympic feat
B.C. departments meet call for Games despite logistical and funding challenges
By PAUL DIXON
Like everyone connected with the 2010 Olympics in British Columbia, Lions Bay Fire Chief Andrew Oliver wants to perform to the best of his ability. His task – and that of his 30-member volunteer department, along with colleagues from Squamish Fire Rescue and Whistler Fire Rescue – is road rescue along the newly widened and repaired but still treacherous Sea to Sky Highway between Vancouver and Whistler.
With the highway between Squamish and Whistler restricted to Olympic traffic, including hundreds of highway coaches that will transport athletes, executives and media to and from Whistler every day, Oliver secured $30,000 in provincial funding to buy new cutters and spreaders and to develop and deliver road-rescue training to firefighters in the three departments.
In early November, Oliver and Bob Allan, who runs a vehicle extrication training company called Rescue Associates, travelled at their own expense to the Prevost bus factory in SainteClaire, Que., to see first hand how its buses are built in order to better understand how to take them apart.
In addition, while security for the Games is being bolstered by thousands of RCMP and other police from across Canada, augmented by 5,000 Canadian Forces personnel and up to 10,000 private security personnel, Games organizers are relying on local fire departments for public safety and fire protection with no outside support. Vancouver-area fire departments say they can manage any Games-related emergencies or incidents but the ability of departments to respond to incidents within their communities with so many of their resources committed to the Games seems questionable. BC Ambulance, another key player in public safety during the Games, can draw on its province-wide service for personnel and resources.
■
WHO’S RESPONSIBLE?
ABOVE: At many Olympic sites, security fencing obstructs access to hydrants and building connections.
Rescue Associates then presented a two-day trainthe-trainer workshop for Lions Bay, Squamish and Whistler that specifically addressed highway coaches and mass-casualty triage. (Prevost had arranged for a new coach to be provided by Charter Bus Lines of B.C. for demonstration purposes.) In January, Lions Bay conducted a full-scale functional exercise simulating a highway coach crash and mass casualty triage.
As is often the case in the Canadian fire service,
Chief Oliver, with the backing of then-Chief Ray Saurette of Squamish and Chief Rob Whitton of Whistler, took the initiative and negotiated staffing levels and funding with the province to ensure adequate response to highway crashes during the Olympics. Initially, the province was willing to pay for two firefighters to respond on a rescue unit 24/7 but Oliver was able to raise that to four firefighters 24/7 for the duration of the Games.
Public safety planning for the Games is the responsibility of the Integrated Public Safety Unit (IPSU) operating under the B.C. Ministry of Public Safety and the Solicitor General, including the B.C. Office of the Fire Commissioner, BC Ambulance Service, the Provincial Emergency Program, the B.C. Coroners Service and the Vancouver Organizing Committee’s Fire Advisory Committee, which comprises fire department representatives from the communities directly affected by the Olympics.
Fire departments in Vancouver, Richmond, West Vancouver and Whistler have agreements with the provincial government to be compensated for services above normal levels in their communities outside of the Olympic domains, and for any services provided within the Olympic domain. Departments that have apparatus placed in Olympic venues are being paid for the apparatus. Overtime pay for firefighters is a separate line item. The three fire departments in communities along the Sea To Sky Highway that provide road rescue will also be compensated.
Whistler Fire Rescue, with 24 career members and 60 paid on-call members, is providing 24/7 on-site coverage to the Whistler athletes village – home to 2,800 –and site coverage for the downhill ski facility on Whistler Mountain. It is also staffing an engine, a quint and a rescue unit 24/7 for the duration of the Games, using on-call firefighters with career staff as company officers.
Whistler Fire Chief Whitton describes the planning surrounding the Games as “a great blend of enthusiasm and experience”. While Whistler has a huge responsibility, Chief Whitton says he “has no doubts we can deal with what comes our way based on what we have planned for”.
LEFT: Fire departments operating along the winding Sea To Sky Highway between Vancouver and Whistler expect to have their work cut out for them during the 2010 Olympic Games this month with potentially bad weather and hundreds of buses travelling the route daily.
PHOTOS
He says his department has always had a good working relationship with the local RCMP detachment and this has carried over to the Games’ Integrated Security Unit. Unified command has been established for all venues and into the community as well.
Richmond Fire Rescue will have four firefighters stationed inside the Olympic speed skating facility. Richmond is also providing structural firefighting response to Vancouver International Airport, which will see a tremendous increase in passenger traffic with up to 250,000 extra arrivals in the days leading up to the Olympics. Airport authorities anticipate 39,000 departures on March 1, the day after the Olympic closing ceremonies, 50 per cent more than on its previous record day. Richmond also has responsibility for the O Zone, the Olympics outdoor celebration area that hosts free entertainment and is expected to draw 15,000 people a day, centred around the Heineken House club that holds up to 4,000 celebrants.
West Vancouver Fire & Rescue will provide 24/7 on-site fire protection to the freestyle skiing and snowboard facility at Cypress Bowl, as well road rescue on the Trans-Canada and Sea To Sky highways. West Vancouver is also responsible for a celebration site that offers nightly live entertainment and medal ceremonies.
Lions Bay Fire Rescue is providing four members 24/7 from its department for road rescue on the Sea To Sky while Squamish Fire Rescue, which has a career day shift Monday to Friday, will provide four members 24/7 for road rescue.
Whistler Olympic Park, in the Callaghan Valley south of Whistler and the site of the cross-country events, biathlon and ski jumping, is in provincial territory not covered by an organized fire department. For the duration of the Games, fire protection will be provided by fire departments from other regions of B.C. under arrangements with Emergency Management B.C. and the Office of the Fire Commissioner. A temporary fire hall is being erected to house two engines and a water tender. The Callaghan site, developed for the Olympics, has few permanent structures but hundreds of temporary buildings, large tents and scores of electrical generators.
Vancouver Fire & Rescue has the lion’s share of the responsibility. Its jurisdiction includes:
• B.C. Place Stadium, which hosts the opening and closing ceremonies;
• GM Place, the venue for hockey and figure skating;
• the Pacific Coliseum, which is being used for hockey, figure skating and short-track speed skating;
• UBC Thunderbird Arena, another hockey venue;
• the Vancouver Olympic/Paralympic Centre at Little Mountain, where the curling is held;
• the Vancouver Convention Centre, home to the media, where more than 200 studio spaces have been fabricated on the floor of the main exhibit hall, with hundreds of millions of dollars worth of equipment.
• and the Vancouver Olympic athletes village and its population of 3,000.
In addition, several Vancouver community centre ice rinks are being used as practice facilities.
All the venues are surrounded by a large number of temporary structures providing a number of support services construction trailers, tents and canopies. The sites at Whistler and Cypress Bowl have temporary seating for up to 10,000 people in open bleachers, with scores of media suites arrayed at the back of the bleachers in tiers, tens of metres above the ground. Electrical power is provided by scores of generator units. At many sites the security fencing obstructs access to hydrants and building connections.
John Pentland, training chief with VFRS, was seconded to the Integrated Public Safety Unit for more than two years as one of the key planners, returning to VFRS in August to take responsibility for integrating that planning into operation.
“We will likely be pre-staging apparatus in the downtown core depending on the volume of people on the streets,” he said. “Our people will find themselves spending a lot more time out of station than they are used to.”
Besides the competition venues and media centres, a large portion of downtown Vancouver will be turned over to the Games, either as part of the lockeddown security zone or as part of the much larger public celebration area, in which a number of arterial streets will be turned into pedestrian malls by banning vehicles, connecting pavilions, open air stages and celebration zones to encourage people to come downtown and take part in the festivities. One police official described it as being “fireworks every night” in reference to the annual Symphony of Fire fireworks that draws as many as 350,000 people downtown for four nights each summer.
All the venues and facilities inside the Games security cordon will have at least a crew of firefighters during competition times or possibly firefighters and apparatus on site for the duration of the Games, depending on the facility and the pre-plan. Everybody working inside the security zone has to obtain a Games security clearance, which is much more than a simple criminal record search. Any emergency vehicles required to enter a security zone must undergo a thor-
ough search and all personnel require their Games ID to be allowed entry.
■ FUNDING
Funding for fire departments that are providing Olympic service came at the eleventh hour. While the formulas are complex and the agreements differ for the various municipalities, effectively the province is providing funding to cover service above normal levels when it is related to the Olympics. With the best of intentions, requirements had been identified well in advance but the severe downturn in provincial revenues prompted a freeze on all spending by the provincial government.
In the meantime, the province legislated striking BC Ambulance paramedics back to work just in time to guarantee that BCAS would be able to honour its Olympic commitment. BCAS is bringing in personnel from around the province to meet its commitment of between 100 and 120 extra paramedics a day in metro Vancouver, both for work inside venues and to bolster regional resources.
■ ROAD RESCUE
Two areas of concern are the Sea To Sky highway, as the only road link between Vancouver and Whistler, and the impact the anticipated crowds in downtown Vancouver will have on the ability of emergency responders to move about the area.
The Sea To Sky highway, having just undergone a $900-million upgrade, is still one of the most challenging stretches of road in North America. The Vancouver Organizing Committee (VANOC) is running as many as 600 highway coaches a day between Whistler and Vancouver, transporting spectators, Games volunteers, media, officials and others starting at 5 a.m. The municipality of Whistler has engaged a fleet
Continued on page
TRAINER’SCORNER
Olympics primer, part 2
By ED BROUWER
In December’s column we looked at the unique challenges facing those responding to incidents of terrorism. In part 2 of our Olympics primer, we’ll focus on incidents involving multiple patients. Here are some examples of recent multiple-patient responses:
• Whiteout conditions in the eastern part of Prince Edward Island on Dec. 19, 2008, led to a total of seven damaged vehicles and three people sent to hospital.
• A van carrying a high school boys’ basketball team home from a game was just five minutes from waiting parents on Jan. 12, 2008, when it fish-tailed on a slippery highway and slammed into a truck, killing seven players and an adult.
• John Pham, 10, of Mississauga, Ont., was killed on April 11, 2007, and 13 others were injured when their school bus collided with a tractor trailer during a field trip.
• Seven children suffered minor injuries when their bus crashed and caught fire during a January 2007 storm in Ottawa.
• Ten students were injured in September 2006 near Redvers, Sask., when a car, trying to pass a truck, collided with their bus.
• Eleven people were injured near Dafoe, Sask., in August 2006 when their bus left the road and rolled over.
• Five teenagers and their bus driver were treated in hospital for whiplash and cuts after their bus crashed into a tree near West Gore, N.S., in May 2006.
• Six children and three adults were injured in December 2005 near Cornwall, Ont., when their bus was broadsided by a minivan.
• Four children were slightly injured on November 2005 near Thorburn, N.S., after their bus swerved to avoid a rabbit.
• Eight children were slightly injured when their bus collided with a car near the village of Innerkip, Ont., in September 2005.
• Seven high school students were sent to hospital with minor injuries after their bus drove off the road in April 2005 near the town of Gaspereau, N.S.
• Five students from Abbotsford, B.C., went to hospital for treatment after two school buses and a cargo van got into an accident in February 2005.
As you can see from these news headlines, there is a distinct possibility that you may be called to a multi-patient incident. The initial actions of the first-arriving officer have to be directed toward scene size-up, requesting appropriate resources and initial organization of the scene. It boils down to three questions: What do I have? What action will I take? What resources do I need?
Command should rapidly survey the scene to identify any hazards or safety concerns and establish a safe zone in which crews can operate.
Triage should be started early, especially when the number of patients and/or the severity of their injuries exceeds the capabilities of the on-scene personnel to provide effective extrication, treatment and transportation. Once triage is complete, a triage report should be radioed to dispatch.
The IC needs to quickly determine the most effective means to treat patients. In incidents with few patients, it may be more effec-
The START (Simple Triage And Rapid Treatment) system was developed in 1983 by staff of Hoag Hospital and the Newport Beach Fire Department in California and is well suited to multi-patient incidents.
tive to treat patients in place. At incidents with a greater number of patients, a treatment area should be established.
Once the triage group has identified and sorted all patients, command should be contacted and given a triage report. This includes the number of patients and their conditions. A typical triage report may sound like this: “Command – triage.” Go ahead triage. “Triage has been completed. We have two immediates, three delayed and four minor.”
Command uses the triage report to call for additional resources or to scale back the response, and relays this information to dispatch. A triage report becomes the triage benchmark, similar to the way an “all clear” signifies the completion of a search and rescue at a fire incident.
This means that all patients have been triaged and are ready for transfer to treatment or transportation based on the severity of injury. Some incidents may require patients to be extricated from the scene to the patient treatment area before triage has been performed. This
may be due to safety considerations due to the nature of the incident.
In some situations, patients are discovered and identified as the incident proceeds. The officer should relay a triage update to the IC.
Multiple-patient incidents may be rare but firefighters must be ready to effectively deal with them.
■ THE START SYSTEM
START (Simple Triage And Rapid Treatment) was developed in 1983 by staff of Hoag Hospital and the Newport Beach Fire Department in California (www.starttriage.com)
to quickly identify and sort patients during a multiple patient incident. START quickly distinguishes between critically injured victims and the less-severely injured.
Following a specific algorithm, a first responder quickly assesses airway, breathing, circulation and LOC (level of consciousness) to categorize a patient’s condition. With START, a triage team of two can assess an average of one patient every 30 seconds.
At an incident with 40 patients, two triage teams will take approximately 10 minutes to accurately triage patients using the START process. The only treatment rendered by the triage team is to open a patient’s airway by head/tilt neck lift or by insertion of an OPA (oropharyngeal airway), or to apply direct pressure to stop an obvious bleed or by elevating the extremities.
START was used successfully during the World Trade Center and Oklahoma City bombings. Several countries including France, Saudi Arabia and Israel have adopted the START program.
The three items that are checked when using START are respiration, perfusion (pulse) and mental status (RPM).
There are four classifications under which patients can be placed: immediate (red); delayed (yellow); minor (green); and dead/dying (black).
Immediate (red) are patients whose RPM is altered.
Patients unable to follow instructions to evacuate the scene, but whose RPM is intact are categorized delayed (yellow). This is the most common category. It also includes patients who have a significant mechanism of injury, but whose RPM is intact.
Minor (green) patients are able to leave the impact area on the instruction of EMS personnel. They are the walking wounded and should be tagged later.
The dead/dying (black) are those who cannot breathe after the airway is opened and/or those who are mortally wounded. These patients will probably die despite the best resuscitation efforts. It is often a
difficult decision to leave a dying patient, especially a child. But remember – resources are often wasted on unsalvageable victims.
The three medical treatments rendered when performing START triage are: open an airway or insert an OPA; stop any visible bleeding; elevate the extremities for shock.
■ TRIAGE PRIORITIES
Your initial goal during triage is to find immediate (red) patients. Your efforts should focus on locating all immediate patients, get-
ting them treated and transporting them as soon as possible. Once immediate patients have been treated and transported, reassess all delayed patients and upgrade any to “immediate-by-mechanism,” depending on their injuries, age and medical history.
When performing triage, regardless of incident size, don’t become distracted; move quickly and focus your attention on immediate patients. Those are the real lives you’ll save. The goal is to stay focused on red. Start where you stand and walk either
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TRAINER’SCORNER
clockwise or counter clockwise. As you approach, identify the uninjured or walking wounded. Move them out of danger or use them to control bleeding or to maintain an airway. Then, proceed to the victims who cannot move.
■ TRIAGE ASSESSMENT
Step 1. Respiration (Breathing)
• A. If none, open airway. If still no breathing, tag as deceased.
• B. If the breathing rate is greater than 30 per minute (meaning the patient might be in shock) or less than 10 beats per minute, tag the patient immediate.
• C. Respiration/breathing between 10 and 30 per minute, go to Step 2.
Step 2. Perfusion Check (radial pulse) or use a capillary blanch test
• A. Squeeze nail bed, palm of hand or pad of finger.
• B. If colour regains in greater than two seconds, tag immediate.
• C. If the colour returns in less than two seconds go to Step 3 - Mental Status.
• D. In poor lighting, attempt to find the radial pulse. If radial pulse is present proceed to Step 3.
Step 3. Mental Status
• A. Altered mental status is the inability to follow simple commands. If the patient is unable to follow simple commands, tag the patient immediate.
• B. If patient is able to follow simple commands, tag delayed.
• C. Example of simple commands: “Squeeze my hands”, “Open and close your eyes”.
■ RAPID TREATMENT
Ventilation
A. Open airway, clear obstructions or blood from airway.
B. Use pocket mask.
■ CIRCULATION
A. Apply a quick bandage; “walking wounding” can assist.
B. Raise legs to return blood to the heart.
Note: If victim is unconscious, mark as immediate. We need to prepare for the worst if we expect to do our best. I have more information regarding START; dealing with more than 25 or more than 40 casualties, as well as a copy of the START triage tags. Drop me a line at ed@thefire.ca.
Until next time, stay safe and be sure to train like their lives depend on it, because they do.
Ed Brouwer is the chief instructor for Canwest Fire in Osoyoos, B.C., and the training officer for West Boundary Highway Rescue. The 19-year veteran of the fire service is also a fire warden with the B.C. Ministry of Forests, a wildland interface fire suppression instructor/evaluator and a fire-service chaplain. Contact Ed at ed@thefire.ca
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TRUCKCHECKS Suspension maintenance
By DON HENRY
fire truck’s suspension system has three main functions. The first is fairly obvious – to support the weight of the truck. The second is to cushion the truck chassis when travelling over rough roads. The third function is not so obvious, and is often overlooked: to transfer the torque of the engine and the braking force to the frame.
Because the axles, brakes and suspensions on fire trucks are not designed for excess overloads it is important to learn how to check your suspension systems properly in order to avoid the dangers and expense of a malfunction.
■ 1. SUPPORTING THE WEIGHT OF THE TRUCK
A unique feature of the operation of a fire truck is the fact that it spends almost 100 per cent of its service life fully loaded, or, in some cases, dangerously overloaded. Take, for example, a gravel truck; the owners would be ecstatic if the gravel truck could reach a 50 per cent loaded life cycle. A fire truck may, on rare occasion, return to the fire hall with less than a full water tank but, for the most part, it is fully loaded. As a safety note, many departments have an SOP that any truck returning to the hall must empty its water tanks. Even with a properly designed and baffled water tank, a less-than-full water tank can have an un-stabilizing effect. This near 100 per cent load service can cause the truck’s springs to sag over time.
I recommend that as part of a yearly inspection of your truck you measure the distance from a point on the bumper to the floor in your fire house. Of course, make sure all the tires are up to correct pressure and the floor is level. Front right springs (passenger side) tend to sag more than front left springs. This is because of the opposite reaction of the engine torque when the truck is under accelerating. While there are very few trucks with manual transmissions, this condition is often more evident on these trucks than on trucks equipped with automatic transmissions. The truck could, of course, simply be overloaded or misloaded. If more weight is on the rear axle, the front axle will not contact the ground with enough force for effective steering. If too much weight is on the front axle, the amount of braking force will be reduced as most of the braking is done with the rear axle(s).
NFPA 1911 recommends that the side-to-side load not vary by more than seven per cent. If, say, a hydraulic ladder were installed on the passenger side of the truck, it may be necessary to balance that load with a load on the driver’s side to stay within the seven per cent side-to-side load.
Of course, you could have a broken spring; this is very common on trucks that see severe service or are overloaded. After you have given the springs a good wash, look for broken spring leafs, thoroughly wash the springs and, with a strong light, inspect the springs. Photos 3 and 4 are pictures of typical broken springs. It is not uncommon for a broken spring to turn sideways and rip into the side of a tire, so fix this right away.
Springs can also break if the u-bolts holding the spring to the axle are not properly torqued. While a small hammer will not replace a torque wrench to test for properly torqued u-bolts, it does give a good indication of a loose or broken bolt.
EST student measuring bumper to road distance. Make sure that the truck is at operational weight minus driver and crew. Record that measurement and then you will be able to refer back to it if you suspect a spring sag problem.
Note the
This was only found after a thorough washing; note broken leaf third from bottom.
Rap on u-bolt to find loose bolt. Note: do not hit bolt threads.
Example of spring sag.
door bar at bottom of picture is level; the truck’s bumper is not.
PHOTO 2
Broken rear spring.
PHOTO 3
PHOTO 4
PHOTO 5
PHOTO 1
PHOTO BY DON HENRY
PHOTO BY WARREN MILLER
PHOTO BY WARREN MILLER
PHOTO BY DON HENRY
PHOTO BY DON HENRY
While you are under the truck on your creeper, give the spring pins and shackle bushings a good greasing. A spring pin and bushing that will not accept grease needs to be taken to a shop and repaired. You should use a grease of an NLGI (National Lubrication Grease Institute) 2 grade. Use the grease type recommended by the manufacturer but, if that information is not available, I prefer to use a grease with an Extreme Pressure MOLY additive (molybdenum disulfide). This grease is not the type that you should use for the high-speed bearings in the fire pump.
The grease zerks must be clean and free of any dirt or you will be injecting this dirt in with the grease and creating a very effective grinding compound in between the spring pin and bushing. Three to four shots of grease from the gun should be enough; any more and the grease will flow out of the bushing onto the floor. Wipe up excess grease. If the front spring shackle pins are seized from lack of grease, the truck will have a very harsh ride.
■ 2. CUSHIONING THE TRUCK CHASSIS
The second function of a suspension system is to cushion the truck’s ride.
Many modern fire trucks have front and rear hydraulic shock absorbers to accomplish this. Hydraulic shock absorbers are used to control body sway and wheel bounce and to reduce spring breakage by damping spring oscillations.
Take a good look at the shock absorbers while you’re down on the creeper, as they are very important for the stability and road handling of the truck. A small amount of dust on the lower half of the shock absorber is normal and does not indicate a problem. It is normal for a small amount of oil mist to be displaced by the shock over time. This oil mist will attract dust and it can be wiped off. If you notice oil dripping from the shock then the shock needs to be replaced. On a smaller vehicle like a half ton it is possible to jump up and down on the front or rear bumper and then notice how many up-and-down oscillations of the bumper it takes for the
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Photo 6. Typical grease zerks; rear spring hanger on the front axle.
TRUCKCHECKS
shock to dampen the movement and bring the bumper to a stop. This, of course, is not practical on a large fire truck. One good indicator of shock absorber operation is to drive the truck over a fairly rough road, then stop the truck and feel the lower half of the shock; if it’s warmer than the metal in the frame it’s doing its job. Heat is created in the hydraulic oil inside the shock absorber as the shock absorber tries to dampen the oscillations of the springs. This is why the lower body of the shock absorber gets warm. If the hydraulic oil has leaked out then the shock absorber will not get warm. Be careful not to burn your hand when checking the absorbers. Shock absorbers are a very important component of the truck’s suspension system and are no longer just nice-to-have options. One further tip: If one shock with years of service is found to be defective I strongly recommend that the other shocks also be changed. This will ensure a well-balanced system.
■
3. TRANSFERRING THE TORQUE TO THE FRAME
The third function of the suspension system is to transfer the torque of the engine and the braking force to the frame.
