Fire Watch: Volume 11, Issue 2 by Toronto Professional Fire Fighters' Association

HALL SHOWCASE ON STATION 415 VOLUME 11 | ISSUE 2

Publications Agreement No: 41203011

THE OFFICIAL PUBLICATION OF THE TORONTO PROFESSIONAL FIRE FIGHTERS’ ASSOCIATION

VOLUME 11

ISSUE 2

IN THIS ISSUE 5 President’s Message 7 Secretary-Treasurer’s Message

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 CHIEF EDITOR Frank Ramagnano

Vice President’s Message

Chaplain’s Corner

Letters to the Editor

Hazmat 101: High Times

Never Shall We Forget

Ryan Moonlight

Fire Station Visit/Truck Tours

Camp Bucko Bonspiel

The Annual Starkman Trivia Challenge

Hall Showcase on Station 415

Selection of a New SCBA

Behind the Mask

2015 St Patrick’s Day Parade

Fit to Survive

3888 Recent Happenings

MANAGING EDITOR James Coones Tel.: 416.466.1167 Fax: 416.466.6632 E-mail: firewatch@torontofirefighters.org ASSISTANT EDITORS Mykhail Baehr, Marla Friebe, Rodney Johnston, Matt Rayner DESIGN AND ART DIRECTION Bryan Middleton

HA LL SH OW CA SE ON STATIO N 415 VOLUME 11 | ISSUE 2

On The Cover

ADVERTISING Please contact Bill Monson at 416-466-9180 ext. 322 or e-mail monson@torontofirefighters.org

Toronto Fire Captain wearing a new MSA G1 SCBA at the recent FireOps 101 event. See page 30 for details.

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

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PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE

t’s been a very busy and satisfying six months as your President. We started the year by meeting with all City Councillors, leading up to the City’s budget process. The budget was passed with no reduction to the fire service – in fact, 25 additional Fire Prevention and Public Education positions were approved, as per previous commitments. We visited the IAFF Headquarters in January and I am happy to report that as a direct result of that visit, we are now working on two videos to educate and inform others on what fire fighters do on a daily basis. We have had two operational recruit classes graduate and another is scheduled for this month. We have ran our St. Patrick’s Day Parade, Fire Fighters Gala, Media/Off-Duty Awards, Fire Ops 101, Pride Parade, Picnic at the Zoo, MD Boot Drives and numerous Charity and Public relations events. We continue to bargain with the city, working toward a contract, and are pleased that the city has agreed to an arbitrator if one is needed. This puts us well ahead of last contract’s timelines. Things are progressing and we hope to have it wrapped up, either with a deal or heading to arbitration, by the end of September. The Ontario Government introduced Bill 109 on May 28th. It has received First Reading and is currently awaiting Second Reading debate. As the Legislature has risen for the summer recess, there will be no further debate until at least September 14th of this year. The proposed amendments provide important new unfair labour practice protections, as well as expedited grievance arbitration for us, which will undoubtedly assist us in dealing with our employer. The legislation extends to fire fighters, the same job security protection that applies to all other unionized employees in Ontario covered by unfair labour practice and union security provisions. Another important provision in the bill is that the amendments will now require the WSIB to calculate survivor benefit payments, based on the average earnings at the time of diagnosis. If passed, this will be retroactive to 1998. Regarding two-hatters, and despite

some misinformed fire-based websites, nothing has changed regarding our stance on two-hatters. The legislation does not legalize or permit two-hatters in Ontario. Whether the amendments would even apply to any specific case where there is a two-hatter issue will need to be determined on the facts of the case. Certainly, nothing in the proposed legislation approves or condones the practice of using two-hatters, and the proposed amendments do not alter the 3888, OPFFA or IAFF positon on the issue. Working as a part-time, on-call fire fighter in a jurisdiction where it would adversely affect other Locals is still a violation of the IAFF Constitution. The OPFFA has been working on a pilot project that would see at least one advanced-trained fire fighter on each frontline pumper in test cities, in order to offer Symptom Relief as a part of our roles as first responders. We are seeing reaction from some misinformed first responders who believe – wrongly – that we are trying to take their jobs away. Nothing could be further from the truth. We have heard from many jurisdictions that fire fighters have limited training and cannot provide crucial intervention at an emergency medical scene, thus we are looking for the opportunity to either prove this is true or not true. We are seeking, on a trial basis, to expand our duties to provide the best possible value as emergency first responders. We understand that in Ontario we currently have over 1,000 fire fighter members who are also fully trained as paramedics. They have the skills and training to do more at emergency medical calls and can use that emergency medical background to help deliver symptom relief training to other members within their own home Locals. When we are simultaneously dispatched, fire fighters arrive on scene much faster than other first responders. We can provide comfort and symptom relief to patients – the very people we serve. Our efforts can stabilize a patient long enough for paramedics to arrive and use their advanced medical skills, then ultimately get them to the hospital. The OPFFA is proposing that the Ontario Government create pilot projects, serviced by full-time fire services. Fire fighters would

Frank Ramagnano

be trained in Symptom Relief and have the ability to deliver: ASA, Nitroglycerin spray, Ventolin, Epinephrine, Glucagon, Glucose paste. By providing this value-added service, we are offering a way to increase public safety and ensure that patients get the timely care they need within the framework of our existing emergency response system. We are not trying to replace paramedics. We are trying to add value to our existing role in the first responder system. Some are suggesting that the fire service is not capable of accurately performing these skills. If they believe this, they should be encouraging and promoting the pilot projects, as they could provide the conclusion that they are predicting. The fact that they are opposed to a pilot project would lend one to concluded that perhaps they honesty do not feel it would fail and therefore do not want an extended role for fire fighters. I personally do not understand how you could keep quoting a lack of training for fire fighters as a reason why they should not be involved with EMS and then do everything in your power to stop the fire service from obtaining the training that you are stating they are lacking. The Fraser institute issued a report on Municipal Fire Departments and then Margaret Wente followed it up with an article on May 19. She portrays fire fighters’ 24-hour shifts as a “part-time job,” despite the fact that the 24-hour shift amounts to a 42-hour workweek, which is 234 hours more annually than the typical salaried worker. By the same token, fire fighters’ hourly wages are lower than people tend to think, due to their longer workweek. The arbitration system has become a favourite target of some municipal leaders. Yet, analysis in Ontario and Saskatchewan shows that arbitrated wage settlements closely mirror those that are freely Vo l u m e 1 1 | Is s ue 2 | FIRE WATCH

President’s Message...Continued from page 5

Ted Luciani, but neither mentions that the recent Thorold fire fighters’ arbitration award was a “consent award,” which means the city freely agreed to its terms, including wages. The recent Fraser Institute report on municipal fire departments, which Wente relies on for many of her conclusions, is dubious to say the least. In fourteen pages, it cites no fewer than ten disclaimers about data limitations. The national statistics it relies on for the number of fires is missing data from four provinces, and its conclusions on the number of municipal fire fighters in Canada cannot possibly be correct. It claims there are 14,000 full-time fire fighters in Ontario, but the Office of the Ontario Fire Marshal will confirm the number is just over 11,000. Like the Fraser Institute, Wente also ignores the fact that fire fighters do a lot more than fight fires,

and that fires in today’s homes burn many times hotter and faster than they used to. This is not an idea dreamed up by fire fighters to scare people; it’s the conclusion of an independent scientific analysis by Underwriter Laboratories titled Analysis of Changing Residential Fire Dynamics. Ms. Wente falls into the trap of writing about the cost of fire protection and not the value of it. Full-time fire fighters are skilled professionals who are certified in numerous technical disciplines, including medical response, Haz-Mat and technical rescue. They respond to virtually any emergency in minutes for less than $1 a day per household in most cities, based on an average property assessment. Over the past 20 years, most cities’ fire department budgets have not increased significantly, as an overall percentage of municipal budgets. In Thorold, which Wente cites in her

column, the average household pays 94 cents a day for fire protection, based on the city’s own budget documents for 2015. If there’s one thing taxpayers expect their tax dollars to do, it’s protect their family and their property. If municipal leaders like Thorold’s Ted Luciani doesn’t think that 94 cents a day for lifesaving emergency response is sustainable, it’s not fire fighters who should be facing the tough questions. I hope that you have an enjoyable and safe summer and I will continue to keep you updated through the president’s Blog. To find out a little of what I am up to on a daily basis, please sign up to follow my twitter account at: @TPFFAPres.

Frank Ramagnano President, Toronto Professional Fire Fighters’ Association, I.A.F.F. Local 3888

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SECRETARY-TREASURER’S MESSAGE Bill C-377: Conservative Senators Stop at Nothing to Ram it Through ‘This enactment amends the Income Tax Act to require that labour organizations provide financial information to the Minister for public disclosure.

he controversial and unconventional path that led to Royal Assent of Bill C-377 is strewn with shameful political transgressions and hypocrisy, which will hopefully pound the proverbial ‘nail in the coffin’ of Stephen Harper and his Conservative government on October 19th. The actions taken by most of the Conservative Senators in ramming this bill through at any cost is nothing short of Machiavellian. Bill C-377, titled, “An Act to amend the Income Tax Act (requirements for labour organizations), was first introduced in December 2010 as a private members’ bill by MP and Conservative backbencher, Russ Heibert. According to Heibert, “The purpose of my bill is to increase transparency and accountability in another group of public institutions – labour unions. Under this bill, every labour union in Canada will be required to file a standard set of financial statements each year. Details from those statements will be posted on a public website for Canadians to examine. The public will be empowered to gauge the effectiveness, financial integrity and health of Canada’s unions.” This statement couldn’t be further from the truth. Plain and simple, this bill is discriminatory, unconstitutional and infringes on provincial jurisdiction that deals with labour matters and privacy. It has been introduced to weaken the position of unions in Canada by forcing them to publicly disclose detailed financial information as to how they spend their money. Section 3(b) of the bill requires labour organizations to file reports of all transactions over $5,000, showing the name and address of the payee, the purpose and description of the transaction and the specific amount paid. This means that a fund beneficiary receiving reimbursement for treatment or a costly prescription will have their name, address, why they are receiving the payment and the amount received submitted to the CRA.

As the CLC so rightly puts it, “It is an outrageous invasion of an individual’s privacy.” It doesn’t end with just the disclosure to the CRA either; this information will then be made public via the Internet and will be accessible by employers, anti-union groups and everyone else that has absolutely no right to have this information. The people who are entitled to this information are the members of the union that submit those dues, and provincial laws already mandate the availability of this information to those members. No other organizations, businesses or even government entities are required to submit such detailed financial reports. In fact, in a display of gross hypocrisy, Stephen Harper refused last year to disclose how many of his staffers are making more than $150,000 and cited that to do so would constitute a “release of personal information.” The real intent of Bill C-377 starts to shine through quite clearly with the statements of Conservative activist, Grover Norquist, who boasted that “every dollar that is spent [by labour unions) on disclosure and reporting, is a dollar that can’t be spent on other labour union activities.” Norquist stated candidly, “We’re going to crush labour as a political entity,” and eventually, “break unions.” Despite the fact that seven of the ten provinces are opposed to Bill C-377, citing an unconstitutional intrusion into their jurisdiction; and despite the fact that the Canadian Bar Association and Privacy Commissioner are opposed to the bill, Conservative Senators have done everything within their majority power to force the bill through the procedural process – even going as far as overruling their own Speaker’s decision. During the final reading of the bill, Conservative Senate Leader, Claude Carignan appealed to the Senate to overrule Speaker Leo Housakos, who ruled a motion to end debate on the bill out of order and stated, “This would be inconsistent with the basic principles of our rules and practices,” he said. The appeal was successful by

