Fire Watch (Spring 2014) by Toronto Professional Fire Fighters' Association

HALL SHOWCASE ON STATION 112 VOLUME 10 | ISSUE 1 | SPRING 2014

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THE OFFICIAL PUBLICATION OF THE TORONTO PROFESSIONAL FIRE FIGHTERS’ ASSOCIATION

VOLUME 10

ISSUE 1

SPRING 2014

IN THIS ISSUE 24

President’s Message

Secretary-Treasurer’s Message

Vice President’s Message

Chaplain’s Corner

Letters to the Editor

Demographics & Statistics

The Boston Brotherhood

Fire Fighter Survival & Rescue

Tindog Tacloban

Executive Talk

An Afternoon of Honour & Privilege

Member Profile on Vincent Prachett

FIRE WATCH (ISSN 1715-5134) is published quarterly by the TORONTO PROFESSIONAL FIRE FIGHTERS’ ASSOCIATION 39 Commissioners Street, Toronto, ON Canada M5A 1A6 Tel: 416.466.1167 www.torontofirefighters.org E-mail: firewatch@torontofirefighters.org

Never Shall We Forget

Yellowknife Fire Department

Hall Showcase on Station 112

CHIEF EDITOR Ed Kennedy

Behind the Mask

MANAGING EDITORS Frank Ramagnano & James Coones Tel.: 416.466.1167 Fax: 416.466.6632 E-mail: firewatch@torontofirefighters.org

Fit to Survive

3888 Recent Happenings

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ASSISTANT EDITORS Marla Friebe, Rodney Johnston, Janos Csepreghi, Bill McKee, Damien Walsh DESIGN AND ART DIRECTION Bryan Middleton

HA LL SH OW CA SE ON STATIO N 112 VOLUME 10 | ISSUE 1 | SPRING 2014

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Toronto Fire Watch’s highly anticipated annual TPFFA demographics issue with a wealth of interesting statistics!

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All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, or otherwise without prior written permission from the publisher. FIRE WATCH is an official communication tool of the Toronto Professional Fire Fighters’ Association. The Toronto Professional Fire Fighters’ Association (TPFFA) does not assume responsibility for statements of fact or opinion made by any contributor. Comments made by individuals may not reflect the official position of the TPFFA. Acceptance and publication of articles, advertisements, products and services does not indicate endorsement of same by the TPFFA, and the TPFFA assumes no responsibility for their accuracy.

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PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE TIME TO

FIGHT BACK!!!

e are truly entering a period in the history of the Toronto Professional Fire Fighters’ Association where it seems we can expect a constant attack on the progress we, and others before us, have made in the service that we provide the public, as well as the wages, benefits and working conditions that we have achieved over many years. At the municipal level, we have experienced a fire station closing, four trucks removed from service and staffing decreases in what seems like a mad rush to cut all City services. At the provincial level, the recent election saw Tim Hudak’s Conservatives present a serious threat to our very livelihood, but fortunately, through the efforts of many of our members, we were able to help prevent that from coming to fruition. It seems that we may have to continuously fight against unfair and ill thought out plans that are being proposed by governments at all levels. I have established our ‘Fight Back’ Committee, consisting of Executive Officers, Stewards and various members from the floor, to assist in planning a clear and consistent response to the above challenges. We have appointed a City Hall Liaison - former OPFFA President, Mark McKinnon, who will focus his attention on City Hall and all areas of the City to build relationships with Councillors and their staff, as we head into this crucial municipal election. I believe we simply must continue to educate City politicians and staff about our issues and the sound arguments we provide around them. We will push to have staffing issues, the removal of trucks from service and reduced response capabilities become election issues this fall. We will continue to present our concerns in the public realm through every means possible. We will

be utilizing every resource available to us through our parent organization, the IAFF, who have pledged to provide assistance to our Local. This past January, with the acquiescence of our Fire Chief/General Manager, City Councillors voted to permanently remove four front line pumpers from service. The stations affected are: 213, 215, 413 and 424. They are also redeploying crews: P224 to new Stn. 221, and R426 to Stn. 346, which is the CNE station. It is a sad commentary on the present fire service leadership and some Councillors that the Toronto Fire Service has allowed service to slip back to pre-amalgamation levels even as our population has grown by over 300,000 people and our city experiences unprecedented growth. It is simply disingenuous to assert that these vehicles were rarely used and that technological improvements can assist with response times, as an excuse for taking needed vehicles out of service. As a matter of fact, these so called ‘technological’ advancements are not even purchased yet and will have to be instituted on a trial basis over a number of years. All this, to save taxpayers what amounts to just over 2 cents per day. Thus, it seems obvious that it is more about a prevalent neo-conservative ideology to downsize municipal services and attack public sector unions, than about saving money for the citizens of Toronto. This focus on downsizing is gambling with the safety of Torontonians, as well as the fire fighters who protect them. I am pleased that the results of the recent provincial election on June 12th saw Tim Hudak’s Conservative party go down to a resounding defeat, given his announcement that 100,000 public service jobs would have been slashed. Mr. Hudak had clearly targeted fire

Ed Kennedy

fighters in his plans to reduce the public sector, freeze wages and decimate our pensions and benefits. It is our fair and independent arbitration system that allows us to negotiate as an equal with management. The former Conservative government under Mike Harris tampered with the system and we would have seen even more negative changes if the Hudak Conservatives had been successful. We can all be proud of what we have fought hard to achieve and will continue to fight to preserve. This fall’s municipal election will be a crucial time for us to promote issues of public safety and strong City services that the citizens of Toronto expect to receive. We will not allow any further erosion of our fire service that compromises the safety of the public and fire fighters without a fight. As we said throughout the provincial election - there is too much at stake. These are difficult times for us but we will not go down without a fight. We will push long and hard to maintain what we have gained through many years of negotiations, arbitrations and work on presumptive legislation that protects our members and their families. I hope and expect that when we call on the membership, you will respond positively when we need your assistance and participation. We can only succeed if we remain united and work together.

Ed Kennedy President, Toronto Professional Fire Fighters’ Association, I.A.F.F. Local 3888

SPRING 2 0 1 4 | FIRE WATCH

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n 2013, OMERS marked 50 years of providing a secure, defined benefit pension plan for workers in Ontario’s municipal sector and is now one of Canada’s largest pension funds with $65.1 billion in net assets. Both OMERS members and their employers make contributions to the Plan in equal amounts. Nearly one in every 20 employees working in the province of Ontario is an OMERS member. OMERS provides pension administration for 440,000 members. The OMERS Primary Pension Plan concluded 2013 with a 6.5% gross return (6.0% net); $4 billion investment income; total net assets of $65.1 billion; a drop in the deficit from $9.9 billion to $8.6 billion; and an improvement in the funded status of the Plan from 85.6% to 88.2%. OMERS remain on track to eliminate the funding deficit within the next 10 to15 years. OMERS collected $3.5 billion in contributions from employers and plan members, and paid out $2.9 billion in benefits to a retired population that expanded by 5,370 to 130,000 pensioners. With accrued pension benefits of $73.0 billion, the funding deficit was reduced by $1.3 billion to $8.6 billion, due to higher actuarial asset values, higher contribution rates and lower inflation. Decisions to make changes to the OMERS Plans are made by the OMERS Sponsors Corporation (SC). The SC is responsible for designing the pension plan – setting benefit levels and contribution rates. I sit on the SC Board, representing the OPFFA. The SC contemplates these decisions under its annual Specified Plan Change (SPC) process, which is laid out in By-Law #12, with all decisions being decided by the SC Board. Under the OMERS Act, 2006, plan changes must be approved by a two-thirds majority vote of the SC Board. Alternatively, decisions can be sent to mediation/ arbitration by a simple majority. At its June 25th meeting, the OMERS Sponsors Corporation considered the eight Specified Plan Change (SPC) proposals that were tabled this year and approved the proposed change in contribution rates.

Six of the SPC proposals did not receive the necessary two-thirds support of the SC Board and failed. The NRA 60 - Police Civilians proposal was withdrawn by its proponent. None of the SPC proposals were referred to arbitration. The newly approved contribution rates fully reflect the new methodology and result in a 0.1% reduction in the (Normal Retirement Age) NRA 60 contribution rates, with no change to the NRA 65 contribution rates. In 2012, the SC approved a methodology for allocating the overall contributions into the four rates (for each NRA and earnings above/below the CPP earnings limit). As part of the approach, the SC approved interim contribution rates with a commitment to fully implement the new methodology by January 1, 2015. The contribution rates effective January 1, 2015 are as follows: NRA 60 NRA 65 Below CPP 9.2% 9.0% earnings limit Above CPP earnings limit

15.8%

14.6%

The difference between the blended NRA 60 contribution rate and the blended NRA 65 contribution rate will be set equal to the sum of the following: • The estimated difference in cost associated with differences in the NRA 65 and NRA 60 benefits (Benefit Cost Differential) • The estimated difference in cost associated with the difference in assumed future salary increases (including the “3/6/9” service related salary increases) used for the NRA 65 group versus that used for the NRA 60 group; • 50% of any remaining difference in the blended normal cost rates of the two groups which is not explained by the factors above (Non Benefit Cost Differential) The contribution rates above and below the Years’ Maximum Pensionable Earnings (YMPE) will be determined on an actuarial

Frank Ramagnano

basis (based on periodic contribution rate studies by the OAC actuary), for each of the NRA groups independently. We’re all invested in the pension debate and that’s why I believe it is important to provide you with the facts and knowledge of how the plan is doing and how a DB plan works. The following five quick facts about Defined Benefits can be used anytime you are engaged in a discussion on public pension plan: • Investment returns, not taxes, pay the lion’s share of public sector pensions. For OMERS it’s 70 cents on the dollar. • 45-55% of retirees without DB pensions rely on taxpayer-funded Guaranteed Income Supplement (GIS) payments; only 10-15% of DB retirees get GIS. • Ontario DB retirees spend $27 billion a year, buying goods and services and creating jobs. They pay $3 billion in income taxes. • The average OMERS pension for a newly retired pensioner is $28,300. • DB plans provide the security of a lifetime income that you can predict well in advance of your retirement. Our pension is deferred salary; it is what allows us to continue to maintain in retirement, a lifestyle we have come to enjoy while working. It was gratifying that the pension issue was a point of discussion in the recent provincial election.

Frank Ramagnano Secretary - Treasurer, Toronto Professional Fire Fighters’ Association I.A.F.F. Local 3888 SPRING 2 0 1 4 | FIRE WATCH

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t has been a challenging time for our profession these last few months; both here in our city and across North America. Our own loss of four frontline trucks came at the hands of a dysfunctional, splintered Council with no direction or leadership. That enabled the City Manager to have his way with the budget agenda and make decisions with little public input. Previous Council allies turned their back in pursuit of their own pet causes. We learned some valuable lessons and will fight back with every resource at our disposal. The City’s recent announcement of a $160M surplus is clear evidence that claims of a financially troubled city are nonsense - we must continue to fight back! There have been questions as to whether we could have done more. Secondguessing occurs naturally when an undesired outcome becomes reality. We have had successes and now must deal with this setback and move forward. While we have been involved in our own public battle here in Toronto, there have been similar skirmishes breaking out in many jurisdictions. While we were going through our own budget woes, as many as 20 other fire services in the province were going under the knife, as well as countless others across North America. The go-to move to balance a city budget seems to be to reduce the number of frontline fire fighters. Short sighted planning that puts lives at risk; the public we serve and our own. On April 30th, at a press conference held at Station 314, Premier Wynne announced expansion to the regulations of our presumptive legislation, which added six additional cancers, including breast, testicular and multiple myeloma immediately to the list of illnesses included in this legislation. Prostate, lung and skin cancer will be phased in by 2017, with retroactivity back to 1960. This is a significant achievement for the future security of our members who fall ill. This expanded coverage has been our top legislative priority at Queen’s Park since the initial introduction in 2007. It

has taken considerable lobbying efforts in co-operation with the OPFFA and all of our fellow Ontario locals. We can be proud of this achievement and now look forward to future legislative gains for fire fighters, as we will continue to lobby a government that understands and respects the work you do. The provincial election on June 12th was a game changer for Ontario’s fire fighters and the entire public service. That’s not an overstatement. Tim Hudak had made it very clear that he would strip away your right to a fair arbitration system if he had his way; you would have also likely said goodbye to your defined benefit pension plan and had a much less secure plan waiting for you upon your retirement. Tim Hudak had also vowed to cut 100,000 public service jobs. I can’t understand why any party would strive to promote an agenda that sought to alienate so many hard working people in our province and discount their value but I’m certainly grateful that Ontarians didn’t buy what the Conservative party was selling. To the hundreds of members from all Divisions, our Stewards, FirePAC Committee and Executive Board, we must acknowledge your hard work, selflessness and leadership throughout this difficult campaign. As we know, Toronto is a critical beachhead in a provincial election and our members helped to stem the tide and ensure that those who were elected would be understanding of our issues. And now, after enduring three and a half years of carving up this city’s fire service, this fall’s municipal election will set the stage for either another ride on the gravy train to crazy town or some stability and vision for the sake of the city’s residents and services. Every week seems to bring another question as to how things will unfold at the municipal level on October 27th. One could certainly never call municipal politics dull after the year we have just endured. I look forward to working closely with our new City Hall liaison, Mark McKinnon. Mark brings with him a wealth

Damien Walsh

of knowledge and experience in municipal governance, as he served as a Councillor in Whitby for nine years, as well as his many years with the OPFFA. Mark’s expertise will be a great asset to our Association and help us raise our level of involvement as we head into this critical election on October 27th. At the recent Canadian Labour Congress convention, representatives of organized labour from across the country met to discuss the current situation and implement a strategy to stop the attacks on the working class. One of the main themes promoted to move forward was the principle that there can be fairness for all when we work together. Every union, association or organized group of labour is made up of regular Canadian people, all trying to make a dignified, secure future for themselves and their family. We all benefit when people work toward that goal. The CLC has created a series of media messages that I encourage all of our members to seek out. They have been posted on our social media pages and can be found at: ttp://www.youtube.com/ h watch?v=nhInxpMMqk0 Please take the time to educate yourself and talk about your future - our future. We will need everyone to contribute. I look forward to seeing many of you on the campaign trail as we head into this critical period in our future. Stay safe!

Damien Walsh, Vice President, Toronto Professional Fire Fighters’ Association I.A.F.F. Local 3888 SPRING 2 0 1 4 | FIRE WATCH

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he story is told of a young man with an old soul. In search of a more satisfying life, where answers to questions are more readily available, the young man makes his way to Europe; Italy in particular. Living modestly, and quite dependent on the kindness of strangers, the young man launched himself head first into the sights and delights of the country. Beginning amid the canals of Venice, he meandered throughout the country’s metropolitan cities and relaxed countryside villages. One morning, upon being awoken by the baying of a mule, for he had slept the previous night in the barn of a kindly famer, the young man found himself wondering about just how much life he would be afforded to live before it would end. Idle curiosity turned to zeal, and with it came the belief that although he did not know the answer to such a question, others surely must! Late one afternoon, sitting on the edge of a piazza, the young man found himself sharing a table, and a bottle of red wine, with the parish priest. With considerable effort on both their parts, for neither knew the other’s language, the cleric and the traveller conversed away the hours until the sun set. Moments before Father Agapito departed, the young man asked about who might help him learn of his mortality. Without so much as a moment’s thought, the priest offered that a certain order of monks had devoted their lives to the study of such queries and that their community was close by. The young man bid farewell to the priest and the place of their acquaintance, as he departed in search of enlightenment. Arriving at the Abbey a few hours later, the young man is immediately made to feel welcome.

After having been a resident for a while, one of the elder monks takes the visitor aside and asks him why he has chosen to stay. The young man replies, “I’m told that you and your brothers are wise in the ways of life and death, and so I wish to know something important to my spirit…when I shall die? Will you tell me?” The elder monk thinks a while and then responds “I will tell you - I will tell you when your spirit is ready. For now, find your purpose, and live it with passion! A few years later, the man has put down deep roots in the community and is becoming actively involved in its common

life. He is a teacher to the blind orphan children of whom the monks have opened their hearts and their home. Notwithstanding his numerous contributions and rising status within the abbey, the young fellow is increasingly anxious to have an answer to his inquiry. And so he locates the learned monk and asks, “Brother, I wish to know when I shall die. Will you tell me?” The senior monk looks kindly at him and replies “I will tell you - I will tell you

Rev. David King

North COMMAND Rev. David King (416) 723-8375 g_david_king@yahoo.ca when your spirit is ready. For now, find your purpose, and live it with passion!” And with those words spoken, he hurries away. Five years pass, and then ten more. More satisfied with his life, but still desperate for a response to his question, the man tracks down the monk and asks it anew. And again the monk answers, “I will tell you - I will tell you when your spirit is ready. For now, find your purpose, and live it with passion!” Similar scenes continue to unfold over some 30 years, until one day when the young man is no longer young, but rather is aged and is breathing his last breaths. As if by a miracle, the learned monk appears at the man’s bedside, crouches down, and speaking in a whispered voice says, “Your spirit is ready…you shall die tonight.” Distressed at the news that his life’s journey is to end so abruptly, the man asks the monk, “Could you not have told me this before now?” “I could have,” came the reply. “Then why didn’t you?” implores the now old man. The monk replies, “What was your purpose?” “I taught the blind to see without their eyes.” “Did you do this with passion?” asked the monk. “Oh yes, indeed.” “I am so very pleased for you, my son. For our task is to live well until we die, not to die well before we live.” I pray that such a simple truth might be known by you and those who share your life. SPRING 2 0 1 4 | FIRE WATCH 11

ANOTHER SUCCESSFUL MDC FUNDRAISING YEAR!

FUN FAIR BOUNCER DONATION Thank you so much for arranging the fire truck bouncer for our school’s fun fair on June 11, 2014. Golf Rd. JPS, located on the northwest corner of Scarborough Golf Club Road and Lawrence Avenue, has approximately 330 students Grades JK- 6. Monies raised at the event will be used to enhance school activities and curriculum, as determined by the School Council and School Staff. This school year, our wish list included subsidies for school trips, monies for a future kindergarten play space, two new iPads and operational costs for next year’s fun fair and family movie nights. Acknowledgement of your contribution to our event will be made in the school newsletter. Again, we thank you on behalf of the children and families in the Golf Rd. JPS community.