Many people think that, after the engine, transmission, driveshaft, differential, axles and wheels have delivered the power to the road, their job is done and the truck travels down the road: wrong. This is a prime example of Newton’s third law of motion – for every action there is an equal and opposite reaction.
After the power is delivered from the tires to the road, the reaction force is transferred to the rear axle and then to the frame, in many cases through the springs, spring brackets, u-bolts and torque arms.
If these components cannot transfer this torque back to the frame, the truck does not move down the road and the springs, axles and driveshaft will simply wrap up under the truck. If you think that’s scary, think of this: the truck braking system has to absorb far more energy than the engine ever had to deliver to the wheels – about six to 10 times more. This is simply physics; you want to stop the truck faster than you accelerated, correct? As the brakes are applied, the forward energy of the truck (mass x speed) must be converted back to heat at the brakes. But if the truck has defective springs or spring pins, when the brakes are applied, the axle will stop, separate from the truck frame and the truck will continue down the road. Make sure you have your seatbelt on if this happens!
Some of you may be under the illusion that it’s OK to operate an overloaded fire truck – in other words, a truck that exceeds
its GVWR (Gross Vehicle Weight Rating). The axles, brakes and suspensions are not designed for excess overloads. If you think the truck manufacturer installed larger components than you paid for, think again. If you believe that some type of permit from a provincial government highway agency can repeal the laws of physics, you’re sadly mistaken. In fact, the next time you ask for this overload permit, ask the agency if it will indemnify you, your chief and your
fire department if you kill someone because your truck was overloaded and they gave you permission to operate an overloaded and unsafe truck.
Don Henry teaches the Automotive Services Technician and Heavy Equipment Technician programs at Lakeland College in Vermilion, Alta. He can be reached at don.henry@lakelandcollege.ca
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Making the grade
Canada’s system of insurance grades often misunderstood by fire experts
By MICHAEL CURRIE
Fire insurance grades are one of the most influential aspects of fire protection and prevention in Canada but they are also one of the most misunderstood. To understand the role that fire insurance grades play in the development of fire protection and prevention programs, it is helpful to know some of the history of fire insurance.
The first known program of fire insurance was developed in London, England, subsequent to the Great Fire of London in 1666, in which an estimated 13,200 dwellings were lost in a catastrophic conflagration. In the aftermath of this fire, Dr. Nicholas Barbon, a physician and leading builder, proposed the idea of distributing the losses incurred during a fire among a larger group of people. Barbon offered insurance rates at 2.5 per cent of the value of brick buildings and five per cent for those made of wood. The program was quickly popularized and many competitive agencies formed.
To reduce the extent of fire losses, these early fire insurance companies developed their own fire brigades, which would respond and fight fires at buildings that were insured by their sponsoring insurance companies. These brigades would practice publicly and, based on the skills they displayed, potential clients would select which insurance company to use.
In Canada and the U. S., fire insurance developed along similar historical paths with the first fire insurance company, the Philadelphia Contributorship, founded in 1752 with the assistance of Benjamin Franklin. Early insurance companies were not regulated with respect to reserving funds for claims and, as such, would sometimes fail during major fires. When this happened, policy holders would be paid just a fraction of their insured value. This considerably undermined the credibility of the insurance industry at large.
The overly competitive, capitalistic nature of the insurance industry also contributed to the failure of many insurance companies. Insurance companies tended to reduce premiums to undercut competitors. This practice was common and when major losses occurred, insurance companies that did not collect adequate premiums to cover losses would be bankrupted.
In an effort to lend some stability to the struggling industry, the Canadian government passed the Insurance Company Act in 1868. This act, to a limited degree, regulated insurance company financial practices.
The insurance companies themselves went through various stages of co-operation and competition that resulted in the formation of regional and provincial associations. These associations were used to encourage good business practices and to regulate insurance prices through tariffs based on the level of fire risk and fire protection as determined by the insurance companies. In 1883, these groups formed the larger and further reaching Canadian Fire Underwriters Association (CFUA).
The CFUA categorized Canadian municipalities into five classes (A through E) according to building construction and firefighting equipment. These classifications, or fire insurance grades, were used to allow
Front Street in Toronto after the great fire of April 19, 1904
all underwriters within the association to write insurance at similar rates based on the same underlying levels of municipal fire protection.
Fire insurance grades for Canadian communities have been published since the formation of the CFUA and although the system and organization have evolved, the grades are still published through the Fire Underwriters Survey.
Since the original schedule of fire insurance grades was developed, the system has become increasingly more sophisticated, with separate grades being produced for personal lines insurance and commercial lines insurance: personal lines insurance covers properties owned solely for personal use, such as detached dwellings and duplexes; commercial lines insurance covers all other types of buildings.
The grading system used by commercial lines insurers in Canada is the Public Fire Protection Classification (PFPC) system; the system used by personal lines insurers is the Dwelling Protection Grade (DPG) system. The DPG system is derived from the PFPC system with several simplifications and corollaries.
■ WHAT ARE FIRE INSURANCE GRADES?
Fire insurance grades are a measure of the capacity of the community to provide an effective level of response to structure fires (and conflagrations) that can be expected to occur based on the level of fire risk in the built environment. Numerous variables are considered in determining the fire insurance grades but the factors are generally broken down into the five broad categories: risk level; fire department; water supplies; fire safety control (including prevention and education); and emergency communications.
Fire insurance grades are determined by quantitatively measuring the level of fire risk (or fire potential) in the built environment, using this benchmark to determine the maximum credible effective
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response characteristics, then measuring all components of fire protection capacity against this benchmark.
■ HOW FIRE INSURANCE GRADES ARE USED BY INSURERS
Insurance companies use fire insurance grades to determine their capacities for insurance. The capacities for insurance are generally defined as the maximum amount of risk a company can underwrite within a market or portion of a market based on the company’s financial condition.
Insurance companies also use fire insurance grades to determine appropriate property insurance rates, although each insurance company uses its own specific criteria and calculation method to determine appropriate premiums for insurance coverage. Other influential factors outside of fire insurance grades (such as loss experience in a specific geographic area or within a specific type of business such as industrial) are also considered.
Importantly, insurers rely on the fire insurance grade of a community to determine that community’s capability to respond effectively to structure fires. Personal lines insurers are interested only in the capacity to respond to detached dwellings (and duplexes) whereas commercial lines insurers are interested in the capacity to respond to fires in all types of buildings and the potential for multi-building conflagrations.
As each insurance company uses its own formula to set property insurance rates, it is not possible to specifically quantify the difference in property insurance rates from one fire insurance grade to the next, unless only a single insurance company is considered and all potential variables are taken to be the same. However, it can be said that as fire insurance grades improve, insurance companies consider the level of risk of loss to be lower, therefore increasing capacities and making the insurance market more competitive. This results in lower insurance rates for property owners.
■ UNDERSTANDING THE INSURANCE LINGO
Most insurers do not refer to fire insurance grades by their formal names and often refer to all fire insurance grades as “town grades” or “FUS grades”. When a community is considering improvements to fire protection or risk management that may result in improved fire insurance grades, it is important to understand that the benchmarks and impacts are different for personal lines insured properties and commercial lines insured properties.
Notably, the PFPC for commercial lines
is intricate and complex while the DPG for personal lines is simplified and makes a number of key assumptions. One of the most important assumptions of the DPG system is that the level of fire risk inherent to detached dwellings (and duplexes) can be considered a constant when measuring adequacy of fire protection response. The level of risk is measured in terms of required fire flows and largely depends on the size and construction of the building considered.
Many insurance companies also simplify the fire insurance grades to a three-tier system, interpreting the fire insurance grades as being Table 1, Table 2, Table 3, or protected, semi-protected and unprotected respectively. These are derivations of the DPG and PFPC systems; each insurance company has its own specific criteria for interpreting the fire insurance grades but they are generally similar.
■ HOW DO COMMUNITIES BENEFIT?
Fire insurance grades allow Canadian communities to improve their fire protection levels incrementally in a measured fashion that can provide cost savings to property owners through reduced insurance premiums. Although these cost savings may not entirely offset the cost of fire protection, this is one of the few government service areas that does result in a return on investment.
The use of fire insurance grades in Canada results in:
• Incentivizes should this be incentives? for improvements to public fire protection, prevention and building controls;
• improved fire protection levels in communities;
• improved stability in the fire insurance market;
• improved standardization in fire protection levels;
Continued on page 61
Bay Street looking north from just north of Front Street, April 1904
BY TOM DESORCY Fire chief Hope, B.C.
YTaking pride in blowing our own horns
ou’ve no doubt heard people say that we should all be marketing our fire departments, but what does that entail? Are we all supposed to set up social networking accounts and keep interested followers up on everything we do? Do we have to sell anything? And why should we do anything more public than respond to calls? Let’s consider this.
When was the last time you looked around your department, took a moment to absorb all that your competent staff has to do and admired the fact that it’s always done?
First there’s your training officer, taking care to keep everyone up to standard, always staying up to date on the latest courses being offered in your area, keeping an eye out for any extra opportunities, while maintaining the training records in your computer database.
Next there’s the inspector, out and about in your public buildings, checking exits and fire extinguishers and squeezing in a pre-plan at the same time. Don’t forget your public educator, always front and centre in the schools and seniors centres, preaching the good word on fire safety. Then there’s your fire investigator, always diligent and timely with fire-cause determination and in constant touch with your public relations person, who, I might add, is always available for the local media, meeting those deadlines no matter the time or day.
Your officer in charge of recruitment and retention is doing a bang-up job, as always, and the duty chief on weekends is always there when you need him and ready to answer the call.
We can’t forget about all the administrative support. Where would we be without that person? Entering statistical data from incident reporting to human resources is a thankless job yet is so important.
Equipment maintenance is something that shouldn’t be forgotten; without your department’s mechanic, those trucks wouldn’t be there when you need them.
operation, tell their stories and, to me, that’s sad and, frankly, a missed opportunity. Sure, I can hear it now, “I’ve got all this to do and now I’ve got to maintain a Twitter account?” I’m not suggesting that it’s for everyone, but we do some incredible things and the tendency is to keep them to ourselves.
You’ve no doubt heard the analogy of the duck floating on the water – smooth and majestic, always in control in an effortless glide across the pond. But look under the water and the little feet are flapping away furiously, driving this seemingly in-control machine. What the public sees is just that – the fire truck out of the hall on a run with firefighters at the ready on board. For all they know, we’re always sitting at the hall, waiting for them to call us and, frankly, that’s just fine; there’s nothing wrong with that impression. It just amazes me the reaction people have when you explain to them all that has to take place behind the scenes in order for us to ”float” effortlessly to an emergency call. To me, that’s the importance of proactively marketing your fire department in an effort to promote public safety and awareness of what it is you do in your community.
For years, our volunteers have taken it on the chin, answering the 3 a.m. callouts or leaving Christmas dinners without complaint
Too few fire chiefs . . . tell their stories and, to me, that’s sad and, frankly, a missed opportunity. ‘‘ ’’
So where does marketing fit in? Well, as Canadian volunteer fire chiefs take this look around their departments they may as well be looking through a thermal imaging camera at a glass wall. All they see is themselves. This is truly the unsung part of our positions, so why are we not sharing this side of our jobs with anyone who will listen? Too few fire chiefs, who all know what it takes to run a successful
Tom DeSorcy became the first paid firefighter in his hometown of Hope, B.C., when he became fire chief in 2000. Originally a radio broadcaster, Tom’s voice could be heard in the early 1990s across Canada as one of the hosts of Country Coast to Coast. DeSorcy is married with two children, aged 28 and 20, and enjoys curling and golf. He is also active with the Fire Chiefs’ Association of B.C., and chairs the communications and conference committees. Contact him at TDeSorcy@hope.ca
because it’s “what we do”. Well, maybe it’s time for the public to know what we really do and understand the sacrifice that firefighters make for their communities.
Sure there are other ways and reasons to market ourselves but we should start by telling our stories. First, make sure the members of your department know what you do after they leave the hall. Ensure your local government is aware of the paperwork that’s involved and the time you spend for your department on administration. Host an open house just for your families and local government officials. Suit them up in the gear; show off a little. You wear the horns on your collar, you may as well start blowing them. This will demonstrate the value in the service provided and instil even more pride in your members to be part of such a dedicated and professional organization.
Like the duck, we sometimes have to dive under to get what we want but, rest assured, we’ll come back to the top to maintain that image that everyone has come to expect.
VERY FEW
THINGS CAN SURVIVE AN INFERNO.
OUR MISSION IS TO MAKE SURE YOU’RE ONE OF THEM.
The flames build. The smoke gets thicker and more intense by the second. People are fleeing. And what do you do? You push forward ready to do battle. It goes against every natural human instinct. But then again, firefighters are a different breed. For your infinite courage and selfless dedication, we salute you. But more importantly, we’re going to do everything we can to protect you. We’re MSA. And we equip firefighters with the most advanced thermal imaging cameras, helmets, air masks and gas detection devices available. Coincidentally, we’re somewhat of a different breed ourselves. You see, we’re a safety innovations company that’s been on a relentless crusade to protect lives for more than 90 years. Today we protect firefighters, soldiers, construction, iron and steel workers, oil riggers, utility workers, miners, consumers and hundreds more. Wherever there are workers who need to be protected, we will be there.
BACKtoBASICS Working the ladder
By MARK VAN DER FEYST
Ground ladders are one of the basic tools that firefighters use on the fire ground. Often, though, we overlook their importance. Knowing how to work ground ladders is crucial and will make our jobs easier.
A video titled “Improper Ladder Heeling” (available at www.firefightingincanada.com), which shows a firefighter falling off a ground ladder, has been circulating on the Internet for a few years. The video shows two firefighters using a 12-foot ground ladder to gain access to the roof of a garage. One firefighter is heeling the ladder from the underside, using his hands on the beam to prevent the ladder from kicking out. The other firefighter starts to climb up the ladder to the roof. The ladder has been set properly at the correct angle – three to five rungs are above the roof-line – yet the ladder kicks out and the firefighter falls to the ground. This happens just as the firefighter reaches the top of the ladder. When the firefighter puts his foot on the rung that rests just above the roof line, the firefighter who is heeling the ladder walks away, allowing the ladder to kick out. The video
Surreyfiresafety jul09CFF.pdf 1 25/01/10 1:34 PM
stops before viewers can see the injuries sustained by the climbing firefighter or the reaction of the firefighter who was heeling the ladder. There are many ways to heel a ground ladder. In the fire service, we seem to use the method described above. In most basic training classes, we see firefighters heeling the ladder from behind, as in photo 1. This method is also shown in all our textbooks. The other ways to heel a ground ladder are to heel it from the front by having a firefighter use his foot against the beam at the butt, or for the heeling firefighter to
Heeling the ground ladder from the front allows firefighter to view the entire operation and become more effective.
Firefighter Dan “Deadly” Hedley is heeling the ground ladder from behind as taught in basic training.
PHOTOS BY MARK VAN
put his foot on the bottom rung while standing in front of the ladder. Why do we choose to go behind the ground ladder to heel it? Why are we instructing our future firefighters to heel ground ladders from behind? While this may be an acceptable practice, it is quite dangerous.
When firefighters heel a ground ladder from behind, they are unable to view the entire operation. They are able to see the beginning stages of the operation but not the end of it. This was the case in the video. The firefighter who was heeling the ground ladder from behind was able to see only the beginning stages of the climbing operation and not the final stages. As soon as the firefighter who was climbing the ground ladder cleared the view of the heeling firefighter, the heeling firefighter walked away. He did not see that the climbing firefighter was just two rungs away from getting off the ladder and onto the roof. This was the cause of the ladder kicking out and the climbing firefighter falling with it. When firefighters wear full turn-out gear, SCBA and a helmet, they are restricted from looking all the way up. For some, their helmet hits the top of the SCBA cylinder; for others, the front brim of the helmet blocks part of their view. Either way, the view of the operation is hindered and thus becomes a dangerous way of heeling a ground ladder (see photo 1).
Another dangerous aspect of heeling a ground ladder from behind is exposure to falling hazards. Often times firefighters carry hand tools to help with an assigned task and these hand tools can fall. Firefighters get tired, lose their grip and the hand tool falls to the ground. There is a good chance that the tool will hit the head of the heeling firefighter. When firefighters are breaking glass from a ground ladder, that glass falls on top of the heeling firefighter. Have you ever heard an instructor tell you to not look up when you are heeling a ground ladder from behind? This is so that you will not have falling tools or debris, or broken glass making contact with your face. When you look up, you are exposing your neck, mouth and eyes to whatever may be falling on you.
What if the firefighter climbing the ladder starts to slip or lose his balance while climbing? How quickly can the heeling firefighter come around from behind and stop the climbing firefighter from falling? Not very quickly. What if he needs assistance right away? Can the heeling firefighter assist him quickly from his position behind the ground ladder?
The best method to heel a ground ladder is from the front. Being in front of the ground ladder allows the heeling firefighter to view the entire operation and the entire
building. This allows the heeling firefighter to constantly monitor the conditions and activities. Whether the heeling firefighter is heeling the ground ladder with his foot against the beam at the butt or on the bottom rung, he is preventing the ladder from kicking out (see photo 2).
The heeling firefighter will also be out of the way of any falling debris and can help the climbing firefighter by preventing him from falling (see photo 3). In photo 3, the heeling firefighter can quickly climb up the ladder to pin or stop the climbing firefighter from falling off the ground ladder. This will work within distance of one section; if there are two or three sections of distance between the heeling firefighter and the climbing firefighter then the heeling firefighter will not be able to reach the falling firefighter in time.
The next time you conduct ladder training, try to incorporate the front heeling method into your routine. Compare the two methods to see the differences and hopefully you will realize that heeling from the front will benefit you.
Mark van der Feyst is a 10-year veteran of the fire service. He currently works for the City of Woodstock Fire Department. Mark is a n instructor teaching in Canada and the U.S. He is a local level suppression instructor for the Pennsylvania State Fire Academy, an instructor for the Justice Institute of BC and an associate professor of fire science for Lambton College. He can be reached at Mark@FireStarTraining.com
Firefighter Sean Robinson is pinned against the ladder by the heeling firefighter, stopping his fall.
INDUSTRY NEWS
FFIC WELCOMES
SALES
MANAGER
Publisher Martin McAnulty is pleased to announce the appointment of Catherine Connolly as advertising manager for Fire Fighting In Canada and Canadian Firefighter and EMS Quarterly magazines. Catherine takes over for Hope Williamson, who is on maternity leave.
Catherine comes to FFIC with an extensive media, marketing and communications background and entrepreneurial experience. Her dynamic personality and professional attitude, along with her superb customer service skills will be welcomed in the industry. Catherine looks forward to meeting you.
To find out how you can showcase your products in Canada’s premier fire publications, contact Catherine Connolly at 1-888-599-2228 ext. 253 or cconnolly@ annexweb.com.
PURDIE NAMED
METALFAB DEALER
Metalfab LTD announce the addition of Apparatus Plus and owner Dave Purdie as a dealer for Ontario. Purdie has many years of experience in the trucking related industry and several years of experience with fire apparatus. Apparatus Plus is based in Guelph, Ont., and will be representing Metalfab LTD and its full line of apparatus throughout Ontario. It will also provide servicing, parts and equipment for fire. For more information visit www.metalfabfiretrucks.com
KOCHECK APPOINTS
SALES
DIRECTOR
Putnam, Ct. – Kochek Company has appointed Kurt Voland to the newly created position of director of sales and marketing. Voland will provide a single point of contact between the field sales force and the factory to better anticipate customer needs and increase co-ordination with the management team and company goals.
Voland has degrees from Norwich University and Western State College. He spent the first half of his career as a teacher and coach before moving into sales in 1989. For the past 20 years he has worked in the automotive assembly tools industry, the last 10 as a divisional sales manager in the vehicle and aerospace mechanical assembly industry. For details visit www. kochek.com
TOA CANADA RE-LAUNCHES SITE
Mississauga, Ont. – TOA Canada Corporation has redesigned its Canadian website. TOAcanada.com has a corporate look and feel, mirroring its Japanese headquarters website in many areas. The website features:
• Improved product section including description, pictures, specification charts, links to brochures and the data library;
• Link to international data library
– a great resource for CAD drawings, EASE data, specification sheets, brochures, instruction and installation manuals and software;
• A technical support documents section;
• Canadian installations – a great resource to learn more about TOA’s products and where they are installed across Canada;
• Canadian news, including product releases, company updates, training and events.
Now you can get strength and comfort under fire. With Lock-Fit Ankle Support System™, Pierce-Protect Arch Protection System™ and Vibram ® Fire & Ice outsoles, the STC fire boot brings you the science of fire protective footwear.
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Surrey Fire Services uses FDM Software for E ective Data Management Company on the move
Surrey Fire Communications Centre, which provides dispatch services to 12 other municipalities, has been using FDM’s Computer Aided Dispatch (CAD) System since November, 2005. Surrey’s list of clients continues to grow and as of 2010, Surrey will be dispatching 18 new fire departments.
The Surrey Fire Communications Centre represents the model of a regional fire dispatch centre servicing various communities through its advanced technology and superior operations system including FDM CAD and Records Management System (RMS). With FDM Workspacing, multiple agencies share the same database and software to streamline reporting and reduce overall cost. Workspacing provides a completely configurable environment in which information sharing and privacy is agency specific.
FDM’s integrated CAD and RMS system provides Surrey Fire Services with the right tools to effectively manage their information. With such a large amount of data, having a reliable information management system is integral to efficient operations. “The data we are dealing with is vital. Any delay in accessing that information could result in valuable information being withheld from responding firefighters and may be a life or safety issue,” says Deputy Fire Chief Karen Fry, Surrey Fire Services. Furthermore, data is shared between modules, eliminating the need for duplicate data entry and resulting in a more efficient use of resources.
One of the biggest benefits of an information management system is the opportunity to analyze the information and make informed decisions. “Information critical to the delivery of emergency services is easily available for analysis. We can analyze trends for service demands, response patterns, apparatus placement and fire station locations,” says Fry.
FDM CAD was such a success that the Surrey Fire Services recently decided to expand their capabilities with FDM Mobile CAD, ensuring rapid deployment in the field. The mobile solution provides full voiceless dispatching capabilities including instant access to statusing, data and property information, alerts, hazards, pre-plan contact and mapping information, in addition to hyperlinks to a pre-plan database allowing Fire Officers to quickly download the required document. FDM Mobile CAD also provides instantaneous notifications to smart phone devices providing agency members with up-to-date incident information.
In addition to implementing Mobile CAD in all frontline apparatus, the Fire Services purchased a Mobile CAD unit for “swap-outs” for use when apparatus are undergoing maintenance.
“We purchased the additional unit because FDM Mobile CAD has become so useful that our firefighters don’t want to work without it,” says Fry. “All the information they need is in the system and is much easier to access. Our radio traffic has also dropped dramatically allowing our dispatchers to focus on providing the incident support and improving their capacity. This all illustrates how our new means of communication has been quite effective.”
Surrey Fire Services also hosts Mobile CAD for North Vancouver City and District, West Vancouver District, Pitt Meadows and Maple Ridge.
