Fire Watch (Summer 2006)

Firesound “Burning Love” CD a Smokin’ Success VOLUME 2

2006 TPFFA Media Awards

A Salute To Our Retirees You’ve Earned It, You Deserve It

Privacy Please Publications Agreement No: 41203011

Publications Agreement No: 41203011

FIREHALL SHOWCASE: Station 225 & Museum

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ISSUE 2 | SUMMER 2006

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VOLUME 2

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ISSUE 2

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SUMMER 2006

IN THIS ISSUE 32

13

5.

President’s Message

9.

Secretary Treasurer’s Message

11. Vice President’s Message

49 54

13. Chaplain’s Corner 14. Letters to the Editor 17. 2006 Media Awards 21. Health & Wellness 23. Communications

51

61

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

25. CPAT 29. What’s Privacy Got To Do With It? 32. Firehall Showcase – Station 225 & Museum 35. Fire Fighter Survival and Rescue – Part IV 39. 20th Anniversary of Hazard 1

FIRE WATCH is published quarterly by Xentel DM Incorporated on behalf of the Toronto Professional Fire Fighters’ Association

41. Collective Agreement Review – Attaining Seniority

CHIEF EDITOR: Scott Marks

45. 2006 Off-Duty Awards

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

49. ATM Program – Exemptions

DESIGN AND ART DIRECTION Xentel DM Incorporated

51. Bill 206 – What Now?

CANADIAN PUBLICATIONS MAIL Agreement No: 41203011

54. Recent Happenings

PRINTED IN CANADA BY General Printers, 1001 Ritson Road South, Oshawa ON L1H 4G5 Members of the GCIU Copyright Š 2006 Toronto Professional Fire Fighters’ Association

56. A Salute To Our Retirees

ADVERTISING: Nancy Philippou Tel.: 416.646.3128 Fax: 416.646.3134 Email: nancyp@xentel.com

60. Upcoming Events

Merchant Card Acceptance

59. Firesound CD a Smokin’ Success

61. Toddle for Tots

'JSFTPVOE i#VSJO

H -PWFw $% B 4NP 6/,5-% \

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.

On The Cover Winning photo in the 2006 TPFFA Media Awards for “Best photo in print with a circulation over 100,000 Photo by John Hanley

2006 TPFFA Media Awards

A Salute To Ou

9OU VE %ARNE D )T 9OU

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4

PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE

I

n a recent poll conducted across Canada by Leger Marketing, fire fighters once again topped the polls as the most admired and trusted profession.

Scott Marks

The approval rating of 97% is in no Recently we have been the subject small part due to the work we do day of negative comments in the media in and day out. Typically we are called and public forums. Certain unfortunate out when there is an emergency situaevents have put some things forward in tion that needs rapid intervention. We a negative manner that do not reflect respond to people in need. By extenthe day to day work we do. It is difficult sion it is only natural that people view to gauge the effect of these things. In a us in the manner they do; but a 97% community as large as Toronto it is easy approval rating is a reflection on, more to find people to phone a talk radio then a reaction to, the job we do. It show to voice negative comments. speaks volumes about professionalism Other professions are no doubt envious and dedication to the public. of our public support and want to see Fire fighters have enjoyed this level us knocked down a few pegs. All these of public respect and trust for many things have put us under a public years and it relates directly to the scrutiny level we have not previously manner and professionalism we display known. both on and off the job. Our recent For the most part these recent events off-duty awards (as part of our Fire have run their course and the people Fighter Ball Luncheon) highlights acthat want to take shots have done so. tivities of our members performing resEntering into a public scrum with some cues, community service and other acts while off duty.

THERE IS A RULE OF THUMB WHICH DICTATES THAT Many of our members are WHEN YOU ARE RUDE AND NEGATIVE TO SOMEONE hockey, soccer and baseball THEY WILL TELL TWENTY PEOPLE. WHEN YOU ARE coaches or the school helpers POLITE AND HELPFUL THEY WILL TELL FOUR PEOPLE. during a student field trip.

People are attracted to our profession because they want to be a of the media on these issues would only part of making the community a safer have extended the life of these events and healthier place to live. It is natural in the public forum. Our goal has been that this same dedication is reflected in to move the focus to the positive public the way they live their lives. This has work we do, ensuring it continues to not gone unnoticed by the public. get coverage and let the other things With any occupation it is important run their course. to remember that this type of approval While it is still a minority that want and trust is not unconditional. It is a to criticize fire fighters, it is time for bond that has been built by fire fighters all of us to work at overcoming the over the years based on the way recent negative events. The best way they selflessly give of themselves to to do this is with a strong showing of their communities, both on and off the the positive work we do, and with job. As such, it is a bond that can be showing respect to the public and weakened or broken. citizens we serve. There is a rule of

[

thumb which dictates that when you are rude and negative to someone they will tell twenty people. When you are polite and helpful they will tell four people. The fact that we have such a positive public profile shows which side of the line we fall on the majority of the time. But I would challenge everyone to step it up a notch. In any situation you are in, whether emergency or nonemergency, engage the public and offer any assistance you can.

There are still calls coming into the fire chief on a daily basis concerning trucks parked at grocery stores etc.

These are not an issue. But a significant number of these still speak of trucks blocking laneways or stopping in traffic to pick up coffee; completely avoidable situations that negatively affect members of the public.

Common sense should prevail and I would ask you all to keep these things in mind when you do need to stop for meals or groceries. Inconveniencing the public does not create friendships.

Public opinion and sentiment have a direct impact on our relationship with our employer. When members of council know that the public supports our work and they see us as admired and trusted public employees it is difficult for them to raise objections to fair and reasonable contract negotiations.

In this sense every member plays a role in our bargaining objectives. Treating the public with respect and going the extra mile is not only the best way to do your job, it will pay off for all of us

]

SUMMER 2006 | FIRE WATCH

5

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President’s Message ... Continued from page 5

to do your job, it will pay off for all of us in the long run.

On a sadder note we have lost two active members and a member of the OPFFA Executive Board recently. I know I speak for all, when I offer condolences to the family and friends of Jeff Laishes and Fred Bartley. The executive board has recently returned from Thunder Bay where we honoured the passing of OPFFA Vice President, 7th District, Joe Adamkowski. I realize most of you don’t know Joe, but rarely does one meet an individual that has the qualities Joe teemed with. Joe was

incredibly bright, funny, articulate with a voice that could be heard for miles.

Four years ago he was diagnosed with colon cancer and within days of his death WSIB recognized his death as an occupational disease. Our own Paul Atkinson and Hamilton Fire Fighter Colin Grieve were instrumental is getting Joe’s claim recognized in the appeal process. Joe was a fighter and crusader to the end and epitomized the best qualities of a fire fighter and union leader. He will be sadly missed.

Equally important, there has been significant movement at the provincial

level of government to move forward with some significant improvements in presumptive legislation for fire fighters in Ontario. The NDP have tabled a private member’s bill with improvements and this sparked the ruling liberals to begin work on a bill to improve our presumptive coverage.

Good news indeed.

Scott Marks President, Toronto Professional Fire Fighters’ Association I.A.F.F. Local 3888

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8

SECRETARY TREASURER’S MESSAGE

I

recently attended the OMERS Board and senior management annual stake holders meeting in Toronto.

Its purpose was to communicate the 2005 Plans performance to OMERS stake holders, employers, members and retirees, and to outline future priorities and provide attendees with a chance to ask questions and provide input.

Despite the strong returns, the deficit increased. This is due to assets still recognizing losses from 2001 and 2002 due to the actuarial smoothing process that smoothes market fluctuations over five years, and the gains from strong returns of the past three years were also deferred due to smoothing. The liabilities have also increased due to member salary increases, inflation increases for pensioners that were higher than anticipated, and changing demographic factors.

It is for these reasons that the OMERS board has decided not to file the actuarial valuation with the government.

The actuarial valuation is an actuarial study and valuation of the assets and liabilities of the fund and it must be filed no less frequently than at three year intervals. If it were to be filed, we would be looking at an OMERS

2005 Performance highlights • OMERS posted a 16.0% total fund return in 2005, exceeding the benchmark return of 13.2%; • Fair market value of net assets increased by 15.2% to total $41.1 billion; • OMERS had a net investment income of $5.5 billion; • The Pension Division met or exceeded all service standards including: initial claims were processed in less than two business days, exceeding the target of three days; more than 90% of inquiries were resolved during a first phone call.

Frank Ramagnano

contribution increase. If it were filed next year, the earliest we could see an OMERS contribution increase is January 1, 2008. It was decided to wait a year to file as the smoothing of the losses will be less, and the smoothing of the gains will increase. Also if the plan matches its performance of the past couple of years then the contribution increase to combat the actuarial deficit would be less. The risk to this strategy is not meeting bench mark returns on assets and thus increas-

Toronto Professional Fire Fighters' Association Income Tax Summary - (Cost of Retirement) ESTIMATE Assumption Date December 31, 2006 (Assumption: Single - TD1 Code 1) 30 years service Fire 35 years service Fire Fighter Fighter

Income: Salary or Pension (1)

Active 77,945

Retired 41,964

Active 77,945

Retired 48,958

30 years service Captain

35 years service Captain

30 years service District Chief

35 years service District Chief

Active 88,671

Active 88,671

Active 99,398

Active 99,398

Retired 47,989

Retired 55,987

Retired 54,014

864

864

864

864

864

OMERS Pension Plan

7,161

-

8,304

-

9,459

-

Canada Pension Plan

1,911

1,911

1,911

1,911

1,911

1,911

Association Dues

Employment Insurance

729

729

729

729

Retired 63,016

864

729

729

Federal Tax

11,176

5,124

12,925

6,662

13,554

6,449

15,714

8,209

16,043

7,775

18,503

Provincial Tax

5,391 16,567

2,645 7,769

6,642

3,435

7,064

3,196

8,510

4,078

8,731

3,897

10,377

4,742

3,504

10,097

11,808

9,645

3,504

12,287

12,963

11,672

3,504

14,497

50,713

34,195

54,874

38,861

56,245

38,344

60,943

43,700

61,661

42,342

67,014

48,519

28.36

19.12

30.69

21.73

31.46

21.45

34.08

24.44

34.49

23.68

37.48

Total Deductions Net Annual Pay (Take home Pay) Net HR Rate (2) (Take home Pay) Cost of Retirement Yearly Cost/retirement HR Rate (2)

9,755

27.14

16,518

16,013

17,901

17,243

19,319

18,495

9.24

8.96

10.01

9.64

10.80

10.34

NOTES: (1) Information above based on; 30 or 35 years completed service as of December 31, 2006.

(2) Hourly rates based on 1,788 hours per annum.

This is a rough estimation, all the same factors have been used throughout the chart for comparison purposes. Please consult with OMERS to get a true reflection of your pension.

SUMMER 2006 | FIRE WATCH

9

Secretary Treasurer’s Message ... Continued from page 9

the deficit and forcing a larger increase on contributions. I believe OMERS is utilizing the right strategy and it is important to note that if smoothing was taken out of the equation that the OMERS balance sheet would be balanced today.

We also had some questions answered that we had asked of OMERS some time ago. The questions we asked were; “What was the average age at retirement for fire fighters?”, “What was the average age at date of death?”, and “What was the average age as of March 30, 2006 of a Fire Fighter on an OMERS pension?” They sent us this information in the form of a chart. They also sent us for comparison purposes, the statistics for the NRA 65 “non-fire and non-police” members. I think it will answer many questions that I commonly hear.

I have also developed a chart that compares members who retire to members who work. The chart lists the differences for a 30 year member and a 35 year member. It was completed for the following positions; 1st class Fire Fighter, Captain, and District Chief. It is a rough estimation as I am not an accountant, but I did my best to try and make it as accurate as possible. I used the actual salaries paid and placed them in the OMERS formula to figure out the pension. I hope to provide this yearly and bring in experts if need be.

On a personal note, we recently had some notable changes at the Ontario Professional Fire Fighters Association. I would like to congratulate Brother Wayne De Mille and Brother Patrick J. De Fazio on their retirements. They will be sorely missed and we all owe them a huge amount of gratitude for the tremendous amount of work they have done for fire fighters across Ontario. I would also like to thank our OPFFA District #1 Vice President, Greg Colton, for his leadership these past few years. Greg has decided not to seek re-election and I am sure I speak for everyone when I say that the good wishes of this membership are with him.

Our local was successful in placing some key members on the OPFFA Team.