On behalf of Muscular Dystrophy Canada and the thousands of Canadians affected, congratulations on another successful year in carrying on an important IAFF tradition, the tradition of supporting families affected by muscular dystrophy. Last year, Canadian IAFF members raised $1.425 million. We are pleased to inform you that the combined efforts of 50 Ontario Associations contributed $470,073 to that incredible total. To date, Ontario Locals have raised more than $14 million for those affected with muscular dystrophy. We are very fortunate to be affiliated with the International Association of Fire Fighters and the Ontario Professional Fire Fighters Association and value this longstanding

partnership. As a small token of appreciation for your support last year, please find enclosed a certificate of appreciation from IAFF General President, Harold Schaitberger, Canadian Fire Fighters have played a significant role for those affected since 1954, as it was then that the IAFF pledged their support, saying they would be there until a cure is found. Congratulations and thank you. We are so proud to be affiliated with you and have such a unique partnership and hope you will continue this time honoured tradition. Fire Fighters are making a difference; One MUSCLE at a time. Together, we are stronger. Best Regards, Pamela Musgrave Senior Regional Manager

I just wanted to send an email thanking you and the Toronto Fire Fighters on behalf of the organizing committee for everything you did to make “Ignite the Fire” happen. It was a great basketball game and a very successful event and we couldn’t have done it without your support. I also wanted to thank you for your generous donation of $500 to the campaign for students. This was an exciting surprise and it was much appreciated. We are hoping to make this an annual event, so I will send your contact information along to next year’s planners and hopefully you can take home the title once again! Thanks again for everything, Emily Burgess

GRATEFUL FOR PLAQUE DEDICATION On behalf of the Stockman family, I would like to thank you for your efforts to coordinate the memorial ceremony for my Dad, District Chief John Stockman, on June 6, 2014. The ceremony was moving and the plaque is beautiful. I am certain that my Dad would be honoured to know that the plaque is on display at Fire Station #123. We were overwhelmed by the kindness and hospitality that were extended to us by the crew on duty that day. My nephews, in particular, appreciated the opportunity to tour the hall, don bunker gear, and learn about the equipment. Once again, we are truly grateful to have been embraced by the Toronto Professional Fire Fighters’ Association. Sincerely, Erin Stockman-Murphy

Sincerely, Ms. Ruweida Hassan-Bismilla Principal

THANK YOU NORTH CITY GENERAL You never know how important a good broker or insurance company is until you need them. Recently, I was involved in a car accident and found out first hand. Although this was an emotional and trying time for my family and me, I can’t say enough about the compassion I experienced from Wanda DunnDzuba (North City General) and Christine Post (Aviva). Immediately, they took control of my claim and worked together seamlessly at managing all of my needs, allowing me to focus on my recovery. In the weeks to follow, they reached out to ensure that I was utilizing all of the support services available to me, as well as showing genuine concern. I feel they surpassed all of my expectations. I’m not sure what kind of experience you may have had with your insurance broker/company but I wanted to share my story. I would also like to thank everyone who sent flowers, emails, phoned or stopped in to visit me during my recovery; it meant a lot to know that my work family was thinking of me!

RETIREMENT PARTY A PLEASANT SURPRISE On behalf of my girlfriend and myself, I would like to thank you and the others that put together our retirement dinner and dance last Friday night. We were pleasantly surprised at how nice the evening was. It was evident, that a lot of thought and effort was put into the evening for the retirees and their families. The dinner, gifts and the overall program were very much appreciated. Thank you very much! Gary Christensen

Julie Frost

“IGNITE THE FIRE” CHARITY BASKETBALL GAME

S P R I N G 2 0 1 4 | F I R E WAT CH 12

RETIREMENT PARTY THANK YOU Thank you very much for putting on such a great retirement party. My wife and I enjoyed it totally. I’ve been retired a year today, so I guess I’m no longer a rookie pensioner. It seems like I left only a very short time ago, certainly not a year. It was good to see the guys again and you made our send-off very special.

I was very surprised at the limited edition print we all received. That was an awesome gift. It reminds me of the part of the job that fire fighters do unofficially for their community, without fanfare or requiring lights and sirens - just while you were “on the air in district.” Sincerely, Don Hayes

SPRING 2 0 1 4 | FIRE WATCH 13

Toronto Fire Services Staff Complement By Rank (As of March 2014)

MANAGEMENT/ EXCLUDING STAFF/ LOCAL 79

TOTAL

FIREFIGHTERS

Fire Prevention and Public Education

142

176

Communications

Information and Communication Systems

Administrative Services

42.8*

50.8

Mechanical Maintenance

509

2,693

7**

96.8

3,126.8

Professional Development and Training Special Projects and Emergency Plan Operations

2,100

Policy, Project and Public Information

CAPTAINS

DISTRICT CHIEFS

DIVISION

Senior Management Offices

2,358

592

1 P314 4,192 4,581 4,777 2 P332 4,041 4,341 4,448 3 P313 3,671 3,610 3,400 4 R325 3,370 3,495 3,762 5 P312 3,039 2,891 3,247 6 P325 2,830 2,635 3,095 7 P331 2,794 2,953 2,883 8 P333 2,739 2,803 2,865 9 P132 2,736 2,689 3,060 10 P232 2,726 2,526 2,832 11 P315 2,682 2,835 3,088 12 R426 2,635 2,865 3,115 13 P114 2,610 2,665 2,935 14 R231 2,575 2,643 2,915 15 P146 2,568 2,409 2,562 16 P223 2,542 2,526 2,656 17 P142 2,493 2,444 2,800 18 R112 2,489 2,365 2,641 19 P344 2,467 2,632 2,654 20 P442 2,461 2,505 2,816 21 P143 2,421 2,230 2,333 22 R134 2,377 2,453 2,560 23 P222 2,257 2,141 2,446 24 P324 2,243 2,366 2,268 25 P141 2,234 2,153 2,302 26 R225 2,212 2,253 2,265 27 P145 2,211 1,960 2,065 28 P443 2,199 2,271 2,519 29 P433 2,161 2,355 2,471 30 R421 2,154 2,154 2,337 31 P234 2,152 2,427 2,502 32 R345 2,151 2,171 2,405 33 P311 2,122 2,103 2,163 34 R133 2,112 1,729 2,210 35 P445 2,105 2,165 2,262 36 R441 2,098 1,972 2,075 37 P135 2,090 1,906 2,063 38 P415 2,086 2,008 2,253 39 R341 2,042 1,876 2,360 40 P323 2,033 2,037 2,215 41 P226 2,014 1,881 2,087 42 R413 1,963 2,033 2,238 43 P322 1,960 2,017 2,147 44 R235 1,957 1,952 2,162

2011 Runs

2012 Runs

2013 Runs

Apparatus

2013 Rank

2011 Runs

2012 Runs

2013 Runs

Apparatus

2013 Rank

Pumpers/Rescue Pumpers

45 P245 1,949 1,797 2,028 46 R115 1,945 2,101 2,108 47 R411 1,935 1,887 1,949 48 R224 1,894 1,826 1,818 49 R243 1,891 1,754 1,919 50 P334 1,890 1,946 2,059 51 P426 1,865 1,944 2,367 52 P113 1,842 1,515 1,568 53 R122 1,830 1,556 1,584 54 R423 1,798 1,838 1,962 55 P116 1,773 1,682 1,677 56 P121 1,766 1,638 1,706 57 P111 1,749 1,645 1,743 58 P244 1,743 1,676 1,937 59 P343 1,723 1,755 1,823 60 P131 1,688 1,176 1,307 61 P413 1,657 1,353 1,676 62 P431 1,625 1,549 1,637 63 P233 1,612 1,716 1,882 64 P242 1,588 1,594 1,675 65 R444 1,552 1,534 1,682 66 P125 1,548 1,422 1,426 67 R435 1,522 1,541 1,754 68 R321 1,513 1,301 1,377 69 P342 1,476 1,527 1,639 70 P432 1,473 1,243 1,289 71 P123 1,467 1,493 1,565 72 P422 1,406 1,364 1,420 73 R425 1,369 1,245 1,312 74 P213 1,358 1,308 1,690 75 P212 1,345 1,431 1,491 76 R326 1,322 1,332 1,354 77 P227 1,319 1,275 1,466 78 P424 1,319 1,286 1,350 79 R434 1,300 1,172 1,254 80 R241 1,297 1,477 1,487 81 P224 1,168 1,049 1,259 82 R214 1,165 1,158 1,219 83 R412 1,108 1,184 1,257 84 P215 1,099 914 1,087 85 P211 952 936 961 86 P335 129 138 130 87 V335 70 77 72 88 P346 n/a 28

Note: Based on approved positions as reflected in the 2014 operating budget and organizational chart. * Includes 0.5 management position (shared position with EMS) and summer students totaling 2.3 FTE’s ** Includes Administrative Assistant at Chief Sales’s Office

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SPRING 2 0 1 4 | FIRE WATCH 15

2 HZ332 2,090 1,577 1,066 3 HZ145 2,037 1,663

970

4 CMD10 258

261

271

5 LA421 250

236

251

6 LA333 198

219

187

7 FB334 156

168

185

8 LA114 153

169

139

9 LA231 146

150

162

10 CMD30 111

119

126

11 TRS235 18

12 WT211 7

28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36

4 7 9 6 5 8 9 8 4

2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013

Average Age 45.9 46.0 46.3 46.6 46.9 46.7 Average Years of Service 17.4 17.5 17.6 17.9 18.1 17.7 Average Age when starting 31.7 30.7 30.6 28.3 31.4 30.1 Average age when retiring 56.1 56.3 56.8 56.9 58.6 57.7 Average sevice when retiring 30.4 30.5 31.6 29.3 32.0 30 Operations Captain Average Age 52.9 53.3 53.9 53.9 54.4 54.7 Captain Avg Years of Service 28.0 28.3 28.6 28.5 28.9 29.1 DC Average Age 58.2 57.4 57.6 56.8 57.1 56.9 DC Avg Years of Service 3.8 33.7 33.8 33.2 33.1 32.6

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

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

Left TFS

3 4 8 10 6 10 7 4 5 2 1

# of District Chief per each Service Year

52 53 54 55 56 57 58 59 60 61 62

District Chief Years of Service

# of District Chiefs each age

1 0 18 77 79 51 74 51 47 24 41 37 11 14 3 3 1 1

Age of District Chiefs

22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39

# of Members

1 HR332 3,746 3,499 3,410

1 0 7 15 30 31 42 47 57 58 57 52 49 26 22 17 10 4 4 5

Start Date

2011 Runs

2012 Runs

2013 Runs

Speciality and Support

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

# of Captains per each Service Year

5 S445 1,906 1,601 1,389

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

Captain Years of Service

4 S143 2,246 2,011 1,814

0-1 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 40

# of Captains each age

3 S331 2,301 1,992 1,668

1 6 11 17 25 30 38 43 52 41 40 44 41 42 64 48 55 77 91 89 87 86 115 102 111 115 132 152 154 149 149 148 137 120 97 102 66 49 33 29 14 12 10 3 1 1 1 1

Age of Captains

22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 40 41 42 43 44 45 46 47 48 49 50 51 52 53 54 55 56 57 58 59 60 61 62 63 64 65 66 67 68 69

# of Members each Service Year

2 S232 2,475 2,011 1,726

# of Members each age

Age of 3888 Members

2011 Runs

2012 Runs

2013 Runs

Apparatus

2013 Rank

1 S313 3,066 2,776 2,384

Apparatus

2,632 2,299 2,319 1,946 1,918 1,934 1,718 1,708 1,803 1,511 1,464 1,513 1,475 1,477 1,326 1,226 1,414 1,427 1,176 1,150 1,130 1,308 991 1,021 908 794 1,021 1,147 928 720

2013 Rank

1 A312 2,638 2,542 2 A325 2,501 2,381 3 A142 2,058 2,136 4 T114 2,044 1,776 5 A231 1,815 1,729 6 A222 1,762 1,733 7 T331 1,743 1,673 8 A315 1,633 1,793 9 A244 1,624 1,479 10 A131 1,580 1,525 11 T333 1,481 1,586 12 A133 1,319 1,434 13 A322 1,303 1,287 14 A113 1,295 1,622 15 A441 1,283 1,182 16 A213 1,217 1,160 17 A226 1,217 1,356 18 A426 1,209 1,419 19 A135 1,205 1,003 20 PL415 1,165 1,083 21 PL432 1,134 1,100 22 A421 1,044 1,211 23 A433 998 919 24 A345 974 1,059 25 A324 968 954 26 A321 921 700 27 A423 826 945 28 A341 819 1,014 29 A411 810 784 30 A215 729 660

Heavy Squads 2011 Runs

2012 Runs

2013 Runs

Apparatus

2013 Rank

Aerials/Platforms/Towers

Years of Service 3888 Members

Demographics and Statistics...Continued from page 15

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

* This chart is produced from data on record January 1, 2014 374 members can retiree without a penality as of this date. 278 are over 50 years old with at least 30 years service and 96 are 50 with an 85 factor.

Note: Based on Information provided by TFS

SPRING 2 0 1 4 | FIRE WATCH

replacement, SCBA, HUSAR equipment, a predictive modelling tool and training simulator rehabilitation. Other cross-divisional capital projects

Demographics and Statistics...Continued from page 17

2013 Vehicle Runs by Command

2012 Vehicle Runs by Command

new TFS Fleet purchases. for total gross operating budget. total expenditures. Prevention staff which will bewhich will beAfter accounting After accounting for total gross operating budget. total expenditures. Prevention staff and benefits, With less than 8% less of the budget utilized as part of an as initiative salaries and benefits, With than 8% of the budget utilized part oftoan initiativesalaries to A breakdown of the 2013 capital discretionary spending available for discretionary On-going budget pressure develop and implement a prodiscretionary spending available for discretionary On-going budget pressure develop and implement a probase budget is illustrated below. 7.4% of to 7.4% of spending TFSspending faces ongoing resulted in the elimination inspection amounted TFS faces ongoing resulted in the eliminationactive, risk based active, risk based inspection amounted to actual gross operating challenges tochallenges ensure ourto ensure ourof 18 union and 3 non-union program in 2014. actual gross operating of 18 union and 3 non-union program in 2014. budget spending financial resources areresources allocatedare allocated positions as part of theas 2013 budget spending financial positions part of the 2013 as efficientlyas asefficiently possible. as possible.budget process; however service budget process; however service

Fire Services 2013 Capital Base Budget

Command 1 Command 2 Command 3 Command 4

Total

271,423

Fire Services 2013 Net Opera3ng Budget-‐Actuals by Service

$397,212.9

Communica&ons and Opera&onal Support 7.6%

Professional Development and Mechanical Support 6.4%

61,641 54,457 92,126 56,388

2011 Runs

2012 Runs

District Chief Cars & Platoon Chiefs 81.2% 3.9% 7.6% 6.4% 0.8% 100.0%

2 C31 4,048 3,857 3,798 3 C13 3,035 2,753 2,860 5 C11 2,376 1,900 1,826 6 C14 2,375 2,220 2,380

Fire Preven&on and Public Safety 3.9%

7 C34 2,366 2,335 2,220 Opera&ons 81.2%

8 C23 2,138 1,903 1,839 9 C41 1,988 1,890 1,794

Gross Gross Salaries and Benefits Salaries and Benefits $383,890.0 $383,890.04 92.6% Materials and Supplies $9,112.2 2.2% Materials and Supplies $9112.2 Equipment $906.1 0.2% Services and Rents $4,654.5 1.1% Equipment $906.1 Contribution to Reserves $8,927.8 2.2% Services and Rents $4654.5 Interdepartmental Charges $7,114.4 1.7% Other $11.9 0.0% 414,616.94 Contribution to Reserves $8927.8 100.0% Interdepartmental Charges $7114.4 Other $11.9 Fire Services 2013 Gross Opera3ng Budget-‐Actuals by Expenditure Type $414,616.94 Services and Rents 1.1% Equipment 0.2%

Contribu&on to Reserves 2.2%

Inter-‐Departmental Charges 1.7%

Materials and Supplies 2.2% Salaries and Beneﬁts 92.6%

10 C22 1,887 1,644 1,683 11 C42 1,872 1,843 1,889 12 C44 1,577 1,480 1,474

15 C12 850 1,782 1,613

Fire Services Net Operating Budget Budget Fire2013 Services 2013 Net Operating Actuals byActuals Serviceby Service

Materials Supplies and Supplies 2.2%andMaterials Equipment 0.2% Equipment Services andServices Rents and Rents 1.1% Contribution to Reserves to Reserves 2.2% Contribution Inter-Departmental Charges 2.2% Inter-Departmental Charges Salaries and Benefits 92.6% Salaries and Benefits

3.9% Fire Prevention Public Safety 3.9% Fireand Prevention and Public Safety 7.6% Communications and Operational 7.6% Communications andSupport Operational Support 6.4% Professional DevelopmentDevelopment and Mechanical 6.4% Professional and Mechanical Support Support 0.9% Headquarters 0.9% Headquarters 81.2% Operations 81.2% Operations

scheduled during scheduledto to be be replaced replaced during the thesame sametime time frame. frame. TFS investigating TFSisisalso alsoactively actively investigating thefeasibility feasibility of constructing the constructing whatare areknown known as “Store what “Store Front”fire firestations stations in Front” in an aneffort effort keeppace pace with with Toronto’s totokeep Toronto’s rapidgrowth. growth. rapid

Store Front stations Store Front firefire stations are are non-traditional facilities non-traditional facilities that that are are constructed as part of larger constructed as part of larger development projects. development projects. The The benefit of Store Front stations benefit of Store Front stations is is that they areare potentially costcost that they potentially neutral forfor municipalities to to neutral municipalities construct. Maintenance costs construct. Maintenance costs are also minimized through long long are also minimized through Toronto Fire Toronto ServicesFire – 2013 Annual Report Services – 2013 Annual Report term lease agreements. term lease agreements. 27