Another recent addition to Surrey’s dispatching operations is FDM eLink, software that links British Columbia Ambulance Services (BCAS) to FDM CAD. FDM’s enterprise solution is now fully interoperable with the BCAS CAD software. FDM eLink provides an electronic link between BCAS incident information and FDM CAD. Prior to FDM’s eLink release, dispatchers had a BCAS terminal (in addition to their FDM CAD workstation) alerting them of medical incidents. Dispatchers would retype the incident location and details into FDM CAD manually then determine whether the department responsible was going to respond before dispatching apparatus. This process not only took time but led to the possibility of errors due to retyping information, not ideal when dealing with emergency situations.
FDM eLink simplifies the process significantly and has a direct effect on response times. Now the dispatchers at Surrey Fire Services see medical incidents on the same screen as standard 911 calls, allowing them to efficiently process the call, initiate the correct response and send an acknowledgement to in effective collaboration and enhanced pre-hospital patient care.
“This new link to BCAS is a huge factor in our ability to effectively collaborate with Emergency Medical Services (EMS) and reduce response times,” says Fry. “The end result is that the public gets the help that they need in times of emergency, promptly. It also allows each Fire Chief to select which specific types of medical emergencies their department will respond to and only those selected will populate the dispatcher’s CAD screen.”
The Surrey Fire Service is one of the largest composite fire departments in Canada with 17 fire halls, 12 of which are staffed with career only. Surrey Fire Services provides high quality professional dispatching services, fire protection, fire prevention, medical aid, rescue services, hazardous materials response and education services.
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Surrey provides dispatch services for the following municipalities: White Rock, Langley City, Langley Township, Port Coquitlam, Maple Ridge, Pitt Meadows North Vancouver City, North Vancouver District, West Vancouver District, Bowen Island, Lions Bay and the Squamish Lillooet Regional District North (Lillooet, Bralorne and Seton Valley). New client service agreements to begin in 2010 include the Columbia Shuswap Regional District encompassing the municipalities of Salmon Arm, Revelsoke, Golden, Sicamous and the Township of Field in the Canadian Rockies.
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Continued from page 17
of 140 coaches to provide transportation service between Whistler and Vancouver, in addition to Greyhound and existing public transit service between Squamish and Whistler. There will be no public parking or on-street parking anywhere in Whistler for the duration of the Games.
RCMP are bringing in accident investigation teams from across western Canada to expedite accident investigations on the highway. Heavy tow trucks will be posted along the road to clear accidents and keep the road open. There seems to have been little consideration given to the reality that before the accident investigation can begin or the scene cleared, victims have to be triaged and removed from the wreckage. The fire departments that will be responding to any highway crashes will be doing so with their normal level of response. Paying the volunteers 24/7 to be in the hall will mean a much quicker response, but they are still responding with the same level of resources as before and after the Olympics. Given that some responses can be as much as 20 kilometres or more outside their municipality, sending more equipment would strip their communities of fire protection.
■ CROWD CONTROL
Vancouverites have a dubious history of handling large outdoor celebratory events in a responsible manner. The Stanley Cup riot of 1994 is just one of several black marks. Vancouver used to host an annual Sea Festival over three weeks each summer but two years of drunken buffoonery and rioting finished it in 1980. What is now the Symphony of Fire began as the Sea Festival fireworks more than 35 years ago.
Whistler and Vancouver have both passed bylaws extending closing hours for
licensed premises during the Olympics. Parking has been banned 24/7 on a number of streets leading into the downtown core. Public transit is gearing up for a 50 per cent user increase for the Olympics. If organizers’ dreams are realized, there will be tens of thousands of people out and about in downtown Vancouver every night during the Olympics. Translink, the agency responsible for public transportation in metro Vancouver, began running ads in January advising that while all transit services in the region would be running at peak operating levels for the duration of the Games, they were anticipating long lineups for buses, Skytrain and Seabus of up to two hours for the morning and evening rush hours and every night as events wind down.
Planning for the Olympics has been extensive. Unless something of a planned and deliberate nature aimed at the Olympics occurs, there should not be any problems responding to those incidents that do occur. The problem will be the ability to respond to other events, in the community at large. Will the expected sea of humanity in the downtown core slow the response? Will Vancouverites and Olympic visitors be able to celebrate with some degree of decorum? What if there are two serious accidents on the Sea To Sky highway at the same time?
Negligence 101
Court cases provide insight for Canadian fire departments
By TIMOTHY WILKIN
Editor’s note: Lawyer Timothy Wilkin of Cunningham Swan Carty Little & Bonham in Kingston, Ont., prepared a review for the Ontario Association of Fire Chiefs of reported Canadian court cases in the last 15 years that dealt with negligence by municipalities and their fire departments. Over the next few months, we will look at those cases.
There is a surprising lack of reported court cases in Canada dealing with the issue of negligence by municipalities and their fire departments. This dearth means either that fire departments are rarely accused of negligence or that most of the claims against them settle before trial. Given the rigorous commitment to training typical of most fire departments, the lack of cases probably means it’s the former. Even from the reported cases, findings of negligence are more the exception than the rule.
But mistakes happen. And when they do, the conduct of the fire department, its officers and firefighters will be held up to the same legal principles and standards that apply when determining the issue of negligence in all types of action.
Negligence is based on the principle that people in positions of responsibility owe a duty of care to exercise their responsibilities in a manner that does not cause harm or loss to others. Whether the alleged negligence relates to a person operating his or her automobile, or a doctor performing surgery, or a fire department responding to a fire call, each of them has a duty at law to carry out their responsibilities according to a standard of reasonableness.
A standard of reasonableness can be a very high standard, especially for people such as professional firefighters who possess specialized skill, training and expertise, but it is not a standard of perfection. In each case, the issue must be answered by comparing the alleged negligent conduct to the standard that would reasonably be expected of another person of similar training, skill and experience operating in similar circumstances.
The fact that another person might have done things differently does not necessarily mean that there has been negligence. Instead, the issue is whether the conduct can be said to have been reasonable. As a rule, the courts do not want to second-guess decisions that had to be made in the heat of the moment (pun intended!); however, in examining whether particular conduct was reasonable, the courts will look for guidance from any applicable operational or policy manuals and will hear evidence of normal standards of training, practice and procedure. The further the conduct in question deviates from those manuals, policies and standards, the greater the probability of a finding of negligence.
In Ontario, the Fire Protection and Prevention Act, 1997, generally protects fire chiefs, firefighters and other fire department personnel from personal liability for negligence as long as their alleged neglect or default has occurred in the “good faith” execution of their powers or duties. Section 74(1) states:
No action or other proceeding for damages shall be instituted against a firefighter (definition: a fire chief and any other person
A negligence claim alleging that an Ontario fire department failed to ensure an adequate water supply was unsuccessful.
employed in, or appointed to, a fire department and assigned to undertake fire protection services, and includes a volunteer firefighter), a fire co-ordinator, a community fire safety officer, a member or employee of the Fire Safety Commission, an assistant to the Fire Marshal, the Deputy Fire Marshal, the Fire Marshal or a person acting under his or her authority, for any act done in good faith in the execution or intended execution of his or her power or duty or for any alleged neglect or default in the execution in good faith of his or her power or duty.
Though this protects fire department personnel from personal liability, section 74(2) renders the municipality (i.e., the taxpayers) vicariously responsible for the losses suffered by an injured party because of a finding that the fire department or individual firefighters acted in a negligent manner.
The reported court cases can be grouped into three categories. The first considers the distinction between policy decisions that might compromise firefighting capacity, but for which there can be no finding of negligence, and operational decisions that, once taken, can be used a basis for a finding of negligence.
The second category examines the extent to which courts try to avoid second-guessing the many difficult and rapid decisions that had to be made in response to a fast-moving and potentially dangerous situation. Even though there may be clear evidence that doing things differently might have had a different outcome, the scope of what the courts will consider reasonable in these circumstances is quite broad.
The third category takes a closer look at operational decisions that involve situations where there is a much closer connection between the situation at hand and generally accepted standard operating procedures. These included situations such as completing a proper overhaul,
maintaining a proper fire sentry to prevent rekindles and standards of emergency vehicle operations. In these cases, errors in judgment that are clearly at odds with generally accepted procedures are more likely to result in a finding of negligence.
CASE 1. RIVERSCOURT FARMS LTD. V. NIAGARA-ON-THE-LAKE (1992)
The plaintiff’s building was destroyed by fire on Feb. 9, 1984. The plaintiff alleged that the municipalities had been negligent by failing to ensure an adequate water supply for firefighting purposes in the municipal fire hydrant. Several firefighters confirmed and the court accepted that there had been an inadequate supply of water to fight the fire.
The fire chief testified that he had conducted flow tests and advised the defendant municipality over a five-year period before the fire that there was an insufficient flow of water in the Niagara Parkway area to fight a large fire in the area where the fire later occurred. He had advised that 1,000 GPM was required, whereas flow tests showed that only between 160 and180 GPM were available.
The director of public works for the town had expressed his concerns and made annual recommendations to council for
budget expenditures for the water mains; however, the required funds were not allocated because of budget constraints and other municipal priorities.
The plaintiff also alleged that the fire chief had failed to take all reasonable steps to extinguish or control the fire in its early stages and prevent its spread. It was alleged that the fire department had been negligent by relying on water from a nearby river as an alternative source, rather than calling for assistance from an adjoining municipality under a mutual-aid agreement.
It was also alleged that the fire department had failed to open the door to the main building from the compression room to determine the advance of the fire and to vent the main building by cutting the steel sheeting on the roof.
■ LEGAL ISSUES
• Was the municipality negligent in providing an inadequate water supply with which to fight a fire?
• Was the fire department negligent in its delay of 20 to 25 minutes after arrival in drawing water from the Niagara River?
• Was the fire chief negligent in not calling on the mutual-aid assistance program set up with neighbouring
municipalities because of the limited water supply?
• Was the fire department negligent in the deployment of its firefighting strategy?
■ FINDINGS
All of the plaintiff’s negligence claims were unsuccessful.
■ LACK OF WATER CAPACITY
In this case, the court had to decide whether council’s budget decisions that did not allocate sufficient funds to upgrade the water supply as recommended by the fire chief and director of public works was a policy decision, or whether the failure to provide adequate water supply for fire fighting was an operational issue that contributed to the plaintiff’s loss and for which the municipality should be liable.
It is a discretionary policy decision for a municipality about whether to provide firefighting services and to establish, maintain and operate waterworks capable of supporting those services. As a result, the courts will not review or hold a municipality negligent in how it chooses as a matter of policy to exercise its discretion.
However, once a municipality exercises its discretion to provide firefighting services, it can be held liable for the negligent performance of those services in the operational sphere.
The plaintiff argued that once council made the policy decision to install a water system and to establish a fire department, the maintenance of the water system for firefighting purposes was an operational issue. The plaintiff also argued that the proper way for the municipality to exempt itself from liability was to pass a bylaw specifically exempting itself from liability when it decided not to upgrade the water system.
The court found that the municipality owed a duty of care to the plaintiff, that there was an inadequate supply of water due to an outdated water system, and it was foreseeable that the damage to the plaintiff’s property could occur, but there was no negligence or liability for the loss.
In rejecting the plaintiff’s arguments, the court concluded that to accept them would be to find that the municipality would owe a private duty of care in all cases when the water or fire system is inadequate by reason of budgetary constraints.
By considering the recommendations of staff at a public meeting and allocating the budget bona fide at a public meeting according to priorities, council was making a discretionary policy decision not to upgrade its water system and, therefore,
Continued on page 47
Continued from page 44
could not be held liable in negligence.
The court also held that the council did not have to specifically pass a bylaw to escape liability when for budgetary reasons it did not follow the recommendations to upgrade the water system.
■ FIREFIGHTING STRATEGY
The firefighting strategy implemented by the fire chief could not be faulted.
The court found that the presence of combustibles in the building (oil, propane, oxygen, acetylene and paint) justified the firefighters not entering the building. With a propane tank in the building, the “defensive” strategy of not putting firefighters into the building was reasonable.
The fire department was also not negligent in failing to open the door between the main building and the transformer room to view the amount of smoke because of the danger of a backdraft.
Although a vent could have been made on the roof, it was a “judgment call” whether to do so. During the first hour after arrival, there had been time to go onto the roof to vent it and permit the escape of superheated gases, and to install a fire curtain, but the water supply of 250 GPM was insufficient flow to set up a fire curtain.
Furthermore, even if there had been an adequate water supply, the fire chief determined that it was unsafe to put firefighters onto the roof. There was a risk of the roof collapsing because of the effect of the superheated gases on the wood trusses and the danger of an explosion of a nearby propane tank. This danger was further exacerbated by the lack of access to the buildings to save the firefighters if the roof collapsed.
The court also considered the decisions that had to be made by fire personnel upon arrival at the scene in determining whether it had acted reasonably. In reaching a decision, the judge took into account the following factors:
• The outside fuel tanks had to be pulled away from the building by a tractor;
• The fire was unusual because there was no access to parts of the building;
• There were propane tanks that could explode;
• The chief had to make arrangements to deploy men to protect the neighbouring houses;
• The chief had to have men go down a snow-covered, 80-foot embankment to the river as darkness approached.
The fire chief was not negligent in his decision to go to the river for an unlimited
water supply rather than calling on mutual aid. He had invoked mutual aid two or three times before this fire, but in this case, decided that going to the river was the better decision.
■ LESSONS LEARNED
A municipality’s decision not to upgrade an inadequate water supply due to budgetary constraints is a policy decision for which it will not be negligent, even in light of recommendations to do so from its fire department. It can therefore be assumed that the same reasoning would apply to other council decisions relating to the adequacy of the
Fully Involved FIre TraInIng SySTemS [
equipment provided to its fire department.
In assessing the performance of a fire department and whether it was negligent in its firefighting strategy, the court will consider all of the circumstances confronting the fire department at the time, especially potential danger to the firefighters. However, in the absence of clearly wrong decisions that fell below the standard of performance normally expected of a properly trained fire department, the courts will not try to second-guess operational decisions made at the time in order to make a finding of negligence.
Part 2 will appear in March.
BullEx Vehicle Fire Prop is a
training tool with intense flames, smart controls and real heat that challenges firefighters to meet your training objectives. Multiple burn zones
you to create engine, passenger compartment, fuel spill and tire fires. To see the Vehicle Fire Prop in action, check out our videos at www.bullexsafety.com.
IN THE WATCHROOM
■ NEW VAULT OFFERS OPTIONS
The 4100 Knox-Vault is a new addition to Knox’s line of rapid entry system products and is designed for applications where existing Knox-Vault products are either too large or too small. The 4100 series is available in single and dual lock configurations, as well as recessed and surface-mounted configurations. The vault is also available with an optional holder for access cards and a keywrench. For more information call 800-552-5669 or visit www.knoxbox.com.
■ CABINET SAFELY DRIES TURNOUT GEAR
from tampering, theft and battery drain. The switch can be locked out or tagged out to satisfy OSHA requirements for energy isolation. The switch’s composite engineered polymer housing will not rust or corrode. The switch has been tested per SAE 1455 for road salt, calcium chloride and magnesium chloride and it is waterproof to IP67. The 75920 Master Battery Disconnect Switch has a high amperage capacity of 300A at 12V DC, can be used in high side or low side applications, and fits the standard Master Disconnect Switch mounting pattern. For more information visit www.colehersee.com.
Staber Industries’ new drying cabinet is designed to safely and quickly dry turnout gear and hoses. The cabinet is made with powder coated, heavy duty steel and conforms to NFPA 1851 for the Standard on Selection, Care, and Maintenance of Structural Firefighting Personal Protective Equipment. The drying cabinet uses an energy efficient six-kilowatt heating element and operates on a standard 240-volt single-phase 30-amp service. The cabinet is also available with multiple accessories, including suit, glove and boot hangers and hose shelving. For more information visit www.staberindustries.com/ drying_cabinet.htm.
■ COLE HERSEE SWITCH CUTS OFF POWER
The Cole Hersee 75920 Master Battery Disconnect switch cuts off all battery power from a vehicle electrical system. The switch provides an effective emergency power cutoff, protecting vehicles
■ RAE INTRODUCES CONTROLLER
RAE Systems Inc. introduces the new RDK Ruggedized Host, a host controller for AreaRAE toxic gas and radiation sensor networks. The RDK Ruggedized Host consists of a rugged laptop computer with an embedded RAELink wireless modem and pre-configured ProRAE Remote software.
The controller provides real-time communication with up to 64 remote monitors. The embedded RAELink modem provides the network with a five kilometre range, giving incident commanders the ability to manage the sensor system from a safe zone.
When connected to the internet the controller can push data over a secure web browser for real time use by remote specialists, and send alarm conditions to cell phones via text messages.
Housed in a MIL-STD 810F magnesium case that is IP-54 rated, the host can withstand harsh environments with temperatures ranging from -19 C to 55 C. It also features a sunlight-readable touchscreen and electromagnetic shielding. For more information visit www.RAESystems.com.
BY E. DAVID HODGINS Managing Director
Alberta Emergency Management Agency
D
LEADERSHIPFORUM
Building top teams through coaching
o you need help to survive and thrive as a leader? I do, even after 33 years of service. Fortunately, there are many leadership development programs and tools on the market and I’d like to tell you about a type of leadership mentoring that has worked for me.
Let’s look into the future. Years from now, you and your colleagues are chatting about the good old days and the conversation reconnects to a pivotal time. Your colleagues reflect on the quiet way you served them with your hand-on-the-shoulder approach. They remember the challenges with which you entrusted them and how you encouraged them to take charge of their work. And they begin to realize how you helped them develop their leadership abilities, enabling them to make a difference in the organization.
Now, back to the present. Recently I was speaking with Ian and Bradley Chisholm, leadership practitioners with The Roy Group (www.roygroup.net), a Sidney, B.C.-based consulting firm specializing in leadership development. They used the phrase “occupying the ground” to explain the process of building leadership capacity within an organization. That made me reflect on a leader who had a tremendous impact on me, one with whom I credit many of my career successes.
Fire Chief Bill Hewitt was the leader who occupied the ground and invited me to do the same. Hewitt and I worked together at the Office of the Fire Commissioner in Manitoba and I worked for him when he became fire chief in Strathcona County, Alta. Bill had a natural ability to position his reports to enable them to assume leadership. He was my ideal of an excellent mentor. Bill was a no-nonsense guy. When you were on the right road you knew it and when you weren’t, you knew it too.
from within the organization. Their objective is to have executive team members routinely coaching each other. I find this approach refreshing. It is in direct contrast to the way many organizations work – organizations in which individuals report to work to focus on a “to-do” list. Coaching, when applied properly, allows individuals to be invested in one another’s work. And this, in turn, creates a higher level of engagement, learning and performance.
We are used to working in a command-and-control environment; there is a time and place in which this approach gets the job done. However, the fundamentals used in coaching allow individuals the time to engage before, after and during emergency events. The practice of coaching is an invitation for each one of us to occupy the ground the way our mentors did. This kind of leadership training is about sending a message (often without saying a word) that we are going to do this and do it well.
So, how does coaching engage our teams and create a higher level of performance?
• Team members benefit from a higher quality of shared intelligence;
• Team members are completely aware of the context in which
Coaching, when applied properly, allows individuals to be invested in one another’s work. ‘‘ ’’
That brings me back to my message, which is to describe a leadership approach that allows us to stay true to the course. The goal of the two leadership practitioners I mentioned is to use coaching to build leadership capacity within an organization. Their approach goes beyond the usual provision of executive coaching to senior management, with a focus on leadership decision making. Their services extend to help leaders with the development of the extraordinary skills needed to achieve desired outcomes during emergency events as well.
They challenge the executive team to enable individuals at all levels to build an environment that is capable of creating leadership
David Hodgins in the managing director, Alberta Emergency Management Agency. He is a former assistant deputy minister and fire commissioner for British Columbia. A 33-year veteran of the fire service, he is a graduate of the University of Alberta’s public administration program and a certified emergency and disaster manager. Contact him at David.Hodgins@gov.ab.ca
they are working;
• Team members demonstrate accountability for their tasks;
• Team members are fully committed to objectives that they helped to create; and
• Team members are continuously self-correcting in the presence of highly specific and real-time feedback.
These are the characteristics of a well-disciplined, finely tuned, high-performance team. These are the characteristics of the teams that Fire Chief Bill Hewitt built. His legacy is the capable teams he left behind. But his legacy is also a group of leaders, of which I hope I am one, who have passed on the art of leadership. I hope the wonderful men and women with whom I have had the opportunity to work will speak of me, as I speak of Bill: that I invited them to “occupy the ground” as leaders. Providing a coaching approach through my leadership will get me there. And it will get you there as well.
BY LYLE QUAN Deputy Chief Guelph Fire Department, Ont.
TMotivation versus inspiration
hrough my years in emergency services I have had the pleasure of working with some of the most interesting and challenging people with whom anyone could hope to be associated. No matter what their position was within the organization, the key thing that made these people stand out was how they motivated and inspired those with whom they worked. So what was their secret talent? The secret was that there was no secret; it was all about being who they were and having a passion for what they did. And that’s what we’ll discuss here – how to naturally inspire and motivate others.
One book that touches on how to lead with passion is Inspire (2004), by Lance Secretan. This publication is available on CD format and I would recommend buying the CD version because you will find that it is worth listening to over and over. Secretan’s message about inspiring others is timeless in its content and I’m sure
you will find it personally uplifting during those times when you are feeling somewhat challenged in your role as a leader.
Secretan starts by defining the difference between motivating people and inspiring them. He notes that motivation is more about receiving something tangible, such as a raise or a promotion. The individual or group is motivated because there is a prize or reward at the end of a project. Inspiring others, however, is about appealing to a deeper need and desire for personal and emotional satisfaction. People are inspired because they feel a personal level of satisfaction and commitment toward the organization and its leader. Both are very important in our careers and personal lives. As a leader/manager it is crucial to understand the difference between the two concepts and how they can affect the level of commitment and the outcome of your team’s success.
The author explains to readers (or listeners) how to define their
SEMS II , THE TRUE BEACON OF ACCOUNTABILITY
The thought of being trapped in a burning building is always in the back of your mind. In order to stay out of harm’s way, you need an accountability system that provides peace-of-mind protection. Scott’s SEMS® II provides a beacon to safety, this remarkable accountability system puts an incident commander at your side, displaying information vital to personal safety, while providing a continuous communications link to incident command. And with the integrated Pak-Tracker™ personnel locator, downed or trapped fi refi ghters can be quickly found. Its patented self-healing mesh network technology makes every SEMS II equipped SCBA a repeater and allows the SEMS II Accountability System to monitor the assignment and status of over 100 firefighters on scene. And, that’s what we call a true beacon of accountability. Scott committed to making sure that everyone goes home safely.
destiny, their cause and their calling. These three points can be explained this way:
• Destiny – why am I here?
• Cause – how will I be what I stand for?
• Calling – what will I do?
Understanding these points helps readers focus on who they are and their purpose in life. Even if you presently feel somewhat aimless in relation to your calling, you will find that the author will help you realize what it is that you want or were meant to do.