10

FIRE FIGHTER STATISTICS

Average Age at Retirement Date

Average Age at Date of Death

Average Age at March 30, 2006

60.517 1,196 pensioners

76.166 358 pensioners

73.032 838 pensioners

51.583 93 pensioners

68.217 29 pensioners

65.242 64 pensioners

NRA 60 – Early

55.479 2,881 pensioners

66.547 270 pensioners

63.459 2,611 pensioners

NRA 60 Fire – Total

56.837 4,170 pensioners

71.862 657 pensioners

65.775 3,513 pensioners

65.408 28 pensioners

79.593 9 pensioners

76.064 19 pensioners

N/A

N/A

N/A

NRA 65 – Early

58.252 59 pensioners

72.797 7 pensioners

66.085 52 pensioners

NRA 65 Fire – Total

60.555 87 pensioners

76.620 16 pensioners

68.755 71 pensioners

Average Age at Retirement Date

Average Age at Date of Death

Average Age at March 30, 2006

NRA 60 – Normal NRA 60 – Disability

NRA 65 – Normal NRA 65 – Disability

NRA 65 STATS FOR NON-FIRE FIGHTERS AND NON POLICE NRA 65 – Normal

62.232 31,874 pensioners

80.127 76.896 10,436 pensioners 21,436 pensioners

NRA 65 – Disability

56.398 3,677 pensioners

72.240 1,237 pensioners

69.352 2,434 pensioners

NRA 65 – Early

58.738 53,840 pensioners

72.252 5,764 pensioners

67.116 48,063 pensioners

60.957 89,391 pensioners

76.964 70.098 17,437 pensioners 71,933 pensioners

NRA 65 Total (Non-Fire/Police)

First, congratulations to Mark McKinnon who will be the first elected Secretary-Treasurer of the OPFFA since its re-amalgamation. Also congratulations to Ernie Thorne who will return as District #1 VP. Last but not least to my friend James Coones. He was chosen as the new editor of the OPFFA Intrepid magazine. I do not believe that there was anyone better that the OPFFA could have hired for this position. To be chosen to replace an editor such as Pat De Fazio speaks volumes of the amount James has been able to accomplish, and to the quality of his work. We should be

very proud that members outside of Toronto recognize the expertise and skill that we have developed within our local. I know that on behalf of this membership that we wish them all the best and will offer any help they may require in their new positions.

Frank Ramagnano Secretary - Treasurer, Toronto Professional Fire Fighters’ Association I.A.F.F. Local 3888

VICE PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE THE VALUE OF LABOUR EDUCATION TO THE LOCAL 3888 EXECUTIVE

S

omeone once said that knowledge is power, and Local 3888 Executive Officers, as well as Fire Fighters from across the Province of Ontario and beyond, receive much of their knowledge from the Education Seminars sponsored by the Ontario Professional Fire Fighters Association (OPFFA).

The OPFFA education seminar is also attended by Fire Fighter union leaders from the Provinces of Manitoba and Newfoundland. These learning forums take place twice per year, each spring and fall, in the City of Niagara Falls and have been going on for many decades.

The OPFFA has moved to three different locations since the inception of the education seminars as a result of outgrowing each location while attendance progressively increased. We are now closing in on two hundred students at each seminar and presently conduct these seminars at the Renaissance Fallsview Hotel. As Chairman of the OPFFA’s Education Committee I get to see first hand the value of these semi-annual seminars.

Local 3888 Executive Officers believe, as do I, that it is critical for anyone representing our union to attend and learn from the education provided by the Ontario Professional Fire Fighters Association and the International Association of Fire Fighters.

Local 3888 has encouraged and sponsored many of our union Stewards to attend the education seminars provided by the above two organizations. Each seminar offers a variety of topics ranging from bargaining and grievance courses to basic stewardship. Much effort goes into making the seminars relevant, informative and enjoyable. I would encourage every member to talk to a Steward or an Executive Officer who has attended an educational seminar and ask them their opinion on

whether it was worth while and beneficial to their position within this Local.

It is my firm belief that one of the major reasons Fire Fighters have significant success when dealing with our employers is due to the fact that we are prepared with accurate information and are knowledgeable about the issues. This allows us to act on your behalf with dignity and assurance. The Fire Prevention and Protection Act (Bill 84) and the laws of the land give us the legal right to represent our members, and the educational training gained at these seminars gives us the tools and various skills to do a very competent job.

Representatives from the Toronto Professional Fire Fighters’ Association loom large at educational seminars as advocates for our own members, and also as instructors. Some of the Local 3888 Executive Officers regularly instruct such topics as: grievance arbitration, union stewardship, political action and public relations, to mention only a few. Perhaps the most significant example is our WSIB representative, Paul Atkinson, who has become one of the most knowledgeable and sought after advocates on behalf of Fire Fighters in the Province. Paul has regularly attended the IAFF sponsored Redmond Symposium on Health and Hazards in the Fire Service and is passing on what he has learned by being a frequent lecturer at OPFFA seminars.

Ed Kennedy

As you can see, I am a great believer in the significance of ongoing and continual education of Local 3888 representatives. It represents resources well allocated and continues to benefit our entire membership. There are many opportunities for union Fire Fighters to take part in educational experiences.

I have focused on the Provincial seminars because, as noted earlier, I chair that Committee. Other opportunities include the IAFF Leadership Training course and their Political Training Academy. Both the OPFFA and the IAFF sponsor Health & Safety seminars as well as Legislative seminars where Fire Fighters visit their provincial and federal members of parliament to lobby for issues important to us. It was this ongoing lobby effort that had a significant impact on the passing of Bill 206 which allows for OMERS autonomy and, I predict, better pension benefits in the future. To conclude, I would suggest that we must give labour education a very high priority and I would encourage the membership to continue giving it your support.

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

SUMMER 2006 | FIRE WATCH 11

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CHAPLAIN’S CORNER AN INTRODUCTION TO CHAPLAIN DR. BARRY PARKER

I

am blessed to be a busy man. I do not have a part time job or a personal business. I do not have hobbies like most folks. My children have grown up and left home. So what is it that I do?

Currently I am the Rector (Senior Pastor) of St. Paul’s Bloor Street, a large Anglican Church 2 blocks west of Station 313. I am married with three adult sons. The question remains—what is it that I do?

The stereotype is that as a Minister I work one hour a week on Sunday talking to a guy you cannot see – God – and not doing much of anything “real”.

Then I hide the rest of the time. This is sort of like the stereotype that Firefighters either rescue cats out of trees or sleep the quiet times away. Neither stereotype is accurate, nor helpful. Let me explain by way of my background.

I was a Firefighter/Paramedic in the 1970’s when Alberta was experimenting with integrating both EMS & Fire/ Rescue Services. I served full-time on the Ft. McMurray Fire Department and we in turn served the City and all of northeastern Alberta. I trained in Calgary. Those were heady days when money flowed so we tried all sorts of things that had not been attempted in Canada up to that time. Many innovations never worked out. Other things worked out well. We put in place a number of contributions that highlighted the necessity of well-trained, well-equipped, competent, and committed emergency services.

I left the Fire Service to go back to University as I had been encouraged to enter Medicine. I ended up in the Ministry as an Anglican Pastor – a long story. In the intervening years I have always kept my interest in the Fire Service and those who work in emergency services of any kind. There is a unique thread in all who do this kind of work – an idealism of service and the hope

Dr. Barry Parker

to make a difference in the lives of people and the community. There is a common spiritual thread.

The question has always intrigued me, how do we support emergency personnel? How do we care for the care givers? No one is immune from relational stress, work demands and life pressures. It is even more pronounced for those who lead a stressful and potentially high risk life and death profession. We usually see the fallout in two primary areas – chemical dependency (name your poison) and relational fragmentation.

I have been impressed that both the TFS and the TPFFA seek to serve their members well. Perhaps you do not think so or have a different experience.

However, having been around institutions a long time, I see that there appears to be a genuine concern for care in the Toronto Fire Services for the needs of the members.

The area where I can be value added is in the ‘glue’ or spiritual area. The glue for all of humanity is the spiritual core of life. Every person, regardless of religious beliefs (or lack of) is spiritual by nature. The human spirit is where the hopes, dreams, purpose of life – all those ‘big picture’ issues – live.

I believe that there are two possible reasons why Firefighters run into buildings while everyone else runs out. At its worst it is a self-destructive messiah thing. At its best – and I think for the overwhelming majority of Firefighters it is – the driving core of the human spirit that seeks to serve the community, regardless of cost.

However, when that drive becomes all-consuming, life starts to fragment

SOUTH COMMAND Dr. Barry Parker 227 Bloor Street East Toronto, Ontario M4W 1C8 416.961.8116 (church) bparker@stpaulsbloor.org

due to trauma, stress meltdown and just tough stuff. It is ultimately the spirit that takes a beating. My role is to support and provide care for the spirit.

I know there are exceptional counselors, therapists and care-givers to serve the members of the TFS. The TPFFA has a dedicated ‘in-house’ EAP team. As a Chaplain, I bring a unique perspective that sees all persons as human beings – regardless of how broken and fragmented life is experienced at any given moment. By connecting the divine – I call God – with humanity – God’s creation – we see amazing ‘spiritual glue’ form in the lives of people. To that end, Chaplains speak by listening.

So, back to the beginning; why am I busy? I am in the people business.

Whether people are broken beyond belief or living lives of sainted perfection, my job is to “afflict the comfortable and comfort the afflicted.” Serving the human spirit, in any way, as a Firefighter in whatever capacity of the Fire Service, or as a TFS Chaplain serving others, is a growth industry.

Human need never runs out.

I appreciate the warm welcome to the TFS. Keep the faith folks.

SUMMER 2006 | FIRE WATCH 13

rs e tt e L T O T HE EDI T OR

RED CROSS FUNDRAISER A SUCCESS

Thank you for your very generous support of the Toronto Red Cross, 2006 “March is Red Cross Month” kick off event.

Every March, the Red Cross hosts a fundraising initiative at Union Station to raise money in support of our Disaster Management Program. This year, with assistance from the Toronto Professional Firefighter’s Association, we were able to raise $6,444.80! This is almost double the previous year’s total!

The 15 fire fighters who volunteered at the March 1st event were wonderful.

Their enthusiasm and energy made all the difference to this fundraiser. The Association’s commitment to assist Toronto Red Cross ensures that our Disaster Management program will be able to assist many more families with the provision of essential services in the upcoming year.

Through partnerships with the Toronto Professional Firefighter’s Association and other agencies, Toronto Red Cross is available to provide crucial support to families after a house fire or similar personal disaster. In these circumstances, Red Cross volunteers provide the first 72 hours of assistance to victims who are unable or have limited access to provide for themselves. Twenty-four hours a day, 365 days a year, volunteers provide family reunification, food,

14

shelter and new clothing to these vulnerable households.

Because of the generosity of Torontonians and the amazing support of the Toronto Professional Firefighter’s Association the Red Cross can truly be there – Anywhere, Anytime. Thank you.

Sincerely, Sarah Legault Manager, Fund Development Canadian Red Cross, Toronto Region

GENEROUS SUPPORT FOR ANNUAL COMMUNITY EVENT On behalf of the 41 Division organizing committee, I would like to thank your association for the continued support of our Annual Community Police Liaison Committee BBQ which was held on Thursday, May 18, 2006.

I am gratified by the generous support of your company in donating Bouncy Castle to this event.

Even though it was raining heavily, more than five hundred children and their guardians showed up that day. It was, truly, a fantastic event in which everyone was able to interact with the police in a fun and positive environment.

The contribution of your association is fundamental to the continuing success of this great community event. Once again, thank you for your support.

Sincerely, Superintendent 41 Division

FIRE WATCH accepts Letters to the Editor, articles, essays, and photographs from Local 3888 Members, active and retired.

We will also accept fire related submissions from outside authors or photographers.

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR MAY BE FORWARDED TO: Letter to the Editor FIRE WATCH 39 Commissioners Street Toronto, Ontario Canada M5A 1A6 LETTERS POLICY You may email your letter to: firewatch@torontofirefighters.org FIRE WATCH welcomes letters to the editor to give you – Local 3888 members – an opportunity to express your views, concerns, ideas, or gripes.

We can’t print every letter and in some instances letters will have to be edited due to space limitations.

[

We do not accept attachments. Please paste your letter into the body of your email and use the subject line “Letter to the Editor.”

A WELL DESERVED PAT ON THE BACK On February 26, 2006, firefighters from Toronto Fire Service Pumper 132 attended along with Toronto EMS paramedics to an emergency call. The paramedics who attended to this incident wanted to thank the firefighters for their assistance on the call. In an email sent to me by the paramedics, they stated “the TFD staff who responded with us were extremely helpful and did a marvelous job working with us at the scene.” The paramedics said that the patient condition did improve as his blood pressure came up significantly as did the patients level of consciousness.

The paramedics indicated they did not get a chance to thank the firefighters themselves. The paramedics in their email went onto say “it is always a good feeling when a call goes nearly perfect and I think they (the firefighters) deserve a pat on the back.”

On behalf of Toronto Emergency Medical Services, I would like to congratulate the firefighters who attended to this location for a job well done!

Sincerely, Larry E. MacKay Coordinator Professional Standards Toronto EMS

]

ARTICLES Before sending a full article submission, we suggest that you forward an outline or suggestion for an article to the Editor.

FIRE WATCH is your magazine, and as such, we will accept articles on any subject related to Local 3888 and the fire community. Subjects could include but are not limited to: health issues, history, sporting events, equipment, training issues, personal essays, etc.

ARTICLE SUBMISSIONS/QUERIES MAY BE FORWARDED TO: Articles FIRE WATCH 39 Commissioners Street Toronto, Ontario Canada M5A 1A6

[

]

You may email your submission/query to firewatch@torontofirefighters.org We do not accept attachments.