James Coones

a vote of 32 to 17, with two Conservative Senators voting against the appeal and five other Conservative Senators abstaining. The bill proceeded to a final vote and was given Royal Assent on June 30, 2015. So, where do we go from here? Right now, there is much work that needs to be completed, and millions of taxpayer dollars that need to be spent in order to put the provisions of this new bill in place. With an election date set for October 19, 2015, most government resources will be occupied trying to win seats. So, it’s extremely doubtful that unions will see any changes put in place until the 2016-2017 fiscal year, with filings starting within six months of 2017 – and that’s only if the Conservatives return to power. The first line of defence against this bill will be to unite labour and work toward defeating Stephen Harper and the Conservative government, who insist on introducing bills such as C-377 and other similar anti-union legislation. This is a crucial election for labour across Canada, and C-377 and the way in which it was maneuvered through the House and Senate should be the catalyst for us to work together like never before in a federal election. If somehow our election efforts are unsuccessful, the Canadian Labour Congress is leading the charge for the labour movement against this bill and will launch a legal battle to challenge its constitutionality. Stay tuned, the fight is far from over…

James Coones Secretary - Treasurer, Toronto Professional Fire Fighters’ Association I.A.F.F. Local 3888 Vo l u m e 1 1 | Is s ue 2 | FIRE WATCH

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“There are 3 kinds of lies: lies, damned lies and statistics.” – Mark Twain (well, probably not!)

n its May 2015 Research Bulletin, the Fraser Institute published its own 14 page condemnation of Canada’s municipal fire services. It was filled with a number of impressive looking bar graphs and charts; what it was really short on was facts and legitimate data. That didn’t stop a number of well known right wing journalists and media outlets from pouncing on this and quoting excerpts as gospel, expounding on the need to reign in municipal fire services across the country. Not one of these opinion pieces felt it relevant to mention the Fraser Institute’s own disclaimer of “data limitations” in its many blanket statements on all that ails Canada’s municipal fire services. While this report seemed to capture the media spotlight for a couple of days, triggering responses from the IAFF, the OPFFA and our own Local, upsetting fire fighters across the country and even turning some heads south of our border, it’s important to examine just who the Fraser Institute is to understand the full context of this latest attack on our profession. According to their own website, the Fraser Institute was founded in 1974 in Vancouver by prominent Canadian businessmen and economists. As a registered charity, it has received millions of dollars in funding from foreign-based business oriented charitable foundations, such as the Donner Foundation and the Charles G. Koch Charitable Foundation. While it’s political leanings have been described as “libertarian”, others have used the word “conservative” to describe its political views on a number of issues. It should come as no surprise that this report would seek to discredit a public sector labour group in order to further it’s political agenda. What is surprising is that while the institute claims to ensure rigorous and meticulous research on issues they study, in this particular report, the research was

lazy and woefully lacking in accuracy. One would think that for a report of this nature, they would have taken the time to actually contact as many stakeholders in the fire service as possible. The report’s chief assertion seemed to be that while the number fires continues to drop; the number of fire fighters in Canada has increased. There are just a few problems with that bold statement. Let’s start with the reports own research findings. “We also discuss and suggest improvements in the way that data on the incidence of fires and fire services spending is collected. This call for improvements comes about because there are a number of data limitations. Historical data on the number of fire fighters and average hourly wages only covers a 16-year period from 1997 to 2012. There currently exists no aggregate data on fire services spending after 2008. There is also no single database with municipal level data on fire services expenditures. In addition, there are limitations with respect to data on the number of fires in Canada (nationally and provincially) after 2002.” The Fraser Institute report actually states that; “There has been limited research on the different functions and activities carried out by municipal fire services.” It is unfortunate that, a simple phone call to the IAFF, OPFFA or to any full-time fire department wasn’t made to acquire an adequate answer as to what services are provided by municipal fire services. Here is another telling statement on the lack of basic background research that should have been done if the report wished to maintain a shred of credibility. “Data limitations preclude comparisons between municipalities or conclusions about how to better control the growth in fire service costs in Canada.” In fact, the term “Data limitations” is used a total of seven times throughout

Damien Walsh

the report but subsequently is followed by numerous blanket statements about what is wrong with municipal fire services and how best to fix them. Its sloppy research that shouldn’t have been given the time of day in the media but as we know, there are those who seem to have a bone to pick with public sector workers these days and more specifically, professional fire fighters. As you are aware, upon release of this “Research Bulletin”, media reached out to all stakeholders for comment. From city staff to elected officials to our own Association; all were asked for their views on this report. We immediately consulted with the IAFF and OPFFA and provided a unified, measured response to the unfounded claims in this report. We also provided information to city staff and Council so that they would be able to properly respond to media inquiries. Perhaps, as General President Harold Schaitberger recently wrote in our IAFF Quarterly magazine, that as the IAFF represents 300,000 professional fire fighters and paramedics across North America, amounting to over 85% “market density,” there are many who fear the tremendous power and influence that this provides. While union membership has declined in many sectors, we continue to grow as communities grow and citizens demand proper emergency service levels. Poll after poll has clearly shown that the public understands the need for and expects adequate response in emergency services. We continue to demonstrate that professional fire fighters provide incredible value in every community. As our Vo l u m e 1 1 | Is s ue 2 | FIRE WATCH

Vice-President’s message...Continued from page 9

society evolves, so does the role of the professional fire fighter and we will always strive to stay ahead of the curve and meet any new danger that is thrown our way in order to protect the communities we serve. This was one of our core messages at our recent Fire Ops 101 event that we held at the Toronto Fire Academy with over 40 participants from the media and all levels of government. While it is always difficult for us to hear our profession maligned by those with their own agenda, our members can be assured that we will always respond with rational and responsible arguments to face any attack against the commitment to serve the public that every fire fighter makes every day. The recent Fraser Report wasn’t the first attack against fire fighters and it won’t be the last. We will respond accordingly, whenever the next “independent think tank” reports unfounded and poorly researched “data” attacking our profession. Please continue to bring any further information to our attention so that we may properly respond. Stay safe!

Damien Walsh, Vice President, Toronto Professional Fire Fighters’ Association I.A.F.F. Local 3888

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Vo l u m e 1 1 | I s s u e 2 | F I R E WAT CH 10

BY TODD RILEY, WEST COMMAND CHAPLAIN

ince I wrote my last article, a lot has happened. My eldest is almost done his first year at university; my youngest is about to start grade 9; I’ve lost more hair and added a few pounds; kept on at the church with my ever supportive wife; and had my share of joys, and looked sorrow in the face a little too much for my comfort. No doubt, in the past year, you have had a few ups and downs in your life too. Part of my role as a chaplain and minister is to perform weddings. Weddings are a joyful affair, yet are usually preceded by a fair bit of work and moments of stress for those involved. This winter, I performed a wedding where the couple temporarily misplaced their marriage license in all the excitement just before the wedding, and a number of the wedding party and guests were stuck in a snowstorm and almost didn’t make it to the ceremony. The license was eventually located - after the ceremony, which made certain aspects of the ceremony a little tricky but we worked it out along the way. The snowstorm subsided and all of the pieces fell into place. Leading up to a wedding, I like to offer my services, as it relates to premarital counseling. One exercise that I assign is to ask the couple to, “Write on a piece of paper all the things that you like and love about your soon to be spouse. Write what

attracted you to the person, their greatest qualities, and the things you admire about them most.” I then ask them to put this note in a safe place. The rationale for this has to do with the fact that inevitably, a little bit down the road, conflict comes into the relationship and then all we tend to see is the negatives in the other person. Having a piece of paper that reminds them of why they fell in love with the other person is a good way to break that negative mindset. Another thing I like to talk about with couples is how to fight fair. Conflict is normal for us - in the workplace, with your children, with your parents, with your friends, with your spouse, etc. From my readings and personal experience, conflict avoidance is unhealthy for a relationship, as it leads to resentment, bitterness, and distancing. So, how do we fight fair? If you took a moment to write this down, what would you write? Would your boyfriend/ girlfriend/husband/wife have the same list? A few guidelines to fighting fair: No physical violence ever; no name calling; don’t use phrases like “You always” or “You never” or “My friends/husband or wife does”...implying that they are better than the one you are with. Another tip is to never casually throw the divorce word around or stomp out of the house without telling the other person that you’ll be back

West COMMAND Rev. Todd Riley 416-318-9167

toddriley@outlook.com

shortly. It’s not a good thing to cultivate anxiety in the other person. Another area, as it regards marriage, is to talk about what the Bible means when it says, “A man will leave his father and his mother, and be united to his wife, and the two will become one flesh.” This is kind of a big deal and it’s not quite as simple as it sounds. Yes, the physical part is easy; you don’t need a rocket science degree to figure that out. Becoming one in the other parts of our lives is a bit tougher - one financially, one in terms of how you parent (so if or when you have kids they don’t divide and conquer you), one in terms of having a shared vision as a couple, and one in terms of faith (being on the same page spiritually). Oneness is a process that each person in the relationship must commit himself or herself to - and it doesn’t happen overnight. The more we are on the same page the stronger our marriages will be. Well, that’s it for me for today. Just so you don’t get the wrong impression, I’m not perfect when it comes to marriage. I still say and do a lot of stupid things. I thank God that I have a patient wife (23 years and counting) and I thank God for the help that he gives me, as I truly need it! It’s a lot of effort to maintain healthy relationships and there are definitely ups and downs, but it’s worth it. I’m so thankful for the work all of you do to serve the people of the City of Toronto everyday. May God bless you with safety, wisdom and guidance as you serve. If you’d ever like chat, don’t hesitate to give me a shout.

Vo l u m e 1 1 | Is s ue 2 | FIRE WATCH 11

UNITED WAY CENTRAIDE CANADA

CROWN JEWELS OF MENTAL HEALTH Crown Jewels for Mental Health would like to express our gratitude for your support at our annual fundraising Dinner & Dance 2015. Because of your donation, we have been able to reach our goal for 2015 and are well on our way to meeting our major milestone of $50,000, benefiting CAMH Foundation’s Child, Youth & Family Program. We are grateful that you are part of our cause and making a difference in someone’s life. Wishing you much success and a great summer! Sincerely, Marie Podnar, Founder Crown Jewels for Mental Health

This is just a quick note to thank you and telEach year, on behalf of over 100 United Ways Centraides across Canada, we present our Thanks a Million award to the country’s leading corporations, employers and labour organizations. It is my great honour to info1m you that the City of Toronto will receive the 2014 Thanks a Million award, for raising, together with your employees, over $1 million in support of United Way Centraide. I would like to extend my heartfelt gratitude for your generous financial support. As a result of your

contributions, United Ways Centraides are creating a country where all Canadians have the choice, the oppo1tunity, and the supports to reach their full potential. As dedicated champions of our work, you help people move from poverty to possibility, ensure kids can thrive, and strengthen communities. Your local United Way Centraide will contact you to make arrangements for the formal presentation of your Thanks a Million award. Your contribution will also be recognized in a national print advertisement, and featured in United Way Centraide Canada’s 2014 Annual Report, available online at unitedway. ca as of May 22, 2015. On behalf of United Ways Centraides

NIAGARA FALLS PROFESSIONAL FIRE FIGHTERS ASSOCIATION On behalf of the Niagara Falls Professional Fire Fighters Association, I wanted to express my sincere thanks to your Local for attending our brother Tim Hoday’s LODD Funeral. A further thank you goes to Brother Mike Ogle for all his assistance in preparing for the service and arranging the use of your large Canadian flag.Thanks also to brother Jost Kaempffer for playing the bag pipes for the procession. Sincerely, Todd Brunning, President

DEAR EXECUTIVE AND MEMBERS OF THE TORONTO PROFESSIONAL FIREFIGHTERS ASSOCIATION: We write this letter with a heart full of gratitude for all of the Members that stood beside us and supported us as we said goodbye to our Son Ryan Moonlight. We know that it was difficult for you as well and many times there were no words to express your thoughts or ours. You shared your memories with us and we will cherish them as we work through the days ahead. As we walked and drove by you during the procession we silently thanked you for standing in the cold winter weather to salute and Honor Ryan. He meant the world to so many and it made us proud to be a part of the Fire Fighter Family. Your flowers were beautiful and most appreciated as well as the many cards, notes and phone calls. Thank you for your generous donations for Ella and Landon’s trust fund account. This will insure that they have the opportunity