Secretan also touches on a topic that is near and dear to me, which is leadership; but not just any style of leadership – servant leadership. To me, the servant leaders are the ideal leaders because they focus on how they can best serve their people and the organization for which they work. I have never been a supporter of some of the other leadership styles that create a “me-boss, you-not” working environment.
As Secretan notes, we all progress through stages of “student, practitioner and leader”, and it is how we participate in each of these stages that determines how effective we are in the practitioner stage and how well we inspire others when we reach the leader phase.
Another book, Igniting the Leader Within (1998) by Michael Staley, is inspirational simply because of the true story that inspired Staley to write the book. In 1990, while working as a firefighter-paramedic at the Daytona International Speedway, Staley was attending to an accident on the track and was hit by another race car. He received numerous life-threatening injuries. Staley overcame his injuries and went on to speak and teach about this life-altering incident.
Staley’s book covers such topics as climbing the ladder of success, motivating and evaluating people and becoming a born leader. To support his concept of leadership, Staley designed a four-leaf clover logo that has become his trademark and is worth noting. Each leaf reflects a philosophy he developed during his transformation:
1. Life is too long if you don’t enjoy every breath of it;
2. Commitment is loyalty to oneself;
3. We use the attitude we choose;
4. Choice, not chance, determines destiny.
As readers progress through each chapter, they are presented with personal study exercises that I found to be quite beneficial. These exercises help you put the lessons learned into practical application.
Much like Secretan’s book, Staley’s book supports the concept that “you’ll never be promoted to leadership” because being a leader is more about a consensus among you and those who choose to follow you. We can be promoted to a position of authority but it is only when your team chooses to support you that you become a true leader.
Whether you are trying to motivate or inspire others or even if you are looking for ways to evaluate and inspire yourself, I have no doubt that you will find these two books to be great additions to your leadership library.
Both books can be obtained through Amazon and Chapters.
• Inspire by Lance Secretan. (2004), published by John Wiley & Sons.
• Igniting the Leader Within. (1998), published by PennWell and also available through the Fire Fighting in Canada bookstore at www.annexbookstore.com
Lyle Quan is a deputy fire chief with the Guelph Fire Department in Ontario. He has a business degree in emergency services from Lakeland College and a degree in education from Brock University. Lyle is a graduate of Dalhousie University’s Fire Service Leadership and Administration Programs and is an associate instructor for the Ontario Fire College, Lakeland College and Dalhousie University. E-mail: thequans@sympatico.ca
SHOR T & LONG TERM COURSES
• MUNICIPAL FIRE FIGHTING
• HAZARDOUS MATERIALS RESPONSE
• INDUSTRIAL FIRE FIGHTING
• CONFINED SPACE ENTRY/ RESCUE
• INCIDENT COMMAND SYSTEM
• CUSTOM TRAINING TO MEET SPECIFIC NEEDS
• PRE-SERVICE FIREFIGHTER EDUCATION and TRAINING CERTIFICATE PROGRAM
• FIRE SCIENCE TECHNOLOGY DIPLOMA PROGRAM
FIRE & EMERGENCY RESPONSE TRAINING CENTRE Sarnia, ON, Canada
1-800-791-7887 or 519-336-4552, ex t 21
• Fa x : 519-336-4537
The bridge to your future e-mail: sandra@lambton.on.ca • www.lambton.on.ca/fer tc
BY SEAN TRACEY Canadian Regional Manager NFPA International, Ottawa, Ont.
TCanada’s Olympian fire researchers
his being an Olympic-themed edition, I thought it a good time to discuss research activities and the researchers at the National Research Council of Canada. What is the link, you ask? Well, just like our Olympic athletes, Canadian researchers represent Canada on an international level and showcase our advancements in the understanding of fire science. But, also like our Olympic athletes, these researchers operate on shoestring budgets and receive little recognition. They are valuable to our national pride.
The National Research Council of Canada’s fire research facilities in Ottawa and its testing facilities in Almonte, Ont., are world-class facilities. Their researchers have conducted some spectacular studies that have broadened our knowledge of fire. The researchers have presented these results in numerous international forums that have advanced codes and standards in these countries and garnered high praise for Canada. These projects include Calgary studies on building separations, a Montreal study in the modelling of a fire in which a captain was killed, leading advancements in compressed air foam suppression and, in December 2008, the culmination of multiple projects in the Fire Performance of Canadian Housing report. A new phase of research is currently underway that will study the impact of residential fire sprinklers on fire performance in Canadian housing. The testing is showing very promising results. It is our hope that this science can be incorporated into the next generation of building and fire codes. I cannot reasonably name all the research that the NRC’s fire researchers have done but the list of studies is extensive and all have led to our better understanding of the science of fire and its application in building codes and fire-ground operations.
Unfortunately, funding for this type of research is very limited. The research programs survive because of grants and corporate funding for specific projects. The lab’s director of research, Dr. Russ Thomas, must go hat in hand to find ongoing funding sources. If there is not adequate funding then the research opportunities dwindle and we lose the researchers. The fire service in Canada should look at ongoing research. We should be performing research on fire science similar to what is being done through the Canadian Police Research Centre. Unfortunately, few municipal departments consider funding research to be a priority item. This is an area that would benefit from the presence of a National Fire Advisor (NFA), as this individual could be a champion for the fire service for federal research funding and an agent to solicit funds from the municipal and provincial departments.
Sean Tracey, P.Eng., MIFireE, is the Canadian regional manager of the National Fire Protection Association International and formerly the Canadian Armed Forces fire marshal. Contact him at stracey@nfpa.org
Research priorities could be established and funds solicited. The NFA could also look at disseminating the research findings and making them relevant to fire-ground operations and building and fire codes.
The international understanding of human behaviour in fire has also been advanced by researchers at the NRC. This effort has been led by a true gold medalist, Dr. Guylene Proulx, senior researcher in the fire research program at the NRC and a PhD in architectural planning. Her unique expertise is in high demand internationally as she provided expertise to the U.S. National Institute of Science and Technology (NIST) team investigating the World Trade Center disaster and the experts studying the Cook County administration building fire in Chicago. Throughout her career she made international and Canadian building and fire codes fall closer in line with human behaviour. In fact, a new emergency way-finding system and evacuation strategy was implemented in the World Trade Center as the result of her findings following the 1992 bombing and helped save many lives in the 2001 terrorist attack.
It is tragic to report that Guylene passed away on Dec. 1, from complications due to cancer treatment. Guylene leaves behind a young family and many colleagues shaken by her untimely pass-
Fire research in Canada is first class but, like our Olympic athletes, it suffers from underfunding.
ing. She was a professor at Carleton University and Worchester Polytechnic Institute, where she was enlightening a new generation of fire safety professionals on human behaviour in fire. Guylene was a true champion for her cause. On Dec. 31, Guylene was appointed an Officer of the Order of Canada. To the best of my knowledge, this is the first appointment of any fire safety professional to this the highest honour in Canada. She will be deeply missed by all who had the pleasure to know her.
Fire research in Canada is first class but, like our Olympic athletes, it suffers from underfunding. We have first-class individuals performing excellent work. As a matter of national pride, the fire service should be looking at ongoing funding to support them in their efforts and in the promotion of their work. We need to consider municipal departments pooling funds to support these projects and a mechanism to disseminate findings to improve our practices.
Fire Service Pump Operator: Principles and Practice
Item#: RES31309 I Price: $76.95
Learn to safely and effectively drive and operate an apparatus with fire pumpers with the new Fire Service Pump Operator: Principles and Practice.
This text provides a thorough understanding of the types of fire apparatus equipped with pumps, how to safely drive them, and how to properly maintain these vehicles through inspection and testing programs. Students will also learn how to operate fire pumps by gaining an understanding of water supply, nozzles and flow rates, optimal positioning, and more.
To help increase students’ retention of the material presented in the text, the following features are included in each chapter:
• NFPA Standards and Objectives: Each chapter identifies the appropriate NFPA standards, cognitive objectives, and skills objectives for the chapter.
• You are the Driver/Operator: Each chapter opens with a case study that will stimulate classroom discussion, capture students’ attention, and provide an overview of the chapter. Additional case studies and challenging questions are included at the end of each chapter.
• Skill Drills: Skill Drills provide written step-by-step explanations and visual summaries of important skills and procedures.
• Chief Concepts–Bulleted summaries at the end of each chapter help students to prepare for exams.
Building Construction Related to the Fire Service, Third Edition
Item#: 37022 I Price: $63.80
This textbook matches the course outline and objectives identified by the National Fire Academy’s Fire and Emergency Services Higher Education (FESHE) committee for the Building Construction for Fire Protection core course.
This new third edition provides the reader with basic instruction about how buildings are designed and constructed and how this relates to emergency operations. In addition to basic construction principles, a new emphasis is placed on firefighter safety, newer types of construction that may be difficult to identify, and green construction principles. This edition is illustrated with new drawings and photos, case histories that emphasize real-life safety principles, key terms, and review questions. Fire inspectors, pre-incident planners, fireground commanders, investigators, and firefighters will all find useful and valuable information in this new edition.
Continued from page 30
• improved standardization in water supply development;
• improved standardization in fire risk management.
■ HOW MUCH CAN PROPERTY OWNERS SAVE?
Property owners can receive significant cost savings on insurance when the fire insurance grade in a community improves. For example, compare a detached dwelling property insured in a community with no fire protection recognized for fire insurance grading as to a property with identical characteristics in a community with a fire insurance grade that correlates to “protected”. The difference in fire insurance rates could be as much as 70 per cent per year. If the base cost of insurance is $2,000 a year, and when considered across hundreds of similar properties, the cost benefit of providing fire protection services that are recognized for fire insurance grading purposes is readily apparent.
The first fire brigade in Toronto’s Parkdale neighbourhood.
Note that sometimes property insurance rates change even if the fire insurance grades remain the same. Insurers use the fire insurance grades as part of the determination of property insurance rates but fire is just one part of that determination (others include crime and flood, for example). Insurance companies are also directly affected by their own loss experience and the economic climate as they are generally invested in various markets.
■ WHAT DOES THIS MEAN FOR MY COMMUNITY?
It is important that local representatives of communities know the fire insurance grades and use this information in planning communities and developing fire protection service levels so that constituents can receive the greatest benefit possible when insuring their properties.
Michael Currie is the director of Fire Underwriters Survey for western Canada and can be reached at michael.currie@scm. ca or 1-800-665-5661.
Photo by: Matt Hayes
911 DEPOT
PO Box 767, Thorsby, AB T0C 2P0
Tel: 780-434-7446 Fax: 780-789-3081
Toll Free: 1-888-577-7911
e-mail: info@911depot.ca website: www.911depot.ca
Richard Gendron
Custom HIR reflective decaling on vehicles
• Chevrons • Digital decals • Patches • Uniforms • High vis. jackets • Bags • Headwear • Promotional Items • T-shirts and other apparel • Leather jackets • Pins • ShieldsCheck out our website for new products.
Bill Stone, Debbie Stone, Mike Stone, Monika, Ali A.J. Stone Co. Ltd. has proudly served the needs of the Fire/Rescue and First Responder Services of Canada since 1972, featuring quality products, knowledgeable sales reps, and training support.A.J. Stone supplies equipment from MSA Safety Company, TNT Rescue, Glas Master and Snap-tite Hose across Canada.
Self-Heating Action Meals® - nutritious meals for isolated responders. The lightweight kit contains pre-cooked meal + heater, providing hot food in minutes without matches, fire, stove, electricity. A favorite for Emergencies or Fires.
Pierre Bernier, Sales Mgr. AirBoss-Defense “Ultimate Protection Mission”AirBoss-Defense is specialized in the design and manufacture of Fire Fighter boots and CBRN protective handwear, footwear and gas masks. Besides being the only Canadian manufacturer of rubber Fire Fighter boots, AirBoss-Defense is also proud to supply Defense Forces and First Responders Worldwide.
AIR TECHNOLOGY SOLUTIONS CANADA INC.
251 Queen St. S., Ste. 512, Mississauga, ON L5M 1L7
Randall Weber, VP Marketing & Sales, Canada Air Technology Solutions is dedicated to our Clients, offering updated, timely, full service Indoor Air Quality (IAQ) solutions. Air quality concerns are mitigated using a unique combination of professional indoor air quality assessment coupled with solutions. Off the shelf or customized site specific air cleaning equipment is available to resolve IAQ issues. Our technical experts review client requirements and budgetary availability. The finest appropriate air cleaning systems are provided. Air Technology Solutions is a leader in Diesel Exhaust Remediation. Building and facility managers, business owners, contractors, architects, and engineers have been working with Air Technology Solutions since 1986 to resolve IAQ needs. Employee and personnel safety and health are key issues. Breathing safe air in the workplace is of utmost importance.We provide global customized solutions to control contaminants, pollutants and odours in your facility. We look forward to servicing your requirements.
Steve Robertson, P.Eng., Director of Canadian Sales and Business Development Cell Phone: 519-670-4564
District Managers: Eastern Canada - Normand Gareau; Central Canada - Ray Thompson; Western Canada - Jeff French; Customer Service Representative Michael Kling, 330-287-7071, mkling@akronbrass.com; Director of Canadian Sales, Steve Robertson, srobertson@akronbrass.com
The Pre-Service Firefighter Education and Training program provides the challenge of training for a career as a professional firefighter. Students learn to become effective functioning members of the “fire team”. Through this program, “making the difference” becomes a reality generated through qualities of leadership, commitment, dedication and strength of character.
Servicing the fire ground ladder industry for over sixty-five years is a commitment Aluminum Ladder Company takes pride in. The ALCO-LITE name is abundantly known through all types of fire departments for our quality, dependability, and service. All ALCO-LITE ladders meet or exceed the applicable National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) standards for the fire department ground ladders.
ANNEX BookStore,
a division of Annex Publishing & Printing Inc.
PO Box 530, 105 Donly Drive S., Simcoe, ON N3Y 4N5
Tim Rafter, 613-662-3253, (Eastern + Central Ontario), Daniel Kyrodrin, (Inside Sales Help) Committed to meeting our customers’ needs, we are proud to offer a wide range of top-of-the-line tools, clothing and accessories for fire fighting and emergency intervention. For over 40 years, we have continued to add new, high-quality products so that you can find everything you require under one roof. New toll free line for the province of Ontario: 1-866-426-9991. Repair services on: SCBA, gas detection, portable pump, pumper trucks, aerial ladder, etc.Authorized parts and service center for: Hale, Waterous, Darley, KOEHLER. Major product lines: MSA, CET FIRE PUMP, KOCHEK, RED HEAD, AWG, PROTEK, NAFH, SUPERVAC, LEADER FAN, HANSEN ENTERPRISE, RES-QJACK, STREAMLIGHT, SAVOX, ERGODYNE, MUSTANG, FRC, FOAMPRO, NAUTIC & ART. Rosenbauer (Eastern Ontario), HAIX, INNOTEX (Eastern Ontario), SALES, ROSBOROUGH BOAT, SUPERVAC, KOEHLER BRIGHT STAR, HALE, WATEROUS.
Bill Dickson, Breathing Air Sales Manager BAUER compressors are field-proven in a multitude of diverse high pressure applications worldwide. More than 60 years of experience and research and development are available to you to help solve your high pressure breathing air requirement. We are world renowned for reliability and durability, and BAUER as a company is recognized as the world’s foremost innovative designer and manufacturer of high pressure compressors. BAUER is especially capable of working with clients on a worldwide basis because of our vast network of sales and service centers around the globe. BAUER’S U.S. operations include a 115,000 sq ft manufacturing facility in Norfolk, VA and branch offices in Michigan, California and Florida.
Ryan O’Donnell, CEO; Mike Hennet, Business Acct. Exec.
C-MAX TRANSPORTATION EQUIP. 3044 Sawmill Rd., St. Jacobs, ON N0B 2N0
Tel: 519-664-3796 Fax: 519-664-3624
e-mail: fireinfo@c-max.ca website: www.c-max.ca
Clare Weber, President; Kathy Falkenberg Canadian family owned and operated business that offers a higher standard of service and sales for all your Fire Apparatus needs. C-Max Transportation Equip. offers 24 hour service from EVT Technicians with fully stocked service trucks. We offer Pump testing and repairs to all makes and models. We are also Ontario’s Factory Sales and Service Center for KME Fire Apparatus.
CANADIAN SAFETY EQUIPMENT INC.
2465 Cawthra Rd., Unit 114, Mississauga, ON L5A 3P2
Ross Humphry, Rory Hunt, Steve Rittenhouse, Scott Gamble, Chris Hamilton
We supply SCBA’s, Thermal Cameras, Auto Extrication, CAF Systems, Fall Protection, Bunker Gear, Fire Hose, Communications Equipment, Nozzles, Fittings, Hazmat Suits, Ventilation Fans, Gas Detectors, Confined Space Rescue Equipment, High Angle Rescue Equipment, Boots and Gloves. Everything for Fire Fighting and Confined Space Rescue.
CET
FIRE PUMPS MFG.
75, rue Hector, C.P. 90, Pierreville, QC J0G 1J0
Tel: 450-568-2719 Fax: 450-568-2613
Toll Free: 1-888-844-2285
e-mail: cet@qc.aira.com
website: www.fire-pump.com
Dominic Maillet, Stephen Thibault
Manufacturer of portable fire pumps, Drop-In-Unit, CAFS, Quick attack units, Light Rescue units, Brush trucks, tankers, aerials and ground ladders.
Carrier Centers is proud to be the E-ONE fire apparatus dealer for Ontario and Atlantic Canada. When you need full-service for all makes and models of mission critical vehicles including parts, pump and aerial testing, refurbishing, collision repair and more, make Carrier Centers your first choice to help your department keep your community safe. For sales, parts,and service inquiries please call 1-866-8963588. For information regarding additional offerings including heavy trucks, walk-in vans, lease and rental, reefers and air conditioning, and body shop services, visit us online at www.carriercenters.ca
Fax: 847-480-9900
Toll Free: 1-800-795-1150
website: www.circul-air-corp.com
Circul-Air Corp. has been manufacturing hose washers, hose and turnout gear dryers and hose storage racks for 70 years.
CODE 4 FIRE & RESCUE INC.
2359 Royal Windsor Dr., # 4, Mississauga, ON L5T 4S9
Tel: 905-823-1177
Fax: 905-823-1921
Toll Free: 1-800-387-2286
e-mail: chris@code4.com OR linda-nbbpai@nbnet.nb.ca website: www.code4.com
Chris Christie, Linda Patterson
Please call Linda at 1-800-665-4900 for all your “Hurst’’ Extrication needs! Service, Sales and Training.Proudly Serving Those Who Serve Others
Command Light manufactures elevating, lighting towers that have been tested to -40º and to 90 mph wind. Command Light . . . see what you’ve been missing.
Commercial Solutions is the proud distributor of a full line of firefighting products and equipment including Morning Pride and the Fit-5. With branches across Canada, Commercial Solutions also provides working solutions for companies in the oilfield, manufacturing, industrial and natural resource sectors with a broad range of industrial, bearing and power transmission, field, survey, fall protection and safety products.
COMPAIR CANADA
871 Cranberry Court, Oakville, ON L6L 6J7
Tel: 905-847-0688 Fax: 905-847-8124
e-mail: info@compair.ca website: www.compair.ca
Chris Brohman, National Sales Manager
Compair Mako manufactures, sells and services a complete range of breathing air systems. This includes compressors, air storage systems and containment fill stations.
We supply products that exceed the needs of our customers (Law Enforcement, Military and First Responders) with functional innovation while delivering exceptional value. Our line of clothing, boots and accessories are designed for comfort, functionality and usability.
CUTTERS EDGE
PO Box 846, 3855 23rd Street, Baker City, OR 97814
Manufacturers of The MULTI-CUT Fire Rescue Saw with patented BULLET Chain, Concrete Cutting Chainsaw with Diamond Chain and a Rotary Rescue Saw with choice of Black Star Diamond Blade, the Longest Lasting Diamond Blade or The Black Lightning Blade, the Fastest Cutting Diamond Blade Available.
Darch Fire is the Ontario dealer for Pierce Manufacturing. The Pierce product line features pumpers (including the innovative PUC), tankers, aerials and rescue trucks as well as industrial and specialty response vehicles. Darch Fire is your source for parts for most makes and models of fire apparatus.The Darch Fire Service Department offers full service capabilities for your fire apparatus in our shop or your fire hall. Darch Fire also sells and services fire pumps, nozzles, monitors, emergency warning lights and sirens, hose, portable CAFS systems, flashlights, porta-tanks, hand tools, scene lights, equipment mounting brackets and much more!
Design & manufacture custom fire pumpers, rescues, tankers, aerials, haz-mat, air-lighting units, minis, EMS & police support vehicles & equipment. Collision and restoration estimates, complete on-site vehicle collision and restoration, large custom paint shop. Apparatus repairs and MTO certification. Spartan Dealer, Freightliner, Sterling, International, Kenworth, Peterbilt, Mack, Ford, General Motors chassis. Sales. Service and parts for Hale, Darley and Waterous pumps. Extensive parts inventory. Sales and repairs of all makes of Emergency lighting, hose, nozzles and fire related equipment. Friendly, courteous and knowledgeable one stop shopping for fire apparatus and related equipment since 1975.
Lorne Strachan, Erhardt Schumann, Robert Hebert, Dan Guitar, Rose Santia
DuPont is a global science company, which develops high performance materials and technologies that make a difference in people’s lives. DuPont Personal Protection is a world leader in the area of workplace safety, offering consultation services and some of the best known brands in protective apparel, including Nomex®, Kevlar®, Tyvek®, Tychem® and ProShield.®/™ Registered trademark/trademark of E.I. du Pont de Nemours and Company. DuPont Canada is a licensee.
E.S. SAFETY SYSTEMS INC.
960 Myrtle Rd. W., Ashburn, ON L0B 1A0
Tel: 905-655-1168 Fax: 905-655-9149
e-mail: info@es-safetysystems.com
website: www.es-safetysystems.com
Rick Denike
Manufacturer of the SafeTSystem, a complete compressed air cylinder storage and handling system for SCBA cylinders and O2 cylinders. Providing safe, secure, apparatus and station storage, as well as providing safe, efficient manual handling capabilities. Addressing huge health and safety issues, and saving your department money.
E-ONE, INC.
1601 S.W. 37th Ave., Ocala, FL 34474
Tel: 352-237-1122 Fax: 352-237-1151
e-mail: info@e-one.com website: www.e-one.com
CANADIAN DEALERS
Manitoba, Northwestern Ontario & Nunavut:Carriere Fire & Safety, Craig Warren, 369 Archibald St., Winnipeg, MB R2J 0W6 Tel: 204-233-3737, Fax: 204-237-7675; B.C., Alberta: First Truck Centre Vancouver Inc., 18688 96th Avenue, Surrey, BC V4N 3P9, Tel: 604-888-1424; Ontario and Atlantic Canada: Carrier Emergency Equipment, Dave Purdie, 6 Edmondson St., Brantford, ON N3T 5N3, Tel: 519-752-5431; Quebec: Techno Feu Inc., Robert Traversy, Jacques Boisvert, 105 route Marie-Victorin, St. Francois du Lac, QC J0G 1M0, Tel: 450-568-2777, Fax: 450-568-0211.