Forward your suggestion in the body of an email and use the subject line “Article submission or query”.

PHOTOGRAPHY Please contact the Editors before forwarding your photographic work for consideration.

FIRE WATCH does not offer payment for submissions.

SUMMER 2006 | FIRE WATCH 15

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2006

TPFFA MEDIA AWARDS

Written by JAMES COONES – Local 3888 Executive Board Officer

T

here is no denying the power of the various media outlets when it comes to delivering a message or information to the public. This message can be delivered not only locally, but also globally through print media, television, radio, and even electronically at the push of a few buttons.

There are numerous positive instances that occur each year where we as Toronto Fire Fighters find ourselves highlighted in the various forms of media. Whether it be coverage of a particular incident that we have attended, a charity function that we have organized or participated in, or political action that we are involved in for the betterment of our members or community, it is coverage that places us in the public’s eyes and minds and ultimately helps benefit us and the work that we do.

Your Public Relations committee has worked hard to develop good relationships with the various media outlets throughout the city and province in order to ensure that messages about the many positive actions we take as Toronto Fire Fighters are consistently brought forward. One of the many ways this is accomplished is by recognizing the efforts of the media and holding an annual media awards event.

Preparations for this event begin by the media awards committee, which this year consisted of Frank Ramagnano, Ian Hamilton, and James Coones, in December when the first round of information faxes are sent to a long and diverse list of media outlets. This list encompasses the small local papers in the various communities to the large print, radio and television media outlets that most of us are familiar with or have contact with each and every day in one form or another. A second round of faxes and letters are sent out again in late January or early February to once again solicit entries in the various categories.

In late March the committee meets with

a panel of experienced judges who have worked in the media industry for many years, in order to review the entries and pick winners in each of the categories. The winners are then informed and invited to attend the dinner and awards presentation, which is usually held in the month of May. Each category winner is presented with a cheque for $500.00 and a custom engraved souvenir fire helmet. Their entry is also forwarded to the International Association of Fire Fighters media awards contest where the opportunity exists to compete on an international level with other media entries.

It is important to note as well that two new categories were added to this year’s awards that any of our members can be eligible to win. The first is “Best Unpublished Photo” which allows anyone to enter a photo which has never been published in any official form, and of course is relevant to the work of Toronto Fire Fighters within that particular calendar year. The second new category is “Best Toronto Fire Watch Article”. All local 3888 members are encouraged to submit articles throughout the year to Toronto Fire Watch for consideration. If your article is published in one of our issues it will automatically be entered into this category.

This year’s contest received many entries for events which occurred in 2005. The event was held on May 10th, 2006 and was attended by the various winning media outlets, the mayor and several city councilors, your TPFFA executive board, the panel of three judges, and members from the city of Toronto protocol department who help us to organize the dinner event.

The following list details the winners of the 2006 TPFFA media awards;

BEST STORY OR FEATURE IN PRINT MEDIA WITH A CIRCULATION OVER 100,000 Writer: Rob Lamberti Story Name: Tried My Best Story Date: April 15th, 2005 Media Outlet: The Toronto Sun Story Description: Rob details the events that unfolded on the night of April 15, 2005. A neighbour, two Toronto police officers and Toronto fire fighters rescued a mother and her one year old son from a fierce blaze in their Rutherford Avenue apartment.

BEST SERIES IN PRINT MEDIA WITH A CIRCULATION OVER 100,000 Writer: Jack Boland Story Name: Toronto Fire Fighters Aid Fire Fighters In Grenada After Hurricane Ivan Story Date: June 2nd, June 4th, June 12th.

Media Outlet: The Toronto Sun Story Description: Details the humanitarian efforts of 15 Toronto Fire Fighters including Fire Chief Bill Stewart, who flew to the Caribbean island of Grenada in 2005 to help rebuild the St.

SUMMER 2006 | FIRE WATCH 17

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2006 Media Awards ... Continued from page 17

George’s fire station that was destroyed in September 2004 by hurricane Ivan.

The Toronto Fire Services and several private companies donated much of the materials required for the rebuilding, as well as 20 sets of bunker gear, portable jaws of life, medical supplies, and toys for children. Jack accompanied our fire fighters to Grenada and photographed them for three days and wrote a 4 page series which appeared in the Toronto Sun on 3 separate dates.

BEST NEWS PHOTO IN PRINT WITH A CIRCULATION OVER 100,000 Photographer: John Hanley Photo Name: TTC Bus Fire Photo Date: Saturday, February 5th, 2005 Media Outlet: The Toronto Sun Photo Description: We respond to many reported TTC bus fires that usually, and thankfully, turn out to be nothing more than smoking brakes. That wasn’t the case this time on Saturday February 5th as pumper 111 made the turn from Bayview Avenue onto Finch Avenue going west. A few hundred yards ahead was a fully involved TTC bus. The bus was carrying only a few passengers at the time who were all outside waiting with the driver. As the fire fighters started pulling hose off of the truck and preparing to battle the blaze, a small explosion occurred in the rear engine compartment, throwing a good size chunk of metal debris over the fire fighters’ heads and landing about 3 feet away from the front bumper of pump 111. The firefighters moved in cautiously and applied foam to the fire and had it quickly knocked down. There were no injuries.

BEST NEWS PHOTO IN PRINT WITH A CIRCULATION UNDER 100,000 Photographer: John Hanley Photo Name: Birchcliffe Garage Fire Photo Date: Sunday, October 23rd, 2005 Media Outlet: The Scarborough Mirror Photo Description: This was a detached garage that caught fire around 11:00pm on Sunday October 23rd, 2005. It was held to a single alarm fire

with no injuries. John arrived on scene very quickly in order to capture this excellent action photo.

BEST STORY, SERIES OR COMMENTARY ON TELEVISION Reporter: Francis D’Souza Photographers: Giancarlo Desantis, Jamie Tumelty Editors: Sheldon Bunsee, David Boorne Story Name: Man Sets Self On Fire Story Date: March 9, 2005 Media Outlet: CITY-TV News Story Description: Everyone will certainly remember the events which unfolded at Queen’s Park on March 9th when a distraught man in a van poured gasoline on himself and threatened to set himself on fire. After several minutes of yelling out of the window and throwing envelopes and papers to the ground, the man was surrounded and boxed in by Toronto Police cruisers. At this time he did the unthinkable and ignited himself inside the van. Emergency personnel, including members of Pumper 314 put their own safety and lives at risk by immediately coming to the aid of the man and pulling him from the van to extinguish the flames which had engulfed his entire body.

The live coverage of this event and especially the camerawork was an exceptional piece of journalism which showed the dangers that all Toronto fire fighters and emergency personnel face on a daily basis.

BEST STORY, SERIES OR COMMENTARY ON RADIO Reporter: Bob Komsic Story Name: Mother and Child Rescue Story Date: April 14th, 2005 Media Outlet: CFRB 1010 Story Description: This was a townhouse fire at 6 Rutherford Road in the Jane and Weston Road area. A 26 year old mother was rescued by a police sergeant from 12 division just prior to fire fighters arriving on scene. Once on scene the fire fighters entered the dwelling and

rescued the mother’s one year old infant from an upstairs bedroom. The infant suffered 3rd degree burns to 70% of his body and the mother suffered 3rd degree burns to 90% of her body. A firefighter also suffered a broken ankle while working to extinguish the blaze.

BEST UNPUBLISHED PHOTO Photographer: John Riddell Photo Name: Mock Gas Leak During Fire Prevention Week Photo Date: October 12th, 2005 Photo Description: Toronto fire fighters attack a mock gas leak while demonstrating their abilities during Fire Prevention week in October 2005 at the Toronto Fire Services & EMS Training Academy on Eastern Avenue.

BEST TORONTO FIRE WATCH ARTICLE Author(s): Geoff Boisseau and John McGill Article: Fire Fighter Survival & Rescue Issue Published: Winter 2005 Article Description: This article was the second installment in what is to be a four or five part series that deals with the various aspects of fire fighter survival and rescue techniques and training. This installment dealt specifically with SCBA and fire ground survival skills.

Local 3888 made a record 11 out of a possible 14 entries into the 2006 IAFF Media Awards contest. Results should be known in July and can be seen by visiting www.iaff.org and clicking on the “2006 Media Awards” banner.

SUMMER 2006 | FIRE WATCH 19

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Health Fire Watch News Archivs

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reakfast at the fire station may consist of fried eggs, white toast with lots of butter or margarine, home fries, and bacon, ham or sausage.

And of course, let’s not forget the coffee with extra sugar and 10% cream.

Next comes the mid-morning snack.

Perhaps another coffee accompanied by more white bread with jam, or maybe a stale doughnut.

Lunch could be a Lick’s hamburger with fries, or a sausage on a big white bun filled with extra sauce and hot or sweet peppers. The veal on a bun deal at the local bakery could be a favourite. Or, if none of these meet your taste for the day then there is always the famous back up can of soup kept in your locker.

During the afternoon the snacks of choice are often chocolate bars or chips, and maybe your fourth cup of coffee because your body is desperately trying to digest all the food you have consumed.

And don’t forget, now that we’re on the 24-hour shift we still have dinner to eat. Ah yes, the famous roast beef with lots of gravy and overcooked vegetables.

This is supposed to be our last meal of the day so we tend to overeat and then for some crazy reason go back for seconds. Do we have room for desert?

Are you kidding? Of course! Pie and ice

Toronto Fire Fighter ROB LETHBRIDGE

&Wellness

Improving Your Fire Station Diet cream looks good, and it must be two scoops of ice cream!

Here are some suggestions for a little change in your typical fire station diet that can go a long way to improving your overall health and wellness.

Breakfast has always been, and still remains the most important meal of the day. Let’s start with cutting back on the refined sugars and the cream in our coffee, try half & half instead. Multigrain cereal with 1% milk and some fruit on top like a banana or sliced peaches is a great breakfast combination. Use multigrain toast and skip the butter.

Perhaps try a light cream cheese or peanut butter, and instead use real fruit jams that are naturally sweetened.

Reduce your intake of coffee and have a healthy mid-morning snack. Try a large glass of juice or lemon water with maybe a yogurt and some nuts like almonds. A piece of fruit is always a good choice and usually very convenient and portable.

Multigrain bread, a lean cut of ham or turkey breast, a slice of cheese, and soup makes for a great light lunch. Remember to read the labels on the soup cans and stay away from hydrogenated and partially hydrogenated oils and MSG. Try to have a thirty minute work out every day by walking, riding on a sta-

tionary bike, or running on a treadmill.

This will help to burn extra calories.

Include a few isometric exercises, like push ups, sit ups, and chin ups for muscle strengthening, and always do some stretching to improve your range of motion and flexibility.

Let’s get back to the famous fire station dinner shall we? If you are going to have meat, try to make lean choices like round steaks or roasts such as round eye, top round, bottom round, round tip, top loin, top sirloin, chuck shoulder and arm roasts. Remember to go easy on the gravy. Lean pork choices include pork loin, tenderloin, center loin, and ham. If you decide to have chicken, take off the skin before cooking. Fish is also a great choice for dinner. Salmon, halibut, snapper, swordfish, trout, and tuna all taste great and are extremely nutritious and lean.

Of course, I haven’t forgotten about dessert. If you are eating well throughout the day then don’t feel guilty about dessert. Try yogurt ice cream with berries or maybe a pie with the crust made from vegetable oil not lard. I hope these suggestions give you a few ideas about the different choices you can make when it comes to the food you eat.

Stay healthy!

SUMMER 2006 | FIRE WATCH 21

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COMMUNICATIONS the technology of the transmission of information by print or telecommunication

T

he Communications Division of the Toronto Fire Services is unique in that it is a true example of what can be done when a group of dedicated professionals decide that they are going to make something work. Not only would the original bureaus of York, East York, Scarborough, North York, Etobicoke, and Toronto start working together – they would do so at a new facility, with a new radio system, mapping system, dispatch system, telephone system, and for most, a new shift schedule.

For many, a profession that was second nature became a job where everything was new and the resulting transitional period was stressful and frustrating. Most disconcerting was the fact that the removal of Communications from the fire hall left those communicators feeling distanced from the Operations sector. They had gone from part of a working family to having to develop new working relations; from cards and stamp clocks to 3 computer screens, a keyboard and two mouses; from dispatching one district to dispatching the entire city. It was a new world, it was a lot bigger, and not everyone was speaking the same radio lingo. The new center became operational on June 11, 2001 with a consolidation of 4 of the original 6 municipalities. The process was completed on November 30, 2001 with the consolidation of the final 2 remaining municipalities. The centre operates with 16 fully functional workstations, including 10 call taker/ dispatcher workstations, 2 supervisory workstations, two tactical workstations for major incidents, and two training workstations. Technological advances include:

• JES channels (Joint Emergency Services) • 15 radio tower sites • Motorola Smartzone 800mhz Radio System • Subway radio coverage • 900mhz station alerting • Map based Intergraph Public Safety System (CAD) • Closest vehicle dispatch • Vehicle selection by specialized equipment • GPS vehicle tracking • MDT vehicle status The pre-amalgamation dispatch centers were staffed with 4 shifts of 3-4 per shift with each person sharing the workload by taking calls and dispatching. The new center incorporates a shift minimum of 13 (including 2 captains and a D/C) and has moved to more specific work assignments with 4 call taking positions and 6 dispatch positions. Although not assigned a specific desk, with the man-for-a-man relieving system, most find that their time is split fairly evenly between the two. Call takers handle emergency and non-emergency incoming calls and forward the requests for service to the dispatcher via the computer system. Using the Computer Aided Dispatch (CAD) System, the dispatcher then up-dates the call, uses the recommend function to determine which trucks should attend, and verbalizes the dispatch information.