2012 – 2013 TFS Response Statistics (at time of dispatch – CAD Data) Apparatus Dispatch Summary

Apparatus Dispatch Summary

% of Change from % of 2012-2013 Change from Total Total 2012-2013 Check Call 3,677 4,408 1.62% 20% Check Call 3,677 4,332 4,408 1.60% 1.62% Carbon Monoxide 4,184 4% 20% Wires Down OperationsWires Performance Carbon 4,184 41,146 4,332 15.16% 1.60% Down Fire Monoxide 38,230 8% 4% Call Check Water Problem Turnout time, road response Call Check There is a direct correlation A 5% improvement in turnout Fire Monthly performance statistics 38,230 41,146 15.16% Fire Alarm Ringing 110,775 127,050 46.80% 15% 8% Water Problem Vehicle Monoxide between road response time and totalIncident response time time Carbon and total time complianceFire are noted in the chart below. 127,050 Alarm Ringing 110,775 46.80% Gas Leak 6,716 7,271 2.68% 8% 15% VehicleVehicle IncidentFire Carbon Monoxide Fire for 2013, over theGas and the degree are key performance indicators was targeted Operations crews were HazLeak Mat 2,201 0.76% -7% of 6,716 2,051 7,271 time 2.68% 8% Vehicle Fire Fire Suspicious Substance Island 340 296 -13% -7% Haz Matsuccessful in meeting the 2,201 2,051 0.11% 0.76% congestion (KPIs) for the Operations traffic 2012 results. The target for travel Suspicious Substance Rescue Lake turnout time target, but fell 57 39 -32%-13% 340 296 0.01% 0.11% Division. Response targets time was to maintain the 2012 Island Medical 68,824 -27%-32% Police Assist Rescue Lake 57 49,98539 18.41% 0.01% are contained in National benchmark compliance of 80%. short in achieving the travel Mutual Aid 10 1 0.00% -90%-27% Medical 68,824 18.41% Emergency PoliceNon Assist Fire Protection Association time and total time goals. Two 49,985 Non Emergency* – 889 1 0.33% –-90% Mutual Aid 0.00% Mutual Non Emergency (NFPA)Aid 1710, “Standard for the extreme in10 Police Assist weather events 354 342 0.13% -3% – Non Emergency* – 889 0.33% Medical and Deployment Organization July and December resulted in Mutual Aid Rescue 6,846 20% -3% Police Assist 354 8,230342 3.03% 0.13% of FireLake Suppression Operations, significantly lower compliance Suspicious Substance 266 250 0.09% -6% Medical Rescue 6,846 8,230 3.03% 20% Island Medical Operations Vehicleresults Fire for both months. 3,056 3,023 1.11% -1% Emergency Lake Suspicious Substance 266 250 0.09% -6% Vehicle Incident 14,879 16,195 5.97% 9% Haz Mat and Special Operations Island Vehicle Fire 3,056 2,096 3,023 0.77% 1.11% -1% Water Problem 1,304 61% to the Public by Career Vehicle Incident 14,879 16,195 1.43% 5.97% 9% Haz Mat Gas Leak Wires Down 1,120 3,870 246% Fire Departments”. Fire Alarm Ringing Water 1,304 271,474 2,096 0.77% 61% Total: Problem 262,840 Gas Leak Event Type

Event Type

Capital Base Budget

Fire Alarm Ringing 2013 Annual Report – Toronto Fire Services

2013 Annual Report – Toronto Fire Services

Benchmark

Target

16 C21 826 795

858

Improve 2012 Turnout Time Compliance (1:20) by 5%

17 C10 131 143

106

Travel Time (4:00)

18 C40 106 108

100

19 C30 94

144

126

20 C20 94

114

126

2012

2013

2012

2013

Wires 1,120 3,870 in1.43% * A newDown call type, “Non Emergency” was implemented 2013 Total: 262,840 271,474

* A new call type, “Non Emergency” was implemented in 2013

2012 Jan Compliance 32%

Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul* Aug Sep

Oct

Nov Dec**

30% 40% 47% 46% 46% 47% 49% 47% 47% 45% 42%

48%

Maintain 2012 80 % 79% 75% 80% 79% 77% 78% 73% 77% 78% 76% 76% 60% Compliance Improve 2012 Total Time Compliance 79% 78% 77% 83% 83% 80% 81% 73% 80% 81% 79% 80% 55% (6:20) by 5% Note: Data based on fully qualified events *July 8 to 9: Extreme weather Event in Toronto **December 21 to December 31: Extended and extreme weather event in Toronto

246%

Operations Performance

13 C24 1,492 1,410 1,444 14 C43 1,278 1,119 1,077

2.2% 0.2% 1.1% 2.2% 2.2% 92.6%

New Station Builds The majority of construction New Station Builds The majority of construction Increasing response coverage alsoalso completed at Station Increasing response coverage was was completed at Station is one method that can becan used at Eglinton Avenue is one method that be used 221, located 221, located at Eglinton Avenue to improve emergency response and and Midland Avenue, which to improve emergency response East East Midland Avenue, which 2013, renovations setopen to open in 2014. Plans times. Intimes. 2013,Inrenovations at ourat ouris setisto in 2014. Plans CNE station were completed commenced to construct CNE station were completed that thatalso also commenced to construct will what permitwas whatformerly was formerly a two additional two additional stations during will permit a stations during seasonal to operate the next 3-5 years. Station 135, seasonal facility facility to operate on a on a the next 3-5 years. Station 135, yearbasis. round basis. located on Eglinton Avenue year round located on Eglinton Avenue 26 Crescent 26 is also at Chaplin WestWest at Chaplin Crescent is also 2013 Annual Report – Toronto Fire Services

1 C33 4,962 4,732 4,317

4 C32 2,537 2,246 2,125 Headquarters 0.9%

Fire Services Gross Operating Fire2013 Services 2013 Gross Operating Budget Actuals Expenditure Type BudgetbyActuals by Expenditure Type

5% Replacement of Fire Station 135 12% Station D (New Station 221) 7% Station B (Stn 144) 1% Training Simulators Rehabiliatation 4% Predictive Modelling Tool Emergency Response Coverage 2% Replacement of HUSAR Equipment - 2012/2013 Emergency Response Coverage 69% SCBA - Replacement

264,612

2013 Runs

Net Operations $322713.3 Net Fire Prevention and $115657.4 Operations $322,713.3 PublicandSafety Fire Prevention Public Safety $15,657.4 Communications and Operational Support $30,074.4 Communications and $30074.4 Professional Development and Mechanical Support $25,485.1 Headquarters $3,282.7 Operational Support $397,212.9 Professional Development $25485.1 and Mechanical Support Headquarters $3282.7 Operating Budget 2013- Actual Spending

Apparatus

TOTAL:

64,916 56,237 93,122 57,148

2013 Rank

Command 1 Command 2 Command 3 Command 4

2013 Target Trend Compliance Met 45%

Yes

75%

76%

Toronto Fire Services – 2013 Annual Report

Notes: *Total numbers have been restated for previous year to remove the “Test Event” category, as this code does not result in any vehicle movements.

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100,000 pop'n

Fire Services in 2011 and 2012 due to better 67 55 81 128 reporting. 2012 Performance Measurement And Benchmarking Report

Total fire injuries 206 195 192 from 172 page 13019 82 Demographics and Statistics...Continued

122

Chart 10.8 (City of Toronto & MPMP) Rate of Residential Fire Related Injuries per 100,000 Persons (Community Impact)

Chart 10.9 compares Toronto’s

How Toronto’s of injuries from residential fires, compare to other municipalities? 2012 rateobjective of residential Another of Firefire Whatdoes is the rate of rate injuries residential fires in Toronto? How does Toronto’s rate offrom injuries from residential fires,

Total Residential Fires

The rate at which residential fires with Fire Services property losses occur is one method Chart 10.6 (City of Toronto & MPMP) Rate of Residential Structural Fires 2012 with Performance Measurement Benchmark to determine if Fire Services And is Property Losses per 1,000 Households (Community Impact) meeting the objective of protecting the buildings and property where people How does rate of rate residential fires toToronto’s other to other HowToronto’s does Toronto’s of How residential fires are compare municipalities? work or in-service visit. manycompare hours firelive, vehicles and As an ind 1,454 1,411 1,346 1,244 1,228

995

1,053 1,060 1,086 1,040

989

996

municipalities? related injuries per 100,000 Services is to protect the safety available to respond to emergencies? Chart 10 Chartthat 10.6 provides the total number 1.8 Factors can influence the rate of results fo Factors that can influence population towhen otherfires Ontario of residents occur. 0.5 of residential fires with 158 firesand in arate community include: 1.6 and rate the rate of injuries and Chart 10.8 provides theranks total municipalities. Toronto property loss in Toronto per 1,000 Median 0.89 hours pe 126 Median 4.94 1.4 fatalities occurring in fires 0.4 households. There has been an • U rban form/densification (rural/urban/ third of nine number and municipalities rate of residential hours de 4 overall decline in the rate of in a community include: high-rise apartments or office towers/ 9 1.2 fire related injuriesininterms Toronto (second quartile) of the -0.2% in residential fires since 2001, with the 0.3 commercial/ industrial/forests) and 62 1.0 •lowest Urban100,000 form/densification per rate ofpersons. injuries. It indicates rate in 2012 stable inas relation to 2011. the degree of risk (such fire spread, 30 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 0.8 a(rural/urban/high-rise longer term decreasing trend, In-servic 0.2 age and type of building stock, type of apartments or office towers/ The longer term decline in Toronto's hours res 0 0.6 Fire injuries per however there were increases Chart 10.10 provides the total occupancy, etc.) associated with these Calg 7.44 Ott 7.26 Tor Bar 3.03 Sud4.47 T-Bay Lond 1.98 Ham2.90 Wind 7.94 6.44 4.82 2.26 2.43 4.59 commercial/ industrial/forests) rate of fires illustrates the positive 100,000 pop'n to respon 0.1 0.4 in 2011 andof2012 to better number rate ofdue residential varying Fire injuries per impactforms. fire prevention and education and the degree risk (such 1.79 3.32 4.59 4.90 4.94 5.54 6.49 7.85 13.28 The hour Total fire injuries 206 195 192 172 130 82 122 62 67 55 81 128 100,000 pop'n 0.2 reporting. programs are setting having. fire related fatalities as fire spread, age and type in Toronto • W ithin an urban the age and removed 0.0 Rate of Residential Fire Related Injuries per 100,000 Persons (Community 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 Chart 10.8 (City of Toronto & MPMP) Rate ofImpact) Residential Fire Related Injuries per 0.0 per 100,000. Theof unusual spike of building stock, type concentration of homes or apartments Chart 10.9 (OMBI 2012) Rate of Residential Fire Related Injuries per 100,000 Calg Bar Ham Ott Tor Lond Sud T-Bay Wind vehicle hours per capita 0.48 0.47 0.47 0.46 0.46 0.46 Toronto's 0.45 0.45 100,000 Persons (Community Impact) Chart 0.46 10.7 compares 2012 mechani occupancy, etc.)compares associated (particularly older homes constructed in fire fatalities in 2003Toronto’s was as a Persons (Community Impact) Fires / 1,000 hh Chart 10.9 0.608 0.670 0.776 0.884 0.891 total0.993 1.493 1,275,768 1.673 1,275,086 1,262,298 staffing a vehicle hours1.296 1,278,485 1,255,500 1,268,663 1,263,767 1,246,417 1,244,242 rate of residential fires to the urban Fire Services Fire Services with these forms close together onOntario narrow streets) can front-line result of varying a of gas explosionfire that areas of other municipalities 2012 rate residential 2012 Performance Measurement And Benchmarking Report Measurement And Benchmarking Report How does Toronto’s2012 ratePerformance of injuries from residential fires, Rate of 10.7 Residential Structural Fires Rate with Property Losses per 1,000 Households (Community Impact) create greater risks of fire spread. Fatalities this mea Chart (OMBI 2012) of Residential Structural Fires with Property Losses and shows Toronto ranking fifth of • T he extent of fire prevention Chart 10.1 (City of Toronto) Number of Staffed Fire In-Service Vehicle Hours claimed seven lives. Results in What is the rate of fatalities from residential fires in Toronto? related injuries per 100,000 compare to other municipalities? per 1,000 Households (Community Impact) per Capita (Service Level) nine municipalities (at median) in aerials, w and education programs. 2012 showed decrease in the population to other Ontario Time Line of a Fire Emergency Call termsfire of the lowest rate of fires. rescue u When residents require 1.0 15 •number The daily inflow and outflow of of fatalities fromranks 2011. municipalities. Toronto How many hours are Toronto’s fire vehicles in-service and As an indicator of service levels, servicescompare assistance, the other time it municipalities? How does Toronto’s fire cost per in-service vehicle hour, to How do Toronto’s in-service fire vehicle hours, compare to 0.8 158 commuters, tourists, seasonal 12 Medianto 4.94 available to0.6 respond emergencies? takes for fire vehicles to arrive Chart 10.1 provides third of Toronto’s nine municipalities Chart 10 other municipalities? residents and attendees at at the emergency scene from 90.5 results for both the total number Municipal results for fire cost per in-service Chart 10.11 compares Toronto’s 2012 in-s (second quartile) orin terms of the 0.4 cultural, entertainment 5,000 1.4 the time the emergency call is and rate of in-service vehicle vehicle hour can be influenced by: 6 per capit 0.2 2012 lowest rateofof injuries. placed (total response time), is sportingrate events, isresidential not factored fire 1.2 hours per capita. Total in service relative t 0.030.4 very important. The illustration • The severity or nature of risk associated with each 4,000 related fatalities to other Ontario into this population-based 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 hours decreased slightly by to the left provides the time line urban are 1.0 Median Hours 0.54 incident impacts the number and type of vehicles measure.10.10 provides # of fire fatalities0 municipalities. Torontothe ranks Chart total -0.2% in 2012. Calg 0.73 Ott0.94 Tor Lond 0.58 Ham Wind 0.45 0.48Bar 0.37 Sud0.59 T-Bay 0.47 0.73 0.61 0.39 segments of a fire emergency 0.3 0.73 municipa responding (responses) as well as deployment per 100,000 pop'n 3,000 0.8 of ten municipalities (at call/incident. Note that 911 number and rate of the residential How long (number does it and taketype in Toronto forbyfire services to arrive at the •fifth Municipal efforts to reduce Fire injuries per highest n strategies of apparatus Total fatalities 191.79 19 3.3225 12 134.90 10 4.9416 13 206.49 15 7.8517 11 4.59 5.54 13.28 transfer time is not included in emergency scene (response time)? 100,000 pop'n0.2 In-service vehicle hours includes 0.6 incidence ofin false alarms. median) terms of the lowest fire related fatalities in Toronto response type). vehicle h 2,000 the data below. hours responding to,fatalities. or available Rate of Residential Fatalities per 100,000 Population (Community Impact) Chart 10.10 Fire (City of Toronto & MPMP) Rate of Residential Fire Related Fatalities ranked e rate of per 100,000. The unusual spike 9:00 0.4 • Other considerations: indicate whether or not the Chart 10.9 (OMBI 2012) Rate of Residential Fire Related Injuries per 100,000 to respond to, emergencies. 0.1 per 100,000 Persons (Community Impact) quartile) 1,000 Chart 10.12 provides Toronto’s available apparatus and8:00 equipment are suitable and in fire fatalities in 2003 was as a Persons (Community Impact) 0.2 7:00 th The hours when vehicles are percentile response times 90 safe for carrying out the mandate of the department, 6:00 Toronto undertaking a number result of is aforgas explosion that removed from service 0.0 (90 per cent of all emergency 0.0 0 5:00 properly maintained, The mos are appropriately staffed, 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 from 2009 2010 2011 2012fires How does Toronto’s rate of fatalities residential T-Bay Wind Ott Calg Sud Lond Ham Tor Bar claimed seven lives. Results in of initiatives to reduce the Whatvehicle is hours the rate0.48of fatalities from residential fires in Toronto? calls have a response time equal 4:00 mechanical repairs or insufficient per capita 0.47 0.47 0.46 0.46 0.46 0.46 0.45 0.45 Toronto's replaced as required, and are supplemented by Vehicle hours compare to other municipalities? 3:00 than 0.64 the time 1.21 to or 0.66less0.65 0.54period 0.52 0.50 0.45 0.43 of fire-related injuries 2012 showed decrease in the staffing are number excluded. The key total vehicle hours 1,278,485 1,275,768 1,275,086 1,262,298 1,255,500 1,268,663 1,263,767 1,246,417 1,244,242 per capita adequate and appropriate significan 2:00 apparatus and equipment 4 shown on the graph) for: 3.01.0 front-line fireand vehicles included in from 1:00 fatalities, some of which are number of fatalities 2011. Population density, p • W hat year’s wage rates are reflected in costs which 330 1,436 334 1,321 45 874 475 4,402 1,420 0.8 Median 0.39 0:00 density 2.5 of Toronto) this measure are pumpers, relative t 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 Chart 10.1 (City Number of Staffed Fire In-Service Vehicle Hours described in the 2013 and 2014 • fire station notification can vary according to where the municipality is in 0.6 aerials, water tankers and 2.0 per Capita (Service Level) Station notification response time 10.2. response time (from the the collective(Min:Sec) agreement cycle rates6:26 could 6:42 (wage 6:42 6:50 6:34 6:31 6:40 6:42 6:47 6:31 Chart 10.11 compares Toronto’s initiatives described at the end of 0.4 Cost of10.2 Fire Services Areas) perpoint In-Service Vehicle (Efficiency) Chart (OMBI(Urban 2012) Number ofthat Staffed In-Service rescue units theHour fire stationFire has Vehicle Hours (in 1.5 be one or more years old pending outcome of 0.2 2012 rate of residential fire Total Fire Services (excludes 911) this section. Urban Areas) per Capita (Service Level) & Urban Density been notified by thePopulation fire 7:31 7:34 7:47 7:37 7:37 7:39 7:17 How do Toronto’s in-service fire vehicle hours, compare to 1.0 negotiations arbitration responseor time (Min:Sec) on new agreement) 0.0 Toronto’s in-service fire vehicle hours, compare to other municipalities? dispatcher, to arrival (of the How do related fatalities to other Ontario 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 Chart 2012 10.2 compares Toronto’s other municipalities? 0.5 Chart 10.12 (City of Toronto) 90th Percentile Fire Station Notification Response first apparatus) at the # of fire fatalities municipalities. ranks 2012 in-service vehicle hours Information on Toronto the number of Time and Total Fire Services Response Time (Customer Service) 0.0 1.4 0.73 0.73 0.94 0.45 0.48 0.37 0.59 0.47 0.73 0.58 0.39 5,000 0.61 emergency scene. per 100,000 pop'n Ham Ott Lond Calg Tor Sud Bar Wind T-Bay In densely populated municipalities such as Toronto, proportionately fewer fire sta The capita number (shown offire/alarm in-service vehicle hours in each per bars fifth ofasten municipalities (at of incidents How does Toronto’s fire response time compare to other municipalities? • The total Fire Services Fatalities per 1.2 Total fatalities 19 190.21 25 0.27 12 13 100.39 16 0.62 13 20 150.95 17 2.77 11 are available maytobeother required to serveresponse a giventime area because of proximity to residents and busi How does Toronto’s fire response time compare that in a municipality can be relative to the left axis) to the 0.19 0.27 0.70 (from the time 4,000 100,000 pop'n median) in140 terms of the lowest Toronto's neighbourhoods municipalities? increasing traffic congestion and its impact on response times must also be consi influenced by: urban areas of other the call is transferred from 1.0 Median Hours 0.54 Chart 10.10 (City of Toronto & MPMP) Rate of Residential Fire Related Fatalities rate of fatalities. as well as of other indicators can populated areas may require more fire vehicles and stations in order to provide d Chart 10.11 (OMBI 2012) Rate of Residential Fire Fatalities per 100,000 Population 911 to the Fire 12:00 municipalities. In terms the 3,000 • Service levelbe determined by municipal per 100,000 Persons (Community Impact) 0.8 Median 6:37 (Min: Sec) found at Wellbeing Toronto. Communication Center, to (Community Impact) highest number of in-service fire 10:00 council. Some municipalities have arrival (of the apparatus) times in first the urban areas of municipalities can also requires d Toronto’s urban form,Response with a growing number of high rise buildings 0.6 Toronto is full-time undertaking a number vehicle hours per capita, Toronto 2,000 composite fire stations i.e. 8:00 at the emergency scene). including: How does Toronto’s rate of fatalities from residential firesranked eighth capabilities and equipment. be influenced by many variables, of nine (fourth offire initiatives to reduce the 0.4 and volunteer fighters sharing same 6:00 compare to other municipalities? quartile) 1,000 159 In there was a decrease of number of fire-related injuries • G2012, eography/topography, travel distances (station facility) in urban areas. 0.2 4:00 16 seconds in the station 3.0 location/coverage areas, deployment strategies), and fatalities, some of which are • Varying densities notification response time and a 0.0 Median 0.39 0 The mostpopulation significant factorand in 2:00 2.5 transportation routes, traffic congestion, seasonal T-Bay Wind Ott Calg Sud Lond Ham Tor Bar described in the 2013 and 2014 decrease of 22 seconds in the nature/extent of risks within urban Toronto's lower ranking is its 2.0hours Vehicle weather conditions, etc. 0:00 total Fire Services response 1.21 0.66 0.65 0.64 0.54 0.52 0.50 0.45 0.43 initiatives described at the end of T-Bay Tor Wind Ham Ott Calg Bar Sud areas can impact thispopulation result. per capita significantly higher 1.5 time. Response time thison section. Population 6:27 6:31 6:31 6:36 6:39 7:14 8:25 9:20 density, plotted thetransportation line graph (Min: Sec) • Geography/topography, 330 1,436 334 1,321 45 874 475 4,402 1,420 1.0