Eastway Emergency Vehicles designs and manufactures Fire Apparatus for both major urban centers and small volunteer Fire Departments. Each unit is built with the same attention to detail, ensuring quality, strength and durability.Complete product lines of Pumpers, Tankers, Rescue, Wildland and HazMat vehicles is available. Design work is done using 3D Solid modeling. All manufacturing is done at our Ottawa facility. Used fire trucks are available, each with factory certification and warranty. Collision repairs and refurbs are performed with quick turn around, thus minimizing vehicle down time. Financing is available with competitive rates and flexible payment terms.Eastway Emergency Vehicles is proud to be celebrating 41 years as a 100% Canadian family owned and operated business.
ELDON FIRE EQUIPMENT
473 Hartley Road, Woodville, ON K0M 2T0
Tel: 705-374-5044 Fax: 705-376-5066
e-mail: sales@eldonfire.ca
website: www.eldonfire.ca
Merv Ballam
We manufacture a full line of portable engine driven fire pumps to suit the needs of rural and suburban fire departments, as well as providing a complete repair service for all makes at our facility. We also offer in-house hose repair and testing. New hose, valves, strainers and nozzles are available through our retail operation.
FDM SOFTWARE LTD.
Suite 113 - 949 West 3rd St., North Vancouver, BC V7P 3P7
Tel: 604-986-9941 Fax: 604-986-7130
Toll Free: 1-800-986-9941
e-mail: info@fdmsoft.com
website: www.fdmsoft.com
Lynne Boucher, Sales Assistant FDM CAD and RMS are comprehensive, integrated solutions for all Fire and EMS agencies, including regional systems. Our software is flexible, off the shelf, customizable, mobile and includes built-in ESRI GIS technology to spatially analyze your data. FDM Software has been providing innovative solutions to the Public Safety industry since 1989.
FEDERAL SIGNAL CORPORATION
2645 Federal Signal Dr., University Park, IL 60466
Headquartered in University Park, IL, Federal Signal Corporation’s Safety and Security Systems Group is a leader in enhancing public safety, security and well-being in communities around the world. Total-system solutions from Federal Signal help law enforcement, fire rescue and EMS, and emergency management leaders protect people, property and the environment every day.Canadian Dealers: FIDES Marketing, Tel: 514-426-5262 Fax 514-426-1982
Janie Green, Marketing Co-ordinator. Fire Engineering Books & Videos, a division of PennWell Corp., is your leading source for fire service training materials. We publish a variety of books and videos on areas including Strategy & Tactics, Management, Career Advancement, Technical Rescue, Training, Risk Management, and more. We also produce videos and DVDs to enhance your training. Quantity discounts available.
FIRE ETC., LAKELAND COLLEGE
5704, 47 Ave.,
Vermilion, AB T9X 1K4
Tel: 780-853-5800 Fax: 780-853-3008
Toll Free: 1-888-863-2387
e-mail: infofire@lakelandcollege.ca
website: www.lakelandcollege.ca
Denis Cunninghame
Since 1959, fire etc., Lakeland College’s emergency training centre, has set the standard for firefighting instruction. Today we provide a wide range of emergency services training to people throughout Canada and beyond. Visit www.lakelandcollege.ca for details.
FIRECOM
7340 SW Durham Rd., Portland, OR 97224
Tel: 503-684-6647 Fax: 503-620-2943
Toll Free: 1-800-527-0555
e-mail: sales@firecom.com
website: www.firecom.com
Tim O’Brien, Corporate Sales Manager
Manufacturer of headsets and intercom systems for fire apparatus and emergency vehicles to provide hearing protection and enhanced communication.
FirePro 2 (Ingenious Software)
1423 Park St., Nelson, BC V1L 2H7
FIRE FIGHTING IN CANADA/ CANADIAN FIREFIGHTER/EMS QUARTERLY
PO Box 530, 105 Donly Dr. S., Simcoe, ON N3Y 4N5
Tel: 519-429-5178 Fax: 888-404-1129
Toll Free: 1-888-599-2228 ext. 252
e-mail: fire@annexweb.com
website: www.firefightingincanada.com
Publisher, Martin McAnulty; Advertising Manager, Catherine Connolly; Editor, Laura King
FIREBUG
967 Falconbridge Rd., Sudbury, ON P3A 5K8
Tel: 705-525-6164 Fax: 705-525-6167
Toll Free: 1-800-486-4773
e-mail: info@firebug.ca
website: www.firebug.ca
Kenneth Roy
Firebug products are specifically designed to be used in health hazard situations where emergency rescue workers such as firefighters, police officers or paramedics may experience exposure to toxins or hypothermic conditions such as prolonged exposure to intense heat or physically exhausting activities. The Firebug Sprinkler System is designed to protect your home or cottage in the event of a threatening forest fire.
250-352-9495 206-350-7750
Toll Free: 1-866-352-9495
e-mail: fp2@fp2.ca
website: www.fp2.ca
Jeremy Murphy
Ingenious Software has been developing Fire Department record management software since 1991. FP2, our flagship product, is currently used by over 150 Fire Departments in 7 provinces across Canada. The program has evolved over the last 19 years with a focus on ease of use and flexibility. FP2 has been designed with Canadian Fire Departments, for Canadian Fire Departments.FP2 is flexible enough to meet the reporting needs of Departments of varying size and composition, and is compliant with ALL provincial reporting requirements. The modular structure of FirePro 2 ensures that it can meet those needs in an efficient, integrated and cost-effective way. e also provide extensive customization options and good scalability, allowing the program to grow seamlessly to meet the needs of your department.
Canada’s Premier facility dedicated exclusively to providing the best in bunker gear cleaning, assessing, decontamination and repair. NFPA 1851:2008 compliant, ISO 9001: 2000 registered, ETL verified for all fabric repairs and all moisture barrier repairs. Locations: Calgary, Toronto, Detroit, Montreal.
Custom fit dress uniforms and everything that goes with them. I.D. badges and wallets. Celebrating our 35th Anniversary.
FORT GARRY FIRE TRUCKS LTD.
2521 Inkster Blvd., Winnipeg, MB R3C 2E6
Tel: 204-594-3473 Fax: 204-694-3230
Toll Free: 1-800-565-3473
e-mail: bnash@fgft.ca website: www.fgft.com
Brian Nash
Fort Garry Fire Trucks offers a complete line of Quality Fire Apparatus, including Pumpers, Tankers, Rescues and Aerial Ladders.
FSI® NORTH AMERICA,
A Division of Fire Safety International Inc.®
311 Abbe Road, Sheffield Lake, OH 44054
Tel: 440-949-2400 Fax: 440-949-2900
e-mail: sales@fsinorth.com
website: www.fsinorth.com
Mark Conron, Phil Graham
Full line supplier of mobile, portable & fixed hazmat decon showers, shelters, field hospitals, surge capacity systems and accessories. Also offer rescue boats, PPV fans, and EMS supplies such as the FSI Transporter Disposable Backboards, triage tape, FSI medical ‘Field Cots’ and mortuary supplies.
GEORGIAN FIREGEAR SERVICE
28 Currie St., Unit 1, Barrie, ON L4M 5N4
Tel: 705-737-1796 Fax: 705-737-4265
Toll Free: 1-888-834-7343
e-mail: firegearservice@rogers.com
Bob Burch
15 years of quality NFPA 1851 compliant bunker gear maintenance in central Ontario. Factory trained and/or approved by all major bunker gear manufacturers. Computerized tracking and reports available. Fully verified for all fabrics and moisture barriers under 2008 version of NFPA 1851.
GLOBE MANUFACTURING COMPANY, LLC
37 Loudon Rd., Pittsfield, NH 03263
Tel: 603-435-8323 Fax: 603-435-6388
Toll Free: 1-800-232-8323
e-mail: info@globefiresuits.com
website: www.globefiresuits.com
Stephanie McQuade
Problem: Your current turnout gear restricts your performance. It’s physiology. When you move your arms to work in front of you or raise them up to work above you, you need more length across your back and more length under your arms or else your movements will be restricted. Our AXTION™ back with full-length expansion pleats and AXTION™ sleeve with pleats and darts on the front and back of each sleeve allows unrestricted movement with or without an SCBA and produces minimum coat rise when you reach up. Globe Firefighter Suits - Turning out the world’s best.
Groeneveld specifies and designs automatic greasing systems for all types of equipment. We are committed to after sales service, training and support across North America within our global network. Groeneveld helps you save time and money. Our proven system reduces downtime, improves efficiency and extends component life.
HALE PRODUCTS INC.
700 Spring Mill Avenue, Conshohocken, PA 19428
Tel: 610-825-6300 Fax: 610-825-6440
Toll Free: 1-800-220-4253
website: www.haleproducts.com
Fides Marketing Inc., Sales Agent - Brian D. Evans, President Tel: 514-426-5262 Fax: 514-426-1982 North America’s leader in fire pumps, foam systems and fire truck controls.
236 Clark Dr., Vancouver, BC V5L 3H3
Tel: 604-253-2811 Fax: 604-253-3133
Toll Free: 1-800-653-2811
e-mail: hasbra@telus.net website: www.hasbra.com
Robert Worner
HASBRA FIREFIGHTING EQUIPMENT - Serving the Firefighting Community Through Quality Distributors Since 1916. ISO 9001-2000
Since 1989 Hazmasters has been committed to supporting FireFighters in creating safer work environments and a long-term safety culture. Hazmasters provides training, product deployment, equipment rental, repair and leasing.
Manufacturer of Hotshot fire trucks service and repair shop for all makes of fire truck pumpers. Mobile service, repair, testing and consulting in Western Canada and Territories. Agents and Tech Support for FireDos Foam Systems.
HASTINGS BRASS FOUNDRY LTD.
HUB FIRE ENGINES & EQUIPMENT LTD.
PO Box 10, 3175 McCallum Rd., Abbotsford, BC V2T 6Z4
Tel: 604-859-3124 Fax: 604-859-5821
Toll Free: 1-888-611-2896
e-mail: info@hubfire.com
website: www.hubfire.com
Sales: Harvey Goodwin Parts: Les Leedam, Linda Welsh
Canada’s oldest fire apparatus manufacturer with a full parts facility and on site mobile service.
JORDAIR COMPRESSORS INC.
101-7950 Huston Road, Delta, BC V4G 1C2
Tel: 604-940-8101 Fax: 604-940-8131
Toll Free: 1-800-940-8101
e-mail: info@jordair.ca
website: www.jordair.ca
Sean Rowand
Exclusive Bauer agent for Canada. New Fire-Kat Systems for 2006. Factory certified Jordair/Bauer training course offered. NFPA 1901 Fill Systems. ISO 9001-2000.
INDUSTRIAL SCIENTIFIC CORPORATION
Unit 1A, 153 Pembina Road, Sherwood Park, AB T8H 0B9
Tel: 780-467-2423 Fax: 780-467-2105
e-mail: info@indsci.com
website: www.indsci.com
Industrial Scientific Corporation is a global leader in designing, manufacturing, selling and servicing gas monitoring instruments, systems and related products.
JUNKYARD DOG INDUSTRIES
440 Horsham Road, Stes. 4 & 5, Horsham, PA 19044
Toll Free: 1-800-574-8228
e-mail: jydinfo@cavtel.net
website: www.junkyarddogindustries.com
John K. Evans/ Susan Franke
Manufacturer of the XTEND and ZSTRUT Rescue Strut Systems and the new SideWinder Rescue Stabilization Jack. The easiest and most affordable tension buttress stabilization equipment used by rescuers throughout the world. Junkyard Dog Industries also makes a line of Fire, Rescue and EMS equipment Bags. Visit our website to view the products and locate your local representative.
K&D PRATT
PO Box 8160, 73 Blackmarsh Road, St. John’s, NL A1B 3N3
Tel: 709-722-5690 Fax: 709-722-6975
Toll Free: 1-800-563-9595
e-mail: peter.cardoulis@kdpratt.com OR alicia.hayes@kdpratt.com (Marketing) website: www.kdpratt.com
Peter Cardoulis, Alicia Hayes
Branches: Nova Scotia 210 John Savage Avenue, PO Box 279, Dartmouth, NS B3B 0C9
Tel: 902-468-1955 Toll Free Within NS: 1-800-567-1955 Fax: 902-468-6756
e-mail: kdinfo@kdpratt.com Contact: Rob Lowe/ Gary Bolt New Brunswick 15 Consumers Drive, PO Box 36, Saint John, NB E2J 4Z7 Tel: 506-658-1148 TollFree Within NB: 1-800-401-7770 Fax: 506-648-9365
e-mail: kdinfonb@kdpratt.com Contact: Rob Lowe/ Gary Bolt Newfoundland 73 Blackmarsh Road, St. John’s, NL A1B 3N3 Tel: 709-722-5690
Toll Free: 1-800-563-9595 Contact: Wade Parsons K&D Pratt represents numerous manufacturers and suppliers operating in all facets of the fire industry and delivers products,services & training that meet the needs of industrial, municipal and offshore clients in many varied and diverse situations. The products available include:
• Fire Fighting and Rescue Equipment • Municipal and Industrial Fire Hose • Forest Fire Fighting Equipment • Breathing Air Compressors • Interior HoseCabinets and Accessories • Complete Line of Fire Fighting Protective Equipment • Engineered and Pre-Engineered Fire ControlSystem Design and Installation fully supported with our on-site Technical and Services Division.
INNOTEX® INC. is a North American leader in the development, manufacturing and distribution of high quality Firefighter Suits. INNOTEX®; Protection Through Innovation™.
JUSTICE INSTITUTE OF BRITISH COLUMBIA –Fire & Safety Division
The JIBC is a world leader in education and training. Renowned for our hands-on, simulation-based educational approach, we offer a range of courses and programs, ranging from pre-employment training to a Bachelors Degree in Fire and Safety Studies.
KENWOOD ELECTRONICS CANADA INC. 6070 Kestrel Road, Mississauga, ON L5T 1S8
Kenwood provides Mission Critical and comprehensive radio communication solutions to government, public safety, utility and commercial enterprises. An ISO 9001 world class manufacturer of transceivers and trunking systems in Analog and Digital (including NEXEDGE & P25) formats. Ancillary products include a complete line of Accessories, GPS receivers, AVL and Text Messaging software.
KIDDE CANADA INC. – Angus Fire Division
340 Four Valley Drive, Vaughan, ON L4K 5Z1
Tel: 905-695-6060 Fax: 905-660-4670
Toll Free: 1-800-667-0423
website: www.kiddecanada.com
Contact Us: Jeremy Laviolette, Western Canada Sales Representative, ext. 6268, (jeremy.laviolette@kiddecanada.com); Mike Calderone, Ontario, Manitoba & Atlantic Sales Representative, ext. 6070 (mike.calderone@kiddecanada.com); Barry Coldwell, Inside Sales, ext. 6245 (barry.coldwell@kiddecanada.com); Louis-Paul Comiré, Inside Sales, ext. 6255 (louis-paul.comire@kiddecanada.com)
The legacy of Angus Fire goes back over 200 years. Tradition, combined with innovation has allowed Angus to become the world leader in the manufacture of fire fighting equipment.Canada’s first choice in high quality hoses and foam products, the Angus Fire brand offers performance second-to-none, while Kidde Canada’s sales and technical support team ensure the legendary Angus Fire service level is maintained to the highest industry standards.
Laura Kenyon, Regional Sales Manager At Kochek, we take pride in manufacturing only the finest quality strainers, fittings, adapters, suction hose systems and other specialty equipment to meet a wide variety of water transfer needs. Our Canadian warehouse is now well stocked to expedite shipments across the country. Laura Kenyon looks forward to the opportunity to assist your industry or fire department in protecting the lives and homes in your community. For more information about Kochek products contact Laura.
Cynthia Jones, Mktg. Communications Mgr. The KNOX-BOX Rapid Entry System is a complete emergency access system operated with a high security master key. Fire departments in North America have been depending on Knox key boxes, vaults, cabinets, key switches and padlocks since 1975. Other products include locking FDC plugs and caps for protecting water based fire protection systems.
Selina Stephens
Specializing in custom fire and medical patches, pins, reflective custom tees, insignias, medical and fire bags, retirement awards and first aid gifts and collectibles.
KUSSMAUL ELECTRONICS CO., INC.
170 Cherry Avenue, West Sayville, NY 11796-1221
Tel: 631-567-0314 Fax: 631-567-5826
e-mail: sales@kussmaul.com
web site: www.kussmaul.com
Michael F. Guzman, Tom Nugent
LAMBTON COLLEGE FIRE AND EMERGENCY RESPONSE TRAINING CENTRE
Visit our website: www.lambton.on.ca/fertc We offer short-term courses in:
• industrial and municipal fire fighting
• Hazmat - awareness, operations, technician, technician refresher, tank car specialist levels
• Gasoline Tanker Rollover
• Confined Space Entry/Rescue
• Incident Management
• Custom Training to meet Specific Client Needs We also offer certificate and diploma programs.
LAST LOGOS PROMOTIONAL INC. #6-11435 201A Street, Maple Ridge, BC V2X 0Y3
Tel: 604-460-8815
Toll Free Fax: 1-866-509-8120
Toll Free: 1-800-664-9833
e-mail: logos@lastlogos.com website: www.preventionconnection.com OR www.lastlogos.com
Tracy Last
Stop Shop & Roll with Last Logos’ PREVENTION CONNECTION. We design and create children’s educational rewards for fire & life safety programs. As a leading supplier for 25 years we are able to offer an “in stock supply” making this your one stop shop to stock up on unique products available only through us. Take advantage of our low quantities, affordable pricing and excellent customer service. Looking for something for adults? We have a full and complete range of apparel and incentive products to put your brand on. Check out our new logomall at www.lastlogos.com
LIFEGUARD TECHNOLOGIES
18881 US 31 N., Westfield, IN 46074
Tel: 866-765-5835 Fax: 317-896-2142
e-mail: lifeguard@imminet.com
website: www.lifeguardtechnologies.com
IMMI®, based in Westfield, Ind., is the leading provider of advanced safety systems for fire apparatus, delivering products under its LifeGuard Technologies® brand. IMMI engineers work alongside the most trusted fire apparatus and ambulance manufacturers, delivering advanced occupant protection products that specifically address the unique safety needs of firefighters and EMS personnel. LifeGuard products include:
• SmartDock® Gen2, the first hands-free SCBA holder • RollTek® side roll protection for fire apparatus and ambulances • 4Front® frontal collision protection • SafeGuard Transport®, ambulance safety for kids
LPG EMERGENCY RESPONSE CORP.
800, 717-7th Ave. SW, Calgary, AB T2P 0Z3
Tel: 403-543-6092 Fax: 403-543-6099
e-mail: scott@lpgerc.ca
website: www.lpgerc.ca
Scott Blaney, General Manager Incidents can happen any time any place and when they do, LPG Emergency Response Corp. is there - 24/7. You can count on our highly-trained personnel to help your company with state-of-the-art LPG emergency response capabilities.
M&L SUPPLY
14935 County Road 2, PO Box 269, Ingleside, ON K0C 1M0
Tel: 1-866-445-3473 Fax: 613-537-9449
Toll Free: 1-866-445-3473
e-mail: markp@mnlsupply.com
website: www.mnlsupply.com
Mark Prendergast, President
At M&L Supply, Fire & Safety, we pride ourselves in being able to offer our customers top quality products and exceptional customer service. We are a team of 10 Sales Representatives knowledgeable about the equipment we sell and experienced in their use in real life situations. As part of our commitment to customer service, M&L Supply is proud to offer 5 certified technicians for the service and repair of Amkus Extrication Equipment and Task Force Tips Nozzles as well as a mobile service for Scott AirPaks®. We are also pleased to provide quantitative fit testing to assist departments in meeting the requirements of their individual respiratory protection programs.Check us out on the web at www.mnlsupply.com and find out what we can do for you.
MDG FOG GENERATORS LTD.
10301 avenue Pelletier, Montreal, QC H1H 3R2
Tel: 514-272-6040
Fax: 514-722-3229
e-mail: info@mdgfog.com
website: www.mdgfog.com
MDG is globally recognized in the industry as the leader in fog/smoke production. We design and manufacture a wide range of the most reliable Fog/ Smoke Generators and customized Systems since 1980. Our Generators produce a safe and non-toxic fog/smoke. MDG’s products will improve the realism and quality of the training you provide. Products: MAX series, SINGLE/DUAL Series, Professional Modular Fog System and accessories.
Exclusive Canadian Distributor of fully-cooked, 5 year shelf-stable, ready-to-eat meals in flexible retort pouches. Meal Kits (MREs) are available in case and skid quantities to Fire and EMS groups, government agencies, corporations and private citizens for disaster relief, emergency preparedness and continuous field use.
Online Fire and EMS training comes with web based records management system. Upload your own content and assign to students. Create your own tests and have the system grade and record results.
MERCEDES TEXTILES LTD.
5838 Cypihot St., Ville St. Laurent, QC H4S 1Y5
Tel: 514-335-4337 Fax: 514-335-9633
e-mail: info@mercedestextiles.com
website: www.mercedestextiles.com
Robert L. Richardson, President, W.S. (Scott) Fraser, Canadian Sales
100% CANADIAN manufacturer of high performance water delivery products for the fire service. FIRE HOSES
• Innovator of the highly visible “Mertex WayOut” coupling for improved firefighter safety
• Lowest friction loss available in stress reducing, lightweight fire hose
• “Two Year All Hazard Warranty” available in 1-1/2” to 5” hose sizes
FIRE PUMPS High pressure fire pumps for all applications
OUR CANADIAN DISTRIBUTORS
www.bren-kir.com NL www.cumings.cc NS, NB, PEI www.cmpmayer.com QC www.classafire.com N.E. ON www.superiorsafety.ca N.W. ON www.equinoxfirerescue.com MB, SK www.wfrfire.com AB, BC, YT, NT
Ryan Stacey, CET, Sales & Marketing Manager Manufacturer of Fire Department pumpers, tankers and rescue vehicles. Serving all of Canada and the Northern New England states.
METZ FIRE AND RESCUE
3-304 Stone Rd. W., Guelph, ON N1G 424
Tel: 519-763-9955
Fax: 519-763-6682
e-mail: john.metz@sympatico.ca
John Metz
Metz Fire & Rescue is the Ontario dealer for KME
Apparatus. The KME line includes Rescues, Aerials, Tankers, Pumpers, Wildire & ARRF trucks. Available in custom and commercial chassis.