ANNUAL TORONTO FUNDRAISER This is just a quick note to thank you and tell you how much I truly appreciated your support at my annual Toronto fundraiser this year. As you know, I have always been committed to making Ontario and Brant the best place to live, work, play and raise a family. Your commitment to the democratic process and the support you have shown me over the years plays no small part in my ability to serve my constituents and the people of Ontario. My passion for public service has not wavered nor will it. With your assistance, I will continue to work hard for you and the families of Brant, the province and Canada. I thank you again for your time, and I value your contribution. Warm Regards, Dave Levac, MPP

across the country, thank you once again for your continued support. We remain accountable to you, our valued donors, for the trnst you place in us to improve lives and build community. Together, we are creating lasting, positive change throughout Canada. Sincerely, Dr. Jacline Nyman President & CEO

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to attend College or University. To Jeff Bruce and Frank Ramagnano your words touched us in so many ways. Thank you both for standing up and volunteering for that difficult job. Mike Ogle, there are no words to thank you for your role in making sure that every detail was taken care of to make this an incredible tribute to Ryan and our Family. We will be forever grateful. To each of you that helped Ryan’s family, we say thank you. There are too many names to include in this letter. Just know how much it meant to all of us. Lastly, we would encourage all of you, in Ryan’s memory, to start talking about those bad calls. Ryan was an honest, caring, sensitive man

that carried his “customers” like flash cards in his head. Each and every one of them remained in his heart. Sadly he suffered from PTSD as a result of it. Ryan was not afraid to talk about it, don’t you be either. Seek the help that you need before another Family, your Family, has to bear the loss that we are enduring now. We will continue the fight that Ryan started. We will keep talking about our Families most private feelings in an effort to continue Ryan’s battle against PTSD. Stand up and be counted, stand beside us so we do not lose another Great Man and Firefighter Most Sincerely Sharon and Bruce Moonlight and Family

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BY KIRK FUDGE, TORONTO FIRE FIGHTER

ith mainstream use of marijuana, a notional holiday to the weed gods (420), and TV shows that glorify the manufacture and distribution of methamphetamine, it was only a matter of time before drug labs became more prevalent in our routine responses. Over the last few months, Toronto has witnessed several drug lab incidents that have ended with a boom! In this month’s installment, we are going to shed some light on two common types of labs, and why they are so dangerous for responders. Mainstream media has done a reasonable job of educating the public about the telltale signs that may indicate a neighbourhood drug lab. For this reason, many entrepreneuring drug manufacturers have adopted a hide in plain sight methodology. We have seen labs stealing electricity right from the street “main box,” complete with pressure switches that remotely cut power - ensuring hydro employees cannot determine who in the neighbourhood is drawing the most current. We have also seen homes built inside homes, concealing internal activities with improved HVAC systems that rid the home of excess moisture, preventing outwardly visible signs. The legalization of marijuana in numerous jurisdictions, and the issuance of medical marijuana grow licenses by the Canadian government, has led many average citizens to believe this drug is not particularly bad. When the popularity of anything increases, there are elements that will try to capitalize on that new found popularity – usually through improvements to, or advancements beyond the original product. Marijuana is no different; although hashish has been around since the early 60’s, the manufacturing processes of the newer incarnations (Hash Oil, Honey Oil or BHO) are cause for concern. To produce these spin off products, you must first construct an extractor made from PVC piping, and a coffee filter. Or, if you’re not particularly handy, you can order online from the comfort of your couch, from myriad web merchants such as BUZZnn.ca. After deciding which extractor you prefer, the next decision is what type of solvent to use to dissolve the cannabis resin. Herein lies the not insignificant problem. Your choices include isopropyl alcohol, which is flammable, and whose trace residue will impart an acrid

taste when smoking the finished product, or butane; preferred for its smoother result, it is readily available in bulk quantities, with the caveat of being both flammable, and incredibly explosive.

health risks to emergency responders. Meth has been around since 1887, and was widely prescribed in the thirties for asthmatics, and hay fever sufferers. It was also used as a decongestant, and as an anti-depressant. In 2003 the one-pot method emerged on the internet, published by Lord Mighty. The article was entitled, “How to make crystal dope in 2-3 hours using a two litre soda bottle.” What was the inspiration to change the method of cooking meth? Originally, the use of anhydrous ammonia, stolen from tanks left in farmer’s fields during corn season, was commonplace. However,

The procedure itself sounds straightforward: 1) Insert ground marijuana into the extractor, and close the cap.

a station computer that someone has forgotten to log-off, Google, “One-pot gone bad”, and you will be inundated with search results. You can also find videos showing the chemical process taking place inside the bottle. It is rather impressive. During the reaction phase, pressure will build up inside the bottle, and can explode with deadly consequences. This can result in a small flash-type fire, or have a prolonged flamethrower effect. If the reaction stops, and the cook removes the cap to burp the vessel, flammable and toxic vapours can be released - igniting instantly. Why use plastic instead of glass? Good question. Plastic bottles fail at 140-150psi. If reinforced with duct tape, plastic bottles can hold more pressure, typically exploding at 240-280psi. By contrast, glass bottles can remain intact up to 320 psi. When they rupture at this pressure, anyone in the vicinity will likely suffer mortal injury.

2) Hold the extractor over a Pyrex dish, and pour or squeeze your choice of solvent through the ground marijuana.

espite the obvious risks, there are advantages to this D manufacturing method:

3) Wait 30 seconds for the solvent to completely drain out.

• Materials are easily obtained. (Home Hardware is one of the best places to shop if you’re into manufacturing). • Mobility of the operation. To avoid detection, many people drive around during the reaction phase, with the bottles/vessels in the back seat of their car. • Quality of the end product.

4) Once you have captured the strained solvent, place the Pyrex dish over a heat source and allow the solvent to evaporate. This is where things become dangerous. Most websites invite readers to use a bathroom exhaust fan, or stovetop vent hood to help expel the flammable vapours. Unfortunately, none of these devices are intrinsically safe. Nor do most home “cooks” have the forethought to eliminate other ignition sources, such as taking cellphone selfies for Facebook updates, cigarette lighters, basement furnaces and hot water tanks. It is usually at this point where TFS begins receiving calls about an explosion, or noxious odours coming from the house or apartment next door. The current, party favour craze is a product/ process called “Shatter.” This is an extension of the above-mentioned method, whereby more time, and heat are added to the resin, resulting in an even purer end product. This technique is likely responsible for the increasing number of explosions we have witnessed over the last few months. In order to accurately detect the flammable presence of these products, you need to a have an LEL sensor. The MX-6 detectors and RAE Detectors available on both HAZ332 & HAZ145 (and the Haz support units), have this capability. The MSA carbon monoxide detectors are not valid for this type or response. The second type of lab prevalent in the GTA, uses a technique commonly referred to as the “One-Pot”, or “Shake and Bake” method. These labs are dedicated to the production of methamphetamine, or meth, using basic household chemicals, and a plastic 2L pop bottle. This type of lab also creates an explosive atmosphere, as well as adverse chemical reactions that pose serious

trans filling ammonia into propane cylinders for portability and convenience, was proving very risky for the thieves. The tell-tale sign of this practice is blue tinged valves on 20lb or 30lb propane tanks – easily exchangeable at your local Walmart, Home Depot or corner gas station. Would-be cooks have inadvertently become overwhelmed by vapours, many succumbing to toxic gas exposure. Another motivation for the change was the eventual requirement that all scientific glassware needed to produce meth, be tracked. The new method is considerably more dangerous, but utilizes one container, and produces very high quality meth in a timely manner – 1 to 2 hours. Today’s connoisseurs prefer to use the ammonium nitrate crystals found in therapeutic cold packs, or miracle grow fertilizer sticks. Other crucial ingredients can easily be sourced: lithium from batteries (1gram/battery), lye for septic tanks, camping fuel, and common cold medication. (This is why pharmacies lock down cold pills after normal business hours). Next time you find

Recently, the United States has seen a new development, coined the “ditch method.” Rather than remain nearby, after filling the bottle(s) with the necessary ingredients, meth cooks hide the bottles in ditches. This minimizes the chance of being hurt in an explosion, or getting caught by the authorities. If you are dispatched to a call involving strange odours, or a fire involving plastic or glass bottles by the roadside – be forewarned, it might be a one-pot situation! In order to properly investigate this type of call, you need pH paper, and a 5-Gas detector. Your MSA Carbon Monoxide detector is not going to help you. Nor will your nose, as ammonia will overwhelm your senses before you realize what is taking place.

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October 14, 1966 Ernest Garrett was one of two Toronto Firefighters to have his life drastically change on March 11, 1933 at the Pullan Warehouse on Parliament Street. The early morning cold was met with flames that raged through the upper storey windows threatening the nearby Consumers’ Gas building. Many firefighters ascended forty-five foot ladders and stood, engulfed in smoke, holding hose lines to contain the flames. In the freezing weather it did not take long for the ladders to become coated with ice creating a difficult balancing act. As he adjusted his position, firefighter William Dundas was the first to slip and fall forty feet to the ground where he lay in freezing water before being rescued. Firefighters quickly stopped the bleeding from his fractured skull and he was rushed to St. Michael’s Hospital for treatment. With concerns for the life of Dundas still very fresh, the danger of the icy ladders claimed a second victim in firefighter Ernest Garrett. Like Dundas he slipped and fell to the ground and fractured his spine in the process. Garrett was also rushed to St. Michael’s Hospital as other crews continued to fight the blaze and narrowly escape injury as sections of the wall collapsed. After the fire was extinguished concern immediately turned to the condition of the two injured firefighters. Both men had remarkably survived and remained in hospital sharing a room for several days. Dundas had serious injuries to his head that limited his movement and Garrett was in a full body cast due to his spinal damage. As if one fire was not enough the men faced another in the hospital only six days later when a hot plate, used to purify air, lit Garrett’s bed sheets on fire as he lay in his cast. Dundas was barely able to leave the room under his own power and two nurses fought through the heat to remove Ernest Garrett. Though they had saved his life, Garrett was severely burned and had all of his toes amputated as a result. While William Dundas eventually returned to work and later became a Captain, Ernest Garrett was paralyzed and lived under the care of St. Michael’s Hospital for decades. Firefighters routinely visited him and gave him updates on what was going on with the Toronto Fire Department. After briefly leaving the hospital to go on a short vacation with his wife Irene and son Grenville, he fell ill before returning to the hospital where he passed away at the age of seventy.

They shall grow not old, as we that are left grow old; age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn. At the going down of the sun and in the morning, we will remember them.

Peter Van Kirk May 20, 1967

On the evening of May 20, 1967 the pumper from Warden Avenue in Scarborough was dispatched for a fire at the Pizza King Restaurant on Lawrence Avenue East. A case of careless smoking transformed the building from a restaurant to wild inferno by the time firefighters arrived. It was quickly recognized that the fire was coming from the basement and crew worked their way down the stairs against very strong heat and smoke. Pete Van Kirk, working with his acting Captain, pushed toward the fire and knocked it down despite the challenging conditions. Shortly afterward Van Kirk complained of not feeling well and began to exit the basement as he experienced chest pains. After exiting the building it was obvious that a trip to the hospital was needed, but Pete wanted to stop by station on the way to clean up first. Another firefighter was assigned with taking him to the hospital and he collapsed on the way, causing an urgent call for help with resuscitation efforts. Both Aerial 3 and the District Chief came to assist and loaded Pete Van Kirk into the chief’s car in an attempt to quickly get him to Scarborough General Hospital. After consulting with doctors it was determined that the forty-nine year old husband and father of two had died from a heart attack. Henry Harrison (Pete) Van Kirk joined the Scarborough Fire Department in 1953. During World War II he served with the Canadian Army with the Second Field Ambulance RCAMC in Italy, France and Germany. He was laid to rest at Pine Hills Cemetery.