compare to10other municipalities?

(not to scale)

Call transferred to Fire Communications Centre

911 Transfer Time

Fire Communications Centre notifies Fire Station(s)

Fire Call Processing Time

Fire Vehicle(s) Respond/ Leave Station

Turnout Time

First fire vehicle arrives at emergency scene

Fire Apparatus Travel Time

Station Notification Response Time

*The incremental amount of time it takes for firefighters to make contact with the source of the emergency incident after arriving at the dispatched address. TFS began collecting this data in 2013.

Fire Vehicle Hours per Capita

Total Fire Services Response Time (excludes 911)

Firefighter contact with source of emergency incident*

Urban Density- pop'n per sq. km

Call is received by 911

Total Response Time (including 911 transfer time) to Fire Emergency Call

Fire Vehicle Hours per Capita

Urban Density- pop'n per sq. km

How does the TFS measure up?

density

0.5

Number of Staffed In-Service Fire Vehicle Hours (in Urban Areas) per Capita (Service Level) & Urban Population Density 0.0 2012) Chart 10.2 (OMBI In-Service Fire Ham Number Ott of Staffed Lond Calg Tor Vehicle Sud Hours Bar (in Wind Urban Areas) per Capita (Service Level) & Urban Population Density Fatalities per

T-Bay

fire/alarm incidents in each of Toronto's 140 neighbourhoods as well as other indicators can Chart 10.11 (OMBI 2012) Rate of Residential Fire Fatalities per 100,000 Population In densely populated municipalities such as Toronto, proportionately fewer fire stations Sbe P R I and Nfound G 2 0vehicle 1 4 |at F I RWellbeing Ehours WAT CH 20 Toronto. (Community Impact) 100,000 pop'n

relative the congestion, right axis travel of Chart routes,to traffic 10.2. Information on the number of distances (station location, etc.).

0.19

0.21

0.27

0.39

0.62

0.70

0.95

2.77

may be required to serve a given area because of proximity to residents and businesses, however

156

Chart 10.13 (OMBI 2012) 90th Percentile Station Notification Response Time 90th PercentileService) Station Notification Response Time (Customer Service) (Customer

In 2013, Toronto Fire Services started to collect data for high rise responses regarding the incremental amount of time it takes from arrival of the first vehicle at the emergency scene (vehicle parked) to the point the attending firefighters make contact with the source of the emergency incident. Chart 10.13 compares Toronto’s 2012 station notification response time (90th percentile) to other municipalities. Toronto ranks second of eight municipalities (first quartile) for response times. Travel

SPRING 2 0 1 4 | FIRE WATCH 21

Demographics and Statistics...Continued from page 21

AGE OF CURRENT FLEET Smeal Smeal Smeal

1999 2012 2007 2001 2001 2002 2007 2007 2004 2012 1999 2012 2004 2006 2009 2002 2007 2012 2002 2006 2004 2012 2002 2007 2006 2005 2005

A135 A142 A213 A215 A222 A226 A231 A244 A312 A315 A321 A322 A324 A325 A341 A345 A411 A415 A421 A423 A426 A433 A441 PL432 T114 T331 T333

Smeal Smeal Smeal Smeal Smeal Smeal Smeal Smeal Smeal Smeal Smeal Smeal Smeal Smeal Smeal Smeal Smeal Smeal Smeal Smeal Smeal Smeal Smeal Smeal E-One E-One E-One

2005 2007 2004 2007 2004 2007 2007 2004

P111 P113 P114 P116 P121 P123 P125 P131

Spartan Spartan Spartan Spartan Spartan Spartan Spartan Spartan

Seagrave Smeal Smeal Seagrave Smeal Seagrave Smeal Smeal

2005 2005 2010 2005 2007 2005 2005

P132 P135 P141 P142 P143 P145 P146

Spartan Spartan Spartan Spartan Spartan Spartan Spartan

Seagrave Seagrave Crimson Seagrave Smeal Seagrave Seagrave

PUMPERS

2010 2007 2005 2007 2007 2005 2002 2007 2004 2007 2007 2007 2007 2004 2010 2007 2010 2002 2010 2010 2007 2010 2010 2013 2010 2007 2006 1997 2007 2005 2007 2007 2007 2007 2007 2007 2005 2007 2007

P211 P212 P222 P223 P224 P226 P227 P232 P233 P234 P242 P244 P245 P311 P312 P313 P314 P315 P322 P323 P324 P325 P331 P332 P333 P334 P335 P335B P342 P343 P344 P415 P422 P426 P431 P432 P433 P442 P443

Spartan Spartan Spartan Spartan Spartan Spartan Spartan Spartan Spartan Spartan Spartan Spartan Spartan Spartan Spartan Spartan Spartan Spartan Spartan Spartan Spartan Spartan Spartan Spartan Spartan Spartan Ford E-One Spartan Spartan Spartan Spartan Spartan Spartan Spartan Spartan Spartan Spartan Spartan

Crimson Smeal Seagrave Smeal Seagrave Seagrave Smeal Seagrave Smeal Seagrave Smeal Seagrave Smeal Smeal Crimson Smeal Crimson Smeal Crimson Crimson Smeal Crimson Crimson ERV Crimson Smeal Dependable E-One Smeal Seagrave Seagrave Smeal Seagrave Smeal Seagrave Smeal Seagrave Smeal Seagrave

2002 2005 2007 2007 2002

P445 P433 P442 P443 P445

Spartan Spartan Spartan Spartan Spartan

Smeal Seagrave Smeal Seagrave Smeal

R112

Spartan

Smeal

RESCUES 2009 2009

R115

Spartan

Smeal

2002 2009 2013 2013 2009 2010 2013 2009 2002 2013 2002 2013 2013 2009 2002 2009 2002 2002 2013 2010 2002 2010 2013 2013 2013 2013

R122 R133 R134 R214 R224 R225 R231 R235 R241 R243 R321 R325 R326 R341 R345 R411 R412 R413 R421 R423 R425 R426 R434 R435 R441 R444

Spartan Spartan Spartan Spartan Spartan Spartan Spartan Spartan Spartan Spartan Spartan Spartan Spartan Spartan Spartan Spartan Spartan Spartan Spartan Spartan Spartan Spartan Spartan

Spartan Spartan Spartan

Smeal Smeal ERV ERV Smeal Crimson ERV Smeal Smeal ERV Smeal ERV ERV Smeal Smeal Smeal Smeal Smeal ERV Crimson Smeal Crimson ERV ERV ERV ERV

SQUADS 2013 2004 2009 2012 2004

S143 S232 S313 S331 S445

Spartan Spartan Spartan Spartan Spartan

Dependable Seagrave Seagrave Dependable Seagrave

SPECIALITY TRUCKS 2007

2004 2010 2010 2008 2012 2010 2005 2005 1992 2009 1988 2005 1998

A/L 114 A/L 333

Freightliner Dependable

A/L231

Freightliner Dependable

A/L421

Freightliner Dependable

COM 10

Freightliner

COM 30

Freightliner

HAZ 145

Spartan

Dependable

HAZ 332

Spartan

Seagrave

High Rise 332

Spartan

Dependable

HMS 145

Ford F

Super Duty

HMS 332

Ford LCF

DEL Unicel

TRS-235

Ford F800

Dependable

WT-212

Freightliner Dependable

PK Vans

# of Vehicles

Budget year

New Truck(s)

S P R I N G 2 0 1 4 | F I R E WAT CH 22

Status

2014

Rescues / Pumpers

Emergency-One

E-One was the lowest bidder meeting specification for this order. The Dealer for the transaction is Carrier Emergency in Brantford Ont. The preconstruction meeting has been held, and the first three chassis are to be ready for inspection early September. The chassis are built in Ocala Florida, but will be shipped and inspected in the body manufacturing facility in Hamburg NY. The bodies will be premanufactured, so final delivery will be fairly soon after chassis delivery.

3 or 4

2014

105' Rear-mount Aerial Quints

Smeal

The original order for these trucks was for three units from Smeal Fire Apparatus in Nebraska. A request to add one additional unit for a total order of four is still pending approval. The chassis are scheduled for completion mid October with final body and aerial device completion early 2015.

2015

100' Single-Axle Rear-mount Aerials

TBD

Two single axle aluminum aerial ladders (without a fire pump and water tank) are being purchased for the specific need in certain areas of the downtown core where maneuverability is an issue and a more significant ground ladder compliment is required.

2015

High-Rise Pumpers

TBD

Two pumpers are being specifically designed to be used for high-rise fire fighting. Their most notable features will be a two-stage fire pump and specific high-rise firefighting equipment. A committee has been formed to develop the equipment and operational criteria required to use these two trucks given the rapid increase in vertical building stock in this city.

2014/15

Chev Tahoe

TBD

Four Tahoes are being purchased as a trial period to convert to this style of vehicle for District Chief use, now the E-350 is no longer avaialble, the radio repeater has been downsized, and the overall equipment inventory carried has been revisited.

2015

Training Pumpers

TBD

The development funds provided the oportunity to build two more “training specific” pumper trucks. These trucks are designed for better driver training, pump operation training, and offer unique features to test the ability of the operators. They will be out to bid before the end of August.

2014

Radio Tech Service Van

Nissan

TFS are joining EMS in a bid to purchase Nissan vans. The TFS unit will replace the already decomissioned Radio Technician Service van. The units are out to bid now.

2014/15

Hatchback Cars

Newmarket Toyota

The order of 35 hatchback cars are to be used primarily by the Fire Prevention Division. Toyota Yaris Hatchbacks were the lowest price vehicle meeting specification. Delivery is expected in August.

2015

Squads

TBD

Two Squads will be out for bid in September, to replace S445 and S232. The specifications are being revised now.

2015

Air / Light

TBD

One Air Light truck will be out for bid in September, to replace AL333. The specifications are being revised now.

2015

Technical Rescue

TBD

A Technical Rescue truck is being designed to replace the existing repurposed Trench Rescue Truck, and accommodate the needs of other rescue diciplines.

2015

Rapid Attack Trucks

TBD

Development funds are being used to design and purchase two small rapid attack pumpers to be used for special events where access may be dificult due to large crowds or road blockages.

2015

Decontamination Truck

TBD

A decontamination truck is being designed to either replace or compliment the existing decontamination truck and HAZ & HAZ Support vehicles currently used.

TORONTO FIRE SERVICES RESPONSE STATISTICS - 2008-2012 EMERGENCY RESPONSE PERFORMANCE Emergency Response Performance

• Fire crews achieved the

• First-in apparatus achieved

Turnout Time 80% 60% 40% 20% 0 2012 2013 Turnout Time Benchmark Met (1:20)

Travel Time 80% 60% 40% 20% 0 2012 2013 Travel Time Benchmark Met (4:00)

Total Time 80% 60% 40% 20% 0 2012 2013 Total Time Benchmark Met (6:20)

90th percentile turnout time target of 1:20 or less 45% of the time and achieved a 90th percentile turnout time of 2:09

EVI

Decon 234

Builder Chassis/Body

the 90th percentile en route to arrival response time target of 4:00 minutes or less 75% of the time. The 90th percentile en route to arrival time was 5:13

the 90th percentile alarm time to arrival target of 6:20 or less 76% of the time. The 90th percentile alarm time to arrival was 7:54

76%

Spartan Spartan Spartan

MANUFACTURER

79%

A113 A131 A133

YEAR APPARATUS #

75%

2007 2002 2012

MANUFACTURER

80%

AERIALS

YEAR APPARATUS #

45%

MANUFACTURER

32%

YEAR APPARATUS #

TFS NEW VEHICLE ORDER STATUS - AS OF MARCH 15, 2013

SPRING 2 0 1 4 | FIRE WATCH 23

BY KEVIN GENTILE, TORONTO FIRE FIGHTER, 433-A

n April 1, 2014, I climbed aboard a coach bus from Toronto to Boston. I was headed down to pay my respects to two fallen fire fighters who were killed in the line of duty. Ed Walsh and Michael Kennedy gave their lives o n March 26, 2014, fighting a 9-alarm fire in a heavily populated brownstone building in the Back Bay area of Boston. The cause of the fire and the circumstances that killed these two men and injured many other fire fighters that day, were still being speculated. The fact that these men died doing the same thing that you and I do every day moved me enough to want to be there to say, “good-bye.” Prior to this, I had attended only one other fire fighter LODD funeral - our own Acting Captain, Peter Czulinski, who died on May 3, 2012, due to job-related cancer. The funeral was in Mississauga and was well attended by our members. It was an emotional experience, and a sobering one. It was a somber reminder that life is too short and that this job can make it

24 24

even shorter. These feelings came flooding back to me as I prepared for the Boston funerals. I felt that I knew what to expect at an event like this. In reality, I had no idea… Right away, the tone of these funerals seemed quite different. Still on the 10and-14 hour shifts, Boston Fire Fighters Ed Walsh (43 years old and a father of 3) and Michael Kennedy (33 years old) went to work that day, and expected to be home for dinner. When that fire broke out at 2:45pm and they raced to it as the first-in truck, they were likely just trying to finish the day on a high note; battle some fire, rescue some people - no big deal, right? Just doing their jobs. Little did they know, it would be for the last time. Immediately, these funerals also became an extended family event. In a town of 636,000, with 1,400 fire fighters across 34 stations, Boston Fire is considered a big city fire department. Yet, still small enough for everyone to know each other and many living within Boston’s city limits. Even if no other fire departments came out, the

extended family comprised of hundreds of BFD staff and relatives, had already planned to make themselves available in order to create the kind of hero’s send-off which would make the national news. In actual fact, the “extended family” grew exponentially, almost overnight, to a reported 10,000 people, including fire fighters, police, EMS, and military. Something you’d have to see in person to truly appreciate. The Brotherhood was indeed alive and well here. As well, the massive outpouring of support and generosity seemed nearly boundless across the city. Before, during, and after each funeral, efforts were made to aid the department and its family’s healing process. Police shut down roads and escorted us motorcade-style between major venues like the funeral home, the church, and the union hall. In city buses on loan from the “T”, each with an operator having volunteered the day and wages in order to cart us around, we transitioned from place to place. Countless citizens offered what like-