MICMAC FIRE & SAFETY LIMITED
121 Ilsley Ave., Unit K, Dartmouth, NS B3B 1S4
Tel: 902-468-6060 Fax: 902-468-9090
Toll Free: 1-800-667-3030
e-mail: sales@micmacfs.com
website: www.micmacfs.com
Nick Weatherston, Owner; Scott Weatherston, General Mgr.; Kevin Arsenault, Sales Mgr.; Karen Brown, Purchasing & Mktg. Co-Ordinator; Mary Baker, Accounting;
Paul Campbell, Government of Canada Inside/ Outside Sales; Roland LeBlanc, Walter Wilson, Outside Sales, NS; Emile O’Brien, Andre Grandmaison, Carla & Jim Brown, Outside Sales, NB; Steve Collette, Outside Sales, PE, NS; Dwayne Young, Doug Wilson, Inside Sales; Henk Engels, Steve Rogers, Pierce Fire Apparatus Specialists; Bernie Ryan, Shipping/Receiving; Denis Ward, Branch Mgr., NL; Jim Peddle, Inside/Outside Sales, NL; Rick DeHann, Inside Sales & Service Specialist for Holmatro & Scott Health & Safety, NL; Trent MacLean, Andre Grandmaison, Sales & Service Specialists for Holmatro & Scott Health & Safety for NS, NB, PE.Micmac Fire & Safety Ltd. has been located in Burnside Industrial Park in Dartmouth, Nova Scotia since 1984. We provide products to Fire Departments, Hazmat Teams, Government, EMS and Police Departments, etc. We presently have a staff of over 20 people and service all of Atlantic Canada. Most of our knowledgeable representatives have over 25 years experience in the Fire & Safety business.
MIDWEST FIRE
PO Box 524, 901 Commerce Road, Luverne, MN 56156
Tel: 507-283-9141
Toll Free: 1-800-344-2059
e-mail: ksmwf@iw.net
website: www.MidwestFire.com
Kraig Scholten
Midwest Fire specializes in manufacturing Tankers (Tenders) and Tanker-Pumpers for fire departments world-wide. We are based in Luverne, MN - the heart of the midwest and North America. Since 1987, we’ve been in the business of serving one specific purpose: MOVING water for Fire Fighters like you. We don’t claim to be all things to all people, but we are proud of the reputation we’ve built by our commitment to being the best in everything that we do. Midwest Fire – We specialize in MOVING water.
MINE SAFETY APPLIANCES COMPANY
5535 Eglinton Ave. W., Ste. 222, Toronto, ON M9C 5K5
Tel: 416-620-4225 Fax: 416-620-9697
Toll Free: 1-800-MSA-2222
e-mail: info@msanet.com
website: www.msafire.com
Sean Donovan
Established in 1914, MSA is a global leader in the development, manufacture and supply of sophisticated safety products that protect people’s health and safety. Sophisticated safety products typically integrate any combination of electronics, mechanical systems and advanced materials to protect users against hazardous or life-threatening situations. The company’s comprehensive line of products is used by workers around the world in the fire service, homeland security, construction and other industries, as well as the military. Principal products include self-contained breathing apparatus, gas masks, gas detection instruments, head protection, respirators and thermal imaging cameras. The company also provides a broad range of consumer and contractor safety products through retail channels. These products are marketed and sold under the MSA Safety Works brand. MSA has annual sales of approximately $914 million, manufacturing operations throughout the United States and Europe, and more than 40 international locations. Additional information is available on the company’s Website at www.msanet.com.
NFPA
c/o Annex BookStore, PO Box 530, 105 Donly Dr. S., Simcoe, ON N3Y 4N5
Northline’s strong core of experienced people will respond to customer needs and understand the market that we provide our product to. Northline is a Canadian based manufacturing facility offering: LDH hardware, suction hose, strainers, Storz adapters, threaded fittings and dry fire hydrant products. Please contact us with questions that you may have. We value your commitment to Northline products and look forward to working with you.
NOVA COMMUNICATIONS
167 Trider Cres., Dartmouth, NS B3B 1V6
Fax: 902-468-3708
Toll Free: 1-877-721-7070
e-mail: online@novacommunications.com
website: www.novacommunications.com
Buy online from Canada’s leading wireless commnications supplier.Nova Communications has proudly supported fire and other public safety organizations for over 25 years including:
• Two-Way Radio and accessories • Paging
• Satellite Phones • GPS Tracking • Rugged and Handheld Computers • Towers • UPS systems
• Wireless Data • Mobile Video.Nova’s engineering and service teams work closely with our leading technology partners: • Motorola • Kenwood • Icom
• Peltor.Purchase radios and accessories at www.novacommunications.com or by calling 1-877-721-7070.
NOVA SCOTIA FIREFIGHTERS SCHOOL
48 Powder Mill Rd., Waverley, NS B2R 1E9
Tel: 902-861-3823 Fax: 902-860-0255 or Toll Free: 1-866-399-FIRE (3473)
Providing high quality training for emergency responders for over 40 years. We offer a full range of courses to meet all of your training requirements. We are distributors of IFSTA, Brady, Pennwell, Delmar, Action Training and Sling Link products.
Omega Communications Ltd. has been providing wireless communication solutions to the fire service for over 32 years. Specializing in Motorola 2-way radio, OMEGA 911 stored voice pager and impact AC/DC universal chargers.
ONSPOT OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.
555 Lordship Blvd., Stratford, CT 06615-7124
Tel: 203-377-0777
Fax: 203-380-0441
Toll Free: 1-800-766-7768
e-mail: onspot@onspot.com website: www.onspot.com
Patrick D. Freyer, President
This system permanently fastens to the vehicle’s rear suspension and allows the operator to engage and disengage tire chains at the flip of a dashboard switch without stopping, to enhance traction and braking in forward or reverse.
Ontario Fire Truck Inc. is Ontario’s first choice for Fire Apparatus Service & Sales. We are your first and only call for Fire Apparatus Service, Sales & Testing! We offer you the finest repairs in the industry; we offer a 24 hour, 7 days a week service. All of our service staff is fully licensed Class “A” & “T” both provincially and EVT certified. We are fully insured and have over 30 years experience combined to provide the best service at your location. Our fully stocked mobile service trucks travel all over Ontario! Why take your truck anywhere, we come to you for both Service and Testing! “You’re Test Site or Our Mobile Pump Test Trailer” Our Sales staff has over 60 years combined experience in the fire industry, we offer only the finest fire apparatus, and Our Company believes only the best will do! We are the authorized sales and Service Company for many fire apparatus and equipment companies. “The bitterness of poor quality remains, long after the sweetness of low price is forgotten.”
OPUS/MARKETEX APPAREL INC.
3781 Victoria Park Ave., Unit 6, Toronto, ON M1W 3K5 Tel: 416-502-3555 Fax: 416-502-3342
Opus brand garments are foremost in the uniform trade. Synonymous to high quality apparel. Emphasis on stress points and colour fastening will provide our garments a long life of service to our customers. Opus brand garments are built to be rugged and tough without compromising comfort. Check out our website: www.opusopus.ca
PATCHMAN, THE
PO Box 995, Onoway, AB T0E 1V0
Toll Free: 1-866-672-4033
e-mail: patchman@xplornet.com
website: www.thepatchman.ca
Scott Williams
HI VIZ Experts for NEON HIR Reflective graphics and DiamonDiamonds clothing • Detailing • Embroidery • Patches, Uniforms and much more.
PATRIAE MARKETING INC.
1080 34e Ave., Lasalle, QC H8P 3A2
Tel: 514-595-1142 Fax: 514-595-0511
Toll Free: 1-866-595-1142
e-mail: mbiernat@ican.net
Mark Biernat, President AWG Fittings: www.awg-fire.com
Difco Performance Fabrics Inc. is one of North America’s leading manufacturers of flame-resistant fabrics for the protection of firefighters. Difco provides high performance technical fabrics for structural firefighters, wildlands and USAR markets.
PIERCE MANUFACTURING
PO Box 2017, Appleton, WI 54912-2017
Tel: 920-832-3231 Fax: 920-832-3084
website: www.piercemfg.com
Pierce Manufacturing Inc., a subsidiary of Oshkosh Truck Corporation (NYSE: OSK), is the leading North American manufacturer of custom fire apparatus. Products include custom and commercial pumpers, aerials, rescue trucks, wildland trucks, mini-pumpers, elliptical tankers, and homeland security apparatus. In addition, Pierce designs its own foam systems and was the first company to introduce the Side Roll Protection™ System to fire apparatus. To learn more about Pierce, visit http://www.piercemfg.com
POK OF NORTH AMERICA INC.
500 Henry Street, Cambridge, MD 21613
Tel: 410-901-9900 Fax: 410-901-9160
e-mail: info@pokfire.com website: www.pokfire.com
Pete Karlson
POK is a worldwide company in business for over 30 years supplying over 2500 products in the area of firefighting, fire suppression equipment, monitors, nozzles, valves, foam equipment, brackets . . .
PPE SOLUTIONS INC.
207-92 Caplan Avenue, Barrie, ON L4N 0Z7
Fax: 1-877-999-0316
Toll Free: 1-888-999-0316
e-mail: info@PPESolutionsInc.com
website: www.PPESolutionsInc.com
Daryl Kretzschmar -NE Ontario, Jon Balabuck - NW Ontario, Tim Ireland - Niagara, Steve Proctor - Eastern Ontario, John Black - Central/Western Ontario. Ontario Dealer For:STARFIELD-LION - Bunker Gear (Flamefighter, Orbit, Express), Paul Conway Helmets, Protec Coveralls & Station Wear. ANGUS FIRE - Hose (1200, Ultima, Little Big Chief, Red Chief, Hi-Combat, Hi-Vol), Foam (Spitfire, Hi-Combat, Niagara, Alcoseal, Tridol) & Hardware.CET - Portable Fire Pumps & Ground Ladders.NORTHLINE - Adapters, Valves, Suction Hose & Dry Hydrants.ESPRIT ROPES- Rope & Accessories.FIRETAK - Water BackPacks & Portable Water Tanks.
Profire provides service and maintenance for all makes and models of fire and emergency apparatus. We also specialize in mobile service, electrical installations, apparatus refurbishment, insurance repair claims, custom fabrication and parts, foam and equipment sales. In addition to an emergency call out service van Profire has three full-time mobile service vans travelling throughout BC, the Yukon and the Northwest Territories.
When the fire service needs compartment access solutions, you call on the single source industry leader R•O•M Corporation. From introducing roll-up compartment doors to the North American fire service in the 1980s to our brand-new LED compartment lights being introduced in 2010, R•O•M is the recognized innovator in compartment access solutions. With doors, lights, Cargo Trays, Hose Bed Covers and Perfect Match Wet Paint - plus a support staff of eight Territory Managers and a ten-member customer development team - R•O•M is truly your resource partner for Excellence Made to Order.
RESCUE ONE CONNECTOR BOATS
4500 Highway 77, Southside, AL 35907
Tel: 256-325-8966 Fax: 256-442-0219
e-mail: taylor.edge@rescueone.com
Taylor Edge, President
RESQTECH SYSTEMS INC.
189 Bysham Park Drive, Woodstock, ON N4T 1P1
Tel: 519-539-0645 Fax: 519-539-0646
Toll Free: 1-800-363-7370
e-mail: resqtech@resqtech.com
website: www.resqtech.com
Brian Innis
ResQtech’s mission from the outset has been to provide QUALITY products to the fire industry backed by QUALITY people providing QUALITY service. Utilizing 22 years of knowledge and experience in the fire industry, ResQtech is able to provide its customers with a complete line of firefighting solutions that meet their every need.
Rick Ransom, Rotogrip Product Manager Rud Chain, Inc. manufactures ROTOGRIP® Automatic Snow Chain System, especially suited for emergency vehicles. ROTOGRIP® features a proven universal mounting system designed for a wide range of vehicles and suspensions, providing excellent traction on snow and icy roads in forward and reverse, at low speeds (up to 30-mph). The driver can engage the tire chains with just a flip-ofa-switch.
Brian Dunn, Ontario; John Witt, Corporate Office Serving Canada’s Emergency Services Coast To Coast With A Complete Line Of Fire, Rescue, Ambulance and Specialty Emergency Vehicles For Fire, EMS and Police Agencies.
WESTERN CANADA: 30686 - A Matsqui Place, Abbotsford, BC V2T 6L4
Tel: 604-504-4590 Fax: 604-850-2397
Contact: John Witt (President);
EASTERN CANADA: 1775 Meyerside Dr., Units 11 & 12, Mississauga, ON L5T 1E2
Tel: 416-613-2425 Fax: 416-907-3961
Contact: Brian Dunn
SAFETY SOURCE LTD.
518 St. Mary’s St., Unit 1, Fredericton, NB E3A 8H5
Scott SCBA Sales and Service, Snap-Tite Hose, POK Firefighting Equipment, Starfield-Lion Clothing, ISG Thermal Imaging Cameras, Last Chance Rescue Filters, Zoll Defibrilators, Super Vac Ventilation Equipment, Tuff Bult CAFS. Check out our new website or call and request a copy of our 260 page Full Colour Catalogue. Opened our second branch in November 2009 in Halifax.
SALUS MARINE WEAR
283 Duke St. W., Kitchener, ON N2H 3X7
Tel: 705-774-3825 Fax: 519-749-0041
Toll Free: 1-877-418-9998
e-mail: chris@salusmarine.com
OR customerservice@salusmarine.com website: www.salusmarine.com/product/sar
Chris Pettinger
SALUS is an award winning industry leader in the manufacture and supply of recreational PFDs. We also manufacture shore-based, swift water and ice water rescue PFDs for Rescue Professionals. The SAR660 and SAR770 Rescue PFDs feature one-size fits all sizing and are designed to provide quick donning for both large and small personnel. Salus also offers a selection of high end Flotation suits.Please visit our website for details.
SANDS CANADA INC.
PO Box 1752, 300 Central Ave. W., Brockville, ON K6V 6K8
Sani-Gear Fire - A complete NFPA certified independent service provider for cleaning, decontaminate testing, repair and tracking for all makes of bunker gear (turnout gear). 48 hours turn-around time from moment suit arrives at shop. Also full ISO registered. 100% Satisfaction Guarantee.
SCOTT HEALTH & SAFETY
4320 Goldmine Rd., Monroe, NC 28110
Tel: 704-291-8421 Fax: 704-291-8420
e-mail: dmckinney@tycoint.com
website: www.scotthealthsafety.com
Dan McKinney
Scott Health & Safety is a premiere manufacturer of innovative respiratory and other personal protective equipment and safety devices for first responders, industrial workers, police squads, militaries and rescue teams around the world.
SEATS CANADA INC.
1800 Bonhill Road, Mississauga, ON L5T 1C8
Tel: 905-364-5843 Fax: 905-364-7822
e-mail: seatsinfo@seatscanada.com
website: www.seatscanada.com
Hasan Mohammed
We offer a complete line of quality Emergency Vehicle seating for driver, officer, crew, wall mount and jump seats. Engineered for comfort and safety, these seats have easy exit flip-up split headrest and are manufactured in a wide variety of covering material.
SECURITRIM 2002 INC.
129 25, 46th Ave., Ville de Saint-Georges, QC G5Y 5B9
Securitrim 2002 is a specialized supplier of both 3M and Reflexite microprismatic reflective sheeting for commercial and emergency vehicle graphics. Brighter graphics enhance motorist safety and is now mandated by law for Fire apparatus. Securitrim 2002 is marketing
You knew us as Survivair, Securitex and Biosystems. These brands have joined together to create Sperian Fire – A division of Sperian Protection, dedicated to serving the brotherhood of firefighters and EMS professionals. Sperian Fire re-focuses core business units around a single unified vision – to produce high performing respiratory, gas detection and protective gear that firefighters and EMS professionals can depend on.
STC Footwear is a Canadian Manufacturer of NFPA 1971 2007 Edition Structural leather fire fighting boots. Our boots are made in Montreal. They exceed CSA Grade One toe, plate and ESR standards as well as meet the latest NFPA standard. They use Crosstech fabric and the latest Vibram Fire & Ice soles as well as non-metallic puncture proof midsoles.
Robert Hosselet, National Sales Manager; Francesca Solano, Marketing & Merchandising Co-ordinator; Rosanne Kalenuik, Administrative Manager.
Fire Fighter and Emergency Responder Protective Clothing:
• Proudly Canadian made
• Compliant with NFPA, CGSB standards for firefighter clothingWe build:* Bunker Gear
* Fire Retardant Station Clothing* Coveralls
* Wildland Fire Fighting Garments and much more For information on availability or to obtain our full-line catalogue, please contact us today at 1-800-473-5553
Central Canada: David W. Mellor; Atlantic Canada: Bert Fusk, Product Consultant; 20 Clara Drive, Killarney Road, NB E3A 9L5 Tel: 506-458-9463, Fax: 506-458-9463, e-mail: bert@stokes-int.com; Pacific Canada: Mal Wood, Product Consultant, 33066 Whidden Avenue, Mission, BC V2V 2T2 Tel: 604-302-2613, Fax: 604-826-7850, e-mail: mal@stokes-int.com; Quebec: HQ Distribution Inc., Barbara Krzywoszanski, 3551 St. Charles Blvd., Ste. 551, Beaconsfield, QC H9H 3C4 Tel: 514-667-7034, Fax: 514-667-7104, e-mail: barbara@hqdistribution.com
Save 30% to 60% on your SCBA cylinder costs! SCI sells SCBA and high capacity Cascades cylinders directly to Fire Departments through our dealer network. Departments can save up to 60% by purchasing cylinders in this manner. SCI has sold over 3 million cylinders in 33 years with ZERO field service failures and no recalls. Only SCI can claim this stellar safety record. If you are tired of paying too much for spare & replacement cylinders, contact SCI.
Full line of emergency ventilation products including P.P.V., Smoke Ejection, Confined Space and HazMat Units from 8” to 80” in diameter. Also Rescue Saws, Smoke Machines, Tent Heaters and other Accessories.
SVI Trucks is the Fire and Police Industry’s Premier Builder of Custom Rescue, Haz-Mat, Air/Light, Command/Communications, Bomb/Swat Vehicles, and now Fire Rescue Boats. Built on Custom or Commercial Cab/Chassis. SVI Trucks “Limited Only By Your Imagination”.
TASK FORCE TIPS, INC.
3701 Innovation Way, Valparaiso, IN 46383-9327
Tel: 219-462-6161 Fax: 219-464-7155
Toll Free: 1-800-348-2686
e-mail: sales@tft.com website: www.tft.com
Rod Carringer, VP of Sales and Marketing; Jim Menkee, National Sales Mgr.; Brian Podsiadlik, Cdn. Mgr.
We go the extra mile to give you personalized service that is second to none. Technical assistance is available when you need it, from knowledgeable staff with many years of fire service experience. Our helpful sales staff stands ready to assist you, whether its simply to accept your order, quote pricing, or to answer your questions. If its service or repair parts that you need, our service department will help you get to the root of your problem and offer the best solution to meet your needs with 24 hour turn around on all equipment sent back for service. Providing the best service to our customers is not just a goal, it’s our way of doing business every day here at Task Force Tips. Please contact our local authorized Distributor for all your fire suppression needs: K & D Pratt, Ltd. (Maritime and Atlantic) 800-563-9595; ABC Fire and Safety (Winnipeg, MB) 800-665-1250 ; Boivin & Gauvin Inc. (L’Ancienne-Lorette, QC) 800-463-1590; M & L Fire & Safety (Ingleside, ON) 886-445-3473 ; Superior Safety (Thunder Bay, ON) 800-465-6822; Wholesale Fire & Rescue (BC, AB, SK, YT, NWT, NT) 800-561-0400
TOA CANADA CORPORATION
6150 Kennedy Road, Unit 3, Mississauga, ON L5T 2J4
provided by TOA Canada Corporation. TOA is a global leader in the manufacture of premier audio and security products. Known for their durable and reliable product lines, TOA manufactures emergency and crowd control equipment, including Megaphones. To learn more about TOA visit http://www.toacanada.com/products/megaphones.html
TRANS-CARE RESCUE
PO Box 559, Langham, SK S0K 2L0
Tel: 306-283-4496 Fax: 306-283-4456
Toll Free: 1-800-717-RESCU
e-mail: trans.care@sasktel.net
website: www.trans-carerescue.com
Bill McCombs, Sheila McCombs Fire & Rescue Equipment, Sales, Service & Training
ULTRA POLY
35 rue Henri St., Saint-Antoine, NB E4V 1G9
Tel: 506-525-2410 Fax: 506-525-2443
Jean-Marc Goguen
Plastic, water & foam tanks.
UNIFOAM COMPANY LIMITED
5746 Finch Ave., Unit 2, Scarborough, ON M1B 5R2
Tel: 416-335-0514 Fax: 416-335-0515
e-mail: unifoam@total.net
website: www.total.net/~unifoam
George Vestergom Jr.
Manufacture and development of fire fighting foams - Alcohol Resistant, AFFF, Class A, Training Foams as well as Wetting Agents, Foam Control Agents and Fluorosurfactants.
W.S. DARLEY & CO.
325 Spring Lake Drive, Itasca, IL 60143
Tel: 708-345-8050 Fax: 708-345-8993
Toll Free: 1-800-323-0244
e-mail: darley@wsdarley.com
website: www.edarley.com
Paul Darley, President/COO; Peter Darley, COO; James Long; Jim E. Darley, National Sales Mgr.; Michael Whitlaw, Eqpt. Sales
145 Wellington Street W., 8th Floor, Toronto, ON M5J 1H8
Fax: 416-596-4067
Toll Free: 1-800-461-8347
website: www.vfis.com
Kip Cosgrove, Canadian Regional Manager
VFIS is Canada’s largest insurer of Accident & Sickness coverage. We have been protecting Canada’s Heroes since 1991. We have the most comprehensive coverage in Canada.
Complete source for firefighting pumps and equipment. 304 page color catalog featuring turnout gear, hose, nozzles, pumps, EMS, tools and much, much more.
The recognized global leader in wildland fire fighting equipment, Wildfire Group is a full-line manufacturer and distributor with more than a century of industry experience.Perhaps best known for its Mark-3® - the benchmark in portable centrifugal pumps - Wildfire also manufactures high quality slip-ons, backpacks, forestry tools, in line accessories and personnel protective equipment and accessories.Wildfire distributes fire hose, foam, aqueous firefighting gel and many other related products. The company maintains extensive R&D facilities in the U.S. and Canada and has developed a strong international presence. Wildifire’s expertise and commitment to customer service are second to none.
xwave designs, installs and maintains dispatch and communications systems for police, fire and EMS. Our suite of products includes the multi-agency, multi-jurisdictional xwaveCAD™ computer aided dispatch system and our wireless mobile and hand-held applications ROADS™, OnPatrol™, and OnRescue™. As a systems integrator, xwave will also tailor its system to meet the client’s unique requirements.
ZIAMATIC CORP. (ZICO) 10 West College Ave., PO Box 337, Yardley, PA 19067-8337
Ted Ziaylek, Mktg. Mgr. Ziamatic Corp. has been in the fire fighting industry for over 50 years. Manufacturing a wide range of products from SCBA brackets, to ladder racks, to mounting for most loose equipment. For the most current information about Ziamatic Corp. products visit our website at www.Ziamatic.com or call us toll free at 1-800-711-FIRE. Be sure to request a free catalog today.
APPARATUS
ADAPTERS
A.B.C. Fire & Safety
A.J. Stone
Akron Brass Company
Allain Eqpt. Mfg.
Aréo-Fire
C-Max
Canadian Safety Eqpt.