Ryan Moonlight

September 20, 1977 - January 23, 2015

Rayanne Dubkov

December 29, 1968 - April 30, 2015

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WILLIAM D. CRAWFORD

Ernest Garrett

Bill, as he was better known started his Firefighting career on July 27th 1981 for the City of Scarborough. Bill was still an active member of the Toronto Fire Services. Known around the Firehalls for his Yosemite Sam moustache and insatiable appetite, he would always have a pencil behind his ear ready to tackle the next crossword puzzle or sketch the backyard deck you asked him for some advice on. Bill’s true passion in life was his love for his family and his dogs. He was a son to his mother Shirley, husband to his wife Maureen, father to his three sons Mike, Ben and Dan and a grandfather to his four grandkids Noah, Jakob, Miriam and Gabriel. Off of the job, Bill was always willing to help a fellow firefighter. He built many decks, fences, and patios and never expected anything in return other than a bowl of water for his dogs who always accompanied him. Bill would never be without a pocket full of dog treats for those times when he came across a dog on a call. One time in particular Bill responded to an “alarm ringing” at a secure lot with a chain link fence topped with barbed wire. As the crew walked towards the fence, two large guard dogs came running at the fence barking and foaming at the mouth, two of the crew members backed up but not Bill, he reached into his pocket and grabbed a couple of dog treats and walked up to the fence and gave them to the dogs. Within seconds Bill had the dogs quiet and was petting them through the fence. His kindness extended outside of the Firefighter family to neighbors. Bill took great pride in his home and property. His lawn was always immaculate, the greenest and best maintained in the neighborhood. After snow falls, Bill would be the first one out with his snowblower clearing the snow up and down his street and from neighbors’ driveways. That was the type of person Bill was, always helping others. Bill was a true gentleman and a very well-respected Firefighter. He is most definitely missed and will never be forgotten.

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BY MATT RAYNER, TORONTO FIRE FIGHTER

yan Moonlight grew up, like so many of us, knowing that he wanted to become a fire fighter. As a 2-year-old, he would don his helmet and boots (on the wrong feet) and be off to the rescue. Twenty-three years later, Ryan began his training at the Toronto Fire Academy, ready to learn how to really help the people that call on us every day, when they are in some sort of difficulty. Ryan couldn’t wait to get to work. His fellow recruits and, later, coworkers at the fire stations that he worked at would become mentors, teachers, brothers and sisters to him. He used those people to learn how to get better at doing his job. Later on, he also became involved with our E.A.P., our Association as a Steward, and as an S.T.I. for medical training. Whether responding to an emergency or not, Ryan wanted to help. Ryan had a big, colourful personality. When Ryan was around, you knew it - whether it was the music blasting from the stereo in his jeep (roof and doors off), being the front man of a number of heavy metal bands, or just sharing a story of his experiences - good or bad, on the job or off. He was also an avid collector of tattoos; his parents referred to him as their “colourful son.” Ryan never wanted to do anything halfway. Whether it was his job, being a family man, or being a musician, Ryan went all the way. “Work hard, party hard” was his motto, and he did his best to live up to it. Ryan was assigned to P344 out of the Academy and got right to work. The calls came fast and furious. He tells of catching a fire on just his second shift, and a V.S.A. on his third. These

are the types of calls where we can do the most good when we arrive. The fire was put out and Ryan did what he always did– got right in there and got to work. The V.S.A. didn’t go as well, and Ryan still recalled details of that call years later: the sight of the victim, the smell of the room, the anguish of her husband. All of these details stuck with Ryan. He didn’t know what to do. Did being bothered by these things make him weak? Less of a fire fighter? Less of a man? Ryan didn’t know who to ask these questions of, or if he should ask them at all. After P344, Ryan transferred to A345, where he fit right in, giving all he could of himself, both on scene and back at the station, with pranks and water fights. Before he left 345 to go to P314, his crew noticed that his mood was changing, becoming darker. They tried to help, but Ryan left before anything changed. He started drinking more, but established rules for himself that he thought would protect him and his job. Never be hung over at work; never drink before work; never drink AT work. Eventually, one by one, these rules were broken. At work, Ryan started calling in sick; if he did show up, he was often hung over. Off the job, his friends started disappearing. Life at home got worse. The only things that seemed to bring him peace were his kids. Whatever else was going on, Ella and Landon would help to center him, bringing him a stillness and calm that he couldn’t seem to find anywhere else. They loved their daddy and learned a lot from him. Landon has Ryan’s sense of humour and love of (loud) music. Ella shows the same compassion and willingness to help others in everything she does. One of Ryan’s best character traits was the ability to admit that he wasn’t perfect. He was human, like

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everyone else. He had stumbled in the past and was struggling then. One day, during training, Ryan realized that things had to change. He called our E.A.P. and said, “I need help.” Ryan was sent to a detox facility where he began attending A.A. meetings. When he left, he continued to attend meetings and committed himself to remaining sober. As he always did, he took his experience and tried to use it to help others. Ryan wore his heart on his sleeve and was never shy about admitting to what he’d gone through. He hoped that by sharing his struggles with others, there was a chance that he might be able to help anyone who might feel as though they were in a similar situation. He was open and honest about his battles with alcohol and mental health. Although he was fighting those battles every day, himself, he told anyone else who was struggling that there was hope, that there was always someone who loved them and supported them, even in their darkest moments. He hoped that he could save someone from giving up on his or her life and encouraged them to find the strength to go on. Before he came back to the trucks, wanting to contribute something positive while he was “away”, Ryan helped to develop a tip sheet for Station tours. After his time off for treatment, in July of last year, he decided to transfer to R231 for a fresh start. Sadly, on January 23rd of this year, after almost 12 years on the job, at the age of 37, Ryan lost the battle and took his own life. On January 29th, many of his brothers and sisters stood in the cold and the snow to show their respects at his funeral in Whitby. His wife Tiffany, his family, co-workers, friends, anyone who met Ryan knows that he would want us to use him as an example, to help others who might be struggling with any form of addiction, depression or P.T.S.D. For a

WE NEED WORKING SMOKE ALARMS & CARBON MONOXIDE ALARMS IN OUR HOMES – IT’S THE LAW ! Get the grown-ups to test your alarms to make sure they are working - Smoke alarms make a loud noise when they “smell” smoke - Smoke alarms are needed on every level of the home (incl. basement) and outside all sleeping areas - The Carbon Monoxide Alarm’s job is to make a loud noise when it detects CO - If the Carbon Monoxide Alarm rings, get everyone outside and call 911 from outside - CO alarms need to be located outside of sleeping areas

GET OUTSIDE, STAY OUTSIDE

- If your smoke alarm is beeping, “Get Low and Go” under the smoke and get outside quickly - The smoke is poisonous, and since smoke rises, we go under the smoke to get outside quickly, where it’s easy to breathe - Call 911 from outside and never go back inside until the Fireﬁghters tell you it’s safe

PRACTICE YOUR HOME FIRE ESCAPE PLAN - Practice your Home Fire Drill with your family (like your Fire Drills at school) - Plan two ways out of every room and have a family meeting place out in front of your home ie - the end of your driveway, by mailbox

STAY AWAY FROM HOT THINGS - Examples: Matches & Lighters, Hot drinks, ovens, stove top, space heaters, ﬁreplaces - Have a “safety zone” around your stove - so you stay a metre (3 feet) away - Never touch matches and lighters - tell a grown-up if you see them so they can put them away up high STOP, DROP & ROLL IF YOU HAVE FIRE ON YOUR CLOTHES

OUR EMERGENCY NUMBER IS 911 - Fireﬁghters are your Community Helpers - If there is a ﬁre, call 911 from outside your home – never stay inside to make the call - Make sure you know your full street address (street name and house or apt. number)

FIREFIGHTER BUNKER GEAR DEMO - Firefighters can go inside when there’s smoke because we have all of this gear to protect us from the fire and smoke – everyone else needs to get outside quickly - Firefighters even bring in our own air to breathe – smoke from a fire makes you choke FIRE TRUCK DEMO - Lights & Sirens show drivers to “Pull Over to the Right and Stop” so we can get to the emergency quickly

STATION SUPPLIES: Sparky Colouring Books, Fire Safety Activity Books, Home Escape Plan, Stickers Contact the Public Education Captain in your area for replacement supplies

Please encourage Teachers to book a classroom visit - contact TFS Public Education 338-9375 or TFSPubEd@toronto.ca to be connected with the Public Education section!

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long time, Ryan kept his feelings inside. He learned that those feelings need to be shared, brought into the light and shown to others who might be able to help, or might need help themselves. Rest in peace, Ryan. Since Ryan’s death, there has been a memorial hockey tournament and a sale of wristbands to raise money for a trustfund for Ella and Landon. If you would still like to make a donation, you may, to: RBC 07842-003-5098017 David & Lindsay Moonlight. In Trust for Ella & Landon Moonlight. If you, or someone you know, needs help, please contact our peer support/C.I.S. response team at 416-338-9327, or the City’s E.A.P. at 416-392-6633. *Editor’s Note: Many people who struggle with their mental health are unaware of the underlying source of that mental health decline. Self-diagnosis, enabling friends and family are all counterproductive hindrances that compound the underlying mental decline. It is for that reason that early medical intervention with a family physician is a key starting point, and progressing through the mental health system in order to obtain a diagnosis is crucial. With that diagnosis, proper and accurate treatment can be received.

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GET OUTSIDE, STAY OUTSIDE - If your smoke alarm is beeping, “Get Low and Go” under the smoke and get outside quickly - The smoke is poisonous, and since smoke rises, we go under the smoke to get outside quickly, where it’s easy to breathe - Call 911 from outside and never go back inside until the Firefighters tell you it’s safe

STAY AWAY FROM HOT THINGS - Examples: Matches & Lighters, Hot drinks, ovens, stove top, space heaters, fireplaces - Have a “safety zone” around your stove - so you stay a metre (3 feet) away - Never touch matches and lighters - tell a grown-up if you see them so they can put them away up high STOP, DROP & ROLL IF YOU HAVE FIRE ON YOUR CLOTHES OUR EMERGENCY NUMBER IS 911 - Firefighters are your Community Helpers - If there is a fire, call 911 from outside your home – never stay inside to make the call -M ake sure you know your full street address (street name and house or apt. number)

FIREFIGHTER BUNKER GEAR DEMO - Firefighters can go inside when there’s smoke because we have all of this gear to protect us from the fire and smoke – everyone else needs to get outside quickly - Firefighters even bring in our own air to breathe – smoke from a fire makes you choke FIRE TRUCK DEMO - Lights & Sirens show drivers to “Pull Over to the Right and Stop” so we can get to the emergency quickly STATION SUPPLIES: Sparky Colouring Books, Fire Safety Activity Books, Home Escape Plan, Stickers Contact the Public Education Captain in your area for replacement supplies

Please encourage Teachers to book a classroom visit - contact TFS Public Education 338-9375 or TFSPubEd@toronto.ca to be connected with the Public Education section! Vo l u m e 1 1 | Is s ue 2 | FIRE WATCH 21

BY PATRICK HAYTER, TORONTO FIRE FIGHTER

t was frigidly cold and windy outside on February 5th, but inside the Whitby Curling Club it was warm, friendly, with many laughs and smiles! It was a festive mood as our 3rd Annual Camp Bucko Bonspiel got underway. Shortly after 8:30am, Brent Barton and his team of curling instructors called any new curlers out to the ice for a lesson. Brent and his team showed great patience and quickly brought the “first time curlers” up to speed on this super winter sport. Brent and his wife Terri are members at the Whitby Curling Club and organized to have volunteers come out on this cold morning to help out, with no more payment than a handshake and a heartfelt thank you. Their help was greatly appre-

ciated and help set the tone for the incredible day that followed. The TFS Pipes and Drums then struck up “Maple Leaf Forever” and the first twelve teams of curlers were led out onto the ice to stop on their respective sheets. Let the games and shenanigans begin!! Some teams were made up of four people, while some teams had as many as seven players. It didn’t matter however, as everyone was there for one real reason…Camp Bucko! After the first set of games were over the next draw would begin with another twelve teams taking up their positions, ready to take on their worthy opponents with brooms in hand. There were lots of things to keep the curlers and visitors busy, when not cheering or playing. A hot lunch was served in the upstairs

