Fire Prevention Week 2014

OCTOBER 5-11, 2014

• WORKING SMOKE ALARMS • FIRE SAFETY QUIZ

• LOCAL FIREFIGHTERS

• KID’S FUN STUFF

* Kitchen Suppression Inspection & Installation * Fire Safety Plans * Fire Extinguishers

Guardian First Aid Services LTD

Guardian First Aid is Proud to support & service the Mining Industry and the Elk Valley

We’ll show you how to keep you and your family safe!

Jeanie MacIntyre 701 9th Avenue flameguard@telus.net * Cell: 250-423-1484

Debby Tomich Elkford BC V0B1H0 Cell 250-425-5946 Email: guard1fa@telus.net

Reasonable Hourly and Daily Rates 4 Fully Equipped MTC units 24 hours available For all your first aid needs

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FIRE PREVENTION WEEK

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Make sure it works: your smoke alarm can save your life

F

ire Prevention Week is coming up, and this year Fire Prevention Ca­nada and the Ca­nada Sa­fety Council are re­minding us that every home should be protected with wor­king smoke alarms.

October 5 to 11, 2014

Many fire fatalities occur at night, when people are sleeping and fail to notice smoke as an indication of fire in their home. If there is no alarm to wake them, they will literally never know what hit them.

One of the great frustrations of firefighters everywhere is to see home smoke alarms disarmed or removed from their ceiling anchors. As the Canada Safety Council says, “A dead unit is worse than none at all — it can give you a false sense of

The RDEK salutes our volunteer firefighters in Hosmer, Jaffray and Baynes Lake.

security.” Whether your home smoke alarms are po­ wered by batteries or your home’s electrical system, make sure they are updated every 10 years, tested mon­thly, and outfitted with fresh batteries on a yearly basis.

Why is my smoke alarm so fussy?

disarmed because of nuisance false alarms.

Try installing a bet­ter quality photoelectric alarm.

Contact your local fire de­ partment to ar­range a visit from a fire prevention of­­ficer who will show you the best spots for your home’s smoke detectors.

Fire Prevention Canada says that di­sarming an alarm is a mistake that can cost lives. There are other options that won’t put your family’s lives in danger. If making toast or taking a shower sets off your alarm regularly, try moving the detector to a spot just outside the kitchen or bathroom.

Ionization alarms are especially responsive to fast-burning materials, such as burning fat, newspaper, and paint. This type is generally chea­per and it is also the kind most often

THE DISTRICT OF SPARWOOD IS PROUD TO PAY TRIBUTE TO OUR FIREFIGHTERS During Fire Prevention Week we are given the opportunity to tell all of our firefighters just how much they are appreciated and to thank them for all they do to keep our community safe.

We salute our firefighters for their dedication and commitment to fire rescue, skills training, and promoting community fire safety awareness and education.

Main Office Phone: 250-489-2791 Toll Free: 1-888-478-7335 Email: info@rdek.bc.ca Website: www.rdek.bc.ca

THE FREE PRESS, OCTOBER 2, 2014

FIRE PREVENTION WEEK

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Calculate your home’s IQ

2) Cooking with oil

• Do you fry food in anything other than a deep fryer?

[] Yes [] No • Do you keep a pot’s lid out of reach when cooking?

[] Yes [] No • Do you set the stove to medium-high heat when heating cooking oil?

[] Yes [] No • Do you salt food over the fryer?

[] Yes [] No • Do you leave the kitchen when you’re cooking?

[] Yes [] No • Do you wear long-sleeved or loose-fitting clothes when cooking?

[] Yes [] No

3) Outlets and extension cords

• Do you leave one or more extension cords permanently plugged in? [] Yes [] No • Do you have electrical wiring passing under your carpet? [] Yes [] No • Do you sometimes overload your outlets? [] Yes [] No • Do you use an extension cord even though it seems damaged? [] Yes [] No

City Hall 501-3rd Ave., Box 190 Fernie, BC V0B 1M0 www.fernie.ca

We Salute Our Local Fire Fighters For their selflessness and bravery, we salute the men and women of our fire department.