Darch Fire
Dependable
Eldon Fire
Elkhart Brass
Fort Garry
Hastings Brass
Hub Fire Engines
K&D Pratt
Kidde Canada - Angus Fire
Kochek Co., Inc.
M&L Supply
Mercedes Textiles
Metz Fire
Micmac Fire
Northline Coupling
Ontario Fire
POK of N.A.
PPE Solutions Inc.
Profire Emergency
ResQTech Systems
Rocky Mountain
Phoenix
Safetek Emergency
Safety Source
Task Force Tips
W.S. Darley & Co.
Wildfire Group
AERIAL REPAIRS
Aréo-Fire
C-Max
Carl Thibault
Emergency
Carrier Emergency
CET Fire Pumps
Darch Fire
Dependable
E-One, Inc.
Eastway Emergency
Fort Garry
Metz Fire
Ontario Fire
Profire Emergency
ResQTech Systems
Rocky Mountain
Phoenix
Safetek Emergency
AERIAL TESTING
Aréo-Fire
C-Max
Carrier Emergency
CET Fire Pumps
Dependable
Fort Garry
K&D Pratt
Metz Fire
Profire Emergency
ResQTech Systems
Rocky Mountain
Phoenix
Safetek Emergency
AERIALS
A.J. Stone
Allain Eqpt. Mfg.
Aréo-Fire
C-Max
Carl Thibault
Emergency
Carrier Emergency
CET Fire Pumps
Darch Fire
Dependable
E-One, Inc.
Eastway Emergency
Fort Garry
K&D Pratt
Metz Fire
Micmac Fire
Ontario Fire
Pierce Manufacturing
Profire Emergency
ResQTech Systems
Rocky Mountain
Phoenix
Safetek Emergency
Smeal
Sutphen Corp.
AIRBAGS
LifeGuard Technologies
AIRPORT CRASH
TRUCKS
Carrier Emergency
Dependable
E-One, Inc.
Hotshot Fire Trucks
K&D Pratt
Metz Fire
Ontario Fire
Profire Emergency
ResQTech Systems
Rocky Mountain
Phoenix
Safetek Emergency
Safety Source
ALTERNATORS
A.J. Stone
Allain Eqpt. Mfg.
C-Max
Darch Fire
2010 PRODUCT DIRECTORY
Hub Fire Engines
Metalfab
Ontario Fire
Profire Emergency
Rocky Mountain
Phoenix
Safetek Emergency
AMBULANCES
Darch Fire
Dependable
K&D Pratt
Ontario Fire
Profire Emergency
ResQTech Systems
Rocky Mountain
Phoenix
Safetek Emergency
Ziamatic Corp. (ZICO)
AXLES
C-Max
Darch Fire
Dependable
Fort Garry
M&L Supply
Profire Emergency
Rocky Mountain
Phoenix
Safetek Emergency
BACK-UP ALARMS
A.B.C. Fire & Safety
A.J. Stone
Allain Eqpt. Mfg.
C-Max
Darch Fire
Dependable
Eastway Emergency
Fort Garry
Hub Fire Engines
K&D Pratt
Metalfab
Micmac Fire
Ontario Fire
Profire Emergency
ResQTech Systems
Rocky Mountain
Phoenix
Safetek Emergency
Safety Source
Trans-Care
BATTERIES
A.J. Stone
Darch Fire
Profire Emergency
Safetek Emergency
BELLS
C-Max
Darch Fire
Dependable
Fort Garry
K&D Pratt
KS Sirens Inc.
Micmac Fire
Ontario Fire
ResQTech Systems
Rocky Mountain
Phoenix
Safety Source
BOATS
Canadian Safety Eqpt.
M&L Supply
Rocky Mountain
Phoenix
SVI Trucks
BRAKES
C-Max
Darch Fire
Fort Garry
BRUSH TRUCKS
A.J. Stone
Allain Eqpt. Mfg.
CET Fire Pumps
Darch Fire
Dependable
Eastway Emergency
Fort Garry
Hub Fire Engines
K&D Pratt
Metalfab
Metz Fire
Micmac Fire
Ontario Fire
PPE Solutions Inc.
Profire Emergency
ResQTech Systems
Rocky Mountain
Phoenix
Safetek Emergency
Safety Source
CARGO SLIDES/ TRAYS
Darch Fire
Hub Fire Engines
Profire Emergency
R.O.M.
Safetek Emergency
CASES –WATERPROOF
A.J. Stone
Canadian Safety Eqpt.
Darch Fire
M&L Supply
ResQTech Systems
Rocky Mountain
Phoenix
CHASSIS
A.J. Stone
Allain Eqpt. Mfg.
C-Max
Carrier Emergency
Darch Fire
Dependable
Eastway Emergency
Fort Garry
Hub Fire Engines
Metalfab
Ontario Fire
Profire Emergency
ResQTech Systems
Rocky Mountain
Phoenix
Safetek Emergency
Sutphen Corp.
CO2 SYSTEMS
K&D Pratt
Kidde Canada - Angus Fire
M&L Supply
ResQTech Systems
COMMAND POSTS –MOBILE
Allain Eqpt. Mfg.
Aréo-Fire
Canadian Safety Eqpt.
Carrier Emergency
Darch Fire
Dependable
Eastway Emergency
Fort Garry
FSI N.A.
Hub Fire Engines
K&D Pratt
Metalfab
Metz Fire
Micmac Fire
Nova Communications
Ontario Fire
PPE Solutions Inc.
Profire Emergency
ResQTech Systems
Rocky Mountain
Phoenix
Safetek Emergency
SVI Trucks
Trans-Care
COMMUNICATIONS
EQUIPMENT –ON-BOARD
Aréo-Fire
Canadian Safety Eqpt.
FireCom
K&D Pratt
Kenwood Electronics
Mine Safety Appliances
Nova Communications
Omega Communications
Profire Emergency
ResQTech Systems
Rocky Mountain
Phoenix
Safetek Emergency Safety Source
COMPARTMENT
DOORS
Allain Eqpt. Mfg.
C-Max
Darch Fire
Dependable
Eastway Emergency
Fort Garry
Hub Fire Engines
K&D Pratt
Metalfab
Ontario Fire
Profire Emergency
R.O.M.
ResQTech Systems
Rocky Mountain
Phoenix
Safetek Emergency Safety Source
COMPARTMENT
FLOORING
A.J. Stone
Allain Eqpt. Mfg.
Aréo-Fire
C-Max
Darch Fire
Dependable
Eastway Emergency
Fort Garry
Hub Fire Engines
K&D Pratt
Metalfab
Ontario Fire
Profire Emergency
ResQTech Systems
Rocky Mountain
Phoenix
Safetek Emergency Safety Source
COMPARTMENT
LIGHTING
Canadian Safety Eqpt.
Darch Fire
Hub Fire Engines
Metz Fire
Profire Emergency
R.O.M.
Rocky Mountain
Phoenix
Safetek Emergency Safety Source
COMPRESSED AIR FOAM SYSTEMS
A.J. Stone
Allain Eqpt. Mfg.
Aréo-Fire
C-Max
Canadian Safety Eqpt.
Carl Thibault
Emergency
CET Fire Pumps
Darch Fire
Dependable
Fort Garry
Hale Products
Hub Fire Engines
K&D Pratt
M&L Supply
Metalfab
Metz Fire
Ontario Fire
PPE Solutions Inc.
Profire Emergency
ResQTech Systems
Rocky Mountain
Phoenix
Safetek Emergency
Safety Source
Waterous
COMPRESSORS
A.B.C. Fire & Safety
A.J. Stone
Allain Eqpt. Mfg.
Aréo-Fire
Bauer Compressors
C-Max
Canadian Safety Eqpt.
CompAir Canada
Darch Fire
Dependable
Hub Fire Engines
K&D Pratt
M&L Supply
Metalfab
Ontario Fire
Profire Emergency
ResQTech Systems
Rocky Mountain
Phoenix
Safetek Emergency
Safety Source
Scott Health & Safety
Structural Composite
Industries
COMPUTER MOUNTS
Darch Fire
Dependable
Hub Fire Engines
M&L Supply
Nova Communications
Ontario Fire
Profire Emergency
ResQTech Systems
Rocky Mountain
Phoenix
Safetek Emergency
Sands Canada Inc.
COMPUTER SOFTWARE
FDM Software
FirePro 2
M&L Supply
Medteq Solutions
Nova Communications
xwave
COMPUTERS – APPARATUS MOUNTED
Allain Eqpt. Mfg.
Nova Communications
Profire Emergency
ResQTech Systems
Rocky Mountain
Phoenix
Safetek Emergency
CONSULTING – VEHICLE INSPECTION
C-Max
Carrier Emergency
Eastway Emergency
Ontario Fire
Profire Emergency
ResQTech Systems
Rocky Mountain
Phoenix
Safetek Emergency
CORROSION CONTROL
C-Max
Fort Garry
CRIBBING
A.B.C. Fire & Safety
A.J. Stone
Allain Eqpt. Mfg.
C-Max
Canadian Safety Eqpt.
Darch Fire
Dependable
K&D Pratt
M&L Supply
Micmac Fire
Ontario Fire
ResQTech Systems
Rocky Mountain
Phoenix
Safety Source
Trans-Care
W.S. Darley & Co.
DECK MATTING
A.J. Stone
Allain Eqpt. Mfg.
C-Max
Darch Fire
Dependable
Fort Garry
Hazmasters
Hub Fire Engines
K&D Pratt
M&L Supply
Metalfab
Ontario Fire
Profire Emergency
2010 PRODUCTDIRECTORY
ResQTech Systems
Rocky Mountain
Phoenix
Safetek Emergency
Safety Source
DECK MONITORS
A.J. Stone
Akron Brass Company
Allain Eqpt. Mfg.
C-Max
Canadian Safety Eqpt.
Darch Fire
Dependable
Fort Garry
Hub Fire Engines
K&D Pratt
M&L Supply
Metalfab
Micmac Fire
Ontario Fire
POK of N.A.
Profire Emergency
ResQTech Systems
Rocky Mountain
Phoenix
Safetek Emergency
Safety Source
Task Force Tips
DECONTAMINATION SYSTEMS
A.J. Stone
Canadian Safety Eqpt.
Darch Fire
FSI N.A.
Hazmasters
K&D Pratt
Kidde Canada - Angus Fire
M&L Supply
Micmac Fire
Profire Emergency
ResQTech Systems
Rocky Mountain
Phoenix
Safetek Emergency
Safety Source
DETECTION SYSTEMS
Canadian Safety Eqpt.
Hazmasters
Industrial Scientific
K&D Pratt
M&L Supply
ResQTech Systems
Safety Source
DOCK LIGHTS
A.J. Stone
Canadian Safety Eqpt.
Fort Garry
K&D Pratt
M&L Supply
Profire Emergency
Safetek Emergency
Safety Source
DRY CHEMICAL SYSTEMS
A.B.C. Fire & Safety
A.J. Stone
Fort Garry
K&D Pratt
Kidde Canada - Angus Fire
M&L Supply
ResQTech Systems
DUMP VALVES
A.B.C. Fire & Safety
A.J. Stone
Allain Eqpt. Mfg.
Aréo-Fire
C-Max
Canadian Safety Eqpt.
Darch Fire
Dependable
Eastway Emergency
Fort Garry
Hub Fire Engines
K&D Pratt
M&L Supply
Metalfab
Metz Fire
Micmac Fire
Ontario Fire
Profire Emergency
ResQTech Systems
Rocky Mountain
Phoenix
Safetek Emergency
Safety Source
Ziamatic Corp. (ZICO)
ELECTRIC THROTTLES
A.J. Stone
Allain Eqpt. Mfg.
Aréo-Fire C-Max
Darch Fire
Dependable
Eastway Emergency
Fort Garry
Hub Fire Engines
K&D Pratt
M&L Supply
Metalfab
Metz Fire
Micmac Fire
Ontario Fire
Profire Emergency
ResQTech Systems
Rocky Mountain
Phoenix
Safetek Emergency
ELECTRICAL SERVICE/REPAIR
Allain Eqpt. Mfg. C-Max
Carrier Emergency
Darch Fire
Dependable
Eastway Emergency
Metz Fire
Ontario Fire
Profire Emergency
Rocky Mountain
Phoenix
Safetek Emergency
ENGINE BRAKE
C-Max
Darch Fire
Fort Garry
M&L Supply
Ontario Fire
ResQTech Systems
ENGINE GOVERNOR SYSTEMS
A.J. Stone
C-Max
Darch Fire
Fort Garry
M&L Supply
Metalfab
Micmac Fire
Ontario Fire
Profire Emergency
ResQTech Systems
Rocky Mountain
Phoenix
Safetek Emergency
ENGINES
Carrier Emergency
EXHAUST
EXTRACTION
A.J. Stone
Air Technology
K&D Pratt
ResQTech Systems
FITTINGS
A.J. Stone
Akron Brass Company
Allain Eqpt. Mfg.
Aréo-Fire
C-Max
Canadian Safety Eqpt.
Darch Fire
Dependable
Fort Garry
Hub Fire Engines
K&D Pratt
Kidde Canada - Angus Fire
Kochek Co., Inc.
M&L Supply
Metalfab
Micmac Fire
Northline Coupling
Ontario Fire
POK of N.A.
PPE Solutions Inc.
Profire Emergency
ResQTech Systems
Rocky Mountain
Phoenix
Safetek Emergency
FLOORING – NONSKID
A.J. Stone
Dependable
Hub Fire Engines
K&D Pratt
Ontario Fire
Profire Emergency
ResQTech Systems
Safetek Emergency Safety Source
FLOWMETERS
A.B.C. Fire & Safety
A.J. Stone
Akron Brass Company
Allain Eqpt. Mfg.
Aréo-Fire
C-Max
Darch Fire
Dependable
Fort Garry
Hale Products
Hub Fire Engines
K&D Pratt
M&L Supply
Metalfab
Micmac Fire
Ontario Fire
Profire Emergency
ResQTech Systems
Rocky Mountain
Phoenix
Safetek Emergency Safety Source
FOAM SYSTEMS
A.B.C. Fire & Safety
A.J. Stone
Akron Brass Company
Allain Eqpt. Mfg.
Aréo-Fire
C-Max
Canadian Safety Eqpt.
CET Fire Pumps
Darch Fire
Dependable
Fort Garry
Hale Products
Hotshot Fire Trucks
Hub Fire Engines
K&D Pratt
Kidde Canada - Angus Fire
M&L Supply
Mercedes Textiles
Metalfab
Micmac Fire
Ontario Fire
Pierce Manufacturing
Profire Emergency
ResQTech Systems
Rocky Mountain
Phoenix
Safetek Emergency
Safety Source
Super Vacuum
Unifoam Co.
Ziamatic Corp. (ZICO)
Fort Garry
Hub Fire Engines
M&L Supply
Safety Source
Task Force Tips
W.S. Darley & Co.
Waterous
Wildfire Group
FRAME REPAIRS
Allain Eqpt. Mfg.
C-Max
Carrier Emergency
Dependable
Eastway Emergency
Fort Garry
M&L Supply
GENERATOR GOVERNOR SYSTEMS
Allain Eqpt. Mfg.
Dependable
Hub Fire Engines
K&D Pratt
M&L Supply
Micmac Fire
Ontario Fire
Profire Emergency
ResQTech Systems
Safetek Emergency
GENERATORS
A.J. Stone
Akron Brass Company
Allain Eqpt. Mfg.
Canadian Safety Eqpt.
Darch Fire
Dependable
Eastway Emergency
Fort Garry
Hub Fire Engines
K&D Pratt
M&L Supply
Ontario Fire
Profire Emergency
ResQTech Systems
Rocky Mountain
Phoenix
Safetek Emergency
Safety Source
Trans-Care
GROUND LADDER
INSPECTIONS
CET Fire Pumps
Dependable
K&D Pratt
M&L Supply
Profire Emergency
Rocky Mountain
Phoenix
Safetek Emergency
Safety Source
HAZARDOUS MATERIALS UNITS
Aréo-Fire
Dependable
K&D Pratt
M&L Supply
Metz Fire
Micmac Fire
Ontario Fire
Profire Emergency
ResQTech Systems
Rocky Mountain
Phoenix
Safetek Emergency
Safety Source
HEADSETS
A.B.C. Fire & Safety
A.J. Stone
Allain Eqpt. Mfg.
Canadian Safety Eqpt.
Darch Fire FireCom
Hazmasters
K&D Pratt
M&L Supply
Nova Communications
Omega
Communications
Ontario Fire
Profire Emergency
ResQTech Systems
Rocky Mountain
Phoenix
Safetek Emergency
Safety Source
HELICOPTER FIRE FIGHTING SYSTEMS
K&D Pratt
HORNS
A.J. Stone
C-Max
Darch Fire
Dependable
Fort Garry
M&L Supply
Ontario Fire
Profire Emergency
ResQTech Systems
Rocky Mountain
Phoenix
Safetek Emergency
Safety Source
Trans-Care
HOSES & ACCESSORIES
A.B.C. Fire & Safety
A.J. Stone
Allain Eqpt. Mfg.
Aréo-Fire
C-Max
Canadian Safety Eqpt.
Darch Fire
Dependable
Eastway Emergency
Fort Garry
Hub Fire Engines
K&D Pratt
Kidde Canada - Angus Fire
Kochek Co., Inc.
Mercedes Textiles
Micmac Fire
Northline Coupling
Ontario Fire
POK of N.A.
Profire Emergency
ResQTech Systems
Rocky Mountain
Phoenix
Safetek Emergency
Safety Source
W.S. Darley & Co.
Wildfire Group
INDUSTRIAL TRUCKS
– IN-PLANT
Carrier Emergency
CET Fire Pumps
Darch Fire
Dependable
E-One, Inc.
Eastway Emergency
Hotshot Fire Trucks
Hub Fire Engines
K&D Pratt
Micmac Fire
Ontario Fire
Profire Emergency
ResQTech Systems
Rocky Mountain
Phoenix
Safetek Emergency
Safety Source
INSTRUMENT PANELS
Allain Eqpt. Mfg.
Aréo-Fire
C-Max
Darch Fire
M&L Supply
Profire Emergency
ResQTech Systems
Rocky Mountain
Phoenix
Safetek Emergency
INTERCOMS
A.J. Stone
Allain Eqpt. Mfg.
C-Max
Darch Fire
FireCom
Hub Fire Engines
K&D Pratt
M&L Supply
Mine Safety Appliances
Nova Communications
Omega
Communications
Ontario Fire
Profire Emergency
ResQTech Systems
Rocky Mountain
Phoenix
Safetek Emergency
Safety Source
Trans-Care
INTERFACE VEHICLES
Darch Fire
Fort Garry
Hub Fire Engines
K&D Pratt
Metalfab
Profire Emergency
ResQTech Systems
Rocky Mountain
Phoenix
Safetek Emergency
Safety Source
LADDER ACCESS SYSTEM
A.J. Stone
Allain Eqpt. Mfg.
C-Max
Canadian Safety Eqpt.
Fort Garry
Hub Fire Engines
K&D Pratt
Metalfab
Micmac Fire
Ontario Fire
Profire Emergency
ResQTech Systems
Safetek Emergency
Ziamatic Corp. (ZICO)
LDH HARDWARE
A.B.C. Fire & Safety
A.J. Stone
Allain Eqpt. Mfg.
C-Max
Darch Fire
Fort Garry
Hub Fire Engines
Kidde Canada - Angus Fire
Kochek Co., Inc.
M&L Supply
Mercedes Textiles
Metz Fire
Micmac Fire
Northline Coupling
Ontario Fire
POK of N.A.
PPE Solutions Inc.
Profire Emergency
ResQTech Systems
Rocky Mountain
Phoenix
Safetek Emergency
Safety Source
Task Force Tips
W.S. Darley & Co.
Ziamatic Corp. (ZICO)
LEASE/PURCHASE FINANCING
A.J. Stone
Allain Eqpt. Mfg.
Carrier Emergency
Darch Fire
Dependable
E-One, Inc.
Eastway Emergency
Fort Garry
M&L Supply
Profire Emergency
ResQTech Systems
Rocky Mountain
Phoenix
Safetek Emergency
Safety Source
LIGHT CONTROL SYSTEMS
A.J. Stone
Aréo-Fire
C-Max
Canadian Safety Eqpt.
Fort Garry
K&D Pratt
M&L Supply
Metalfab
Profire Emergency
ResQTech Systems
Rocky Mountain
Phoenix
Safetek Emergency
Safety Source
LIGHTS – BARS/ STROBES
A.B.C. Fire & Safety
A.J. Stone
Akron Brass Company
Allain Eqpt. Mfg.
Aréo-Fire C-Max
Canadian Safety Eqpt.
Carrier Emergency
Darch Fire
Dependable
Eastway Emergency
Fort Garry
Hub Fire Engines
K&D Pratt
KS Sirens Inc.
M&L Supply
Metalfab
Micmac Fire
Ontario Fire
Profire Emergency
ResQTech Systems
Rocky Mountain
Phoenix
Safetek Emergency
Safety Source
Trans-Care
W.S. Darley & Co.
LIGHTS – FLOOD
A.B.C. Fire & Safety
A.J. Stone
Allain Eqpt. Mfg.
Aréo-Fire
C-Max
Canadian Safety Eqpt.
Command Light
Corporate Security
Darch Fire
Dependable
Eastway Emergency
Fort Garry
Hub Fire Engines
K&D Pratt
M&L Supply
Metalfab
Micmac Fire
Ontario Fire
Profire Emergency
ResQTech Systems
Rocky Mountain
Phoenix
Safetek Emergency
Safety Source
Super Vacuum
Trans-Care
Ziamatic Corp. (ZICO)
LIGHTS – WARNING
A.B.C. Fire & Safety
A.J. Stone
Akron Brass Company
Allain Eqpt. Mfg.
Aréo-Fire
C-Max
Canadian Safety Eqpt.
Darch Fire
Dependable
Eastway Emergency
Federal Signal
Fort Garry
Hub Fire Engines
K&D Pratt
M&L Supply
Metalfab
Micmac Fire
Ontario Fire
Profire Emergency
ResQTech Systems
Rocky Mountain
Phoenix
Safetek Emergency
Safety Source
Trans-Care
W.S. Darley & Co.
MASTS, TELESCOPING
A.J. Stone
Allain Eqpt. Mfg.
Aréo-Fire
C-Max
Command Light
Darch Fire
Dependable
Fort Garry
Hub Fire Engines
K&D Pratt
M&L Supply
Micmac Fire
Ontario Fire
Profire Emergency
ResQTech Systems
Rocky Mountain
Phoenix
Safetek Emergency
Safety Source
Super Vacuum
Trans-Care
MINI-PUMPERS
A.J. Stone
Allain Eqpt. Mfg.