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dining area, veal and chicken with pasta and roasted vegetables, salads and rolls, finished off with some decadent desserts. We had a silent auction with a lot of great prizes such as, suite box seats at Leafs games, OHL, NBA, NLL, CFL, NFL and MLB tickets and prizes, a mountain bike, a signed NHL referee jersey, golf sets, art, gift baskets full of goodies, wine tours, restaurant gift certificates, ipads and much more. We also had a raffle table with 40 items, including clothing, sporting equipment, firefighting tools, firefighting gloves, golf rounds, poker sets and much more. Then if you still had time you could make your way out to a heated tent and enjoy a lovely Corenti cigar, handmade with 9-year-old Cuban Tobacco. Teri and Brent Barton kept the day on schedule and organized all the teams and scores, which were appreciated by everyone who participated. At the conclusion of the sporting event, everyone was treated with Royal Bradley’s homemade chilli, which warmed the cockles of our hearts - it was delicious. This gave Teri time to tabulate the scores and produce a winner. The team who finished with the most points was the team entered by Gerlando Peritore and Local 3888. Second place went to Colin Arnott of

Pickering Fire. We also had prizes for the best dressed team - the winners were from 331 “D” and runners up were from 313 “D”. It was a huge success and we raised over $16,000 for the amazing Camp Bucko from the one-day event. The unselfishness and gracious generosity of all the players (fire fighters) was truly breathtaking. The Fire Services Credit Union also played a large part in raising these funds, as they graciously donated $2,000 to Camp Bucko and paid for Royal’s chili. A massive thank you to all who helped make this event so special and successful: Terri and Brent Barton, Whitby Curling Club volunteers, 332 “C” for all your assistance, Camp Bucko volunteers, Davis McIntyre, Larry Shultz, Royal Bradley 324”C”, all the prize donators and sponsors, Toronto Fire Celtic society, Toronto Professional Fire Fighters’ Association and more. The most massive thank you goes out to the amazing people who curled and spent their money throughout the day. You are the real reason our little bonspiel has raised over $40,000 in the past three years for a very special place….THE AMAZING CAMP BUCKO!!!!

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What is a Drosophila Melanogaster Anyway? Few people also know that Randy was linked through family to Toronto Fire Services, making his support of the TPFFA Trivia Challenge all the more meaningful. Randy was married to Mary Hynes of the CBC, and host of radio show ‘Tapestry.’ Mary Hynes is the sister of Toronto Fire’s very own Denise Hynes, who works out of the Station 121 Fire Prevention Office, Public Education Section. Denise and Mary, as well as Mary and Randy’s daughter, Ella, were all in attendance to support the Annual Starkman Trivia Challenge. I got an opportunity to speak with Ella during a break in the competition, and she hinted that her own competitive streak came from her dad! “I used to love playing on my dad’s team. He was so competitive and I think I’m the same. We always had so much fun at trivia night and I think he’d be honoured that they’ve named it after him. Jonathon Robinson puts so much work into the Starkman Cup; it was a beautiful tribute to my dad.”

The Annual

Trivia Challenge BY MARLA FRIEBE, PD&T, NORTH COMMAND

HowdoesMayorJohnTorygettowork?Whatgolfclubisbetterknownasa ‘mashie?’ Who is the son of Zeus? What is a Drosophila Melanogaster? These, and other questions boggled the minds of the competitors who gathered together in downtown Toronto on March 9th to test their trivia I. Q. in the name of charity! The Steam Whistle Brewery, was the gracious host and sponsor once again for the Toronto Professional Firefighters’ 10th Annual Starkman Trivia Challenge, an evening filled with a friendly, but competitive, brain-twisting trivia challenge coupled with fundraising for the Daily Bread Food Bank. The event requires a tremendous amount of organization, which is spearheaded by Acting Captain Jonathon Robinson of Station 314, and is named ‘in memoriam’ for Toronto Star sports journalist and trivia enthusiast, Randy Starkman, who tragically died on April 16th, 2012 of Streptococcal Pneumonia. Jonathon’s commitment to the Challenge is obvious - in May, his crew from P314 C platoon make a pancake breakfast to thank all of the Steam Whistle staff, complemented by maple syrup that a few of the Firefighters make themselves! History of the Challenge Captain Robinson first organized the Challenge in 2003, and Starkman was involved with the event from the beginning. He was a revered reporter with the Toronto Star, a two times National Newspaper Award Winner, and was known for the investigative reporting that exposed sprinter Ben Johnson’s second positive steroid test in 1993. His work included the coverage of 12 Olympic games, but ultimately he was best known for the stories he wrote about the lives of Canadian amateur athletes. Jonathon remembers the great conversations he had with Randy over the years during the Trivia Challenge, and said, “I also followed his writing. He was one of the finest journalists we had. He had a big heart and was scrupulously honest, possessing tremendous integrity in his writing.” One such story that Randy authored was about one of our own Toronto Firefighters and former Olympic athlete, Colin Jenkins. Randy visited Colin at Station 131, D platoon, and had the opportunity to meet and interview his Lawrence Park crew just shortly after Colin had been assigned there as a recruit. Randy wrote about Colin’s transition from triathlete competitor in the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games to Toronto Firefighter in an article entitled, ‘Flame still burns hot for these Olympians’ (August 12, 2011). Colin’s crew was immediately impressed with Randy’s personable nature, and the afternoon they spent together with the Toronto Star journalist was extremely memorable.

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The Challenge was Fierce!

The Toronto Fire Services Pipes & Drums Band kicked the evening off to fabulous start as they piped into the Roundhouse, and then performed a heart-thumping rendition of ‘Scotland the Brave’ alongside the evening’s musical performers, ‘The Honey Runners.’ Throughout the evening, 22 teams battled brains just for the momentary glory of beholding the illusive Starkman Cup – plus a few prizes donated by the TPFFA Local 3888. Competitors were seated at tables situated around the Roundhouse, and the tension was thick in the air as Master of Ceremony and CBC radio host Paul Kennedy introduced himself, and discussed the rules of the Challenge. There would be ten rounds, with ten questions per round. Answers to the questions had to be put to paper, and all forms of trivia cheating (cell phones, lap tops) had to be turned off and removed from the tabletops. If there were any cheaters in the room brave enough to consult Siri, the team would pay the heavy penalty of being kicked out of the Roundhouse (this evening was clearly turning out to be worse than a university exam!). Toronto Firefighter volunteers and Local 3888 Executive volunteers successfully kept cheating at bay, and volunteered to collect and run answer sheets up to the scorekeepers from each of the 22 teams. The tables were full, with ticket sales going directly to support the Daily Bread Food Bank. Many of the guests were Toronto Firefighters, in particular an entire table of Fire Prevention Inspectors, mostly from the new Fire Prevention Office at the Canadian National Exhibition grounds, Station 346. Also in attendance were competitors from team ‘S.G. M. Just Guessing’ from Sack Goldblatt Mitchell LLP. The Law Firm has supported this event from its inception, and Labour Lawyer Mandy Wojcik was delighted at the end of round six, with their 3rd place standing, declaring “We’re hoping to maintain it.” The Media was well represented with four teams from the Toronto Star, four from the Globe and Mail, three from the CBC, two from Queens Park, and many other teams from Massey College and other Toronto area organizations. The evening was a fabulous mix of humour and wit, and the MC was able to keep the tables laughing, except for the odd competitive glance from rival tables. After all, how many people know how many litres of maple sap

does it take to make one litre of maple syrup? What does the term condor mean in golf? What is the motto of the Toronto Fire Services (we could answer that one at least!)? The questions kept coming, and if not for the exceptional trivia knowledge of at least one member of the TPFFA team ‘Scorcher Brody’ (you know who you are … Mike Ogle), our glorious 13th placement out of 22 teams would have been nearly impossible! Right behinds us and on our tails was the Fire Prevention team … oh well boys and girls, better luck next year! However, the big winners of the 2015 Starkman Cup were the ‘Genius of Junus’ team from the Globe & Mail; second place was the CBC/Radio Canada ‘Canada Lives Here’ trivia team, and third place was the Toronto Star’s own ‘Heart of Starkness’ team. Congratulations to all the winners!

Why Support this Event?

Its difficult to imagine that in a city like Toronto, thousands of people must rely on food banks to feed themselves and their families. Daily Bread is a vital food collection and distribution hub, providing food to 200 city programs across Toronto, delivering over 9 million pounds of food to member agencies in 2014! More than 1/3 of their food bank clients report that they often do not eat for an entire day due to lack of money. The TPFFA Local 3888, in conjunction with the charitable events they organize like the Starkman Trivia Challenge, aims to help provide food to our own community members who need the support of the Daily Bread Food Bank at this time in their lives.

Much Thanks to …

The success of the evening is attributed to the many people behind the scenes who have donated funds and time to the event: Steam Whistle Brewery once again should be recognized for their charitable donation of the Roundhouse venue, staff, and beverages; Pandor Production provides all of the Audiovisual components; & the Daily Bread Food Bank are both the event sponsors/recipients of the proceeds and assisted with 2015 team registration. Many thanks also go to The Coffee Bar for their amazing coffee, and Brunello Imports for their selection of red and white wines.

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STATION 415 BY BERNICE HALSBAND, TORONTO FIRE FIGHTER, STATION 343-C

“Wake up in the morning, try to make a move, everyday gotta work, Blue collar on the bus, just to punch a card, Said you want to battle poverty *Bleep* get a job, Working 9 to 5, the job is hard, Life is hard, right and left of Rexdale Boulevard It’s just factory jobs, that got most my people s weating everyday Wipe the sweat from your brow what you gonna do now, Gotta pay your tax, gotta pay your rent Making sure you keep track of every cent” -Jellestone, “Money” A TEAMWORK DISTRICT 415’s area can be a difficult one to pin down. It runs from Humber River (north) to Dixon or 401, from North to South, and from Highway 427 to the Humber River in the east. Yet because 41 district is so spread out they run into Jamestown a lot, which is technically 413’s area, and they run the Racetrack and Casino, technically 442 and 412’s areas. It all has to do with accessibility. If traffic is bad for other trucks they have a better

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chance of getting into all those spots due to their central location and access to Kipling Ave. Also, whenever any of those halls are already on a call they will take over. Resource Road, another mainstay of 415’s area was realigned to 443 about 5 years ago. It houses the Ministry of the Environment lab and until very recently a Level 4 Bio-Containment lab for the Ministry of Health. However, if there were ever a fire or large incident 415 would have to respond. Besides low income housing the area contends with single-family dwellings that range from beautiful homes on the Humber River to poverty-stricken neighbourhoods, large and small industry, high-rises, highways, and mom and pop mechanics shops. There’s something for everyone. The big beautiful homes have bars on the windows creating access problems and are in winding convoluted streets that require a lot of local knowledge. The highways are a puzzle, the apartment buildings and poor neighbourhoods are filled with drugs and crime and the industrial areas have no fire alarm systems and house dangerous goods. A441 has been OOS recently and since there are no spare aerials in the city A415 now covers a huge area, extending south all the way to Eglinton, and north to Steeles. Runs are sometimes 5-10 minutes long and if there is ever a fire in the northwest corner of the city the next in aerial is coming from TorYork. For an area that is laden with small and large industry as well as Hazardous Materials depots this is a little unnerving. IT’S NOT THE VIOLENCE THEY WORRY ABOUT Never mind shootings or gang related violence, these crews have other hazards to worry about… Station 415 runs the 401, the 427 and the 409. It’s a giant puzzle to contend with when you consider which ramp to use for which section of the highway. They have to go to Weston Road for an accident on the 409. The 401 Express Lanes for Kipling have to be accessed all the way from Keele St. Not only the ramps cause issues. Callers travelling 140km an hour see an accident, decide a few minutes later ‘Oh...maybe I should call that in’ and by the time they talk to an operator they are 10km down the highway, telling Operators where they are, not where the accident was. Kevin Hillock, captain of the aerial on B Shift says that the only calls that scare him are the highway calls. “I was at 426 for 22 years and we used to run accidents on the Gardiner all the time. On the Gardiner they shut down two lanes, and traffic slows considerably. Here they whizz by you, staring at you, not looking at the road going 100 miles an hour!” “Taking pictures and videos!” Jeff McDonald (11 year veteran of 415) chimes in. Running the 401 from the 400 to Dixie Rd. in Mississauga technically extends them into Mississauga Fire’s run area because Mississauga Fire would have to double back too far into Toronto in order to access that part of the highway. This leads to a lot of mutual aid calls. One thing that is frustrating crews all across the city is our lack of partnership with EMS. Everyone knows those Medic crews that we run into more often than not where everyone respects each other’s work and calls run smoothly. It can make a world of difference when dealing with more serious incidents such as VSA’s and MVC’s. “We drove by a wreck on Kipling a while ago where medics had pulled a guy out of a wreck and packaged him and we weren’t even called!” Captain Hillock tells me. We are being called to incidents late or not at all and it’s frustrating when we, the extrication experts, aren’t there to help in cases where we could make a difference in someone’s life.