Everything that was the same is the same – only different – and there’s

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more of it. Calls for service continue to increase and keep pace with the population growth in the city.

The Communications Division continues to evolve technologically with new mapping, dispatch, computer, and telephone upgrades and is supported fully with in-house IT staff and Radio Technicians. Training has also taken on a new direction since amalgamation. Not only have we had close to 50% turnover through new hires, but change remains a part of our new environment. The recruits are now trained in-house, and from approximately ten recruits a year at amalgamation, we now forecast three to four new telecommunicators each year.

A newly established Communications Training Captain position will help with recruit training, in-service training, and project work.

As things settle to a steady hum of activity, focus now turns to continued Quality Assurance improvements, the development of in-house standards, and customer service – to both the public, Operations, and other Support Divisions.

The calls still come in, and as usual range from the elderly lady who isn’t sure whether she should take the lids off her tin cans before recycling to the middle of the night house fire that’s rolling before the first call comes in.

The one thing that remains a constant despite our changing environment is that each call for service is answered with the highest concern for public and firefighter safety.

CALL TAKERS HANDLE EMERGENCY AND NON-EMERGENCY INCOMING CALLS AND FORWARD THE REQUESTS FOR SERVICE TO THE DISPATCHER VIA THE COMPUTER SYSTEM.

]

SUMMER 2006 | FIRE WATCH 23

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4HE FUTURE OF l RST RESPONSE EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT EXPERTISE REQUIRED 'EORGE "ROWN S 3CHOOL OF %MERGENCY -ANAGEMENT OFFERS CERTIl CATES THAT COVER CRITICAL ELEMENTS OF DISASTER PREPAREDNESS MITIGATION RESPONSE AND RECOVERY )N A WORLD WHERE NATURAL DISASTERS AND TERRORIST ACTIVITIES ARE ON THE RISE AN INCREASED LEVEL OF TRAINING IS ESSENTIAL

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24

THE CANDIDATE PHYSICAL ABILITY TEST

Janos Csepreghi â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Toronto Fire Fighter

Toronto Fire Services is currently using the Brock University Firefighter Screening Services to assess candidate fitness. The Brock screening includes a medical component for vision and hearing, a fitness component that measures VO2 maximum and other fitness measures as well as the Candidate Physical Ability Test (CPAT) to measure ability to do job specific tasks. Brock and other locations throughout Ontario and the US, are licensed by the IAFF/IAFC to administer CPAT. The Candidate Physical Ability Test is a circuit of eight events, testing the physical strength and endurance of prospective fire fighter recruits. The standard test was developed in conjunction with the IAFF and IAFC, allowing fire departments to obtain pools of trainable candidates who are physically able to perform essential firefighting tasks. Each event is completed in a sequence that simulates the events and physical demands at a fire scene.

CPAT is a pass/fail test based on a maximum time expenditure of 10 minutes and 20 seconds. A failure is given if any of the events are not completed within the strictly enforced guidelines, or the maximum time limit is exceeded prior to the completion of the test. To simulate the physical

demand of wearing SCBA and bunker gear, candidates wear a 50-pound (22.68-kg) vest throughout the test.

Between events, candidates walk (running results in a failure) along a predetermined 85-foot (25.91-m) path providing approximately 20 seconds to recover and regroup. The eight events are (in order):

1

STAIR CLIMB

2

HOSE DRAG

Challenges aerobic capacity and lower body muscular endurance.

This event is designed to simulate climbing stairs to the fire floor wearing full PPE and carrying high-rise equipment. Wearing the 50-pound vest in addition to two 12.5-pound (5.67-kg) shoulder weights, the candidate must walk on the Step Mill at a constant pace of 60 steps per minute for 3 minutes total. The 10 minute and 20 second time limit starts with the first step. Touching the handrail or dismounting the machine prematurely will result in failure.

Challenges upper body muscular strength in conjunction with aerobic and anaerobic energy systems.

This event is designed to simulate dragging an uncharged hose line from the apparatus, around obstacles, to the fire scene. The candidate grasps a 200-foot (60-m), 1 _-inch (44-mm) hose. Placing the hose line over their shoulder the candidate drags the hose to a pre-positioned drum, executes a 90Ë&#x161; turn around the drum and move towards a 5-foot x 7-foot (1.52-mx 2.13-m) box. Once inside the box the candidate must drop to their knee and pull 50-feet (15.24-m) of hose past the entrance of the box. Neglecting to keep one knee on the ground or moving outside of the box will result in failure.

3EQUIPMENT CARRY

Challenges upper body muscular strength, lower body muscular endurance, and balance.

This event is designed to simulate the removal of power tools from an apparatus, carrying them to the emergency scene and returning the equipment to the apparatus. The candidate removes two saws from a tool cabinet, one at a time, and places them on the ground.

Both saws must be picked up, one in each hand, and carried while walking 75-feet (22.86-m) around a drum, and back to the starting point. Upon returning to the tool cabinet, the saws are to be placed on the ground, picked up one at a time, and replaced to its designated place in the cabinet.

Dropping any piece of equipment will result in failure.

4

LADDER RAISE AND EXTENSION

Challenges upper body muscular strength and grip strength.

This event is designed to simulate the task of placing a ground ladder at a fire structure and extending the ladder to the roof or window. The candidate must approach the top rung of a 24-foot (7.32-m) aluminum extension ladder, lift the unhinged end from the ground, and walk it up until it is stationary against the wall. Then the candidate must immediately proceed to the pre-positioned and secured 24-foot (7.32-m) aluminum extension ladder and extend the fly section hand over hand until it hits the stop.

Then the fly section must be lowered, hand over hand, in a controlled fashion to the starting position.

SUMMER 2006 | FIRE WATCH 25

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The use of the rails to raise the ladder, or letting the rope halyard slip during the fly’s assent or descent will result in failure.

5FORCIBLE ENTRY

Challenges upper body muscular strength and endurance.

This event is designed to simulate the critical tasks of using force to open a locked door or to breach a wall. The candidate must use a 10-pound (4.54kg) sledgehammer to strike a measuring device until a buzzer is activated.

The release of the sledgehammer while swinging will result in failure.

6SEARCH

Challenges agility, balance and kinesthetic awareness.

This event is designed to simulate the critical task of searching for a fire victim with limited visibility in an unpredictable area. The candidate must crawl through a tunnel maze that is

approximately 3-feet (91.44-cm) high, 4-feet (121.92-cm) wide and 64-feet (19.51-m) in length with two 90˚ turns. At a number of locations in the tunnel, the candidate must navigate around, over and under obstacles. In addition, at two locations, they must crawl through a narrowed space where the dimensions of the tunnel are reduced. A request for assistance that requires the opening of the escape hatch or the entrance or exit covers will result in failure.

7 RESCUE

Challenges aerobic capacity, upper and lower body muscular strength and endurance.

This event is designed to simulate the critical task of removing a victim or injured partner from a fire scene. The candidate must grasp a 165-pound (74.84-kg) mannequin, drag it 35-feet (10.67-m) to a pre-positioned drum, make a 180˚ turn around the drum,

and continue an additional 35-feet (10.67-m) to the finish line. Grasping or resting on the drum at any time will result in failure.

8CEILING BREACH AND PULL

Challenges aerobic capacity, upper and lower body muscular strength and endurance.

This event is designed to simulate overhaul activities of breaching and pulling down a ceiling looking for fire extension. The candidate must use a pike pole to fully push up a 60-pound hinged door 3 times, then hook the pike pole to an 80-pound ceiling device and pull down 5 times.

The entire set must be repeated four times. Incorrect or insufficient sets do not constitute a failure, but must be redone. The completion of the final set will stop the timer and conclude the CPAT. Any time over 10 minutes and 20 seconds constitutes a failure.

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What’s PRIVACY got to do with it?

T Suzanne Craig - Director, City of Toronto Corporate Access & Privacy

hese days we have been hearing a lot about openness, transparency and accountability. At the same time, there is not a week that goes by that we are not made aware of the importance of privacy and the protection of personal information in our day-to-day lives.

Prior to the enactment of access and privacy legislation in Ontario, access to information and the protection of personal privacy were dealt with through the policy and procedures of individual institutions. The Williams Commission was established in 1977 with the mandate to provide a framework of consistent principles to guide the public’s access to government-held information and the protection of individual privacy. The Commission focused on: (a) the individual’s right of access and appeal in relation to the use of Government information; (b) the protection of individual privacy and the right of recourse in regard to the use of Government records.

Following the Williams Commission’s report, freedom of information laws were enacted to govern access and privacy in public institutions at the provincial level in January 1988 (the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act) and the municipal level in January 1991 (the Municipal Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act). The two laws are quite similar to each other, and provide the public with rights of access and place corresponding obligations on government institutions to disclose information in the public interest and protect the privacy of individuals. However, access to infor-

mation and protection of privacy were limited by the enactment of Bill 7.

In 1995, the Ontario government enacted the Labour Relations and Employment Statute Law Amendment Act (Bill 7), which contained provisions that excluded a wide range of employment-related records about public sector employees from the scope of the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act (FIPPA) and the Municipal Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act (MFIPPA). As a result of Bill 7, government records that fall within the scope of section 52(3) of the MFIPPA, are excluded from the application of the Act. However, the very exemptions that exclude labour relations matters from the application of MFIPPA, often prevent public sector employees from obtaining access to most employment-related records about themselves, and from filing a privacy complaint if they feel that their personal information has been improperly collected, used, disclosed or retained.

So do we have a right to Privacy?

Apart from the Province of Quebec, there is not a complete recognition of an invasion of privacy breach in Canada. Often we try to fit the concept of an invasion of privacy neatly into other recognized breaches, such as trespass.

However privacy interests are not always linked to property ownership.

As a result, just because we cannot

squarely place privacy within a recognized contravention does not take away from the fact that privacy is an important part of our lives, inside and outside of the workplace.

Court decisions have dealt with the concept of invasion of privacy in the criminal context and found that privacy is « essential for the well-being of the individual »*.

Unable to find a consensus on a definition of a common law tort of invasion of privacy, Canadian jurisdictions have created a statutory protection regime of privacy.

SUMMER 2006 | FIRE WATCH 29

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What’s Privacy Got to Do With it? ... Continued from page 29

The Federal Court held that video surveillance was useful to deter theft, vandalism and trespassers, to enhance the security of its employees, and for investigations Generally, in unionized workplaces, collective agreements govern most employment practices. Although arbitration cases have developed a standard for a right to privacy in the workplace, the collective bargaining process has only just begun to include tools to regulate employment practices that relate to privacy rights.

Privacy in the Workplace There is a body of arbitral jurisprudence that relates to privacy in the workplace outside of the application of MFIPPA. In Eastmond v. Canadian Pacific Railway & Privacy Commissioner of Canada (June 11, 2004), the Federal Court of Canada refused to confirm a report by the federal Privacy Commissioner under the Personal Information Protection and Electronic Documents Act (PIPEDA) which had held that Canadian Pacific Railway was in breach of its PIPEDA privacy obligations.

The complainant, an employee at the Canadian Pacific Railway and a member of CAW-Canada, Local 1001, filed a complaint with the Privacy Commissioner of Canada about CP’s installation of 6 digital recording surveillance cameras in its mechanical facility area. The mechanical facility area was part of CP’s main rail classification and maintenance yard in Scarborough, Ontario. CP had previously installed cameras to track the movement of trains. The cameras in question focus on door entrances and exits.

The complainant claimed that the installation of the cameras was unlawful because: • it was done without union consultation; • there was no security problem that could justify the invasion of privacy; • the system could be used to monitor the conduct and work perfor-

mance of workers, which would be an affront to human dignity; and • the negative effect on workers’ morale and the working climate was dangerous CP responded that the cameras were necessary to reduce vandalism and theft and to reduce the potential liability for property damage and to provide security for staff. The Privacy Commissioner held that a reasonable person would not consider the circumstances given by CP sufficient to warrant taking as intrusive a measure as installing video surveillance cameras.

The complainant applied to the Federal court for an order confirming the Privacy Commissioner’s report and requiring the removal of the video camera system and the destruction of any videotape recordings generated by it.

The Federal Court held that video surveillance was useful to deter theft, vandalism and trespassers, to enhance the security of its employees, and for investigations. It found that collection of personal information was not surreptitious or continuous, nor was it limited to CP employees. The collection was not intended to measure an employee’s work performance and images collected could not be used to measure productivity. Finally, the recorded images were kept secure and were not available for viewing unless an incident was reported.