Aréo-Fire
Carl Thibault
Emergency
Carrier Emergency
CET Fire Pumps
Darch Fire
Dependable
Eastway Emergency
Fort Garry
Hotshot Fire Trucks
Hub Fire Engines
K&D Pratt
M&L Supply
Metalfab
Metz Fire
Darch Fire
SVI Trucks
Ziamatic Corp. (ZICO)
Dependable
Micmac Fire
Ontario Fire
Pierce Manufacturing
Profire Emergency
ResQTech Systems
Rocky Mountain Phoenix
Safetek Emergency
Safety Source
MONITORS
A.B.C. Fire & Safety
A.J. Stone
Akron Brass Company
Allain Eqpt. Mfg.
Aréo-Fire
C-Max
Canadian Safety Eqpt.
Darch Fire
Dependable
Eastway Emergency
Fort Garry
Hazmasters
Hub Fire Engines
K&D Pratt
Kidde Canada - Angus Fire
M&L Supply
Micmac Fire
Ontario Fire
POK of N.A.
Profire Emergency
ResQTech Systems
Rocky Mountain Phoenix
Safetek Emergency
Safety Source
Task Force Tips
N.D.T. INSPECTIONS
C-Max
CET Fire Pumps
Profire Emergency
Rocky Mountain Phoenix
Safetek Emergency
PEDESTALS –COMPUTER & RADIO
Nova Communications
Rocky Mountain Phoenix
PIPED-IN WATERWAYS
Darch Fire
Dependable
Fort Garry
K&D Pratt
M&L Supply
Ontario Fire
Profire Emergency
ResQTech Systems
Rocky Mountain Phoenix
Safetek Emergency
PORTABLE
EXTINGUISHERS
A.B.C. Fire & Safety
A.J. Stone
Aréo-Fire
C-Max
Canadian Safety Eqpt.
Dependable
Fort Garry
Hazmasters
K&D Pratt
Kidde Canada - Angus Fire
M&L Supply
Micmac Fire
Ontario Fire
Profire Emergency
ResQTech Systems
Rocky Mountain Phoenix
Safetek Emergency
Safety Source
PORTABLE MONITORS
A.B.C. Fire & Safety
A.J. Stone
Akron Brass Company
Allain Eqpt. Mfg.
Aréo-Fire
C-Max
Canadian Safety Eqpt.
Darch Fire
Dependable
Fort Garry
Hazmasters
Hub Fire Engines
Industrial Scientific
K&D Pratt
Kidde Canada - Angus Fire
M&L Supply
Micmac Fire
Ontario Fire
POK of N.A.
Profire Emergency
ResQTech Systems
Rocky Mountain Phoenix
Safetek Emergency
Safety Source
Scott Health & Safety
Task Force Tips
PUMP ACCESSORIES
A.B.C. Fire & Safety
A.J. Stone
Akron Brass Company
Allain Eqpt. Mfg.
Aréo-Fire
C-Max
Darch Fire
Dependable
Eastway Emergency
Fort Garry
Hale Products
Hotshot Fire Trucks
Hub Fire Engines
K&D Pratt
M&L Supply
Metalfab
Metz Fire
Micmac Fire
Ontario Fire
Profire Emergency
ResQTech Systems
Rocky Mountain
Phoenix
Safetek Emergency
Safety Source
Waterous
2010 PRODUCTDIRECTORY
PUMP SERVICE & TESTING
Allain Eqpt. Mfg.
Aréo-Fire
C-Max
Carrier Emergency
Darch Fire
Dependable
Eastway Emergency
Fort Garry
Hotshot Fire Trucks
Hub Fire Engines
Metalfab
Metz Fire
Midwest Fire
Ontario Fire
Profire Emergency
ResQTech Systems
Rocky Mountain Phoenix
Safetek Emergency
Wildfire Group
PUMPERS
A.J. Stone
Allain Eqpt. Mfg.
Aréo-Fire
Canadian Safety Eqpt.
Carrier Emergency
Darch Fire
Dependable
E-One, Inc.
Eastway Emergency
Fort Garry
Hotshot Fire Trucks
Hub Fire Engines
K&D Pratt
M&L Supply
Metalfab
Metz Fire
Micmac Fire
Midwest Fire
Ontario Fire
Pierce Manufacturing
Profire Emergency
ResQTech Systems
Rocky Mountain Phoenix
Safetek Emergency
Safety Source
Smeal
Sutphen Corp.
SVI Trucks
PUMPS – PORTABLE
A.B.C. Fire & Safety
A.J. Stone
Allain Eqpt. Mfg.
Aréo-Fire
C-Max
Canadian Safety Eqpt.
Carrier Emergency
CET Fire Pumps
Darch Fire
Dependable
Eastway Emergency
Fort Garry
Hale Products
Hub Fire Engines
K&D Pratt
Kidde Canada - Angus Fire
Mercedes Textiles
Metz Fire
Micmac Fire
Ontario Fire
PPE Solutions Inc.
Profire Emergency
ResQTech Systems
Rocky Mountain
Phoenix
Safetek Emergency
Safety Source
Trans-Care
W.S. Darley & Co.
Waterous
Wildfire Group
PUMPS
A.B.C. Fire & Safety
A.J. Stone
Allain Eqpt. Mfg.
Aréo-Fire
C-Max
Canadian Safety Eqpt.
Carl Thibault
Emergency
Carrier Emergency
Darch Fire
Dependable
Eastway Emergency
Fort Garry
Hale Products
Hotshot Fire Trucks
Hub Fire Engines
K&D Pratt
M&L Supply
Metalfab
Micmac Fire
Ontario Fire
Profire Emergency
ResQTech Systems
Rocky Mountain
Phoenix
Safetek Emergency
Safety Source
W.S. Darley & Co.
Waterous
Wildfire Group
REELS – ELECTRICAL
A.J. Stone
Akron Brass Company
Allain Eqpt. Mfg.
Aréo-Fire
C-Max
Canadian Safety Eqpt.
CET Fire Pumps
Code 4 Fire
Darch Fire
Dependable
Eastway Emergency
Fort Garry
Hub Fire Engines
K&D Pratt
Metalfab
Metz Fire
Micmac Fire
Ontario Fire
Profire Emergency
ResQTech Systems
Rocky Mountain
Phoenix
Safetek Emergency
Safety Source
Wildfire Group
REELS – HOSE
A.B.C. Fire & Safety
A.J. Stone
Akron Brass Company
Allain Eqpt. Mfg.
Aréo-Fire
C-Max
Canadian Safety Eqpt.
CET Fire Pumps
Code 4 Fire
Darch Fire
Dependable
Fort Garry
Hub Fire Engines
K&D Pratt
Kidde Canada - Angus Fire
M&L Supply
Mercedes Textiles
Metalfab
Metz Fire
Micmac Fire
Ontario Fire
POK of N.A.
Profire Emergency
ResQTech Systems
Rocky Mountain Phoenix
Safetek Emergency
Safety Source
Wildfire Group
REFLECTIVE TAPE & MARKINGS
A.B.C. Fire & Safety
A.J. Stone
Allain Eqpt. Mfg.
Aréo-Fire
C-Max
Canadian Safety Eqpt.
Darch Fire
Dependable
Fort Garry
Hazmasters
K&D Pratt
M&L Supply
Micmac Fire
Ontario Fire
Patchman, The Profire Emergency
ResQTech Systems
Rocky Mountain Phoenix
Safetek Emergency
Safety Source
Securitrim 2002
REFURBISHING
Allain Eqpt. Mfg.
C-Max
Carrier Emergency
CET Fire Pumps
Dependable
E-One, Inc.
Eastway Emergency
Fort Garry
Hotshot Fire Trucks
Hub Fire Engines
Metalfab
Metz Fire
Ontario Fire
Profire Emergency
ResQTech Systems
Rocky Mountain Phoenix
Safetek Emergency
SVI Trucks
RESCUES
A.J. Stone
Allain Eqpt. Mfg.
Carl Thibault Emergency
Carrier Emergency
CET Fire Pumps
Darch Fire
Dependable
E-One, Inc.
Eastway Emergency
Fort Garry
Hotshot Fire Trucks
Hub Fire Engines
K&D Pratt
M&L Supply
Metalfab
Metz Fire
Micmac Fire
Ontario Fire
Pierce Manufacturing
Profire Emergency
ResQTech Systems
Rocky Mountain Phoenix
Safetek Emergency
Safety Source
Sutphen Corp.
SVI Trucks
ROLL-UP DOORS
Allain Eqpt. Mfg.
C-Max
Darch Fire
Dependable
Eastway Emergency
Fort Garry
Hub Fire Engines
K&D Pratt
M&L Supply
Metalfab
Metz Fire
Ontario Fire
POK of N.A.
Profire Emergency
R.O.M.
ResQTech Systems
Rocky Mountain Phoenix
Safetek Emergency
Safety Source
ROLLOVER
PROTECTION
LifeGuard Technologies
SALVAGE TRUCKS
Allain Eqpt. Mfg.
Carrier Emergency
Darch Fire
Dependable
Eastway Emergency
Fort Garry
K&D Pratt
Metalfab
Ontario Fire
Profire Emergency
ResQTech Systems
Rocky Mountain
Phoenix
Safetek Emergency
SVI Trucks
2010 PRODUCTDIRECTORY
SCBA BRACKETS
A.B.C. Fire & Safety
A.J. Stone
Allain Eqpt. Mfg.
Aréo-Fire C-Max
Canadian Safety Eqpt.
Darch Fire
Dependable
E.S. Safety Systems
Eastway Emergency
Fort Garry
Hazmasters
Hub Fire Engines
K&D Pratt
LifeGuard Technologies
M&L Supply
Metz Fire
Micmac Fire
Ontario Fire
Profire Emergency
ResQTech Systems
Rocky Mountain Phoenix
Safetek Emergency
Safety Source
Trans-Care
W.S. Darley & Co.
Ziamatic Corp. (ZICO)
SEATING
A.B.C. Fire & Safety
A.J. Stone
Allain Eqpt. Mfg.
Aréo-Fire C-Max
Canadian Safety Eqpt.
Carrier Emergency
Darch Fire
Dependable
Eastway Emergency
Fort Garry
Hub Fire Engines
K&D Pratt
M&L Supply
Micmac Fire
Ontario Fire
Profire Emergency
ResQTech Systems
Rocky Mountain Phoenix
Safetek Emergency
Safety Source
Seats Canada
Trans-Care
Ziamatic Corp. (ZICO)
SIRENS
A.B.C. Fire & Safety
A.J. Stone
Allain Eqpt. Mfg.
Aréo-Fire
C-Max
Canadian Safety Eqpt.
Darch Fire
Dependable
Eastway Emergency
Federal Signal
Fort Garry
Hub Fire Engines
K&D Pratt
M&L Supply
Micmac Fire
Ontario Fire
Profire Emergency
ResQTech Systems
Rocky Mountain Phoenix
Safetek Emergency
Safety Source
Trans-Care
W.S. Darley & Co.
SKID UNITS
A.B.C. Fire & Safety
A.J. Stone
Allain Eqpt. Mfg.
Aréo-Fire
C-Max
Carrier Emergency
CET Fire Pumps
Darch Fire
Dependable
E-One, Inc.
Eastway Emergency
Fort Garry
Hale Products
Hub Fire Engines
K&D Pratt
M&L Supply
Metalfab
Metz Fire
Micmac Fire
Ontario Fire
Profire Emergency
ResQTech Systems
Rocky Mountain Phoenix
Safetek Emergency
Safety Source
W.S. Darley & Co.
Wildfire Group
SPEAKERS – EARLY
WARNING SYSTEMS
Darch Fire
K&D Pratt
M&L Supply
Ontario Fire
Profire Emergency
ResQTech Systems
Rocky Mountain Phoenix
Safetek Emergency
SPEAKERS
A.B.C. Fire & Safety
A.J. Stone
Allain Eqpt. Mfg.
C-Max
Darch Fire
Dependable
Eastway Emergency
Fort Garry
Hub Fire Engines
K&D Pratt
M&L Supply
Metalfab
Micmac Fire
Ontario Fire
Profire Emergency
ResQTech Systems
Rocky Mountain Phoenix
Safetek Emergency
Safety Source
STEP CHOCKS
A.J. Stone
Allain Eqpt. Mfg.
Aréo-Fire
C-Max
Canadian Safety Eqpt.
Darch Fire
Dependable
Fort Garry
K&D Pratt
M&L Supply
Micmac Fire
Ontario Fire
Profire Emergency
ResQTech Systems
Rocky Mountain Phoenix
Safetek Emergency
Safety Source
Trans-Care
STOP & GO LIGHTS
Aréo-Fire
Canadian Safety Eqpt.
Darch Fire
Dependable
K&D Pratt
Ontario Fire
Profire Emergency
ResQTech Systems
Rocky Mountain Phoenix
Safetek Emergency
STRAINERS
A.B.C. Fire & Safety
A.J. Stone
Akron Brass Company
Allain Eqpt. Mfg.
Aréo-Fire
C-Max
Canadian Safety Eqpt.
Darch Fire
Dependable
Eastway Emergency
Fort Garry
Hale Products
Hub Fire Engines
K&D Pratt
Kidde Canada - Angus Fire
Kochek Co., Inc.
M&L Supply
Metalfab
Micmac Fire
Northline Coupling
Ontario Fire
POK of N.A.
Profire Emergency
ResQTech Systems
Rocky Mountain Phoenix
Safetek Emergency
Safety Source
Task Force Tips
W.S. Darley & Co.
Wildfire Group
Ziamatic Corp. (ZICO)
SUSPENSION
SYSTEMS
Carrier Emergency
TANKERS
A.J. Stone
Allain Eqpt. Mfg.
Carl Thibault Emergency
Carrier Emergency
CET Fire Pumps
Darch Fire
Dependable
E-One, Inc.
Eastway Emergency
Fort Garry
Hotshot Fire Trucks
Hub Fire Engines
K&D Pratt
M&L Supply
Metalfab
Micmac Fire
Midwest Fire
Ontario Fire
Pierce Manufacturing
Profire Emergency
ResQTech Systems
Rocky Mountain Phoenix
Safetek Emergency
Smeal
TANKS
A.J. Stone
Allain Eqpt. Mfg.
Aréo-Fire
C-Max
Canadian Safety Eqpt.
Carl Thibault Emergency
Carrier Emergency
CET Fire Pumps
Darch Fire
Dependable
Eastway Emergency
Fort Garry
FSI N.A.
Hale Products
Hotshot Fire Trucks
Hub Fire Engines
K&D Pratt
M&L Supply
Metalfab
Micmac Fire
Ontario Fire
Profire Emergency
ResQTech Systems
Rocky Mountain Phoenix
Safetek Emergency
Safety Source
Trans-Care
Ultra Poly
Wildfire Group
TIRE CHAINS –AUTOMATIC
Allain Eqpt. Mfg.
Carrier Emergency
Darch Fire
Dependable
Fort Garry
Hub Fire Engines
K&D Pratt
Metalfab
Onspot
Ontario Fire
Profire Emergency
Rocky Mountain Phoenix
Rud Chain Inc.
Safetek Emergency
TIRES
Ontario Fire
TRAILERS
Allain Eqpt. Mfg.
Aréo-Fire
Dependable
FSI N.A.
Hazmasters
K&D Pratt
M&L Supply
Ontario Fire
Profire Emergency
ResQTech Systems
Rocky Mountain Phoenix
Safetek Emergency
Trans-Care
TRANSMISSIONS
Allain Eqpt. Mfg.
Carrier Emergency
TRUCK FINISHES
Allain Eqpt. Mfg.
Carrier Emergency
Dependable
Eastway Emergency
Hub Fire Engines
Profire Emergency
Safetek Emergency
TRUCK SERVICE
& REPAIR
A.J. Stone
Allain Eqpt. Mfg.
Aréo-Fire
C-Max
Carrier Emergency
Darch Fire
Dependable
Eastway Emergency
Fort Garry
Hotshot Fire Trucks
Hub Fire Engines
Metalfab
Ontario Fire
Profire Emergency
ResQTech Systems
Rocky Mountain Phoenix
Safetek Emergency
TURRETS – BUMPER
A.J. Stone
Akron Brass Company
Allain Eqpt. Mfg.
C-Max
Darch Fire
Fort Garry
Hub Fire Engines
K&D Pratt
Kidde Canada - Angus
Fire
M&L Supply
Metalfab
Micmac Fire
Ontario Fire
Profire Emergency
ResQTech Systems
Rocky Mountain Phoenix
Safetek Emergency Safety Source
TURRETS – ROOF
A.J. Stone
Akron Brass Company
Allain Eqpt. Mfg.
C-Max
Darch Fire
Fort Garry
K&D Pratt
Kidde Canada - Angus Fire
M&L Supply
Metalfab
Micmac Fire
Ontario Fire
POK of N.A.
Profire Emergency
ResQTech Systems
Rocky Mountain Phoenix
Safetek Emergency Safety Source
USED APPARATUS
A.J. Stone
Allain Eqpt. Mfg.
Carrier Emergency
CET Fire Pumps
Darch Fire
Dependable
Eastway Emergency
Fort Garry
Hotshot Fire Trucks
Hub Fire Engines
K&D Pratt
Metalfab
Ontario Fire
Profire Emergency
ResQTech Systems
Rocky Mountain Phoenix
Safetek Emergency Safety Source
VALVES
A.B.C. Fire & Safety
A.J. Stone
Akron Brass Company
Allain Eqpt. Mfg.
Aréo-Fire C-Max
Canadian Safety Eqpt.
Carrier Emergency
Darch Fire
Dependable
Eastway Emergency
Fort Garry
Hale Products
Hastings Brass
Hub Fire Engines
K&D Pratt
Kidde Canada - Angus Fire
Kochek Co., Inc.
M&L Supply
Metalfab
Micmac Fire
Metalfab
Trans-Care
ResQTech Systems
POK of N.A.
Northline Coupling
Ontario Fire
POK of N.A.
Profire Emergency
ResQTech Systems
Rocky Mountain
Phoenix
Safetek Emergency
Safety Source
Task Force Tips
W.S. Darley & Co.
Waterous Wildfire Group
VEHICLE ACCESSORIES
A.B.C. Fire & Safety
A.J. Stone
Aréo-Fire
C-Max
Carrier Emergency
Darch Fire
Dependable
E.S. Safety Systems
Fort Garry
Hub Fire Engines
K&D Pratt
Metalfab
Ontario Fire
Profire Emergency
ResQTech Systems
Rocky Mountain
Phoenix
Rud Chain Inc.
Safetek Emergency
Safety Source
Trans-Care
W.S. Darley & Co.
Ziamatic Corp. (ZICO)
VEHICLE CONSOLES
C-Max
Darch Fire
Dependable
Eastway Emergency
Fort Garry
Hub Fire Engines
Metalfab
Nova Communications
Ontario Fire
Profire Emergency
ResQTech Systems
Rocky Mountain
Phoenix
Safetek Emergency
Trans-Care
VEHICLE UPFITTING
Allain Eqpt. Mfg.
C-Max
Darch Fire
Dependable
Hotshot Fire Trucks
Hub Fire Engines
M&L Supply
Metalfab
Ontario Fire
Profire Emergency
ResQTech Systems
Rocky Mountain
WATER/FOAM
AIRCRAFT
Aréo-Fire
Dependable
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I’ll admit it; it’s an obsession, maybe even an addiction. I am a news junkie. I can’t pass a newspaper stand without at least glancing at the headlines. If CNN is on, good luck getting my attention. And although my passion for information has served me well over the years in terms of my education, it may not seem relevant for a firefighter to be able to rattle off facts and figures of current events like a walking Wikipedia (I’ve been called worse, by the way).
But international affairs are relevant to Canada, and to the Canadian fire service because they offer insight into scenarios that might happen: they prepare us for the unthinkable. Let me give you a few examples and then I’ll just change a few details:
June 23, 1985, Air India Flight 182
We all remember this, but do we all appreciate its significance? Air India flight 182 was blown up over the North Atlantic in Irish air space by a bomb placed in a suitcase in the cargo hold. Sikh separatists, living in British Columbia, who felt they had a grievance against the Indian government, decided that the way to deal with this was to bring down two Air India planes nearly simultaneously over two locations across the globe. The second plane was spared, at the expense of the life of two Japanese baggage handlers, when that bomb exploded early.
Why is this significant? The world was shocked by the attacks on 9-11. But it is not generally recognized that a greater portion of the population of Canada was killed in the Air India bombing than the portion of the population of the U.S. killed on Sept. 11, 2001. Ken MacQueen and John Geddes wrote in Maclean’s that “The date, June 23, 1985, is not seared into the nation’s soul. The events of that day snuffed out hundreds of innocent lives and altered the destinies of thousands more, but it neither shook the foundations of government, nor transformed its policies. It was not, in the main, even officially acknowledged as an act of terrorism.”
Dec. 21, 1988, Pan Am Flight 103
This incident serves to remind us that although the Earth’s surface is 71 per cent ocean, this leaves 29 per cent solid ground for airplanes to fall onto. We live, work, play and fight fires on the solid ground part.
Last August, the world watched in disgust and bewilderment as the perpetrator of this mass murder, a former Libyan intelligence officer and head of security for Libyan Arab Airlines, was released from a Scottish prison on compassionate grounds on the basis that he had only months to live before succumbing to cancer. He was subsequently received with much fanfare by Libyan president Muammar Gaddafi, a spectacle that generated international condemnation and scorn (like that seems to matter).
Which brings us to current events – the attempted destruction of a Northwest Airlines Airbus A-330 on final descent into Detroit by a man who had planted a bomb in his underpants and achieved only “chestnuts roasting on an open fire.”
This is extremely important for us to understand – the flight path of this Amsterdam to Detroit route goes directly across the most heavily populated corridor in Canada. This plane could have come down, depending on variations in the flight path due to wind conditions, in
We have a need to know what is going on in the world, because the world is getting smaller and tighter by the minute. ‘‘ ’’
Pan Am’s third daily flight from London’s Heathrow to New York’s JFK was destroyed in mid-air by a bomb, killing 259 passengers and crew on the plane and 11 people on the ground in and around the town of Lockerbie in southern Scotland. I wonder if any of us can imagine the horror of that scene, especially considering how totally unexpected it would have been to the innocent people of Lockerbie.
Retired District Chief Peter Sells writes, speaks and consults on fire service management and professional development across North America and internationally. He holds a B.Sc. from the University of Toronto and an MBA from the University of Windsor. He sits on the advisory councils of the Ontario Fire College and the Institution of Fire Engineers, Canada branch.
Windsor, Sarnia, London, the Waterloo region, the Greater Toronto Area, Ottawa, Montreal or Quebec City. Similarly, Pan Am 103 could have rained down onto St. John’s, Charlottetown, Moncton or Halifax. Not to minimize or in any way qualify the Lockerbie tragedy, but one disgruntled Nigerian extremist could easily have killed hundreds, if not thousands of Canadians along with himself and the rest of the people on Northwest 253. You don’t have to be a genius to put a bomb in your shorts.
We have a need to know what is going on in the world, because the world is getting smaller and tighter by the minute. Politics, religion, poverty, aggression and fanaticism all have the potential to literally land in our backyards at a moment’s notice. Every fire service needs to have a plan, co-ordinated with our partners in police and EMS, for response to mass casualty incidents of the type that I have described above.
The sky is falling! The sky is falling! Are you ready?