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Station 345...Continued from page 27

THE OTHER GUYS (A-SHIFT) It’s Sunday evening and I decide to call A Shift for their take on 415. Glen Johnson answers the phone. I tell him who I am and that I’m writing an article on 415. He starts laughing and with a gleeful tone in his voice exclaims “I got just the guy for you to talk to!!” I hear the PA in the background: “Oh RONNNNNN! Station phonnnnne!” He gets back to me as I wait for Captain Britton to pick up, “It’s story time with Captain Britton!!” Captain Ron Britton, who has been at 415 for 18 years, is telling me about Resources Road, which runs parallel between Islington and the Humber River. It has a Ministry of the Environment lab that has stacks of Hazardous Materials and pathogens that could make your spine tingle if you were to think about the things that could go wrong, should things go wrong. The 295,000 sq. ft. facility is comprised of labs (only 25% of the building is offices) that house 20 to 30 million dollars worth of equipment for water quality testing, hazardous waste testing and a full range of analysis on pesticides, e-coli, Giardia and God-knows-what. Out of curiosity I called the lab and talked to the facilities manager. She lists a dozen things that I know can kill you in un-hilarious ways and then keeps going; I am typing as fast as I can to write down all the names of the chemicals but eventually give up. They are a full service Environmental analytical lab. Janet Mills who has been working at this location for 31 years makes a point of telling me that she is very satisfied with the response times and the professionalism of the crews both when they respond and when they do building familiarization. Up the street at 81 Resources Rd. the Ministry of Health used to have a Level 4 containment lab that has since been moved, but back in the day this lab housed biological goodies like Ebola, Botulism, Smallpox and HIV. As I’m talking on the phone with Captain Ron I can hear banter in the background’ guys laughing, each one with a suggestion of a story to tell me. Glen picks up the phone again and says “I told you it’d be story time!” to which Captain Britton says something nice. No doubt everyone is just picking their favorites from years of listening to them at the dinner table. He tries to pass me off to the FIT who suggests

‘the one with the gas station’, no doubt to steer the attention away from himself. “That sounds good!” I say. “Tell me that one!”  “Ha ha ha. OK. I’ll tell you that one,” Britton says. “So a guy goes down to the gas station and is filling up his tank, but you know how they got rid of the mechanism that locks the trigger into place? Well he decides to stick the gas cap into the mechanism in order to bypass having to hold it himself. Well the thing gets stuck and ends up spilling all over himself!” I gasp like a little kid listening to horror stories around the campfire. “He panics and just jumps into his car and takes off. Well doesn’t he decide to light up a smoke!” “NO WAY!!” I exclaim. “So he sets himself on fire!” Another gasp from me as I picture the whole thing. “And then he ends up getting chased by the police! Who pull him over for possession of an illegal firearm!” Pause. Roaring laughter in the background. I’ve been had. He tells the crew, “She hung up on me!!” They laugh again. I start to laugh. I’m thinking he’s already told me about one of the biggest and most tragic fires in Toronto Fire history, the Woodbine Racetrack fire, so I’ll take my punches. WOODBINE At 0300 on August 6, 2002 a fire ripped through the H-Shaped barns of the Woodbine Racetracks that housed a total of 128 horses. In an effort to save as many horses as possible the workers at the barns opened the stalls hoping that the horses would run away from the fire. Many of the panicked horses ran through the streets. Britton says that there were horses running up the 27 in a blind panic, running into poles and fences. There were water problems. The tanks of incoming trucks only went so far. Relay pumping came from far away and the only thing to do was to keep the fire from spreading. There were no sprinkler systems; no alarm systems and the water mains seemed to be dried up. “It was horrible…” Britton says “You have people watching you try to put out the blaze, watching their livelihood burn to the ground, losing their horses that they love.” The total body count of horses that perished was 31. Many ran back into the stables because they felt intrinsically safe there and burned up. A LITTLE BIT OF HISTORY Besides the racetrack and hazardous materials concerns there is the regular Toronto ‘stuff.’ Low-income housing, language barriers, large immigrant populations that have settled into enclaves. The Somalis tend to live in the Dixon Road apartment complex, West Indians and other African populations have found homes in Jamestown. Italians have moved north to Woodbridge and other suburbs to make room for more waves of immigration. The history of the area is fairly recent. Development was planned, as were the communities and much of the spike in the population didn’t occur until the 1950’s when Rex Heslop purchased a large chunk of land in the area. He built watermains, sewer systems and streets and sold homes off one at a time. Eric Hoeft, acting captain

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at 224 grew up in the area, himself the son of German immigrants. Born in the 60’s he remembers a large Croatian population around the Islington and 401 area, and a ‘Little Jamaica’ in the Dixon road area that is now inhabited by Somalis. The area has seen a lot of immigration over the past 70 years, with 20% of the population coming from immigration every decade. As of 2011, 45% of the population has a mother tongue other than English, with Chinese overtaking Spanish since 2006 as the most prevalent, but Italian, Spanish, Tagalog, Tamil, Portuguese, Persian, Urdu and Russian coming in as close seconds. No wonder Captain Hillock couldn’t place the most predominant ethnic group.   Other than Rexdale, which was started in the 1950’s, settlements that date back to the late 19th century include farms that ran along formerly private roads like Albion Road, including communities like Clairville, Highfield, Smithfield and Thistletown; all amalgamated into what was Etobicoke until 1998. For a time the area was home to a burgeoning aviation industry, centred around MacDonald-Douglass, DeHaviland and other smaller airplane manufacturing plants. Housing to support the workers from these and other skilled labor jobs gave the area its blue collar, middle class standing. Over the years though, the industry declined, giving way to more office jobs; careers that due to language, education and other reasons were not accessible to the type of immigrants that arrived in the late 70’s, 80’s and 90’s. JAMESTOWN/THISTLETOWN/ DOOMSTOWN Jamestown Crescent is technically 413’s run area. It sits on the northwest limit of Rexdale, off John Garland Blvd, between Martin Grove Rd. and Kipling Ave. It is a gated community with no gates, connected by courtyards with entrances and no exits. This poses a problem for police more so than firefighters since they can’t patrol unless they are on foot. Still, standpipes are difficult to connect to the appropriate sections and addresses don’t add up. Even though 413 runs the medical calls, 415 is here almost daily for alarms. Since 413’s other truck was decommissioned, 415 runs the medical calls when they are otherwise engaged. In the beginning Jamestown was home to European immigrants, but in the late 60’s a large number of West Indian families set up their homes there, followed by Somalian and Ethiopian populations. Ethnic tensions between different immigrant groups led to violence and the creation of street-gangs, even as the overwhelming majority of all the populations get along and make it work. Characterized by a mix of row houses and a few two-storey buildings there are 549 homes here and 2,474 residents. Of these, 827 are children under the age of 12. The population is estimated at 70 per cent Somali, 15 per cent Caribbean and 15 per cent “other.” (City of Toronto Web-SIte) A high number of single parent families living below the poverty

line and unemployment among youth is high as well. On average, households report earnings of $47,929, compared to the citywide average of $69,125. 86% of residents are visible minorities; 51% are Black, the next largest group is South Asian. 60% of Jamestown residents are immigrants; 88% arrived in Canada before 2000. Only 37% of residents over the age of 15 have a post-secondary certificate, diploma or degree. 40% of families are led by lone parents, compared to the Toronto average of 17%. 91% of those lone parent families are led by women. THE OTHER ‘OTHER’ GUYS (C-SHIFT) C Shift, like A Shift, has a slew of core Etobicoke guys that always somehow make their way back to 415. I’m talking to Jeff Wice, who spent most of his career at 415. He was in the last class that Etobicoke hired before amalgamation. There is a continuity here that is becoming evermore rare in the fire service: Jeff’s Dad started at 415 in 1965. He was Ron Britton’s Captain when Ron came on the job. When Jeff arrived Ron was his acting captain. As of the last sheet that came out Captain Britton is returning to C Shift, again as Jeff’s Captain. It seems like everyone goes out and comes back, even if they go to other halls in the district for a few years. They’ve watched each other’s kids grow up, they fix each others’ houses and tile each others’ roofs. These are the brothers you want to work with. This is the fire department of the old days, the second family everyone wishes they had. THE COUSINS As the picture of 41 District becomes more clear you start to realize how spread out the northwest corner of Toronto is. 415 runs with 413, 412, 442 on a very regular basis but sees 441 and 411 quite a bit too. This fostered a close working relationship with neighbouring halls. Many who get placed here out of recruit class stay, as do many who get promoted here. “Paul Gibson tried to leave” Wice tells me laughing “We wouldn’t let him. We were really happy to hang on to him. We all work together, rely on each other.” As soon as guys know they’re about 50 or 60 away from getting picked up the ‘Return Game’ starts that you see all across the city, firefighters trying to return to their homes and families. “I have no loyalty to this building or this area” Kevin Hillock tells me. “But I got promoted here and ended up with such a great crew I have no reason to leave. You have no idea how easy these guys make it to be a Captain. They’re all responsible and keen. Good firefighters.” “For whatever reason the station attracts good keen firefighters, they never really get guys that don’t wanna be there. People come when they get picked up and stay for the guys. Guys get promoted out and work their way back.” Jeff Wice tells me. I’m guessing it’s the solid leadership. After all, everything is subject to a trickle down effect, especially fire halls.

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BY MARLA FRIEBE, PD&T, NORTH COMMAND

o single piece of equipment is more important to the welfare of a firefighter than Self Contained Breathing Apparatus (SCBA), which provides the wearer with clean, breathable air. An integral component of our personal protective equipment ensemble, SCBA provide firefighters with the ability to breathe, work, and communicate during incidents such as structural and vehicle fires, as well as other environments that may be perilous to firefighters’ health and safety. Now at the end of their anticipated lifespan, Toronto Fire Services was looking to replace the 775 MSA Firehawk SCBA’s and 3200 cylinders, originally purchased in 1999 following amalgamation of the six former municipal fire departments. The process commenced with a Request for Proposal in November 2013 so that an appropriate brand of SCBA could be selected that was compliant to the most current NFPA 1981-2013 standard. NFPA 1981 has been revised to improve the quality and safety of key component areas, including improved face piece lens durability, improved speech recognition, PASS device sound pattern recognition, Heads Up Display, intrinsic safety of electronic devices and buddy breathing capabilities.