The Federal Court found that in this case, there was a balance of the privacy interests of employees with the legitimate interests of employers when determining whether to admit videotaped evidence at arbitration.

What about Ontario’s provincial and municipal privacy legislation?

Section 52 of MFIPPA excludes from its application, records in relation to employment or labour relations matters. This section is record-specific and fact-specific, so that if it applies

to a specific record, in the circumstances of a particular access request or appeal, and none of the exceptions listed are present, then the record is excluded from the scope of the MFIPPA. Since the enactment of Bill 7 in 1995, institutions have relied on the « labour relations » exclusion to remove government-held records relating to these issues from being captured and governed by MFIPPA legislation.

However, the principles of openness and transparency embodied in MFIPPA dictate that individuals have the right to know what information is being collected about them and how the information is being used by decision makers in the decision-making process. Its not just about the protection of privacy, it is a matter of respecting individuals.

The City of Toronto’s Access and Privacy Office has a mandate to continually strengthen the effective access to information and protection of privacy as a corporate priority. The foundation upon which this mandate is built is the belief that informed citizens are essential to the democratic process and that the protection of privacy fosters a culture of respect.

The important challenge faced by the City is to balance the protection of personal information in governmentheld records with the public’s right of access to information regarding government decision-making.

What do MFIPPA’s access and privacy principles have to do with the City of Toronto? It’s how we measure respect.

It’s how we measure accountability. * R. V. Dyment [1988] 2 S.C.R. 417 at 427

SUMMER 2006 | FIRE WATCH 31

STATION 225 Scarborough S Toronto Fire Fighter JON LASIUK

FFire Fighters Museum

N

ovember 2nd, 2005 marked the 80th anniversary of full-time professional fire protection in the community of Scarborough. Eighty years ago Scarborough was starting to grow as a bedroom community to Toronto. Improved fire services were demanded by the residents in the south-west corner of the township and in response to that, Council authorized the hiring of three full-time men and the construction of a new hall at 351 Birchmount Rd.

32

The building was of a unique design to accommodate both the township’s fire and police departments. In fact, two jail cells were constructed in the basement. Many a new recruit undoubtedly did “time” when he was welcomed to the hall!

A brand-new Gotfredson pumper was also purchased, although the politicians of the day restricted the full-time crew to protecting the southwest area of Scarborough only – deciding instead to rely on volunteers for the rest of the township.

The Birchmount fire hall would remain the only hall in Scarborough for more than twenty years. A disastrous hotel fire on Kingston Rd. on September 25th, 1943 would be the impetus to change that. The Falcon Inn burnt to the ground as the firefighters struggled with out-dated apparatus and a lack of water mains.

The Fire Marshall’s inquest that followed praised the firefighters who went above and beyond while censuring the township’s lack of action on earlier recommendations of additional staff and apparatus to protect the growing township.

Scarborough’s second firehall would be built on Morrish Rd. in 1946, but would not be staffed with full-time firefighters until 1955.

As the Scarborough Fire Dept. grew to 15 halls and more than 600 firefighters, it slowly became evident that the old hall on the corner of Birchmount and Highview had outlived its days. Land was acquired at 3600 Danforth Ave., and on September 28th, 1998 Scarborough Pumper 1 ran their first call from the brand new hall.

The first new hall accepted into the new Toronto Fire Services, it was designed with two drive-through extra deep bays. The single-storey hall incorporates spacious living facilities and can easily fit two or more crews.

The official opening ceremony on October 7th, 1998 featured a keynote speech from the descendants of Fire Chief Tommy Love, who served as Chief of the S.F.D. for 30 years between 1926 and 1956.

As a fitting use for the old Birchmount hall, the Scarborough Fire Fighters Retirees Club donated hundreds of man-hours developing the building and an adjoining garage into one of the finest fire museums in the province. Old apparatus are displayed along with historical equipment, photographs and archives documenting the entire history of the Scarbor-

ough Fire Dept. The museum is open Tuesdays and Wednesdays, 10 A.M. to noon and 1:30 P.M. to 3.30 P.M. Group tours can be arranged for other times at 416-338-9236. Retiree Al Cousins and other volunteers are always available to answer questions about firefighting in Scarborough.

They provide a link to the past for today’s kids who want to learn more about their heroes – the city’s firefighters.

APPARATUS & RUN STATS Providing coverage to a large geographic area, Rescue 225 ran 2442 calls in 2005 with their 2002 Spartan/Smeal rescue-pumper. Stationed alongside them is the District Chief in charge of the 22nd District. Car 22 ran 2099 calls last year, utilizing a 2001 Ford E350XL van.

SUMMER 2006 | FIRE WATCH 33

Your Group Morgage Program Code is TPAMM

34

&

FIRE FIGHTER

SURVIVAL & RESCUE &

Toronto Fire Fighters GEOFF BOISSEAU & JOHN MCGILL

In a joint effort between the Toronto Fire Services and Local 3888, a 24-hour Fire Fighter Survival, Rescue and RIT program has been developed to train TFS Fire Fighters to handle possible fire ground emergencies. In the previous three issues we discussed fire ground survival through training (prevention) and self rescue. This issue we will discuss some of the key points in saving your partner or crewmember in a fire ground emergency. This is the third key element in helping to reduce fire ground injuries and line of duty deaths.

As firefighters, our first instinct when we hear of a person in trouble is to help, that is what we do. What happens if help is required by another firefighter in distress on the fire ground? We want to help. We feel we have to help. That is our duty to our brothers and sisters.

Leave no one behind. Right?

So in order to do this you must ask yourself, “if a fire ground emergency takes place how can my crew or I contribute to a positive outcome?”

Remember, a MAYDAY has just been put out over the radio for a firefighter in distress. This will undoubtedly be an extremely stressful and confusing time for everyone on the fire ground.

Your first impulse will be to drop everything and help. Despite this urge it is necessary for you to take the time as both an individual and a crew to consider the following:

CAN I/WE ASSIST?

1

Determining whether you are in fact able to assist a downed firefighter will have to be based upon numerous factors, including: • Mental and physical state of your crew.

• Are you in the vicinity to offer assistance?

• Have rescue efforts already started?

• What are the fire and building conditions?

CAN YOU LEAVE YOUR TASK?

2

Once you are in a position both mentally and physically as a crew to affect a rescue, and fire conditions allow, you must then look at the task that you are doing and decide that if by leaving that task you are not going to put more lives at risk. Is the task you are doing protecting the downed firefighter indirectly or protecting other firefighters on the fire ground?

For example, if your crew is on a hose line fighting a fire, can you just drop it and go and help? Are you SURE that the fire you are fighting is not protecting the firefighter in distress or other firefighters?

If you determine that you can, then you must then consider: • Getting permission to leave your task. This permission comes from a sector officer or incident commander.

Without that permission you are freelancing.

• Do you have the resources to leave the task and assist the firefighter?

Does your crew have enough air? Does your crew have the proper tools? Can you get yourself out?

ARE WE GOING TO HELP OR HURT THE SITUATION?

3

Now look at the situation and ask yourself, “are we going to make it better or worse?”

Some things to consider in this regard are: • Are rescue operations already underway? Will we get in the way?

• Did the incident commander give permission?

• The most important factor to any successful fire ground rescue is the concept of self-preservation. Can we still save ourselves? Remember, it is not an attempt to rescue at all costs. Try not to let your emotions cloud your judgment. Don’t get into a situation that is beyond your, or your crew’s abilities.

IF YOU HEAR A PASS ALARM SOUNDING The following scenario illustrates how a crew might react to hearing an unidentified PASS alarm sounding on the fireground: Your crew is in a building doing secondary search for victims. You hear a PASS alarm that has been activated by an unknown firefighter in the vicinity in which you are working. Your crew could follow these steps to help in the rescue of a firefighter: Determine location or direction from which the PASS alarm is sounding.

Notify command that you hear a sustained PASS alarm sounding. Ask if there has been a report of a downed firefighter. This step alone might save the firefighter’s life. You have initiated the rescue protocol.

1 2

SUMMER 2006 | FIRE WATCH 35

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36

Survival & Rescue ... Continued from page 35

3

Assess your crewsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; air supply to determine if you can commence a search, if required, and notify command of your status.

Await acknowledgement from command. If command gives you permission to leave your task (secondary search) you will be assigned to the firefighter rescue sector (RIT Sector).

If not, you must continue with your task or exit.

If the pass alarm has not been silenced, announce MAYDAY for the unknown firefighter and begin search.

Why do you announce MAYDAY at this time? Following our MAYDAY policy, if a firefighter does not have a radio and they require a MAYDAY, they are to activate their PASS alarm manually.

Therefore we must react to a sustained activated PASS with no radio message as a MAYDAY situation.

Announce to command what direction you are traveling, landmarks, conditions and if the PASS is getting louder. Continually assess your direction of travel, interior conditions, and your crewsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; air supply to determine if you can continue the search. Always be aware of your exit locations.

When the firefighter has been located, give an update to the

4 5

6

7

-ANOLIS -AKRIS -IKE

RITSO on location, condition, actions, resources required etc.

Continually assess your crewsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; air supply to determine if, and for how long you can continue in the rescue.

Package the downed firefighter and update or EXIT. Just by finding the firefighter and updating the RITSO, you might have just saved their life as these actions will enable the RIT to find them faster.

8

REMEMBER: Do not become a part of the problem To rescue another firefighter from a fire ground emergency it is essential that the event does not become more complicated then it needs to be. You can only help matters if you do not make them worse. You will become a part of the problem if you attempt a rescue without the proper resources. Just like when saving our partner, it is important that we do everything in our power to save another firefighter, BUT we must recognize our individual limitations and the limitations of our crew members first. This is the only way to ensure that we remain a part of the solution and do not become part of the problem.

Being part of the solution often may mean not being directly involved in res-

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cue operations at all. You may be more helpful to a rescue crew by telling them what you know about the interior layout, fire conditions and any other pertinent information, rather than reacting improperly to the situation and jeopardizing not only yourself and your crew, but all firefighters on the fire ground.

If you cannot save yourself, you cannot save your partner. If you cannot save your partner or crew member, you cannot save another firefighter on the fire ground. If both of these factors are not met then you certainly cannot act as a firefighterâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s last line of defense on the fire ground. Fire ground survival depends on it.

Next issue we will discuss this last line of defense- Rapid Intervention Teams.

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SUMMER 2006 | FIRE WATCH 37

38

20

th Anniversary of Hazard I

By JON LASIUK AND BILL COONEY

E

changes, calling for the relocation arlier this year marked of the Haz to the more centralthe 20th anniversary of ST TORONTO’S 1 HAZ MAT CLASS OF 1995: ized Adelaide St. Fire Station and Toronto’s first dedicated its permanent staffing by a full hazardous materials apparatus.

Capt. John Langcaster Capt. Ben Farrell Capt. Jim Green crew. The officers for the truck Partially funded by a provincial Capt. Rick Chayko Bill Cooney Jack Turner came from Aerial 1, which had JEPP grant, Hazard 1 was officially Rob Pennington Fabian Ennis John Creed been disbanded under the Fire dedicated in a ceremony at the Rick Brown Geoff Boisseau John Kitsco Plan. As a six-month temporary Toronto Fire Academy on Friday, Jean Jasudavicius Kevin Boudewyn Peter White trial, Fire Fighters were tempoFebruary 21st, 1986. Councillor Cheryl Rendle rarily detailed from Station 15 Fred Beavis burned a strip of to Station 1 to staff the truck yellow barrier tape to ‘christen’ commencing on October 4th, 1994. The trial was considered the new truck. a success, and in April 1995 the staffing was declared The truck was built by Dependable Emergency Vehicles of permanent.

Brampton on a 1985 Mack MR chassis, featuring a number of To bring its crew up to NFPA 472 Haz Mat Technician levels, innovations, including a telescopic light mast for scene lighting its crew rotated through an intensive training course, with at major calls, a first for TFD apparatus. The truck also came the TFD’s first Haz Mat technicians graduating from their sporting a wide white strip down the length of its body, a course at the Fire Academy on July short lived experiment that was only ever applied to three 6h, 1995. trucks.

The need for a dediAs with many specialized apparatus, the ‘Haz’s’ first cated Haz Mat crew is run occurred before its official in-service date. On now a given in a large Thursday, February 13th, 1986, a tanker truck was urban area. With the westbound on the Gardiner at Parkside Drive when it amalgamation of the began leaking toluene, six Metro Fire Departbenzene and Xylene ments in 1998, Toronto Fire Services waste. Companies on saw a need for an expanded Haz Mat capability. the scene requested To assist Hazard 332, the department organized Hazard Hazard 1 to respond, at 145 on July 21st, 2001. that time it was at the In 2005, it was time to replace the original Haz truck.

Fire Academy training.

With intensive input from the Haz Mat technicians at It responded with Planning and Station 332, a new truck was designed from the wheels up.

Research Division Chief Rem Gaade in charge and a lightSeagrave’s Carleton Place factory was tendered to build the duty Fire Fighter detailed from Rescue 2 driving.