S P R I N G 2 0 1 4 | F I R E WAT CH 24

ly amounted to thousands of dollars at each restaurant, pub and coffee shop nearby, so that we needn’t pay for refreshments - all of them vowing never to take us for granted. The local news was persistent with footage from air and land, recounting the fateful day, the legacy each fire fighter left behind and the support from visitors near and far. As Toronto Fire Fighters, we were personally thanked dozens of times by Boston Fire Fighters, family members and more, just for making the trip. Being treated like this, like one of the family by total strangers, has left an everlasting impression on me that I will never forget. Watching Ladder 15, followed by Engine 33 (their assigned apparatus) roll by at each funeral, adorned with wreaths and flowers, carrying a flag-wrapped casket was definitely what pulled at my heartstrings the most. Knowing that it could be any one of us in attendance, or back home in Toronto, sent shivers down my spine. Listening to the family speak about their loved one during mass, over the PA outside the church as we formed up, was

an absolute privilege. Seeing 10,000 fire fighters in neatly pressed uniforms, shiny badges and buttons, and sleek white gloves, saluting, 15-deep down the street to pay their respects, only amplified that feeling. Aerials holding giant American flags, an enormous collaborative pipe and drum band marching out front, the extensive honour guard keeping watch and the state motorcycle club roaring by, were all signs that this job really is bigger than any one of us, and it commanded instant respect. The huge gathering after each funeral at the union’s Florian Hall ended up the unexpected topper of this experience for many. IAFF local 718 put together a postevent that cauterized the entire group. Food and drink for all, the TFS Pipes and Drums on entertainment duty one night, the “Dropkick Murphy’s” on the other, and tonnes of camaraderie in between. I found myself constantly checking shoulder patches to see where people were from – Boston, Providence, Hartford, New York, Philadelphia, Baltimore, Pittsburgh, Toledo, Charlotte, Nashville, Chicago, Kansas City,

Seattle, Los Angeles, Toronto, Oakville, Hamilton, Kitchener, London, Montreal, Halifax, Calgary, Edmonton and beyond. We talked Leaf’s and Bruins with the Boston guys. We talked Jays and Yankees with the New York guys. We covered it all like we’d known each other forever. It was the brotherhood fully embodied. In the end, I made new connections to this job and to this way of life, connections I hadn’t imagined before. Ultimately, with a heavy heart brimming with pride, I said good-bye to my fellow fire fighters during their last alarm. I am infinitely thankful I made the effort to be a part of this experience. Without the support of my family, my union, and my co-workers, this would not have been possible. Yet again, an illustration of the commitment those around us make so that we might put ourselves in harm’s way for others. I pray now that this will be the last event of its kind. However, I know I won’t hesitate to stand tall when called upon in another’s darkest hour. I am more confident than ever that my brotherhood will be there to do the same.

SPRING SPRING 22001144 || FIRE FIRE WATCH WATCH 25 25

FIRE FIGHTER

SURVIVAL RESCUE &

YOUR MAYDAY-

SERIOUSLY? BY GEOFF BOISSEAU AND JOHN MCGILL, TORONTO FIRE FIGHTERS

MAYDAY, MAYDAY, MAYDAY…

hen you say those words across your radio, you feel your stomach drop. They flew out of your mouth so easily; you are in trouble - seriously. The best way to describe it is a mixture of panic and fear. It comes with the emotions that you are wrestling with. The panic comes from the initial feeling of helplessness; your brain is craving information, it needs to address the feelings it is experiencing. You can feel yourself instantly going through your own mental ‘rolodex’. What was it again? GRAB LIVES. Get help - you depend on it, your crew depends on it! Be part of the solution, not part of the problem, you tell yourself. That RIT 26

team better be ready - time is ticking. You think that you never really liked being RIT but you always took it seriously. Captain Davis would say that the way the job works is that if you are ready and you cannot save them, the crews will always remember that you tried. If you are not ready and you cannot save them, regardless of the circumstances, you will always be that guy who was not ready when they died. The fire fighters will always remember you for that and every table you sit at for the rest of your career YOU will always be that guy. That is why I respect this man, he does not sugar coat anything, he does not hand out medals for participation; you earn your way. Maybe that was the way he was brought up on the job, in his

‘old school’ time era, where he did not stand in line to be next. The expectation was that you knew your job and if you didn’t, then you were held accountable. It is a different job now. Incident Command replies quickly but you did not catch it…must focus. You repeat again, “MAYDAY, MAYDAY, MAYDAY. SECOND FLOOR, NOT SURE WHERE, FIRE FIGHTER SHAFFER, PARTIAL COLLAPSE, CAPTAIN DAVIS IS GONE…” The RITSO now replies, “Okay Shaffer, we are coming in to get you, try to stay calm, RIT is on the way.” You start to go through a Paradigm Shift and the lyrics start going in your head…“I don’t ever wanna have to try. S P R I N G 2 0 1 4 | F I R E WAT CH 26

Though I lie, it never flies. I don’t ever wanna have to die. But deep inside, the death it hides.” Remember your (expletive) training - focus. Another voice comes on and snaps you out of it and orders radio silence. You recognize the dispatcher’s voice. Funny, you have heard it so many times but have never really given much thought to the person on the other end of the radio. Now, when she plays such an important role for you getting out of here alive, you hope she knows her job. With a surprisingly calm tone she starts to run through the GRAB LIVES procedure with you while the RITSO gets the rescue plan implemented. It is nice to hear her, she is so calm and she is helping you. If you get out of here, no, WHEN you get out of here, you will be sure to pay the brothers and sisters in communications a visit - to thank them and to put a face to this voice that helped you in your greatest time of need. You have air and you are trying to control your breathing. Your light is on. Where is your tool, you just set it down? She prompts you to look for an exit. You see light, you see a window… you blurt out, “I see a window but I am not with Fieldy, it is (expletive) bad in here.” RITSO takes over and assures you that they are working on getting them but he needs to know more about your location. He reassures you an interior crew can hear a pass alarm on the first floor, not too far from Fieldy and Captain Davis’ location. Leadership is important especially at a time like this. Poor leadership could result in a poor outcome – seriously. Remember our (expletive) training. You know the RITSO, he is a solid guy, so it makes your next decision a little bit easier. If he says they are looking for

your crew – then they are. He would not bullshit you. You have always (expletive) trained, and tried to keep your skill sets up because you are a professional fire fighter, so for Reginald and Captain Davis’ sake, hopefully the crews doing the rescue have taken their training seriously - may their God help

them. Every part of your being is telling you to go look for your buddies…that they would do it for you. You feel like you are letting them down if you don’t. As though it is selfish to save yourself without even attempting to help them. Damn, you feel like you will never be able to look another fire fighter in the eye again if you are the only one to get out of this alive. What was it those RIT instructors always said during training? It takes

twelve to save one…or something like that - you can’t remember the numbers exactly, but you do remember that it took a lot. They also kept harping on the fact that you didn’t want to become ‘part of the problem’; that not self-rescuing only hurts the other guys in trouble, because you are using up valuable manpower and resources saving your sorry ass, rather than having them helping your crew. The guys who may really need it! Thinking about this helps you fight the urge to go looking for the other guys. Command has told you that crews are coming to assist you, so the last thing you want is to not be where they are expecting to find you. You head towards that window – your way out. You can hear voices ahead of you and you see the tip of a ladder in the window, along with a bright light from a large flashlight. As the fire fighter makes contact with you, you turn and look back into the fire – that’s all you can see…flames everywhere. You squeeze your eyes shut and scream out so loud your voice shrieks, “Remember your (expletive) training.” You open your eyes and see the fire fighter at the window who calmly says, “Come on Munky, lets get you out of here, Fieldy and Jonathan are going to owe you a beer.” To be continued – seriously.

SPRING 2 0 1 4 | FIRE WATCH 27

When you come to the end of your rope, tie a knot and hang on. ~ Franklin D. Roosevelt

BY MARLA FRIEBE,TORONTO FIRE FIGHTER, PD&T

n 2013, GlobalFire, a Toronto based charity created to help fire free of charge. In addition to providing basic firefighting training, fighters and paramedics in developing countries, sent out the GlobalFire also delivers pre-hospital emergency medical care training. request to Local 3888 fire fighters for help for those af-fected by In order to travel on this mission to the Philippines, volunteers were Haiyan, a typhoon that devastated the Philippines late last year required to pay their own airfare, food and living costs. They flew into and killed 10,000 people in just one city alone. It took no time at Tacloban City on February 26th, which is approximately 360 miles all for a list of eager volunteers to be formed, and by late February southeast of Manila, and they remained on site until March 11th. Fire 2014, these individuals were preparing to fly thousands of miles to fighter and volunteer, Murdo Moody, described the scene like this, deliver money, equipment and training to those in need. Self-named “As we flew over Tacloban, I recognized structures that I had only the Tindog Fourteen, the group nickname paid homage to the Filipino seen in photos and on YouTube. It was quite surreal. As fire fighters, phrase ‘Tindog Tacloban,’ which means, ‘Rise Up, Tacloban,’ a phrase there are times when we are exposed to horrific sights, but usually it’s that can be seen everywhere around the city most devastated by the on a smaller scale that involves far fewer casualties. I’ve never seen so typhoon. much de-struction that had taken so many lives. It was like a scene Typhoon Haiyan (or Yolanda as it is commonly referred to) was from a post-apocalyptic movie.” Moody also wondered how a small the most powerful storm to ever hit the Philippines, a country of 92 group of 14 volunteers would be able to help anyone living with this million people. Its effects devastated over 36 prov-inces. When the much desolation; structures were destroyed, trees and vegetation storm got underway on November 8th, 2013, it delivered winds of uprooted, and a tremendous amount of washed up debris. “People up to 235 km/hour, dropped up to 30 mm of rain per hour, and sent had built makeshift shelters any-where they could. When our plane storm surges up to 6 meters high, hitting many of the country’s small landed in Tacloban and the engines shut down, there was an eerie islands. In some areas, 90 percent of the housing was destroyed, roads silence that I’ve never experienced on a plane before. Everyone was were blocked, airports were devastated, ships were thrown inland, over-whelmed,” commented Moody. However, once everyone diswater supplies and power were cut, and food stores embarked and they were greet-ed by the ear-to-ear obliterated. On November 9th, the Philippine smiles from the BFP staff, they knew right then that Volunteers: government welcomed international aid. Global sometimes just offering support goes a long way. Fire responded by deploying fourteen volunteers After two very long days of travel and a quick trip Geoffrey Boisseau 326 (11 TFS and 3 others) to begin to provide basic to their hotel, the crew went right to the Tacloban Brian McAlinden 232 equipment and training to the Bureau of Fire City fire station, which had been damaged by Marc Dunn 433 Protection. the storm, along with much of their equipment. Tamara Sylvan 345 GlobalFire is an operational arm of the David “We have more equipment on a single Toronto Murdo Moody 323 McAntony Gibson Foundations, a registered pumper than they had in their entire department,” Stacy Hannah 345 Canadian charity created in 1998 to help those in commented fire fighter and volunteer, Stacy John Davidson 232 need around the world by providing relief supplies Hannah. With much of their equipment unusable, Jonathan Tamlin 341 and equipment. Its motto is, “Aiming to help the the station lacked many essentials: ladders, hose, Michael Sayers 235 global community,” and main objective is to enand bunker gear were just a few items. “They have Tony Cardinale 232 hance the delivery of emergency services in Third 12 sets of bunker gear that remain at the station, Gerlando Peritor World countries through the procurement of supand the Bureau of Fire Protection fire fighters rotate plies, equipment, medicine and training packages, the gear amongst the fire fighters,” said Hannah. 28

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The BFP budget is for salary only, which means all of their equipment, sup-plies and training must be donated by other international fire departments. “There is no training and no equipment,” said fire fighter and volunteer, Gerlando Peritore. “Some de-partment had donated air bags but the fire fighters had no idea how to use them,” he stated. “Our fire fighters later took them out and trained them, using a bulldozer for the demon-stration.” Each GlobalFire volunteer was also required to raise a $500 minimum donation. This money was used by our volunteers to purchase specific equipment that was desperately needed by the BFP. Some of the raised funds were also given to the families of five BFP fire fighters that had been killed by Yolanda, and an additional sum to an Australian volunteer working tirelessly in the region to provide local children with nourishing food. On the day after their arrival, Toronto volunteers went on a fire prevention walk around the downtown area, which brought them into some of the area’s poorest neighbourhoods. The volunteers had brought bags of candy to hand out to the children, and it was devastatingly evident to everyone that families were living in absolute poverty, with temporary homes made of coconut wood and corrugated tin

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Tindog Tacloban!...Continued from page 29

anything they could use to provide shelter. “That moment was very impactful and moving,” stated Hannah, “It was a very humbling experience for everyone.” “For 14 days, we were given love and respect and it was at times overwhelming. These people, with broken homes and hearts, smiled and laughed the entire time we were there,” shared fire fighter and volunteer, Tamara Sylvan. “I learned that happiness is a choice.” If the poverty that the residents of Tacloban City experienced was shocking, the sight of grave sites everywhere was also a painful reminder of the sheer number of people that had been killed by the typhoon. There were graves on road medians, graves in parks - they simply could not keep up with the sheer number of deceased, and so they were forced to bury them exactly where they were found. Body recovery was still being undertaken dur-ing our volunteers’ time in the Philippines, with two cadavers a day being discovered in some of the remote areas. Even though so many residents were still living without electricity, water and adequate shelter, they still seemed so happy. “They were literally running out of the rubble with excitement to wave to us and share a smile,” said Moody. “One sign someone had posted, stood out for me - ‘Roofless, Homeless, but not Hopeless.’ Even though we were there to help them, I really felt like they were teaching us how to live.” Most days, the volunteers organized training for the BFP fire fighters. Cribbing, auto extrication, fire operations tactics, EMS, and water rescue were a few of the subjects that were emphasized. The BFP fire fighters were eager to learn and were also very attentive. “They were so grateful for GlobalFire’s response and were so friendly,” Peritore said. “It was amazing to see even amidst all the devastation, how resilient the people of Tacloban City were, and how they were able to rebound.” The theme of the week was to remain ‘liquid,’ with jobs changing frequently. One day, vol-unteers would be required to search for equipment; then to organize bunker gear dona-tions for delivery throughout the province; and then to assist with training. “In the eve-nings after training was completed, there was a happy young boy around 12 years of age who would come to hang out and talk with some of our volunteers,” Moody recalled. “He would ask me questions about my family, with genuine interest. One time, I asked him about his family and he replied that they lived in his heart.” Moody later found out

BY JONATHAN ROBINSON, TORONTO ACTING CAPTAIN from the staff at their hotel that the boy was a typhoon survivor who had lost his parents due to Yolanda. While in the Philippines, rarely would things go as planned. Over and over again, Team Leader Geoff Boisseau was mentioned by the volunteers that I spoke with, for his professionalism during a very difficult situation. He displayed calm leadership and skill at being able to deal with the many bumps that can occur on a mission like this one. “I was very impressed with the whole GlobalFire team and experience,” Murdo said. Coming home after such a life-changing mission was also difficult for some of the volunteers. “When I left, I felt like a piece of me stayed in Tacloban. I will go back, that much I know. I keep in touch on a daily basis with many of the fire fighters that we met (they love Facebook),” said Sylvan. “It was one of the most important and incredible experiences of my life. I will, for sure, do another mission with GlobalFire.” Of the volunteers, Boisseau commented, “They were all part of an amazing group that represented Local 3888, Toronto and Canada with much pride and dedication. It was an hon-our to be there with each one.”

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Each year, the Hospital for Sick Children’s Burn Unit works together with TFS Public Education. As part of this program, P314 is assigned to the front entrance of Sick Kid’s to offer tours to any and all, big or small. Some of the kids are from the Burn Unit, but really, almost every kid going through the front doors of the hospital stops to visit with the fire fighters. The staff will bring down a few of the kids, but most are with their parents. The members of P314 crew are all fathers, so it is with a great sense of honour and privilege that we have the opportunity to let the kids explore the truck, sit in the seats, hold the axes and wear the helmets. It seems so very simple, and yet everyone loves it; this must be why we love being fire fighters in the first place. Meeting the parents of these kids, we are in awe of some of the challenges they face. It makes our role very easy. When these kids smile, your heart smiles along. There is a lot to learn hanging out at Sick Kid’s Hospital for an afternoon. We highly recommend it to everyone.

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EXECUTIVE TALK GEOFF BOISSEAU

boisseau@torontofirefighters.org 416-708-3887

I would like to thank the brothers and sisters of North Command for their support over my two terms as a North Representative. Continued thanks to my North Health and Safety Team of Mike Russell and Steve Green. Steve has stepped down from the H&S Committee and I want to thank him for his years of dedicated service to health and safety and congratulate him on his promotion. These are certainly interesting and challenging times in the fire service. It seems that everywhere we turn we are faced with change. Labor relations, public relations, fire fighter safety and even fire dynamics are just some examples of areas that are changing and that require our focus and attention. As the old saying goes – Those who do not like change will like irrelevancy even less. We will need to adapt to move forward as an Association. As your executive, we are here to work with you to build a strong, successful organization. In order to do this, the onus is also on you to get involved. Our Association is only as strong as those involved. Take an active interest and help shape our future. Remember: “Whatever you let go today will become the minimum standard tomorrow...”