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A Selection Committee was created, including members from various TFS Divisions, Corporate Occupational Heath, and the TPFFA Local 3888, with the process overseen by a Fairness Consultant and guided by staff from the City of Toronto Purchasing and Materials Management Division over four separately scored phases. The members representing TFS included Mechanical Division Chief Rob Anselmi, Division Commander Dan MacIsaac, PDT District Chief Doug Burgin and Captain Mark Byshke, Mechanical Division District Chief Rick Caranfa and Captain Steve Love, as well as Local 3888 Executive Members Hugh Doherty and Geoff Boisseau. Phase One consisted of the evaluation of each vendor’s proposal content and ability to provide the vast quantity of equipment that TFS would require. This stage was the vendor’s opportunity to respond to warranty concerns, to their ability to provide technical and logistical support when needed, and to supply replacement components in a timely fashion. Having passed Phase 1, the successful vendors moved onto Phase Two, which consisted of a live demonstration of the SCBAs and an opportunity to prove why their product would be suitable for TFS use, and what unique qualities their breathing apparatus featured compared to others. Phase Three required the proponents to supply 10 new and complete SCBA, face pieces and cylinders to be provided for usage during the Operational Practical Evaluation dates, where Toronto Firefighters would put units to the test. Crews were selected from each of the four Commands to attend the Fire Academy and EMS Training Centre where the two bidding manufacturers (MSA & Dräger) introduced their product prior to the practical evaluation. Crews then scored each SCBA based on various criteria. Input from the City of Toronto’s Corporate Ergonomist was also included in order to judge the physical interactions between the wearer, and the breathing apparatus. Units were evaluated based on various tests:

• initial impression,

• donning and off-air breathing

• on-air and pre-entry

• peak load performance

• harness security during a chopping motion

• harness freedom while pike pole pulling

• hose rolling

• ladder climbing

• search and rescue

• RIT Testing

• Firefighter Survival

• Rehab & Re-Donning

• Doffing and Cleaning

• Overall General Opinion

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Here is a brief overview of the features and benefits offered by the G1: • Personal Facepieces are lightweight and compact, and feature an open port design with cross contamination protection and Heads Up Display • Comfortable and easy to use, with low breathing resistance on and off air • Control module provides dual color LCD and analog displays Phase Four consisted of a mechanical evaluation, and the breathing units from both vendors were delivered to the SCBA Repair Facility so that any deficiencies or maintenance issues could be noted immediately after the breathing apparatus had been evaluated at the Fire Academy training tower. Both MSA and Dräger then provided one of their pre-tested units to be torn down in its entirety for evaluation and scoring by TFS Technicians. Both Dräger and MSA were recognized for their highly professional presentations and performance throughout the selection process, with MSA being selected as the successful vendor and was awarded the contract. A legal agreement was then created to set the guidelines of the fifteen year term of contract. MSA documentation shows that the G1 has proven to have performed well during its numerous research and development tests at NIOSH, with the U. S. Army, and other independent test labs. The certification process required that 55 SCBA test units be submitted to the various agencies, and were subjected to 340 individual tests, including extreme flame and heat tests. A total budget of $5,493,959.00 was spent by the City of Toronto for the SCBA units, as well as personal face pieces, 45 and 60 minute cylinders, and other auxiliary components. To prepare for the delivery of the new breathing apparatus, training was developed and executed by District Chief Doug Burgin and staff from the Professional Development and Training Division, with 160 trucks per Command being trained over a one month period. Following the training, many crews were satisfied with the new features of the breathing apparatus, its ergonomic design, and overall comfort. In preparation for the roll out of the G1, you can find more information on:

MSA’s Youtube Channel, or their website at: http://ca.msasafety.com

• Display automatically turns on when control module is lifted into viewing position • No matter which button is pressed, necessary information displays • Improved visibility through four buddy lights and reflective material, as well as 2 control module lights, and a regulator light • Heads up display (HUD) shows remaining cylinder pressure in 4 increments via colored LEDs • Electronic communications are integrated into every unit and provide loud, clear communication, and removes inhalation breathing noise • The carrier features a swiveling, adjustable lumbar pad that manages SCBA weight, and has improved comfort, balance, fit • Central power system for all electronics with just one power source • Currently uses an alkaline battery, but rechargeable batteries will be investigated when approved • Quick-connect cylinder attachment

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Letter from the Editor… Acronyms Galore: SCBA, FCC, IC, IMS, H&S, FF, to name just a few familiar ones. Do you recognize any or all? What about those in the field of MH - Mental Health? OCD, EAP, PTSD, OSI – do you recognize any of these? Two that have surfaced in the media recently are the latter two; Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and Occupational Stress Injury (OSI). While OSI is coined mainly in the military, like many First Responders, fire fighters are not immune. There are similarities between PTSD and OSI, and likewise, several differences as well. In this issue, a comparative of the two is provided, as well as interesting and clarifying facts differentiating them, and more importantly, explaining how fire fighters are affected, as a result of trauma and experiences, both personal and professional. The OSISS website provides several resources related to PTSD and OSI for you and your family, including tips on self-help. For this and other information, visit: http://www.osiss.ca/engraph/ how_e.asp?sidecat=1&txt=3.

TORONTO FIRE SERVICES / TORONTO PROFFESSIONAL FIREFIGHTERS ASSOCIATION L 3888

PEER SUPPORT / CIS RESPONSE TEAM CONTACT SHEET 416-338-9327

On-Call Team Lead TEAM MEMBER

CONTACT #

CARY STATHER 233 D LYNN PEZZELATO MECH / PD&T JOHN DRIMMIE 225 C DAVID MORLEY PD&T BRIAN MCALINDEN 232 B RODNEY JOHNSTON 242 B GORD THOMSON PD&T STEVE ZAVITZ 143 A ANDREW GLIOSCA 132 B

647-409-2633 647-409-3135 905-903-2574 416-723-8374 416-676-3074 416-723-8376 416-676-2942 416-676-3105 416-602-0848

HUGH DOHERTY UNION OFFICE

416-433-0446 416-466-1167

L3888 L3888

CHAPLAIN

HUGH DONNELLY TODD RILEY BARRY PARKER DAVID KING Website:

CONTACT #

East West South North

www.tfspeersupport.org

City EAP - 416-392-6633

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

24 hr Line EMAIL cstather@toronto.ca lpezzela@toronto.ca johndrimmie@gmail.com dmorley@toronto.ca bmcalinden@me.com rj3111@hotmail.com gthomso@toronto.ca szavitz@rogers.com gliosca@ymail.com hdoherty@torontofirefighters.org mail@torontofirefighters.org

EMAIL hughdonnelly@rogers.com tsriley@teksavvy.com bparker@stpaulsbloor.org g_david_king@yahoo.ca Jan 2014

Communications - 416-338-9001

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BY LOUISE CHEN, TORONTO FIRE FIGHTER In 2001, the Canadian Armed forces began the Operational Stress Injury Social Support (OSISS) program, which brought to the forefront the need for peer and institutional forms of support for mental health issues among Canadian Military personnel. The term OSI – ‘Operational Stress Injury’ is defined as, “Any persistent psychological difficulty resulting from operational duties performed [while serving in the Canadian Forces or as a member of the RCMP].” As is evident from the definition, at present OSIs only cover Canadian military personnel and mounted police. As a term used to expand and encompass diverse mental health issues, including PTSD, it would be useful to broaden OSIs, at least in informal forums, to include all first responders and emergency service personnel. As this article will argue, there may be very real and beneficial reasons for doing so. One of the biggest, if not the biggest difficulty in getting help for people suffering mental health issues in the fire service, is the potential stigma of asking for help in a career with such heavy underpinnings of ‘machismo’ and stoutness. Fire fighters, in at least communal perceptions, are: strong, brave, capable, ‘manly’, proficient, handy, and confident. Which one of these adjectives leaves any room for feelings of sadness, weakness, loneliness, anxiety, or uncertainty? The idealized image of a fire fighter is in stark opposition to the image of an anxious, depressed, or even simply uncertain person. Fire fighters, we’d like to believe, feel no fear, are courageous in the face of danger, and most importantly, are able to handle whatever is thrown their way. As the saying goes ‘Fire fighters are the ones running into burning buildings while everyone else is running out’. Hence, to admit feelings of sadness, or to be bothered by what we do on a daily basis -or what ensues in our personal lives as an outcome of our jobs is in essence to admit weakness. It is to concede to our family and our peers that we are vulnerable. We have personal doubts and reservations about our abilities as fire fighters (and perhaps more generally, as strong men and women). If we are incapable of handling stress – internal or external – we are in a very real way defying the definition of what and who we are supposed to be, of who the public expects us to be, of who we expect ourselves to be. It is to throw our hands up and proclaim, “I am not who you think I am, nor who you want me to be.” Perhaps it’s even enough for us to believe, “I am not a good fire fighter”. Of the same stroke, for those of us suffering difficulties off the job and in the home, we feel a real sense of dread about our ability to save other people when we can barely hold it together in our own life and with our own families. All this is to say that, the gravity of admitting weakness, especially mental weakness, is no small feat and understandably extremely difficult for any person on this job. The problem then, with limiting our workplace ailments to a single term like PTSD to describe what’s “going on inside,” is that it assumes that a very large

TORONTO FIRE SERVICES EAP/CIS NEWSLETTER - 2015

event of significant impact has occurred. Something outstanding like a severe fire, or a critical incident must have occurred to warrant a result like PTSD. There is perhaps, a vague understanding that PTSD can also result from the accumulation of smaller incidents over time – or the repression (read ignoring) of calls that have affected us emotionally. Unfortunately, most of us are not experts on the matter and despite the hefty laundry list of symptoms that may indicate symptoms of PTSD, we have no conception of what the term really means and who it genuinely applies to. The name, after all, has the word TRAUMATIC in it, so of course it must pertain to something colossally negative. (It also has the word ‘disorder’ in it, which is a whole other misfortune better reserved for another article). So, why use something like OSI instead of PTSD to describe what we could be encountering? Well first, it’s broader. OSIs encompass a broad range of mental and emotional problems, of which PTSD is only one. Other ailments, which fall under the category of an OSI, include, “Diagnosed psychiatric conditions such as anxiety disorders, depression, PTSD, as well as other conditions that may be less severe, but still interfere with daily functioning.” Meaning, that if you are at all acting or feeling like you have “a diminished ability to cope” then you can justly reflect on whether you may or may not have an OSI. Second, you don’t need to have seen something enormously traumatic or severely depressing to have an OSI. According to the Valcartier Health Centre, the causes of OSIs include “the build-up of daily frustrations, conflict with a colleague, long separation from family and friends, family difficulties, long hours and heightened work pace, adjustment to living in a community setting, change in culture, etc.” Thus, the stresses of family life are an adequate enough criterion to warrant an operational injury. Third, the term has the potential to reduce the stigma of admitting weakness for all fire fighters who fear that they may be seen by their peers or the public as less capable, courageous, or stable. The term ‘Operational Stress Injury’ is generally more encompassing than PTSD and assimilates not only the impact that responding to emergencies can have on emergency service personnel, but it also integrates those sources with the more wide-ranging stressors that mental health issues can stem from on and off the job. One final point to make is that all people feel or go through periods of depression, anxiety, family problems, anger, and guilt regardless of their choice of career. The fact that fire fighters are strong and courageous enough to pursue and maintain this dangerous career doesn’t preclude us from having feelings, becoming victims, and being vulnerable.