Initially the apparatus was stationed at Station 15 on vehicle with a special three-door Spartan cab to facilitate a Lansdowne Ave. One crew member from one of the other computerized work station complete with fax machine and cell three companies in the station would be detailed to staff it on phone. Crews can research the chemical threat while still a one month rotation. Because of its provincial funding, enroute. The truck now holds enhanced Chemical, Biological, Hazard 1’s mandate included a mutual aid running area Radiological and Nuclear (CBRN) equipment to cope with the throughout Southern Ontario. The apparatus was equipped increased terrorist threat of the post-9/11 world. A drop down with radios that could transmit with all other Metro Fire awning is used for rehab. Other features include a heated foam Departments as well as departments province wide via its compartment, onboard generator, and a 100-ft. air hose reel.

OFM radio.

The new truck went into service on December 23rd, 2005.

As the number of Haz Mat calls increased, the TFD decided With this new apparatus it is evident that Toronto’s that a dedicated crew of Haz Mat Technicians was required in firefighters will be well prepared for any Haz Mat emergency the city. The Master Fire Plan of 1994 was the basis of these well into the 2020’s.

SUMMER 2006 | FIRE WATCH 39

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COLLECTIVE AGREEMENT REVIEW Attaining Seniority ONE ITEM THAT CONTINUES TO GENERATE A LOT OF QUESTIONS IS THE ACCRUAL OF SENIORITY. IT IS CLEARLY LAID OUT IN THE CONTRACT, BUT THE ACCRUAL IS DIFFERENT DEPENDING ON WHAT YOU APPLY THE SENIORITY TOWARD. FOR THE PURPOSES OF THIS ARTICLE WE WILL LOOK AT SENIORITY AND HOW IT IS ACCRUED AND APPLIED TO PROMOTIONS, VACATION ENTITLEMENT AND RECOGNITION PAY. Article 4.06 pertains to the accrual of service and seniority, it reads:

SERVICE AND SENIORITY (a) Any current or future city employees who are subsequently employed within a position covered by the Local 3888 bargaining unit shall retain and shall be credited with such service and/or seniority as they had accumulated outside of the Local 3888 bargaining unit during their latest period of continuous employment with the City. Such service and/or seniority shall apply within the Local 3888 collective agreement in all respects except for: (i) Future promotions within the Local 3888 bargaining unit; (ii) Lay off and recall within the Local 3888 bargaining unit; and, (iii) Entitlement to Recognition Pay. With respect to those matters set out in paragraphs (i) through (iii) above service and/or seniority will begin to accumulate from their first date of employment with a position that falls within the Local 3888 bargaining unit.

What this basically says is that for employees of the city who enter into Local 3888, their start date with the city becomes their seniority date except for purpose of promotions, layoff and recall, and recognition pay. This means that for vacation entitlement and sick time gratuities they are entitled to their city start date.

Due to amalgamation, employees who were hired by respective fire services prior to amalgamation do not receive this same level of benefit. This is a result of Bill 136, the amalgamation act, which did not recognize this past time with other jurisdictions.

The application of seniority for the various provisions of the collective agreement are as follows:

VACATION ENTITLEMENT Your vacation entitlement is determined by the calendar year in which you complete the yearâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s service. At nine years you get four weeks vacation, at seventeen years you get five weeks, etc. It is in the calendar year in which you complete the service that application begins.

3IMPLY THE BEST

Example: If you started in the fire service in the calendar year of 1991 â&#x20AC;&#x201C; you would complete your nine years service in the calendar year of 2000, therefore in 2000 you would be entitled to four weeks vacation. It would not matter if you were hired in January 1991 or December 1991 all employees hired in that calendar year complete their nine years of service in 2000 and therefore are entitled to the four weeks in that year.

You actually accrue your vacation entitlement in the year previous to the year it is used. Therefore, depending on your retirement date you will have accrued some of the next yearâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s vacation and be entitled to a pay out for it.

Example: An employee who was hired on July 1, 1975 and retires April 1, 2006.

The employee is entitled to six weeks vacation in 2006 and because s/he has worked for 3 months in 2006 they are entitled to one quarter of their vacation entitlement for 2007.

An employee that leaves the service for any reason other than retirement (i.e. resigns, is terminated etc.) only

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SUMMER 2006 | FIRE WATCH 41

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FALLEN OR SORE ARCHES

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CA Review ... Continued from page 41

accrues vacation from their date of hire.

So in the example above the employee, having been hired in July of 1975 would not have accrued any of their 2007 vacation and in fact would not have fully accrued their 2006 vacation. If they had used their entire 2006 allotment (six weeks) prior to retiring, they could actually find themselves in a position of having the excess time used recovered in their final pay adjustments. The employee that resigns or is terminated gets only what they have accrued and are legally entitled to. The employee that retires gets the additional perquisite.

PROMOTION Seniority for purposes of promotion is always considered from your start date in Toronto Fire or your former municipality (pre-amalgamation). The service clause states the following: Service: Service for this Article means continuous employment with Toronto Fire Services and/or the Fire Departments of the predecessor Municipalities,

but shall be reduced by any periods an employee is absent on Long Term Disability or unpaid leave, or is on lay-off or for any other periods which are not approved or expressly included like employment on special projects, special assignments and secondments during the last two years prior to a promotion competition.

For promotions; service is not only from your start date with fire, it must also be continuous employment. An employee who is on unpaid leave has their start date adjusted by that period of time they are on unpaid leave.

Eligibility is determined as of the end of the year the process commences.

Therefore, if the promotional call goes out for Captains in the Operations Division in October 2005, to be eligible you must have ten years completed by December 31, 2005 with the two years immediately prior in the division.

In the situation above, anyone that was hired in 1995 or prior, after taking into account any broken service, is eligible provided they have been assigned

to the Operations Division from January 1, 2004 on.

RECOGNITION PAY Recognition pay, like promotional service, is calculated based on; continuous employment with Toronto Fire Services and/or the Fire Departments of the predecessor Municipalities.

Unlike most of the above it is implemented on your actual anniversary date of employment with a position that falls within the Local 3888 (or predecessor) bargaining unit.

Recognition pay is triggered on completion of your eighth (8), seventeenth (17) and twenty-third (23) anniversary dates.

Example: An employee hired August 15, 1998 completes eight years of service on August 15, 2006 and is entitled to recognition pay in the pay period following the anniversary date. The calculation for the first pay period would be adjusted and pro-rated to the exact anniversary day.

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MAPLE TOYOTA 905-417-9100 SUMMER 2006 | FIRE WATCH 43

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2006 TPFFA OFF-DUTY AWARDS

I

t is no secret that each and every day our members serve their communities in an exemplary manner while on-duty. These efforts are highlighted in the various media outlets across the city on a regular basis. However, a less known fact is that many of our members encounter situations while off-duty that are very deserving of recognition.

From left to right is Mark Foley, James Hart, Bill Cooney, Brian McAlinden Each spring, Local 3888 hosts an Off-Duty Awards luncheon in order to recognize the exceptional efforts and achievements of our members while off-duty. Three awards are presented to Local 3888 members by the TPFFA and one award is presented by the members of Box 12.

The first award is the Bernard “Ben” Bonser award which is awarded to a Toronto Fire Fighter who, while offduty, made a rescue or was involved in

saving the life of a citizen in a hazardous or life threatening situation.

The second award is the Al Pearsall award. This award is presented to the Toronto Fire Fighter who best contributed their time and abilities while offduty toward the improvement of his or her community.

And the final Local 3888 award is the Roy Silver Award. This Award is presented to the Toronto Fire Fighter who, during the past year, best distin-

guished himself/herself by performing first aid and/or CPR while off-duty.

The Box 12 award is presented in recognition of outstanding volunteer service for the direct benefit of Toronto Fire Fighters.

This year’s luncheon was held on Friday April 28th at the Downtown Sheraton hotel on Queen Street West.

In attendance were the award recipients and their families, the Honourable Monty Kwinter, Minister of

SUMMER 2006 | FIRE WATCH 45

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46

2006 TPFFA OFF-DUTY AWARDS ... Continued from page 45

[

While driving through Brooklin in the early morning of September 10th, this fire fighter noticed what looked like a person hanging from the pavilion in Grass Park. When he took a closer look he noticed the man grasping at the rope around his neck.

Community Safety and Correctional Services, your local 3888 Executive Board, senior TFS management staff, and members of the media.

The following members received awards for their efforts and achievements which occurred while off-duty in 2005:

BERNARD “BEN” BONSER AWARD Presented to Toronto Fire Fighter BRIAN MCALINDEN While driving through Brooklin in the early morning of September 10th, this fire fighter noticed what looked like a person hanging from the pavilion in Grass Park. When he took a closer look he noticed the man grasping at the rope around his neck. He called 911 while quickly moving a picnic table over to try and remove the rope. As the firefighter attempted to untie the rope, the man’s vital signs were lost.

After a couple of attempts he was successful in removing the rope and helping the man to the ground. While on the ground he performed an initial assessment and confirmed the man was VSA. Using his training he quickly started CPR. During the second round of compressions a gasp was heard and the man started to breath on his own.

The Ambulance and Fire Department arrived shortly after and took over.

Several days later he was contacted by the Whitby Fire Department and informed that the man regained consciousness two days later and that the family would like to meet with him.

The Toronto Professional Fire Fighters’ Association donated $500.00 to the Hospital for Sick Children Foundation on behalf of our 2005 Bernard “Ben” Bonser award winner.

AL PEARSALL AWARD Presented to Toronto Fire Fighter MARK FOLEY Mark showed a positive attitude and enthusiasm for the students of St. Mary’s Elementary School. He donated sports equipment, school supplies and countless hours for the betterment of the school. He supplied and installed laminated fire alarm and fire escape signs, painted lines in the school yard for children’s games and helped organize and facilitate the 50th anniversary gala just to name a few things. Mark was nominated for this award by the principal at St. Mary’s Elementary school.

The Toronto Professional Fire Fighters’ Association donated $500.00 to the Arthritis Society on behalf of our 2005 Al Pearsall award winner.

ROY SILVER AWARD Presented to Toronto Fire Captain JAMES HART On the evening of July 2nd, James and his family were onboard the Toronto Island Ferry. A woman onboard collapsed after suffering a heart attack.

James and a physician from Sick Kids Hospital jumped into action and promptly started CPR on the victim.

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James started chest compressions while the victim’s husband performed ventilations and the physician monitored the pulse. After approximately 2 minutes of CPR a pulse was regained.

A police boat with an ambulance crew on-board arrived shortly after and removed the patient who was breathing on her own.

The Toronto Professional Fire Fighters’ Association will donate $500.00 to The Canadian National Institute for the Blind on behalf of our 2005 Roy Silver award winner.

BOX 12 AWARD Presented by members of Box 12 to Toronto Acting Captain BILL COONEY Bill spent a considerable amount of his own time researching and consulting on the new hazmat apparatus located at station 332. He went as far as travelling to Ottawa on a couple of occasions to check on the progress of the vehicle and offer input into various aspects of the design.

Box 12 and the OFBA made a donation to the Kidney Foundation on Bill’s behalf.

Nomination forms are distributed in early January of each year to solicit entries for the TPFFA off-duty awards.

All members of Local 3888 are encouraged to submit an entry for consideration on behalf of a fellow deserving member.

SUMMER 2006 | FIRE WATCH 47

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ATTENDANCE MANAGEMENT PROGRAM

EXEMPTIONS Hugh Doherty, Rick Berenz, Scott Eyers – L3888 Grievance Committee

T

A member may be granted an exemption during any step of the ATM program where your attendance exceeds the average of the division, however one of the exemption criteria must be met. For this article we will address those who require a meeting at the informal stage and the number of absences within the calendar year is 10 days or more.

▲

Who grants the exemption at the informal stage?

When an employee exceeds the divisional average of 10 sick days or more within a calendar year, the D/C and Platoon Chief/Divisional Chief review

How many exemption criteria are available for the member?

A member may be granted an exemption based on the following;

Exemption Criteria #1

met when requesting an exemption.

As per extenuating circumstances one must do the following; • Meet with the City no later than 60 days of the request, with Association representation • The member must be prepared to provide to the City the reasons for the request and/or medical information to confirm exemption request.

A one-time, clearly identifiable personal illness AND a previous record of acceptable attendance. (Note: Acceptable attendance as per the policy will be defined at the end of this section).

Exemption Criteria #2 A one time occasion of serious emotional or psychological distress resulting from a personal or family crisis – either of which must make the employee unable to perform their duties AND a previous record of acceptable attendance.

Exemption Criteria #3 A disability as defined by the Human Rights Code, that includes a disability resulting from a workplace injury.A disability is a chronic or ongoing/long term condition. It is not a severe temporary condition like a broken leg.

Exemption Criteria #4 In extenuating circumstances the TFS may, in its sole, absolute and unlimited discretion, grant an employee an exemption despite the fact that the criteria as referred to above are not

▲

▲

How am I granted an Exemption?

the attendance record, along with any relevant information, to confirm if the exemption is granted as per the exemption criteria outlined in the ATM Policy.