HUGH DOHERTY

doherty@torontofirefighters.org 416-433-0446

I’d like to start by thanking so many of you for your support and commitment to help counter City Council and TFS administration’s reduction to Toronto Fire Services. There were a number of fire fighters who gave of their time to deliver signs, pamphlets and ensure the public is educated on the effects of fire service cuts and the impact on public safety. However, our fight is not over yet! As the year progresses, we have many challenges, which collectively, we need to address during 2014.The Fire Underwriter’s Survey, Pomax report and the budget will be but a few of the challenges that we will face. We must continue to discuss the cuts and ensure that year-round we continue to use our professionalism to educate the public. Collectively, we need to face all challenges, and with the entire Association, bolster the image of Fire Services to the public at large. We need to speak about services offered, such as auto extrication, water rescue, trench rescue and high angle rescue, as a few added services. Those whom we serve must be made aware of the variety of services that Toronto Fire Fighters offer and the need to maintain or increase resources in equipment, manpower and apparatus. The service reductions recommended by the General Manager of Fire Services and passed by Council, create an increased risk to the public and to our members. Your executive has been working diligently to develop programs to address the many issues. Many special committees have been created and funds allocated to develop programs to fight the negative comments and to further enhance the services offered by Local 3888 to the citizens of Toronto. Your executive needs your assistance when you are required, to educate the public. The challenges we face will require a unified front. This is not the first time the Association has seen regressive actions from politicians and rate payers. Collectively, we overcame the famous “RAE Days” and 1998’s amalgamation. This is not different and together we can overcome and defeat these attacks and challenges. It is very satisfying to represent and serve the membership and that the membership is so willing to participate and help fight attacks on our chosen profession.

BILL MCKEE

mckee@torontofirefighters.org 416-948-3888

Over the past four years, I have been privileged to chair the WSIB committee with Paul Atkinson. This portfolio is extremely challenging and time consuming. Whether we are dealing with an occupational disease or a physical injury, these issues impact our members immensely, adding stress and pressure to the individuals involved and their families. The current administration has taken an adversarial approach toward our injured members. They are taking advantage of changes at the WSIB to prolong the process and to minimize each and every claim. When I first started on this committee, a fellow advocate told me, “To be successful, you have to take the emotions out of it.” This is easier said than done! When dealing with an injured member or their family, I put myself in their boots. I think about my own family and co-workers and the impact on them. It is for this reason that I continue to work with determination to ensure our members and their families are protected. However, this is just the tip of the iceberg, we will face many more challenges over the next few years. In June, we helped prevent one of the most significant challengers to organized labour from becoming Premier. Tim Hudak and his Progressive Conservatives launched an unprecedented attack on unions with their “Right to Work” legislation. We helped fend off that attack but this fight is far from over. Now we face another challenge with October’s municipal elections. Every aspect of our profession and your livelihood is controlled and affected by all levels of government. It is for this reason that we, as an Association, are involved in the political arena. I sat at your kitchen tables four years ago and told you that the fight was coming. Well, it’s here and it’s been here for some time! Over the next several years, we will be faced with more battles and challenges that are unlike any other. This is our most critical time, our so-called ‘tipping point.’ This is why we need to unite and come together in our Brotherhood. We need strong leadership, membership engagement, and perseverance. The time has come to stand together, work together and fight together. Because if we don’t, we stand to lose everything that we, and those before us, have worked for, fought for and sacrificed for!

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JANOS CSEPREGHI

csepreghi@torontofirefighters.org 416-806-6286

This is an election year for all TPFFA Principal and Executive Officers. All fifteen jobs are on the line. If the whispers around the hall ring true, we could see some significant challenges to the leadership of this Association in the fall. New faces with profound ideas and fresh perspectives are an essential part of the democratic process and must be strongly encouraged. North Command has had acclimations for the last two terms, with all three Executive Officers, myself included, being awarded the position unchallenged. This trend has to stop. There are far too many significant issues impacting upon the TPFFA to give any Executive Officer a free ride. Executive Officers are accountable to the entire membership, but should, at the very least, be elected by their peers. The more members we can have in the race, the stronger our organization will become. I encourage any individuals that are kicking the tires on running for any Executive position to throw their name into the hat. I am not advocating change simply for the sake of change itself. I have the utmost confidence in the leadership and experience wielded by the current lineup of Executive and Principal Officers. In addition, I am not asking for someone to relieve me of my duty as an Executive Officer. This position is something I take great pride in and devote a significant amount of time and effort toward. I consider it an honour to represent the entire membership of the TPFFA but ultimately, the membership must chose whom they want to lead this organization. A position granted by default does not give the accountability that this membership deserves. Participation in your Association is not just a right but a responsibility of its members.

KEVIN MCCARTHY

mccarthy@torontofirefighters.org 416-708-6817

I remember my first day on the job and all I cared about was how much time off I got and how much money I was going to be paid. While both are extremely important, the more years you accumulate, the more those views change. As you get older, you may have a family and eventually start to think that benefits are the most important issue come contract time. Do you know the cost of braces these days? Benefits are the biggest cost to the city and are a key area during each round of negotiations that the city concentrates on lowering their liability. The benefits administrator - in our case Manulife Financial - also takes steps on a quarterly basis to reduce the cost of benefits. They make minor changes in wording, which may seem like nothing at the time, but may have a greater impact in the future. The recent change to our “out of country coverage” is a prime example. The benefits administrators may make changes to how claims are processed, such as requiring more information and asking our members to fill out surveys that are very invasive. All of which may seem reasonable, until you realize they are actually eroding your plan. The government, both provincial and federal, are constantly taking steps to lower benefit costs. The last provincial election proved that fire fighters, as a group, understood the severity of that, after talks of making changes to our pensions. Each year, more and more benefits are being removed from OHIP. Last year, a number of diagnostic tests such as PSA were removed. Fortunately, we have coverage for all diagnostic testing. So what can we do? Be aware if things are not covered. Ask why and don’t let the $30 PSA test get paid out of your own pocket. That test may be $300 a few years from now. Each round of bargaining, speak up about which benefits you feel need to be improved. Continue to support the governments that support your needs. Have a voice, because as the time goes by on this job, your benefits become the most important issue.

DOUG ERWIN

erwin@torontofirefighters.org 647-220-8787

This is my sixth year as an Executive Board Officer and it continues to be an honour and privilege to represent and serve the membership of Local 3888. As we are all well aware, it has been another challenging year, as we continue to battle an Administration and City Council determined to cut staff and service levels, while at the same time misleading the public by denying there will be an impact on the safety of the citizens we protect, as well as each and every one of our dedicated members. Although they may have succeeded in cutting four trucks this year, the fight is far from over and you can be assured they have no intention of stopping their assault on our staffing levels in the years to come. I would like to take this opportunity to thank the membership who devoted a lot of time and effort in a hard fought campaign in the attempt to prevent these service cuts. I encourage all members to devote some time whenever possible as we continue to educate councillors and the public on the importance of maintaining staffing levels and the effects service cuts will inevitably have on response times. As I stated last year, there is an ongoing movement underway to try to discredit the role organized labour plays in our society. The desire of those who are determined to reduce or eliminate many of the benefits we, and our predecessors, have fought so hard to achieve and maintain is gaining strength. We must continue to present a united front in order to combat these attacks on unions and the Public Service as a whole. The standard of living for the “middle class” in our society as we know it is in decline and, in my opinion, organized labour has a major role to play in stopping this erosion. Starting on December 1, 2013, I became Chair of the newly established Audit Committee. The mandate of the Committee is to audit the records of the Association throughout the year. I take the responsibility of overseeing the financial transactions of our Association very seriously. I would like to take this opportunity to thank fellow Committee members James Reed and Vannetta Tustian,as well as our book-keeper, Beatriz Coniglio, for their assistance in fulfilling the mandate of this Committee. I would like to also thank our Office Manager, Bill Radcliffe, and Office Administrators, Julie Frost and Charling Mendoza, for all the help they provide to the entire Executive Board throughout the year. A great deal of my time is spent serving as a member of the Grievance Committee. Although the workload is extensive, I welcome the opportunity to help ensure the rights of our members are protected and that the terms and conditions of our Collective Agreement are followed. I also serve as a member of the Government Relations, Benefits, and Entertainment Committees. I am also the Executive Liaison for the Communications Division. In closing I would again like to thank the membership for their support and as I previously stated I feel very privileged to have the honour of representing our Association.

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Executive Talk...Continued from page 33

EXECUTIVE TALK

DAVE HOLWELL

NEIL MCKINNON

mckinnon@torontofirefighters.org 416-659-2624

Here we are again, another year older and hopefully another year wiser. It’s been a whirlwind adventure since taking over as Chair of the Grievance Committee and has certainly brought a whole new meaning to the phrase, “24/7 – 365 days a year,” for me. But I did ask for it! The learning curve has been huge and extremely time consuming. Fortunately, with the help of my fellow committee members, Dave Holwell, Doug Erwin and Geoff Boisseau, and their outstanding work ethic, the position is starting to get a little easier. Now, it’s mostly just the sheer volume of business to deal with. As well, I have been assigned, once again, to the Ceremonial & Bereavement Committee, the Health & Safety Committee and the Constitution & Policy Committee, where I hope that with my years of experience, I can be a valuable asset. Only time will tell what the next year will bring us, and all I can do is promise to do my best to ensure the membership gets the representation that they desire. Have a great summer!

MIKE OGLE

Welcome to summer! It has been a long winter here in Toronto for many reasons. One being that Mother Nature dumped us in a deep freeze early in the season and kept the wonders of winter for many months. Another is that TFS took a step into the dark ages early in the season and kept the wonders of Sales coming for months! We are back to bully tactics, misinformation and political posturing in order for them to get their way. Gone are the days we worked so hard for: to have a working relationship and open dialogue with our employer. There was a presentation to Council to remove trucks from service with no regard for public or fire fighter safety. After all, it would seem that the arbitration award and subsequent contract entitlement had to be addressed somehow. Heaven forbid the City actually prepared for a financial obligation. We had an individual sit as a guest at our executive board meeting well over a year ago and tell us it was his intent to clean up old grievances and start fresh. Instead, we are well into a number of costly arbitrations; grievances are up; and punitive measures in all aspects of our job are starting with terminations and leading to suspensions. As I have said in the past, know your job, do it well, enjoy your time with family and friends and please do what you can to be involved. Stay up on what is being done and what is being said and most of all...know what and who is impacting your career. It is a dark day. Be safe.

JOHN MACLACHLAN

ogle@torontofirefighters.org 416-948-9598

As the Chair of the Ceremonial and Bereavement Committee, my duty is to make sure that at a funeral for an active, retired or fellow IAFF member, Local 3888 is professionally represented. I have also worked hard over the past few years as a member of this Committee to increase our attendance at public functions such as the St. Patrick’s Day parade, the Beaches Easter parade and the Labor Day parade. These events provide excellent public relations. Whether it is sending flowers to a retired member’s service, arranging to send members to IAFF funerals in other jurisdictions, arranging station plaque presentations or increasing our attendance at public functions, I strive to ensure that our local is professionally represented. I would like to thank our membership for their tremendous support of the Committee’s activities. With their continued participation, they are showing the citizens of Toronto that Toronto Fire Fighters care. I continue to be active on the Charity/Public Relations Committee and the Human Relations Committee as well. My goal would be to have our membership try to attend at least one event a year. Please do not hesitate to contact me with any suggestions that would benefit this Committee to serve the membership at large.

JAMES REED

holwell@torontofirefighters.org 416-807-7753

maclachlan@torontofirefighters.org 416-951-3887

Another year has passed since the last publishing of “Executive Talk” in Fire Watch. We are all aware of the many challenges that were presented as of January 30th, when Toronto City Council voted 29 to 16 in favour of reducing the fire budget by eliminating four trucks and eliminating 84 fire fighter positions. This was the vision that General Manager Jim Sales had for the new Toronto Fire Service moving forward. On January 30th, we lost our battle. However, we regrouped and put together a strategic plan to educate the citizens of Toronto on their loss of fire service in their communities. This was achieved by distributing information at subways, schools and private residences. With the upcoming municipal election, it is time to educate councillors on the true risk of removing fire coverage from the four affected communities. Again, many thanks to all of our members for your participation, and as the battle remains ongoing, we are confident that we can count on your continued support moving forward.

reed@torontofirefighters.org 647-889-6472

As I find myself over half way through my second term on your Executive Board, I look forward to making positive change. I have learned things do not happen quickly. There are pitfalls, and progress is hard fought. There is no better example of this than our Clothing Committee. We were reaching our goal of comfortable, quality clothing with a professional look. Unfortunately, the “powers that be” decided to change the rules in the middle of the game. I believe you have seen the results. I have learned to manage expectations, act tenaciously and persevere. We have clothing Grievances filed. Late last year, I was assigned by the President, along with Geoff Boisseau, to be the Association’s lead on CFAI Accreditation. Toronto Fire Services has registered to participate in the accreditation process. Accreditation is done through the Centre for Public Safety Excellence. It involves a comprehensive self-assessment and evaluation model that enables organizations to examine past, current, and future service levels and internal performance, and compare them to industry best practices. CPSE states, “Local government executives face increasing pressure to “do more with less” and justify their expenditures by demonstrating a direct link to improved or expanded services. Particularly for emergency services, local officials require specific criteria to assess professional performance and efficiency. The CFAI accreditation process provides a well-defined, internationally-recognized benchmark system to measure the quality of fire and emergency services.” By the time you read this, Geoff and I will have met with management to start this task. The feedback from other departments and the IAFF is that this is a process of critical value. Admittedly, this process will take a few years to complete. We plan to demonstrate its value to management and will fight further cuts in service until it has been completed. For details visit http://publicsafetyexcellence.org/ and look under the Agency Accreditation tab.

GORD SNELLINGS

snellings@torontofirefighters.org 647-445-0601

It has been, and continues to be, a privilege to serve the membership of Local 3888 in the role of Charity/PR Chair. With the guidance of other Executive Board members over the past year, I have been assisted immeasurably in acquiring the requisite knowledge to do the job to the best of my ability. This past year has been a busy one with our Association lending support to a great many worthwhile charitable fundraising causes and public relations events. I am grateful to all 3888 members, and in some cases their family members, who have given of their time to help out with those same events and who, invariably, have made every event enjoyable, as well as successful. Each and every time volunteers from the Association step up to assist at such events they are instrumental in building public support for us all as fire fighters, as well as in reinforcing our positive public image. Further, our involvement in charitable fundraising and public relations events demonstrates our collective desire to give back to the communities we serve. In so doing, we then have the opportunity for informal dialogue with members of the public on the many aspects of the job that we do. I look forward to another productive year of working with volunteers from our Association in supporting the many Community Associations and Charities across Toronto, who work tirelessly to make ours the best city in which to live!

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Member Profile on VINCENT PRATCHETT BY TONY MACDONALD, RETIRED TORONTO FIRE CAPTAIN

incent Pratchett was hired by the Toronto Fire Department in January of 1991. People often refer to having the ‘Luck of the Irish’. He feels he has always been fortunate - perhaps being half Irish is the reason why. Vincent is a martial artist, an inventor, a writer, and has a charity that he strongly supports. He was never much of a charity person, but once he became a fire fighter, this one spoke directly to him. On the job he has never talked about his martial arts background very much, perhaps now is the time. After a distinguished British military career, and with the end of World War II, his father became a fire fighter in Brentwood, England. Four children later, the family immigrated to Canada with the hopes of his father joining the Toronto Fire Department. It was not to be. Back in 1957, there was an age restriction and he was one year too old to apply for the job. They managed however, and Canada officially became their home. Vincent’s father was his first teacher, showing him British Commando moves at a tender age. He didn’t know it then, but the study of martial arts would become a lifelong endeavor. At age ten, he began studying Judo at his neighborhood YMCA. As a young man, he trained under Kyong Lee and his younger brother Hyun. They taught an art called Wanin Ryu, which was a synthesis of Korean, Japanese, Chinese, or Tae kwon do, Karate, and Kung fu. As a black belt, he was their only student given permission to teach their art, which he did for students at the University of Guelph. At that time, he also operated his own martial arts school in downtown Guelph. After deciding that the arts would be his career path, he wanted and needed to learn more. He moved to Hong Kong with his wife and four children for the purpose of further training. The only job he got was as a nightclub doorman. It would be fair to say that at this point, his training had

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shifted from a formal organized study, to a much more hands on approach. He was lucky enough however, to break into the Hong Kong Chop-Socky film industry as an actor and a stuntman. Working for an amazing Director by the name of Godfrey Ho, Vincent learned a lot about the movie making business. Sadly, Hong Kong was hard on his family. His marriage crumbled, and he moved back to Toronto. He was now a single father, in the position of starting from scratch. One thing that martial arts had taught him was the ability to regroup and focus. He saw a Toronto Fire Department recruitment ad in the Toronto Sun. The age restriction that had kept his father out had been lifted, and so he decided to apply himself toward the application and the employment process. Luck was

still with him, and he was successful. Vincent says, “From my very first day of my new life, it was clear that the strength of the Toronto Fire Department was within the colourful and talented individuals that made up the department. As a recruit, I was sent to 311 Hall on Balmoral Avenue. Ron Seymour was my first Captain. My senior man was Vic Epps. Both have passed since then, but I consider myself fortunate to have known them.” “My senior driver was John Bacon. John raced corvettes on his time off and the way he handled the truck was incredible. Although, in hindsight, probably not the best model for an impressionable and inexperienced recruit, now assigned to Hall 135. I grew up and still lived at Yonge and Eglinton, so to work in my own district was something I have really enjoyed.” Somewhat serendipitously, John Bacon later became Vincent’s Captain at station 135. He credits John for his great improvements behind the wheel of a fire truck. He and John traveled to New York shortly after September 11, 2001. They spent most of their time attending memorial services. “I am humbled to say that we were present for Paddy Brown’s service in St. Patrick’s cathedral. Paddy Brown’s career with NYFD is legendary. He is a hero in every sense of the word. One of his rescues can still be seen on YouTube under ‘rope rescue NYFD’. It was an honor just to be present and it put a

lifelong perspective on the career that we, as fire fighters have chosen.” As for inventing things, that all started when he began working with Mike Turnbull, now a Captain at Station 133. He was not a builder, but Mike on the other hand, could repair anything. An entire automobile brake job for example would be done for a case of beer. “I have personally seen him fabricate a temporary truck brake pedal fix out of materials lying around the hall, a hand held drill, and a hacksaw.” Mike was a machinist before he got on the job, and Vincent had an idea for a martial arts training device that hit and kicked back at the user. It used principles of conservation of energy and reduced friction using steel bearings. Together and over time, Vincent drew and Mike built, until they had finished what had been envisioned. They secured a US patent for their invention. “It worked so well that it beat me black and blue when I took it on its first test flight. A word to the wise here, no company is going to manufacture a contraption designed to beat the daylights out of the purchaser. That was the end of that.” He thought he had laid the inventor thing happily to rest, but a few years later he had another idea. This one was fire related. It was an idea for a tweak on our existing bunkersuit dragstrap. Vincent wanted to reduce the rescue time involved in recovering a downed fire fighter during a Mayday scenario. The idea was to eliminate the packaging process and the undoing and doing up of the straps of the SCBA. Having worked with Mike, he knew how to create the plans and how to get assistance from people with the skills he didn’t have. He contacted Lion Apparel and they were good enough to share their experts, their facilities, and their materials.