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1. OSISS (2006). What are operational stress injuries? From the Web site osiss.ca 2. Veterans Affairs Canada. http://www.veterans.gc.ca/eng/services/health/ mental-health/understanding-mental-health 3. OSISS (2006). What are operational stress injuries? From the Web site osiss.ca. 4. Valcartier Health Centre, Operational Stress Injury Management Group (OSIG 2010)

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BY MIKE OGLE, CHAIR, CEREMONIAL & BEREAVEMENT COMMITTEE

he first St. Patrick’s Day parade I witnessed in Toronto was in March of 2000. I took my Daughter down to Yonge Street to watch, not knowing that Toronto Fire would have a contingent in the parade. There they were, several members from the Executive Board and one in-service fire truck. Since then, the parade itself has become a very active annual event for members of Local 3888. It’s an unofficial day for fire fighters throughout North America to gather and celebrate. In all my travels with the Association, whether it is for a Line of Duty Death or an Association function, I always ask a fire fighter from the Local we are visiting, “Do they have a St. Patrick’s Day parade?” They all reply that they do. The strong tie between the celebration of the day and its association with fire fighters dates back to a time just after the great potato famine in Ireland during the 18th century, when many Irish immigrated to North America, bringing their traditions with them. Work for these immigrants was often very difficult to find. Factories and shops displayed signs reading “NINA” meaning No Irish Need Apply. The only jobs they could find were the civil service jobs that were dirty, dangerous, low paying and that no one else wanted (fire fighters and police officers). The Irish gladly accepted these careers because it was a way to become a part of mainstream North America, and it was a way to give back to their new country. The Irish transformed the job of the fire watch into the organized fire departments of today. Gradually, the Irish started many of the traditions that are still in existence. The Irish Canadian fire fighters would march in full uniform at various parades across Canada - the oldest known St. Patrick’s Day parade involving Irish fire fighters was held in Montreal and is still celebrated there today. Now, being a fire fighter is a badge of honour and respect. Today, fire fighters continue to march in parades in full dress uniform to show pride in their job and to serve as positive role models to the next generation. Saint Patrick’s Day was made an official Christian feast day in the early 17th century and is observed by the Catholic, the Anglican, and the Lutheran Churches. It covers

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all denominations and cultures. The day itself, commemorates Saint Patrick and the arrival of Christianity in Ireland. Celebrations generally involve public parades and festivals, and the wearing of green attire or shamrocks. The first official St. Patrick’s Day parade held in Toronto was in 1988. Toronto Fire Fighters from Local 113 participated by carrying the Irish and Association flag. Fire fighters started getting involved in a big way a few years after amalgamation and it has grown into the biggest event of the year. The last few recruit classes have used the parade as their annual reunion. The parade numbers really took off after the establishment of the Toronto Professional Firefighters Celtic Society. The Society, as a volunteer group, actively advertised the parade and aroused interest from our members. They also included family members to participate in the parade as well. There are many pictures from the parade that show family members coming along behind the marching fire fighters in bunker gear giving out stickers that promote fire safety and the society. Each year, our attendance at the parade has grown to include fire fighters from surrounding areas such as Markham, London, St. Catharines and in 2014, a contingent from New York City. The Toronto Fire Services and Local 3888 parade contingent consists of our Pipe Band, Toronto Fire War Veterans Association Colour Party and The Toronto Fire Fighters Honour Guard. Each year, a fire fighter is chosen to carry the Irish National flag and lead the fire fighter contingent in the parade. That honour has been given to several visiting Irish fire fighters. In 2014, Peter Byrne from the Arcklow Fire Brigade carried the flag and last year our very own Irish fire fighter, Adain Carr, from Station 325 carried it. Also, last year was the first appearance of the new Toronto Fire Fighters Honour Guard in the parade. Their participation included a special march past for retiring Police Chief Bill Blair, who was the parade marshall. That official salute also included crews from A322 and A315, as they raised the Canadian flag over Bloor Street, as a celebration of the Flag’s 50th anniversary. In next year’s parade, a contingent of fire fighters from the Galway Fire Brigade will be participating. They have heard that our parade is the biggest fire fighter parade in Canada. Next year’s parade is on Sunday March 13th, and it starts at 12 noon. The march takes approximately one and a half hours and culminates at a reception at a nearby pub. The reception that is hosted by our Local has been entertained over the years by several groups made up of our members, as well as our Pipe Band. Last year, we had the world famous Celtic band “The American Rouges” entertain us. Hopefully this tradition of celebrating Irish and fire fighter history will continue with more of our members participating each year.

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Fit toSURVIVE

The fire fighter’s guide to health and nutrition

‘Heart’-y veggie curry

Serves: 4

Ingredients:

• 1 stick cinnamon, about 1-inch (or substitute ½ tsp ground cinnamon) • ½ tsp cumin seeds • 2 bay leaves • 1 tsp ground turmeric • 1 Tbsp ground coriander • 2 tsp ground cumin • 1 tsp cayenne pepper

No such thing as a healthy tan Fun in the sun

Directions:

1 Preheat oven to 400°. Chop tofu into small, ½- inch cubes, and pat dry with paper towel. 2 Drizzle tofu with 1-2 tsp of the canola oil, and arrange in an even layer on a cookie sheet. Bake until just lightly golden brown, or about 15 minutes. 3 While tofu is browning, get chopping! Dice onions, and mince garlic cloves and ginger. Place in a bowl and set aside. Chopped tomatoes and cilantro, and set aside in separate bowls. 4 Remove tofu from oven when it has browned, and set aside. 5 Heat the remaining canola oil in a large pan over medium-high heat. Add broken cinnamon stick, bay leaves and cumin seeds. Fry until just browned (about 5-10 seconds!) 6 Add turmeric, coriander, ground cumin, along with chopped onions, garlic, and ginger. Cook until light brown or tender (about 6-8 minutes). 7 Reduce your heat to medium. Add tomatoes, cayenne pepper, edamame, vegetable broth, and tofu cubes. 8 Cook for 8-10 minutes, allowing curry to reduce and thicken (and the tofu to absorb all of that flavour! 9 When curry is at your preferred consistency, mix in chopped cilantro, and serve with a ½ cup of brown basmati rice, bulgur, or your favourite whole grain!

It’s important to know your skin and the signs of skin cancer. If you notice any unusual moles or marks on your skin, watch them closely. The most common skin cancers (basal and squamous cell) can look like a small, skin-coloured or red knob. The more dangerous melanoma usually begins as a mole that seems to change colour or size. What are the signs that tell you to have a doctor look at a mole? Just remember ABCD: • Asymmetry: The mole is not round. • Border: The border is irregular with jagged edges, not smooth. •C olour: The colour can be uneven across the mole, it can change, or it may seem very different from the other moles on your body. • Diameter: Cancerous moles are usually larger than 6 mm (the size of a pea or a pencil eraser).

Protect them while they’re young Skin cancer is usually caused by the skin’s exposure to ultraviolet rays from the sun. The more sun you’re exposed to over your lifetime, the higher your risk of developing cancer. It’s estimated that up to 80% of a person’s total exposure to the sun happens before 18 years of age. Because of this, it’s good to teach children healthy sun habits from the start. One serious sunburn in childhood can increase future cancer risk by as much as 50%. Babies under six months old are especially susceptible to the glare of sunshine and should be kept out of the sun completely. They’re too young for sunscreen, so keep the baby in the shade and covered as much as possible. Don’t forget that the sun can reflect off shiny surfaces and swimming pools, so keep babies well shaded from all directions at all times. 38

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There is a common myth that if a person tans well, they’re protected from these harmful rays. Not true! While it is true that fair-haired, blue-eyed people are most prone to burning, and therefore are more susceptible to the sun’s rays, even “healthy” tans are really just damage control - they’re your body’s way of trying to protect itself from the sun. But the damage is already done and can’t be reversed. Years of sun worshipping, be it outside or in a tanning salon, will eventually show up later on in life as wrinkles, poor skin elasticity, and possibly skin cancer. The sun, however, is also very important to our health. It provides us with vitamin D (which we need for our bones), and it can lift our spirits. In fact, there’s a form of depression called seasonal affective disorder (or SAD) that can happen when there’s more darkness than daylight - those experiencing SAD feel “down” during the winter months and much better when summer comes. So staying holed up deep inside isn’t the way to go either. As with most good things, moderation and good sense are the keys. The goal is to have fun outside but to stay safe at the same time. Here are some basic rules: • Cover up whenever possible. A longer cotton skirt, for example, might feel cooler on a hot day than a pair of shorts, and will help guard you from the sun. • Wear a hat. Hats keep the sun’s rays off the scalp, face, and back of the neck, prime areas for skin cancer. A good hat will also shelter and protect your eyes from the sun’s powerful rays. • Apply sunscreen at least 20 minutes before you go out, even if the sun doesn’t seem particularly strong, or it is cloudy. Damaging ultraviolet rays can still penetrate clouds, so don’t take a chance. Always apply sunscreen that has a minimum SPF (sun protection factor) of 15 and protects you from both UVA and UVB light. Be sure to follow the directions closely and reapply the sunscreen on a regular basis throughout the day, especially after you’ve been swimming or sweating, even

if your sunblock advertises that it is sweat or water resistant. Ask your pharmacist or doctor for their product recommendations and advice on proper application. Do not forget that your lips, ears, nose, and toes can burn just as easily as any other part of your exposed body, so apply sunblock to them as well. Some lip balms with SPF can be purchased from your local pharmacy. For more information on choosing a sunscreen, read “Sunscreen: a user’s guide.” • Avoid the sun when it’s at its peak. It’s strongest between 11 a.m. and 4 p.m., so use that time to do activities indoors if possible. • If you are applying other products to the skin, double check with your pharmacist about which product to use first. For example, insect repellants should be applied at least 15 minutes after applying sunscreen. • If you use prescription medications, such as certain skin creams or blood pressure medications, check to see if they can make you more sensitive to the sun. If you’re not sure, ask your pharmacist. If, despite being careful, you still get a sunburn, treat it as you would any other kind of burn: • Apply cool, wet compresses for 24 to 48 hours. • Don’t apply skin creams within the first two days. • Drink a lot of water to keep from feeling dehydrated. • You can use over-the-counter painkillers such as acetaminophen or ibuprofen if there is some minor pain or discomfort due to the burn. Very severe burns, the kind that produce blisters, are often treated in clinics with dressings. If you’re not sure if your burn is severe, have it checked. Do not break burn blisters yourself, as this can lead to a skin infection if not properly treated.

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

• 1 block (approximately 454g) firm tofu • 2 cups diced onion (about two medium) • 4 cloves garlic, finely minced • 2 Tbsp fresh ginger root, finely minced • 2 cups diced tomatoes (about two medium) • 4 cups frozen edamame (soy beans) • 2 Tbsp canola oil • ½ cup chopped cilantro • 1 cup low-sodium vegetable broth (or substitute with chicken broth, if desired)

3888 RECENT HAPPENINGS

Toronto Fire Fighters stepped up to host Halifax Fire Fighter Ernie Fraser and his wife, who was staying at Ronald Mcdonald House, while their 8-month-old daughter Gia is in Sick Kids, recovering very well after having a second liver transplant.

This is the second class of Operations Division recruits to start on the job in 2015. There were 42 recruits in this class that started on April 27th and graduated on July 3rd.

inis, Brad Brown, Chris Ko am Nawrocki Ad d an nd Jeff Macfarla June 19th were representing on and at the Ted Reader Comm rk during Pa e bin od Wo Cook-Off at rth Command’s Rib Fest. Congrats to No win. Jeff Macfarland on the 40

Crews from Station 133-B help President Ramagnano present a cheque and toys to the Pippy family on March 22nd. The family lost virtually everything and were left homeless after a fire in their apartment on March 4th. Vo l u m e 1 1 | I s s u e 2 | F I R E WAT CH 40

de a $2000 The Firesound Band ma in May. This o donation to Camp Buck donated to nt brings their total amou ca u n see more at charity to $40,000. Yo w.firesound.ca. the bands website ww

On Wednesday May 21, 2015, TPFFA members participated in two street hockey games at St. Mary’s Catholic School. The first game was against Toronto Police and the second game was against St. Mary’s students and faculty.

Once again , Toronto F ire Fighters represente were well d, working the phone the Easter lines, at Seals Teleth on on Apri Executive B l 12 oard Mem bers Gerlan , 2015. and Dan V do Peritore ieira prese nted a che on behald que for $3 of TPFFA. ,000

12, 2015, Toronto On the morning of May in a friendly game Fire Fighters participated at Variety Village. of wheelchair basketball

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