▲

he original Attendance Management Program (ATM) that was implemented by the Corporation was grieved by the Association and we proceeded to arbitration/mediation, which resulted in an award from arbitrator Ms. Louisa Davey.

Since the release of the arbitrated award many meetings have taken place to ensure the ATM program is complied with and that your rights are upheld in regards to any meetings with the City on the Attendance Management Program.

One critical area of dispute between the Corporation and Association was the granting of exemptions for members of the Association. The Association was able to secure, through the arbitration process, an exemption policy which requires members to meet various criteria as outlined in the policy. The Association was the first City union to be granted this benefit for those who entered the ATM program.

Acceptable attendance for the purposes of the ATM policy is defined as: • Total of not greater than eighteen (18) sick days in the last three years.

• No greater than eight (8) sick days in one of the last three (3) years.

• One year with less than or equal to six (6) sick days in the last three years We hope this assists in clarifying the exemption process for the ATM program. Related information and documents of the ATM program can be referenced on the grievance committee page of our Local 3888 website.

SUMMER 2006 | FIRE WATCH 49

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50

BILL 206

WHAT NOW? B

ill 206 (An Act to Revise the Ontario Municipal Employees Retirement System Act) was passed by the Ontario legislature on February 23, 2006.

The Act will take effect upon proclamation, which is expected later this year. This legislation establishes a new and independent governance model for OMERS, gives employers and employees more control over the OMERS pension plan and introduces supplemental plans. The government also announced that the new governance model will be reviewed in 2012 to assess its fairness, accountability and efficiency.

With the new OMERS Act, current pension benefits and contribution rates do not change. The plan continues to provide guaranteed retirement income for life, including inflation protection and excellent survivor and disability benefits. Like all registered pension plans, OMERS is subject to laws that protect the rights of members and set investment limits to minimize risk to the pension fund.

The new OMERS Act does not affect these provisions.

Independence for OMERS means those who pay for the plan make the key plan design decisions. Essentially, the new OMERS Act changes the planâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s sponsor. The Province of Ontario makes no direct contributions to the plan but, until now made all final decisions on such things as plan design, benefit changes and appointing the OMERS Board.

The new OMERS Act replaces the government as sponsor with the new OMERS Sponsors Corporation, whose Board of Directors will represent the

current and former employees who are members of OMERS, and the municipalities and other organizations that employ them.

The Sponsors Corporation will have the final say on important issues, including plan design (the structure and type of benefits offered) and contribution rate changes. These types of decisions will require a two-thirds majority of the Sponsors Corporation.

If the Sponsors Corporation cannot agree on a proposed change, the new Act establishes transitional rules for the use of mediation and arbitration.

The Sponsors Corporation is responsible for the plan design, benefits and contribution rates (two-thirds majority required). It will be made up of 14 voting members, initially appointed by the Ontario government for up to 1 year. From the first anniversary until the Sponsors Corporation passes a bylaw dealing with its composition, CUPE (Ontario) representative will have 3 votes; AMOâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s 2 representatives have 2 votes each; and all other members have 1 vote each Two Advisory Committees will be appointed by the Sponsors Corporation: an 8-member committee for police/fire/paramedics and a 12-member committee for other members and employers.

In addition to the Sponsors Corporation, the new OMERS Act will continue the OMERS Board as the OMERS Administration Corporation. The Administration Corporation is responsible for investment of funds, plan administration and services to plan participants. It will have 14 voting members, initially appointed by the Ontario government, for up to 3 years.

Initially, both Boards will have equal numbers of member and employer representatives. In the future, the Sponsors Corporation will determine the composition of both Boards. The transitional composition is subject to the Sponsors Corporation by-laws.

(Changes to Board composition can be made by Sponsors Corporation by-laws and require a simple majority for changes to the Sponsors Corporation and a two-thirds majority for changes to the Administration Corporation.)

The new OMERS Act removes the limit on the OMERS pension formula which used to be in the Municipal Act, 2001. Like other registered pension plans, any improvements in the formula continue to be subject to maximums under the Income Tax Act. Future changes to the pension formula will require Sponsors Corporation approval.

The new OMERS Act includes a new requirement that contribution rates cannot be reduced, nor changes made, unless the plan is in a 105% funded position (assets are at least 5% more than liabilities). This requirement does not apply to supplemental plans.

Also, it does not apply to plan changes that do not increase liabilities by more than 1%, or those required for legal compliance.

Under the new OMERS Act, a supplemental plan must be established within two years for police officers,

SUMMER 2006 | FIRE WATCH 51

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52

BILL 206 ... Continued from page 51

fire fighters and paramedics. Supplemental pension plans are separatelyfunded, stand-alone registered pension plans that will offer benefits not available in the current plan.

More about Supplemental Plans Both the Sponsors Corporation and Administration Corporation will convene, draft and approve their respective by-laws. After the initial terms, Sponsors Corporation and Administration Corporation appointments will be made by the Sponsors themselves, subject to by-laws passed by the Sponsors Corporation.

Supplemental Plans for public safety groups would be offered within 24 months, to be bargained locally. Under Bill 206, Supplemental Plans must be established for those in “public safety” occupations – police officers, fire fighters and paramedics. Supplemental Plans are separate, stand-alone pension plans that would offer benefits not available in the OMERS basic pension plan, such as early retirement and a three-year best salary average.

To be eligible for early retirement factors, members must be within 10

years of normal retirement age. All supplemental benefits apply to service accruals after the supplemental benefit is implemented (i.e., all prior service remains under current rules) unless the past service associated with the particular benefit is paid for by the employer and/or member.

The member has the option to pay for supplemental coverage on all or part of past service. Although not required, employers may pay past service costs for supplemental plans (with the exception of the higher annual accrual rate). The benefits of supplemental plans must be negotiated. Eligible employers and members would locally bargain their participation and the benefits offered. Only one benefit may be bargained initially. Subsequently, additional benefits can be bargained one at a time at three-year intervals.

When debated, confusion existed in regards to; if paramedics were included for supplemental plans? The new OMERS Act treats paramedics the same as police and fire fighters. Because the Act does not change the terms of the current plan however, the new Act does not automatically

make paramedics eligible for a Normal Retirement Age of 60. Under the current plan, NRA 60 is available only to police officers and fire fighters. A Sponsors Corporation decision would be required to amend the plan to extend this benefit to paramedics. Paramedics are still eligible for the other benefits provided in the police and fire sector supplemental plan, with the exception of the ability to retire early without a penalty when age plus credited service equals 80. The new Act clearly states that this benefit is contingent upon a member having a Normal Retirement Age of 60.

Only those in supplemental plans pay for them. Each supplemental plan will be funded by the contributions of the employers and employees who participate in that particular plan, as well as the investment earnings on those contributions. No assets of the current plan may be used to fund any benefits or other liabilities of a supplemental plan.

The legislation also permits the Sponsors Corporation to establish supplemental plans for other OMERS members.

Supplemental plan benefits for police, firefighters and paramedics Supplemental benefit

What it provides

Current benefit under primary plan

2.33% pension formula

Lifetime pension plus bridge benefit to age 65 = up to 2.33% x service x earnings

Lifetime pension plus bridge benefit to age 65 = 2.00% x service x earnings (integrated with CPP)

85 Factor (available to normal retirement age 65 members)

Retire with unreduced pension if: age + service = 85 or more

90 Factor for normal retirement age 65 members

80 Factor (available to normal retirement age 60 members)

Retire with unreduced pension if: age + service = 80 or more

85 Factor for normal retirement age 60 members

3-year average annual earnings

Pension calculated on average of 3 years of earnings

Pension calculated on annual average of highest consecutive 60 months of earnings

4-year average annual earnings

Pension calculated on average of 4 years of earnings

Pension calculated on annual average of highest consecutive 60 months of earnings

Notes: • To be eligible for early retirement factors, members must be within 10 years of normal retirement age.

• All supplemental benefits apply to service accruals after the supplemental benefit is implemented (i.e., all prior service remains under current rules) unless the past service associated with the particular benefit is paid for by the employer and/or member.

• The member has the option to pay for supplemental coverage on all or part of past service. Although not required, employers may pay past service costs for supplemental plans (with the exception of the higher annual accrual rate).

SUMMER 2006 | FIRE WATCH 53

3888 RECENT HAPPENINGS

Congratulations to District 31 B shift for winning the 9th annual Bruce Ritchie B shift District Challenge. $3,000 was raised for the Princess Margaret Fire Fighter Cancer Research Fund, bringing the total raised to $18,300 by the B Shift. Congratulations also to the other shifts that also held their shift District Challenges.

A fundraiser for Special Olympics Ontario. TPFFA representatives with members of the 2006 Canadian Olympic Womenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Hockey Gold Medal Champions. (from L to R) Kevin Ashfield, Frank Ramagnano, Jennifer Botterill, Janos Csepreghi, Gillian Ferrari, Al Falkner, Cheryl Pounder.

Fire fighters from across the province formed up in full dress uniform in Thunder Bay on May 25th to prepare for the march to St. Paulâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s United Church where the LODD funeral for OPFFA District 7 Vice President Joe Adamkowski was held. Joe lost his battle with colon cancer on May 14th after being diagnosed in June of 2002.

54

Edwin Li is presented with a homemade trophy and card on behalf of his fellow brothers and sisters on the T.F.S. by co-worker Al Booth. Edwin competed in team table tennis and brought home a silver medal from the international fire fighter games held in Hong Kong in February 2006. Congratulations Edwin!

Local 38 88 stew a Jamie E nslen, P rds Rob Hewso n, Rayan aul Beam Labour/M ne D es, anagem on May ent retr and Jim Morac ubkov, eat at th he atten 1st and 2n e d Scott M arks, an d. Also picture Hockley Highla a d Depu n d ds a r e Jay ty Chief Pat McC ne Allen, abe.

e provinc ross the 29th to c a m o ates fr May 0 deleg d from ntion.

Over 13 on Collingwoo l OPFFA conve a d u e n g conver e 9th an st for th May 31

John Poirier, Ro n Seymour, Fran k Ramagnano, D Higgins, Neil M ebbie cKinnon, and Fi re Chief Bill St pose with Chap ewart lain Emeritus D r. Ron Nickle an wife Sharon afte d his r presenting th em both with gi Ronâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s retiremen fts at t party on March 31st.

Scott Marks, Ron Nickle, Keith Hamilton, Ed Kennedy, and James Coones pose with Ron MacQueen at his retirement party which was held on March 9th at Shoeless Joeâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s in Scarborough.

SUMMER 2006 | FIRE WATCH 55

a

Salute to our

The following is President Scott Marks’ address to the retirees and guests at the 2006 Local 3888 retirement party.

RETIREES

I

t is a great pleasure to be here, and on behalf of all the fellow fire fighters that have worked with you, or endured you, whatever the case may be, wish you the best in your coming retirement.

Freedom fifty five, early bird specials – all of those special entitlements are now yours to enjoy. You can play golf, attend movies, vacation and whatever during the off times and take advantage of the cheaper rates.

The one drawback of retirement is that for the most part, it is accompanied with old age. But, I have noticed in attending these functions over the past few years that our retirees appear to be getting younger and younger each year.

It is a time in your life that is well deserved. No more mornings getting up and dragging yourself to the fire

hall – fighting the traffic and stress of the working man – you are retired.

Which makes me recall the story of a retired fire fighter walking along the beach in Florida and he finds an old bottle – well jokingly he begins to rub it thinking it may be a Genie’s bottle.

Well much to his surprise a crusty old Genie (apparently) also retired makes his entrance. “Whaddaya want?” says

the Genie, “I’m old, cranky and only got a few good wishes left in me.”

The fire fighter thinks for a moment and says, “Y’know, I don’t like boats or airplanes, but I have always wanted to see Hawaii – build me a bridge to Hawaii.”

The Genie says, “Whaddaya crazy or something – y’know how much steel and concrete that would take, man I’d be working on that forever –

NO MORE MORNINGS GETTING UP AND DRAGGING YOURSELF TO THE FIRE HALL – FIGHTING THE TRAFFIC AND STRESS OF THE WORKING MAN – YOU ARE RETIRED

56

First Name

THE REAL JOY OF RETIREMENT IS THE ABANDONMENT OF CARES AND SPENDING MORE TIME WITH THE SPOUSE AND FAMILY like, I’m an old Genie, isn’t there something else I can do for you?”

The retired fire fighter thinks for a minute and says, “Y’know what there is something else. I have been married for over thirty years. And it has been a great marriage, but occasionally my wife and I argue and for the life of me I cannot understand her point of view – please allow me to understand my spouse”.

The Genie looks at him for a moment, shakes his head and says, “Whaddaya want, 2 lanes or 4 lanes?”

Now many of you will find retired life a real change – the hustle and bustle of the fire hall is gone – It’s time to kick up and enjoy the fruits of our labour. But, do try to keep up with your old friends from the station and from work. And I hope all of you continue to keep track of the association sponsored events; the picnic, Christmas party etc.

There are also great opportunities to help with our sponsor charities – Doug Sargeant who runs the toy drive is always looking for extra help – and

thank god the retirees are there to maintain this great effort that helps the kids in this city. In addition, we are continuing our efforts to stay politically involved and we hope our retirees can be involved and assist in this.