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Member Profile...Continued from page 37

The final product can be seen by anyone interested at: http://www.youtube.com/ watch?v=ZxlmigfccW4. The writer thing came next and also happened with the help of a colleague from TFS. Vincent is related to Terry Pratchett, from England. Terry was knighted by the Queen and has sold more than 85 million books, translated into 35 languages. Four years ago, Vincent had a few weeks off, and was keeping busy by writing - just for the fun of it. “I managed to produce twelve pages of creative writing that I didn’t think was too bad. My friend and co-worker came to my house, asking what I had been up to. So, I showed him.” “Have you shown this to anyone who knows anything about writing?” I could tell by his look of confusion and his question that where I thought it was pretty good, he clearly thought it was terrible. After hearing his comments, Vincent asked YMMA publishing house in the States if they would take a look and perhaps give some feedback. He had previously helped a Doctor of Chinese Medicine get a book published with them. He knew they didn’t publish fiction but they agreed, so he sent it. He was hoping for a “Not bad for a first attempt” or “Keep trying.” He just wanted to show his friend from the job that it didn’t “totally suck” in the opinion of a real publisher. “The surprise came when I got a phone call from Boston, saying that they had started publishing fiction two years previous and that they wanted to read the finished manuscript. It was that ‘Luck of the Irish’ thing, because to even get read by a publisher is rare. For me, as a new writer, it was a green light.” 38

Last April, Vincent’s novel, “The Raven’s Warrior” was published. In a nutshell, it’s the story of a Celtic warrior who happens to end up in China around 900 AD. Under the tutelage of a Shaolin Priest named Mah Lin, he begins learning martial arts, culture and philosophy of China. As a foreigner he can’t pronounce Mah Lin properly and refers to his teacher as ‘Merlin’. In effect, it’s a new branch of Arthurian legend. The reception that The Ravens Warrior has received has been nothing short of amazing. It won USA Best Book Award in the Visionary Fiction category. In addition, it was selected to be part of USA World Book Night. Every year, an independent panel of librarians and booksellers choose 30 to 35 books. On Shakespeare’s Birthday, April 23rd, these books are handed out to 550,000 light readers or non-readers for free. It is a literacy campaign that puts his debut novel in some very good company. Other authors include Scott Turow, Michael Pollan, Garrison Kiellor, Malcolm Gladwell, Joseph Heller, Agatha Christie, and Anthony Bourdain. “Last but not least, I would like to mention a charity that I strongly support. It is a 13,000 mile motorcycle ride that starts in Florida and ends in Alaska. It is called the Enduro Experience – Extreme Journeys for Charity. It raises money for six worthy causes. There is a great website for it and I urge members of Toronto Fire Services to check it out at: http://www.enduroexperience.com/

The organizations that will benefit from their efforts have a strong tie to the military veterans, both visibly and non-visibly affected by the ravages of war. We in the Fire Service are in many ways a type of soldier and share a close bond to soldiers with the concepts of loyalty, duty, and honor. “In summary, I have been very lucky. I was hired. I have been fortunate to work with people I love and respect, in the neighborhood that I live and grew up in. During my career, I have met many great people along the way. I have always tried to take a humble approach to my personal endeavors but I am proud to say that I have been a small part of this great organization.” S P R I N G 2 0 1 4 | F I R E WAT CH 38

Fire Fighter Frank Reynolds Nov. 28, 1964 Frank Reynolds was one of many Toronto Fire Fighters to join the department after returning from service in the First World War. As a member of the 31st Battalion Canadian Field Artillery from 1914-1918 he had a long history of service to his country before serving the City of Toronto. He was well known for telling stories of his experiences as a rodeo cowboy, often winning several hundred dollars in prize money in a single evening at events in western Canada and near the U.S.A. – Mexico border. As a highly skilled trick horse rider, he had frequently made enough money in one month of shows that he could fund a trip around the world. Despite his successes, the lucrative rodeo lifestyle did not change Frank’s desire to be a Toronto Fire Fighter. After one of his later competitions at the Toronto Exhibition, he turned down several offers to leave the fire department and travel as a full-time cowboy. Frank spent the majority of his career as a fire fighter working at Station 24 on Balmoral Avenue before transferring to Lombard Street. Unfortunately, like many fire fighters, Frank battled injuries and work-related illnesses throughout the later years of his career and during his eventual retirement. One day, shortly after he had transferred to the Lombard Fire Hall, was particularly devastating. January 28, 1931, proved to be a busy day for Toronto’s fire fighters as an arsonist set four separate fires within the span of thirty minutes. Fire Fighter Reynolds responded with his crew from Aerial #1 to a fire at 71 Bloor Street East and after arriving, he proceeded up a ladder over a signboard behind his crew. While climbing over the signboard, he slipped and fell over 20 feet. Fire fighters on the scene rushed to his aid and he was immediately taken to Toronto General Hospital on a fire truck, where it was discovered that he had fractured his spine. While stuck in a cast from neck to knees for several months he was optimistic that he would eventually return to the trucks. When his cast was removed six months later he was then required to wear a steel brace as a result of the damage that had been done to his back. He eventually resumed working for the Toronto Fire Department as a fire inspector, until his retirement, striving to make a difference by preventing fires like the one that caused the most significant injury of his career. Due to complications directly related to his years as a fire fighter, Frank Reynolds passed away at Sunnybrook Hospital in 1964, survived by his wife and two daughters.

Captain William Woolley July 25, 1964 With the passing of Captain William Woolley in the summer of 1964, Toronto Fire Fighters yet again lived through the painful memories of the Enarco barge explosion, almost thirty years to the day after it claimed the lives of three fire fighters and critically injured several others. This was a recurring theme since the summer of 1934, as the injuries that many fire fighters faced, cut their lives short and continued to do so even after the passing of Captain William Woolley. Like several other fire fighters on the day of the explosion, Captain Woolley had boarded the barge after it appeared that the fire had been extinguished. Woolley recalled standing beside District Chief James Dixon just moments before the blast that sent him hurling into the air. Witnesses from the Shell Oil Company, who were eating lunch outside, claimed they had seen roughly a dozen people, including fire fighters, in and around the barge just before the explosion. Captain Woolley was one of three people that they were able to locate among the wreckage and pull to safety at the chaotic scene. He was rushed to the hospital in critical condition with facial burns, a fractured pelvis and six fractured ribs. One month later, while still in hospital along with all of the other injured fire fighters, Woolley was the only one that was able to speak about what had occurred. He responded to inquiries about the deceased District Chief and recalled going up in the air together with him. The injured Captain also reiterated that they had thought the fire was out and that he knew that Chief Dixon would never send his fire fighters anywhere that he would not be willing to go himself. Less than a year after the explosion, both Albert Gallagher and Steve Truchan, who had saved Captain Woolley’s life, were jointly presented with medals for their actions. After living with the difficulties of his massive injuries for many years, Captain Woolley eventually became yet another victim of that gloomy day in 1934. Despite the repeated hope that each victim of the Enarco explosion would be the last, it would only be a matter of months before there would be yet another.

They shall grow not old, as we that are left grow old; age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn. At the going down of the sun and in the morning, we will remember them. SPRING 2 0 1 4 | FIRE WATCH 39

oronto Fire Fighters just experienced one of the toughest winters in many decades. There were ice storms in December that caused widespread power failures, as well as record numbers of fires and calls for assistance, which saw the total call volume rise dramatically. Even veteran Toronto Fire Fighters were amazed at the call volume and how many calls were coming in on a continuous basis. There was plenty of work for the new recruits that had joined the ranks within the last year or two. There was even a new phrase that Environment Canada was using every chance they could: “Polar Vortex”. Despite all of that, visiting Yellowknife and witnessing the ‘Northern Lights’ has long been on my bucket list. This past March, thanks to a great gift that I received from my wife and daughters, my dream was fulfilled. The Yellowknife Fire Department serves a community of just over 19,000 residents. It has modern high-rise buildings and the town is divided into two sections. Those sections are Old Town and New Town. The compliment of full-time personnel is 29. This includes 20 Fire Fighters, 4 Lieutenants, 3 Deputy Chiefs and 1 Fire Chief with an Administrator. There are also 30 paid, on-call fire fighters that will join their colleagues when there is a request for additional

BY DAVID QUINN, TORONTO ACTING CAPTAIN

personnel. The request could be for working fires or other emergencies that tax existing resources. I had the opportunity to visit the Yellowknife Fire Fighters in my last couple of hours before heading back to Toronto. I met Dieter Ryan, who was the station Lieutenant on shift. The crews work 10-hour days and 14-hour nights. I was surprised at just how busy the Yellowknife Fire Department is, answering calls in the 3,600 range in 2013. The crews also handle the transportation of injured patients by operating the ambulance as well. Fire fighters had a PCP accreditation allowing them to possess the same skills as a Level 1 Paramedic in Ontario. There is some training to occur in the future that would see the Yellowknife Fire Fighters adding a total of ten different medications to their list of attributes. There is a specialized

rescue compliment of snowmobiles, ATV sled combination, and water rescue craft. Great Slave Lake surrounds the Yellowknife area and is home to record Pike fishing and winter activities when ice conditions permit. It is quite common to have aircraft land on the Lake to move passengers in and out of Yellowknife. Some of these transports may include medical evacuation as well. The crews of the Yellowknife Fire Department see winter temperatures drop as low as -44 degrees Celsius…and that’s without the wind chill. These freezing temperatures pose challenges to the fire service anywhere, but in Yellowknife, very cold winters are a yearly occurrence. Toronto Fire saw a record fire relay this year at the Standard Auto Wreckers Blaze. This relay consisted of 14 trucks in a continuous relay to get water to a massive auto yard. The record relay was completed under brutally cold temperatures and wind chill in the -24 Celsius range. Toronto Fire lost an Aerial in the fire due to a frozen waterway leading to the tip of Aerial 244. The solution was to cut the waterway and ladder section with saws to try and retract the Aerial. Several trucks experienced air leaks and a burst hose in the middle of the relay provided a skating rink the Toronto Maple Leafs would have envied.

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So, how do they fight these fires time and time again, every year, in severe weather conditions? I talked to Dieter and he advised me that hydrants do not serve some areas and that tankers provide the water. There are multiple tankers in the Yellowknife compliment. Their frontline pumpers carry additional water as a first attack vehicle. We have a neat little trick for uncoupling hose. We have a spray bottle of antifreeze we spray on the couplings and this prevents them from freezing. Simple, yet effective. The Yellowknife Fire Department remembers two of its own every March 17th. On this fateful day, two fire fighters gave their lives in a shed fire at the Home

Building Centre on Old Airport Rd. The call came in at 7:00 am and with a quick response, the crews encountered a shed fire that was used to cut lumber. It’s believed that two heating units on the top of the shed were improperly installed, along with a poorly designed building that had no previous building permit. Captain Cyril Fyfe, who had 18 years experience and was a father of five, led the crew into firefighting operations at the shed fire. With him was Kevin Olsen, who had less than two weeks on the job and was fighting his first fire. From all indications, the fire was knocked down, except for some small embers while crews were

FIRE in the SKY

cutting ventilation holes. It is believed that the combined weight of the snow and ice, along with the poor construction led to the collapse. The crews on the roof escaped the collapse with minor injuries; however, both Fyfe and Olsen were trapped under the collapsed roof and snow. It was the first line of duty deaths for the Yellowknife Fire Department. A beautiful tribute sits outside the station for these two fallen fire fighters, as well as a memorial inside the fire station. Their pictures remind all of the Yellowknife Fire Fighters of their sacrifice and dedication to their profession, as well as any visitors that tour the station.

ellowknife has a different type of fire in the evening. These are the Aurora Borealis, also known as the Northern Lights. This is a major tourist attraction that welcomes visitors from China, Japan, India, and USA. All these nationalities were part of my group with North Star Adventure tours. In the blistering cold night air, where the temperature dropped to -45 C and froze the lenses on camera’s, I waited patiently for the Aurora to appear. Several guests ducked back into the touring vehicles to try and keep warm. With my hot packs in my gloves and boots, two balaclavas and multiple layers of clothing, I could still feel the dry cold go right through me. It came as a great relief when the Aurora of green, red, and yellow filled the sky. It could best be described as that game you played as a kid with the blankets, trying to make waves from one end of the bed to another. I managed to get some amazing shots of the Aurora. One included a meteor that lit up the sky and passed directly in front of us. This was an amazing trip, not just to see the Northern Lights but also to meet people from all over the world and share their excitement at the view. Toronto had a freezing cold winter with ice storms, and power failures but we got through it. The Yellowknife Fire Fighters take things all in stride. For them, it’s just another winter. For the Toronto Fire Fighters, it was a winter to forget.

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STATION 112 BY BERNICE HALSBAND, TORONTO FIRE FIGHTER

J.F. Larchevèque is a pretty cool guy. The modest Quebecer doesn’t quite strike you as someone who would jump out of a helicopter into the Atlantic Ocean holding a pack full of C-4, with which he is about to blow up a mine, 150 feet below the surface. Yet, the mild mannered, soon-to-be Acting Captain from Rescue 112 has an interesting history of military accomplishments that he acquired before joining the North York Fire Department 19 years ago. And even though he spent ten years in the military, including a stint in clearing pathways for war ships entering the Gulf War in 1990, aboard the USS Incheon, as part of an international team of divers, his dream was to become a fire fighter. He has spent his whole career thus far at 112, and as I sat down with him and his crew on ‘B’ Shift, I realized that he is not only a great source of information on the area, he is also one of the sundry of Toronto Fire Fighters whose backstory is as interesting as their run area and the calls they run.

We s t m i n s t e r- B r a n s o n is the civic name for the neighbourhood surrounding Bathurst and Finch. Though the name is of British ilk, it is predominately a Russian (23%) and Jewish (31%) neighbourhood, with recent influxes of Pilipino, Ukrainian and Polish immigrants. Drive through the run area and you’ll see a great selection of stores and even park

S P R I N G 2 0 1 4 | F I R E WAT CH 42

benches advertising in Cyrillic. J.F. recalls one of the questions on the entrance exam when he wrote for North York Fire 19 years ago: “What are the major ethnic groups in this area?” According to the 2006 census, 70% of the neighbourhood is foreign-born and the household income is well below average for Toronto, having led to community initiatives that help immigrants and Canadians alike gain access to much needed social welfare amenities, like legal and medical services. Crime is not a huge issue although once in a while it comes to the fore of everyday life, just as it does elsewhere in the city. The population is vastly composed of the elderly. The calls 112 responds to reflect this statistic, even though there is a good mix of everything in the run area which stretches from Steeles to Sheppard, and from Dufferin to Yonge. It’s a fairly large area that covers residential areas, wetlands and parks. But it hides a few surprises too. All in all, the area hasn’t changed much in the 19 years J.F. has been there. A few more apartment buildings have sprung up here and there but the staple neighbourhoods and plazas have stood the test of time almost as well as its residents. Besides the regular challenges of attending to the elderly, the crews also struggle with the language barrier that comes into play more often than not. “One of the common complications we face in this neighbourhood is the ‘fear

of uniforms’ that are imbedded in many cultures. They think we’re gonna throw them in jail if they admit to having a pot on the stove,” the crew tells me. “Sometimes when we knock on the door of an apartment or house and we can see the smoke billowing out of the window they’ve opened, the resident will still tell us that it wasn’t them and that everything is fine, while coughing.” On occasion, they have had to search for a smoking pot that has been dumped down the garbage hatch in an effort to hide the source of the apartment responsible for the alarm. “One time we had a CO call where our meter read over 150 ppm,” Ron Bahen, the resident rookie, recalls. “We couldn’t get them to leave the house!” At 23, Ron already has an impressive career as a horse caretaker for Woodbine Racetracks behind him. “I grew up on the tracks,” he says shrugging his shoulders. “My dad is a jockey and horses and racing is what I grew up with.” Yet, jockeying was not for him. Even though he interviewed for Ottawa Fire at age 19, he ended up in Toronto just a few years later, packing in experience as a Level 4 Umpire and working at Toys ‘R Us in between. Having a childhood friend whose father used to be the Deputy Fire Chief of Brampton helped his decision along. He did a ride-along one day and never looked back. Station 112 used to be Old North York Fire Department hall 12. It was the 12th hall that North York built for its Fire Department. It’s a fairly large edifice for a one-truck hall, and its three additions since inception in 1978, used to house the communications centre and a mechanical division. The 7,020 square foot structure is attached to Toronto EMS Station 17, though the two services rarely see one another. Once in a while, they run calls with Hatzollah, the EMS-like volunteer organization aimed at Jewish denizens mostly in 132’s run area. Rescue 112 also runs mutual aid calls with Vaughn Fire and York Region EMS every so often, which, considering its proximity to the border, is no surprise.

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Station 141...Continued from page 43

The Little Hidden Gems

The surprises that the area hides are the Holocaust Museum (Sarah and Chaim Neuberger Holocaust Education Centre), the Branson Hospital Hyperbaric Chambers, and the Sanofi-Pasteur Pharmaceutical Lab and Testing Facility. All are interesting complexes for different reasons, but they all have an impact on our job; or would, should something go wrong. The Holocaust Education Centre is higher up on the list of frequent bomb threats than most other buildings in the GTA and it’s quite common to see evacuations of people moseying and sauntering onto the lawn, in close proximity of the building. Perhaps the frequency of alarms and threats has dulled the urgency in their movement. The building itself looks like a bungalow, but it is built on a ravine and from the back you can see that it is built on 30-foot pillars. The police that patrol the area have training that is specific to the structure. Did I mention that J.F. has an impressive list of military accomplishments under his belt? Add to that list that he is one of the few Certified Hyperbaric Technologists in the city and we have the perfect candidate to tell us about the usage of hyperbaric chambers on burn victims. The chambers are used for many different ailments and though the technology is still quite controversial in North America, it is one of the primary treatment options for burn victims in Europe. If you have ever been told about the only two locations that have hyperbaric chambers in Toronto, i.e. Toronto Genereral Hospital and the DRDC at Downsview, you might be surprised to know that Branson Hospital is a hardly-ever mentioned third location. The third surprise is the Sanofi-Pasteur complex. It used to house buildings (building 69) that ran medical tests on animals. Crews were told that if ever there was a fire in a wing where nonhuman models were kept, to make sure all the animals burned up. This is, of course, counterintuitive to us as fire fighters. We are well known for running into burning buildings to save lives, not make sure they burn up. However, the viruses and bacteria these animals carried would have been too harmful to be let out into the world. These days the testing is only done on rabbits, but the same principal applies. Even if there is no fire and the crew gets called to a simple medical call in the testing facilities, there are strict policies and procedures to follow. A-Level Suits have to be worn to extract the patient until he/she has been decontaminated and brought into a separate room. Only then can the suits and masks come off and the patient can be looked after.

The Diversity Factor

When I look around the Fire Stations in this city, I’m always pleasantly surprised by our diversity. Not just in terms of ethnicity and orientation, but also in skills, abilities, education and training. J.F. has a military background, Ron used to groom horses, and Erv Quan did a bit of everything. He was born to Chinese immigrants and grew up in Brampton. His family history includes a grandfather who helped build railroads in Canada and parents who through a tough life in revolutionary China made their way to Ontario somehow, hoping for a better life for themselves and their children. Erv started as a volunteer fire fighter in Sauble Beach before he made his way to 112, or old 12 Station. “We had stores, a carwash, restaurants...did a bit of everything. At one point we had a brass foundry; and at one point I was a bricklayer,” he recalls when J.F. interjects about an Audi engine. Erv hesitates as I give him a quizzical look. “Well...the thing is, I used to have this old Audi engine that fit certain shaped bottles so perfectly, that I used it as a drink holder. But since it was in my backyard, where flowers and other growth made its way through, eventually it was like a vase,” J.F. is chuckling in his corner as Erv explains sheepishly. Obviously a lot of jokes have been made about the engine. He has worked with J.F. for 13 years and B shift has worked some interesting calls in the past. On July 26, 2009, a major rainstorm hit Toronto. A massive sinkhole, five meters wide and four stories deep created traffic mayhem. “I remember looking at the sky when I left for night shift,” J.F. recalls. “The colors were amazing: green, yellow, black. It looked like someone had bruised the sky. By the time I arrived at the hall, the water was covering my petals in the car. I was praying that my car would make it.” There were more than 300 calls that came into North Command that day and a break for dinner had to be fought for even if it only came at 11pm. Communications was overloaded. It will be interesting to see what is in store for 112 as the face of the city is in constant flux. As the area’s denizens get older and are replaced by a new population there could be an upheaval to the status quo that has reigned for the past 20+ years. As denizens come and go though, fire halls, despite their adherence to tradition, are champions of adaptability, partially because of the microcosm they exist in. As for the crew on B, change is inevitable, as J.F. gets closer to being picked-up as an Acting Captain. But for now, no one has any plans to leave.

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TORONTO

PROFESSIONAL

FIREFIGHTERS

CELTIC SOCIETY BY PATRICK HAYTER, TORONTO FIRE FIGHTER

f you enjoy great music, love life and you are committed to improving people’s lives in our community, then look no further than the Toronto Professional Firefighters Celtic Society! The Toronto Professional Firefighters Celtic Society is a not for profit organization governed by Toronto Firefighters who abide by a constitution and donate 100% of all funds raised to our chosen, much deserving charities. We are a society devoted to our community and to our profession, whereby we support our tireless and talented Toronto Fire Pipes and Drums Band. A few Toronto Firefighters who had a zest for life, culture, music and an overall desire for fellowship and camaraderie formed the Toronto Professional Firefighters Celtic Society in early 2006. Today, the Executive and Command Representatives echo these sentiments and continue to carry the torch so passionately lit by the society’s founding fathers. All Toronto Firefighters are genuinely encouraged to become members and not only help us to support our fund raising initiatives but to enhance the sense of community within the ranks of Toronto Firefighters. We are the Celtic society in name but our premise resonates with every culture in the world; assisting in our community with added fellowship and fun is ingrained in the human psyche the world over. Membership is simple and costs $20 annually. With

your welcomed membership you will receive a Toronto Firefighters Celtic Society T-shirt or ball cap. We also have newly designed shoulder flashes that can be purchased for only $5. When you join, we will take your e-mail address and add you to our mailing list and send you a message informing you of upcoming social and fundraising events sponsored by the Celtic Society. Remember that 100% of all funds raised will be donated back to the community on behalf of all of the members of the Toronto Firefighters Celtic Society. Due to the amazing response from our brother and sister Toronto Firefighters, we have been able to make a donation of $5,000 to Camp Bucko (Burn Camp for Kids in Ontario) at our Spring Celli at the Balmy Beach Club! We have also just donated $1,500 to a charity called Lindsay’s Angels, who provide young cancer survivors with post secondary school financial assistance. So, as you can see, we are determined to contribute to local charities who help our young people from all walks of life get a helping hand where needed. We are currently working on our next event and future fundraising initiatives! If you have any questions, please feel free to email us at

celticsociety@tpffcs.com. New website: tpffcelticsociety.com

Executive and Command Representatives

Dave Cossitt - Station 232 “A” Jason Atwell - Station 332 “C” Ryan Redwood - Station 227 “A” Rob Gutray - Station 432 “C” Mark Weston - Station 142 “C” Patrick Hayter - Station 332 “C” Phil Meredith - Station 243 “A”

Please like/join our face book page: “Toronto firefighters celtic society” Follow us on twitter: @TorFireCeltic

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Letter from the Editor… PTSD – the new buzz word in mental health, and hearing more and more about it among military personnel and first responders. If you haven’t heard or read about it, you have now… Post Traumatic Stress

Toronto Professional Fire Fighter’s Assoc 8227672-HO05794 COCCOL 7.12” x 4.75” Cynthia Kinnett v.4

Disorder. Keep a listen, it is likely you will hear or read about it more frequently now. PTSD is a mental illness stemming from exposure to trauma involving death or the threat of death, serious injury, or sexual violence. As you can imagine, not an easy illness to live with; however, like many illnesses, is treatable. With every educational seminar, conference and training your Peer Support Team members attend, PTSD is a frequented topic on the agenda whether it is for discussion or is an educational component.

Here at TFS, we have also decided to get on the band wagon and bring some education our way for the good of everyone. To learn more, look forward to attending the Health and Wellness Seminar in November, and you will hear several presentations on various aspects of physical and mental health, two of which will be on PTSD. One will be from an educational perspective, the other a personal perspective. Hoping you will make time to be there. Lynn

WORKING THROUGH PTSD

There are several symptoms to be aware of and the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) lists them as follows: • Reliving the event – you have flashbacks, nightmares, or bad memories; • Avoiding “triggers” – you try to avoid things that remind you of the event; • Negative changes in beliefs or feelings – your view of others and yourself may have changed or you may feel guilt, fear, depression, or shame; • Feeling keyed up (hyper arousal) – you may always be on the lookout for danger, be jittery, or have trouble sleeping or focusing on daily activities. PTSD is now more recognized as a valid condition. So much so, that PTSD has been included in the DSM - Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders and will be categorized a little differently in the next chapter, whereby triggers and exposure will be identified and detailed. Anyone experiencing symptoms should seek help, including spouses or other family members of first responders, since they too are exposed to traumatic events, albeit second-hand. As challenging as it may be to recognize and admit to, in order to ease the pain, those experiencing PTSD, or witnessing it, must always be mindful that “tough guys don’t cry.” Some people may feel embarrassed talking with others. Some may even feel like it’s somehow their own fault. Trauma is hurtful - it is the “silent killer.” In providing appropriate care, one needs to find a means of getting over, through or around this fundamental sticking point. Those experiencing PTSD must allow those to circle around and then through this delicate ground, both thoughtfully and with care, either through personal counselling or being part of a support group. A well-known therapy used to help people who suffer from PTSD, is Cognitive-Behavioural Therapy (CBT). It has been shown to be very effective for PTSD. CBT teaches how thoughts, feelings, and behaviours work together and how to deal with problems and stress. Learning relaxation skills and techniques, which bring you back to the present, are also helpful. You can learn and practice many skills in CBT on your own.

ave you experienced unexpected trauma, be it related to a crime, accident, war, life threatening situation or a natural disaster and felt powerless to stop or change the event? Frightening situations happen to each of us at some point in our life and we can react in many different ways. We might feel nervous, have a hard time sleeping well, or go over the details of the situation in our mind. These thoughts or experiences are a normal reaction and they usually decrease over time and we go back to living our daily lives. Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) is a little different on the other hand, as it lasts much longer and can seriously disrupt a person’s life. PTSD can involve an event or situation that has been personally experienced or something that has happened to someone else, including loved ones. PTSD involves exposure to trauma involving death or the threat of death, serious injury, or sexual violence. PTSD is a mental illness. As First Responders, you are exposed to some horrific incidents and see what others do not in the line of duty, yet are quietly expected to just keep going. What happens is that one incident or an accumulation of events and associated trauma can cause depression, stress, and sleep problems - all symptoms of PTSD. Some statistics to consider: as many as 37 percent of fire fighters meet criteria for a diagnosis of PTSD, this according to the journal Fire Engineering. A decade after 9/11, about 1,000 of 5,000 Long Island first responders still showed symptoms of PTSD. After the Newtown, Conn., massacre, as many as seven police officers - more than 16 percent of the local 43-member force - were out at one time, off duty, with PTSD issues. So, while this can be a long-term condition, it is also one that many can learn to cope with through long-term therapy and possibly medication. Trusting and reliable support systems can also be influential in helping someone through the rougher stages of the disorder. The sooner the support systems are in place, the better they help to prepare for what potentially could be a lengthy journey. The good thing is that there is hope.

For people who are supporting a loved one or someone suffering from PTSD, below are some coping strategy tips:

TORONTO FIRE SERVICES / TORONTO PROFFESSIONAL FIREFIGHTERS ASSOCIATION L 3888

PEER SUPPORT / CIS RESPONSE TEAM CONTACT SHEET TEAM MEMBER

CONTACT

LYNN PEZZELATO DAVID MORLEY JOHN DRIMMIE CARY STATHER GORD THOMPSON STEVE ZAVITZ ANDREW GLIOSCA RODNEY JOHNSTON

PD&T PD&T 223 C 233 D FP 143 A 132 B 242 B

------------------ 647-409-3135 ----------------------------------- 416-723-8374 ----------------------------------- 416-676-3074 ----------------------------------- 647-409-2633 ----------------------------------- 416–676–2942 ----------------------------------- 416–676–3105 ----------------------------------- 416–602-0848 ----------------------------------- 416–723-8376 ------------------

HUGH DOHERTY

324B

------------------ 416-433-O446 ------------------

doherty@torontofirefighters.org

CONTACT

------------------ 416-450-8372 ----------------------------------- 416-318-9167 ----------------------------------- 416-271-7540----------------------------------- 905-375-7369------------------

hughdonnelly@rogers.com

CHAPLAIN

HUGH DONNELLY TODD RILEY BARRY PARKER DAVID KING Website:

East West South North

www.tfspeersupport.org

EAP / CIS Team Phone - 416-338-9327

lpezzela@toronto.ca dmorley@toronto.ca johndrimmie@gmail.com cstather@toronto.ca gthomso@toronto.ca szavitz@rogers.com gliosca@ymail.com rj3111@hotmail.com

tsriley@primus.ca bparker@stpaulsbloor.org g_david_king@yahoo.ca April 2013

Communications – 416-338-9001

• Start by learning more about PTSD. This can give you a better idea of your loved one’s experiences. Understand that behaviours related to PTSD - like avoiding certain situations or reacting angrily to a minor problem - are not about you. They are about the illness. • People who experience PTSD may withdraw from family and friends. Even if your loved one doesn’t want to talk, you can still remind them that you are there to listen when they’re ready. • While it’s usually not a good idea to support behaviours that create problems, it’s still important to support your loved one’s overall movement toward wellness. This balance is not always easy, as you need to respect your own boundaries too. • Ask what you can do to help but don’t push unwanted advice • Try to put your own feelings into words and encourage your loved one to do the same. It’s easier to solve problems or look at conflicts when you know what’s really going on. It is tender ground to tread. However, it’s necessary to work through it for the benefit of both those who suffer and those close to the person suffering - those who care deeply for their health and welfare.

TORONTO FIRE SERVICES EAP/CIS NEWSLETTER - SPRING EDITION 2014

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ARIO 1 S ONT

SPRING 2 0 1 4 | FIRE WATCH 49

Sweet July Smoothie

The fire fighter’s guide to health and nutrition

Ingredients: • 2 Frozen Bananas Sliced • 1 (8 ounce can) Crushed Pineapple • 1 Large Mango Chopped • 2 Kiwis • The juice of 1 large orange • 1 Cup Low Fat Buttermilk

Foods for a

SERVING SUGGESTION Serving Size: 3/4 cup Number of Servings: 4

Healthier Heart

NUTRITION FACTS Calories 219 Total Fat 1g Saturated Fat N/A Sodium 69 mg Total Carbohydrates 47 g Fiber 5 g Protein 4 g

Heart disease is the number one killer of fire fighters and the second leading cause of death in America. A healthy lifestyle and heart health go hand-in-hand. You can lower your risk of heart disease by eating right and maintaining a healthy weight.

DIRECTIONS Put all of the ingredients into a blender and blend until smooth.

Re-printed with the permission of Sunnybrook Foundation, Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre

Foods to Fill Your Plate

S P R I N G 2 0 1 4 | F I R E WAT CH 50

What you eat is very important for heart health. A good diet really makes a difference.   Pile your plate with fruits and vegetables. They have more vitamins, minerals and health-enhancing compounds like antioxidants than any other food group. Whole grains are another winner. They are low in calories and fat and a great source of complex carbohydrates, the primary fuel for our bodies. Research shows eating three servings of this powerful food each day can lower your risk of heart disease and diabetes. Some examples of whole grains are whole wheat, barley, brown rice, oats and corn (including popcorn). Fruits, vegetables and whole grains are all rich in fiber. Studies have shown that fiber lowers cholesterol. It also makes you feel full, which can help in controlling your weight. You should aim to eat 25 to 38 grams of fiber each day, depending on your age and your sex. Experts recommend eating at least two servings of baked or grilled fish each week because it’s high in heart-healthy omega-3 fatty acids. Good, fresh fish to consider are salmon, mackerel, flounder, tuna and halibut.

Foods to Watch Keep tabs on your fat intake. Saturated fat is the main food culprit for high cholesterol. The higher your cholesterol, the greater your risk of developing heart disease or having a heart attack. Saturated fats are mostly found in marbled meats like steak, poultry with skin and dairy products like butter, cheese and ice cream.

At the same time, studies show that unsaturated fats, especially monounsaturated fats, defend against heart disease, winning them the nickname “good” fats. Unsaturated fats are found in nuts, olives, avocados and canola and olive oils. A low-fat diet rich in good fats may increase the amount of good cholesterol in your blood while keeping your total cholesterol low.

Staying Trim Losing excess weight is one of the best ways to reduce your risk of heart disease. Extra weight puts more strain on your heart. It can raise your blood pressure and contribute to high cholesterol, two conditions that can predispose you to heart disease. A lot of fire fighters say they put on more weight as they put in more time on the job. Changing your eating habits can help you win the battle of the bulge. For example, the empty calories in certain beverages and snack foods can really add up. Satisfy your snack attacks with low-calorie, nutritious fruit instead of chips and other nibbles and drink iced tea or water in place of soda.

SPRING 2 0 1 4 | FIRE WATCH 51

Recipe courtesy of Simply Great Food. Dietitians of Canada.

Fit to SURVIVE

3888

Gord Snellings present Captain Ed Swiderski and Captain for $3,000 during the a cheque on behalf of the TPFFA il 13, 2014. Apr Easter Seals Telethon, held on

RECENT HAPPENINGS

Firesound played the WestJet stag e at Harbourfront Centre on May 25, 2014 and raised more money for Camp BUC KO from sales of their “Burning Love” CD.

Several Toronto Fire Fighters had a great afternoon participating in the Beaches Easter Parade on April 20, 2014. Despite the frigid temperatures, a great showing of Toronto Fire Fighters participated in this year’s St. Patrick’s Day Parade in downtown Toronto on Sunday March 16.

Toronto Fire Fighters rode the Big Bike on June 6, 2014 at Scarborough Town Centre in support of the Heart & Stroke Foundation.

MPP for EglintonLawrence, Mike Colle, distributes sandwiches and drinks to Toronto Fire Fighters who were battling a stubborn 6-alarm blaze at a Matress Warehouse in his riding on March 27, 2014.

The TPFFA made a “Burnout” presentation to the Derose family at Station 226-B on March 9, 2014, after they experienced a fire at their family home on January 31, 2014. S P R I N G 2 0 1 4 | F I R E WAT CH 52

Toronto Fire Fighters set up the “Toronto Fire Fighters’ Water Station” to distribute water to participants running in the Toronto Women’s Half Marathon/5K in support of the Pediatric Oncology Group of Ontario.

Premier Kathleen Wynne visits with the crew at Station 314-C on April 30, 2014, after holding a press conference to announce the addition of six new cancers to the Presumptive Legislation for fire fighters.

SPRING 2 0 1 4 | FIRE WATCH 53

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