But the real joy of retirement is the abandonment of cares and spending more time with the spouse and family.

All the stuff that the fire fighters are worrying about, 24 hour shift schedules, promotions, relieving….

For You – Who cares – it’s gone, it’s over.

But!... You have a new worry – the extra time with the spouse – she no longer has you away on night shift, for those snoring free nights – so you need to treat her a little special and be aware that more of something isn’t always better. Especially when it is more of you!!

All kidding aside – enjoy your retirement you have earned it, you deserve it and I know I speak for everyone when I say stay healthy and get your money’s worth from OMERS.

Surname

Service YRS

Wayne

Bridger

36

Wayne

Jones

30

John

MacLeod

31

Gary

Wignall

38

Alan

Brend

35

Richard

Bridson

30

John

Laver

30

Robert

Newhook

31

Robert

Alston

36

John

Draper

36

Barry

Henzel

30

David

White

33

William

Koruna

31

Terry

Thompson

31

Peter

Gresser

30

Douglas

Tredway

31

Bruce

Godard

33

William

Waugh

38

Rev. Ron

Nickle

21

Eric

Adams

31

David

Atwell

33

Brian

Balsdon

32

Warren

Chalmers

32

David

Craig

33

Phil

Gosling

36

James

Hall

31

Iain

Kay

32

William

Knaggs

36

Wayne

Krasowski

36

Ronald

MacQueen

35

Philip

Redwood

39

John

Walker

31

Kenny

Beck

32

Kasimir

Brandt

31

John

Langcaster

31

Ross

Wakefield

29

Michael

Cooper

31

Patrick

Coughlan

32

Norman

Jackson

30

Chuck

Talma

17

Alan

Wilk

32

Dennis

Bowles

37

John

Defrancesco

29

Andy

Everingham

39

SUMMER 2006 | FIRE WATCH 57

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PH s E MAIL RPSALES SYMPATICO CA

FIRESOUND “BURNING LOVE” CD Damien Walsh – Toronto Fire Fighter

F

ire Fighters are often called upon to bring a variety of unknown skills and talents to their profession from time to time in order to better serve our community. With this in mind, in the days after amalgamation, Chris Burrell of Station 234 began to consider a project that would bring firefighters with musical talents together. It was his hope to produce a high quality musical project in order to do what firefighters have always done – raise money for a charitable cause.

A notice was sent out to all the halls in the city looking for firefighters with musical talent. Chris recalls, “I was nervous about who was going to show up, but I was blown away with the quality of the response.”

And respond they did – 8 drummers, 8 guitar players, 3 bass players, 9 lead singers, a couple of keyboard players, and a horn section. Every one of these musicians is an active firefighter working in stations across the city.

But to pull this all together would require a great band leader, organizer, musician, producer, engineer, administrator, promoter, and a couple of other things that Chris hadn’t thought of yet. He was up to the task however.

s s e c c u S n i A Smok ’

He started drumming at age 11, obtained a Bachelor of Music Performance from the University of Toronto, and built his own recording studio which has grown substantially over the past 20 years.

The theme of the project would be FIRE songs. Good quality songs that would be fun to perform and had some kind of reference to fire, heat, or smoke in them.

He began laying the groundwork in 1999, lining up the musicians in late 2003, and after hundreds of hours of recording and mixing, the project was completed in the fall of 2005.

Then, for the task of putting it all together in a professional looking package, Chris drew on the talents of Toronto Fire Services information section for the artwork to complete the project.

Support for the project came from all areas within Toronto Fire Services, from Administration to our Association and MD Canada.

An initial pressing of 2000 copies was quickly snapped up by curious coworkers and proud family members.

In November of 2005, a CD launch party was held at the Birchmount

Country Bar in Scarborough. The emphasis was to get the media out to create some buzz around the project and introduce the band in a live setting. To a capacity crowd, the Firesound band took the stage and performed all the songs from the CD and several other crowd favourites. The night was a huge success with many more copies of the CD sold and some great media coverage.

It would seem there is a bright future for the band as there are plans to play several future events and continue to raise money and awareness for MD. So far over fifteen thousand dollars has been raised for MD and another batch of CD’s will soon be in production.

The success of the Burning Love CD has come about through the unflagging determination in completing this project by Chris and the dedicated group of musical firefighters who lent their talents and time to a worthy cause as firefighters always do. Chris and the band would like to thank all those who have supported the Firesound CD from start to finish as they look forward to another successful year ahead.

SUMMER 2006 | FIRE WATCH 59

2006 UPCOMING EVENTS

Aug.

Sept.

LOCATION

Monday, July 3, 2006

Operation Recruit Class Start

TFS Fire Academy

Friday, July 7, 2006, 1200 HRS

Recruit Swearing in

TFS Fire Academy

Thursday, July 20, 2006

Local 3888 Picnic

White Water Kingdom

August 13 - 19, 2006

Camp Bucko

Minden

Thursday, August 24, 2006

CNE TFS DAY

Toronto, Ontario

August 27 - Sept 1, 2006

IAFF Convention

Toronto, Ontario

Wednesday, September 10, 2006 @ 1100 HRS

Candian Fallen FF Memorial

Ottawa, Ontario

September 13 - 17, 2006

Fallen Fire Fighter Memorial

Colorado Springs, CA

Sunday, September 17, 2006

Veteran’s Memorial Unveiling

Queens Park, Toronto

Tuesday, September 19, 2006 Day Meeting 1000 HRS

3888 General Union Meeting

RCL Br.527 948 Sheppard Ave. W.

Wednesday, September 20, 2006 Night Meeting 1900 HRS

3888 General Union Meeting

RCL Br.527 948 Sheppard Ave. W.

Annual “Toddle for Tots”

Toronto Zoo

Saturday, September 30, 2006 (0900 HRS to 1500 HRS)

Buying a home can be an adventure. Meet your guide.

Get in touch with Mobile Mortgage Specialist Kelly Guglick at (647)402-4663/kelly.guglick@rbc.com to arrange an appointment when and where you want.

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60

SUBJECT TO CHANGE

July

EVENT

*DATES AND TIMES

DATE*

Paul Beames – Toronto Fire Fighter

2006 T

Toddle For T ts Event

oronto’s Ronald McDonald House is Proud to work with the Toronto Professional Fire Fighters’ Association It takes a village to raise a child … and that is an adage that various community groups have taken to heart. One great example would be the Toronto Professional Fire Fighters’ Association.

The Toronto Professional Fire Fighters’ Association has been long standing supporters of the House. Last Christmas Day they brought cheer to the families by stopping by for a visit.

They help build awareness for Toronto’s Ronald McDonald House and raise funds through a variety of means like organizing their fundraiser “Moose on a Mission” and delighting children at Toddle for Tots with their fire trucks.

They are also proud participants in

our Adopt-a-Room Program. Their involvement with TRMH over the years has been wonderfully supportive and always loved by the children.

We look forward to working with the Toronto Professional Fire Fighters’ Association at the 2006 Annual Toddle for Tots, Presented by Subaru Canada, Inc., on Saturday September 30th, 2006 at the Toronto Zoo. Toddle for Tots is truly the story of “Kids Helping Kids.” Children 12 and under, along with their families, spend an amazing day exploring at the Toronto Zoo and will also get to watch a special performance by special guests Robert Munsch, Michael Martchenko and Dan the Music Man. For more information, and to register online (beginning July 1st) visit www.rmhtoronto.org.

On behalf of the children and families who call Toronto’s Ronald McDonald House their “home away from home”, a sincere and heartfelt THANK YOU to our friends at the Toronto Professional Fire Fighters’ Association.

Together, we are making a difference!

If you are available to volunteer and help out at this year’s event please contact Paul Beames at: beames@torontofirefighters.org.

WE NEED YOUR HELP! This August, Fire Fighters from across North America will converge on our city as we host the 48th Biennial International Association of Fire Fighters Convention.

Volunteers are required each day. Check your calendar, pick a day or two and sign up!

Don’t miss out on this opportunity to assist our Association in ensuring that this convention is an overwhelming success.

Visit our website www.iafftoronto2006.com for more information and to sign up as a volunteer.

Mark McKinnon, L3888 Convention Committee Chair, Station 113 “C” Platoon Rick Gallo, Volunteer Coordinator, Station 241 “B” Platoon

AUGUST 25 - SEPTEMBER 1, 2006 SUMMER 2006 | FIRE WATCH 61

ADVERTISERS INDEX 427 Auto Collision................... 22

Fastway Couriers..................... 27

Maximum Car Detailing ......... 40

Alarm Force ............................ 12

Firkin Hospitality Group ......... 30

Mazda-Walsh ............................. 7

Scarborough Lexus Toyota ...... 46

AlphaHealth ............................ 48

Formula Honda ........................ 26

Minto Management................. 50

Shaklee ................................... 37

Alta Nissan .............................. 52

Frontline Automotive ................ 6

Molson Grand Prix .................. 21

Sherway Nissan ....................... 22

Appliance Canada .....................41

Funeral Sanitation Services ..... 48

Monster Mortgages ................. 34

Solutions 2 Health ................... 48

Bayshore Home Health ............ 40

George Brown College ............ 24

Multi Menu ............................. 44

Talk of the Town Travel ........... 58

Bodnaruk & Capone ................ 18

Happy Days House Boats ......... 30

New Roads National Leasing ... 44

Cars4FireFighters.com .............. 4

Harding Fire Protection............. 7

North City ...... Inside Back Cover

The Fire Department Employees Credit Union Limited ................ 2

Cedarbrae Volkswagen ............ 40

Herbal Magic........................... 48

Ontario Trade Academy ........... 18

Century 21 BJ Roth.................. 44

Ho-Lee Chow............................. 6

Owasco Volkswagen Inc .......... 50

Century 21 Heritage Group ..... 22

Imaging Technologies Ltd........ 28

Paramed Home Health ............. 26

Century 21 Percy Fulton ......... 20

Intelligarde International Inc. . 20

Pharma Medica Research ........ 18

Tri-Cell Communications (Rogers Wireless)..................... 46

Credit Menders ....................... 30

Jack M. Straitman ................... 40

Physio FX ................................ 18

Triple A Movers Ltd ................. 30

Domenic’s Fish Market............ 58

Jiffy Lube ......Outside Back Cover

Pinkofskys ................................16

Durham Orthapedic .................. 7

Ken Weinberg Phd. ................. 42

PM Toront Sports Bar & Grill ... 37

Tyrone Crawford, Barrister, Solicitor & Notary .... 58

East Side Mario’s ..................... 52

Keybase Financial Group ......... 26

Ragged Point Sports ................ 58

Visiting Angels .......................... 7

Ecclestone, Hamer, Poisson, Neuwald & Freeman................ 48

KMB Granite ........................... 38

Remax, Bev McLean ................ 58

Wegz Stadium Bar ................... 28

Kwik Curb Edgemaster ............ 38

Remax, Spirit Inc..................... 43

Westwind Partners Inc .............. 7

Maple Toyota ........................... 43

Rosehaven Homes.................... 52

Masters Plumbing ................... 28

Rotovac...................................... 6

Wireless Personal Communications (Bell World) ............................. 36

Elephant & Castle .................... 26 Evans Ford ...............................16 Ezdivorce.ca ............................ 37

Royal Bank Mortgages ............. 60

Thru Line Muffler ................... 60 Toronto Harbour...................... 36 Trackers Boat Centres ............... 8

Yonge Lawrence Toyota ........... 12

CLASSIFIEDS VACATION RENTAL: Barbados Beach House Fully Furnished, 3 Bedrooms US $70/night Contact jmartineau@sunbeach.net or 1 (246) 421-7455 After 8:00PM RUGBY PLAYERS WANTED: Play Emergency Services Rugby with your colleagues from fire, police and EMS at Markham Rugby Club. We can offer skill levels from novice to senior

league. Clubhouse and fields conveniently situated at Kennedy Rd and highway 7 in Unionville. Men’s, Women’s, >35 old boys and junior teams. Check us out for contact details at markhamrugbyclub.com or call Colin Campbell @ (905) 471-4562 TUPPERWARE: Call me if you want to buy it, need warranty service, want to get it FREE! Call Tracy Lamb,

Cell: (416) 433-1056 Home: (905) 864-3285 tracey03@cogeco.ca PIANO FOR SALE: ‘Aeolian’ upright piano, pecan wood – w/bench. 36” tall and 56” long – good condition. Originally purchased at Robert Lowery. Asking $1,500. If interested pls. contact Susan Hope @ (416) 267-5367 or susan.hope@jwt.com.

Classified Advertising in the Toronto Fire Watch Magazine Name: Work Phone:

Division: Home Phone:

Ad (20 words max – please print clearly):

# of issues: Signature:

Payment: Cheque:

Credit Card #

Price: $25/issue + GST=

Ads run one issue free of charge. Home phone or pager numbers will be used. Ads MUST be submitted in writing. Phoned ads are not accepted. Submit before the second Tuesday of the month. Send to Toronto Fire Watch, Box 157, 253 College St., Toronto ON M5T1R5 or email: nancyp@xentel.com

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