Fernie Fire Rescue will be putting our community first during Fire Prevention Week, just as they do throughout the entire year.

4) Candles

• Do you leave lit candles unattended? [] Yes [] No • within reach of children? [] Yes [] No • accessible to pets? [] Yes [] No • near drapes or other flammable objects? [] Yes [] No • in wood or plastic candle-holders? [] Yes [] No • in unstable candle-holders? [] Yes [] No

5) Smoke detector

• Do you ever remove the battery from your smoke detector to stop it from going off ?

[] Yes [] No • Has it been more than one year since you last checked the batteries in your smoke detector?

[] Yes [] No

ANALYZE YOUR RESULTS

On our IQ test, zero is the best score. If you answered “no” to each of our questions, then you have an inflammability quotient of zero.

Congratulations! Your score indica­tes that, with your kind of vigilance, your home is safe.

• Do you smoke while lying on the couch or in bed? [] Yes [] No • Do you place your ashtray directly on your sofa or bed? [] Yes [] No • Do you throw out cigarette butts and ashes in the garbage without wetting them first? [] Yes [] No • Do you leave lit cigarettes unattended? [] Yes [] No

For each “yes”, add five points and calculate your score. If you scored above 20, let it be a reminder to be more careful. Review the questions to which you answered “yes” and try to correct the situation.

1) Smoking

Free Press files

As an example, did you answer in the affirmative to the question “Do you sometimes overload your outlets?” If so, then go check your outlets; avoid plugging several electronic devices into the same wall outlet. Get a power bar instead — it’s much safer!

(inflammability quotient!)

The Fernie Ghostriders

proudly support our local firefighters and volunteers

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FIRE PREVENTION WEEK

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Fernie Fire Department

Fernie Fire Rescue Team

Back L-R: Amber Siewert, Hannah Sullivan, Bruce Nelson, Mike Bragg, Mike Lennox, Mike Tonge, Zane Neal Front L-R: F.P.O Dave Kurschenska, Trevor Fairweather, Tammy Clowers, Gord Bunston, (Student) Tyson Schmidt

Hosmer Fire Department

Hosmer Volunteer Fire Department

L-R: Glenn Wallman, Elijah Thompson, Jeanine Smith, Elise Bryant, Shelley Vaness, and Neil Thompson Missing: David Barrett, Mark Ehmann, Spenser Olson, Ted Shoesmith, Ben Henderson, Tania Wallman, Bert Eckel Leave of Absence: Craig Follett, Cathy Follet

Sparwood Fire Department Sparwood Fire Rescue Team

Back L-R: Brian Jones, Jacob Isaacs, Ray Joss, Brad Hogg, Al Laidlaw, James Bosma, Tom Bremner, Bob Larson, Mark Ward, John Randall, Willy Mortimer.

Middle L-R: Kayleigh Cook, Jordan Nelson, Daniel Hutchinson, Pete Race, Duane Nelson, Dwayne Matatall, Sheldon Tennant, Brett Engel, Alex Isaacs, Keyton Kunst.

Front L-R: Jerry Scarff, Preston Engel, Deputy Chief Dean Spry, Fire Chief Jim Jones, Karl Ehrler, Matt Huryn, Ken Syrja.

Missing: Gene Olson, Mike Harrington, Scott Holberton, Chad Singleton, Raya Blackmore, Chric Hegedus, Darrick Lawson, Jen Price, Paul Rosler, Amy Sigurdson.

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FIRE PREVENTION WEEK

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Jaffray Fire Department

Jaffray Fire Rescue Team

Back L-R: Kathy Weins, Deputy Fire Chief Todd Martens, Clint Ewasiuk, Colton Reay, Dan Fediuk, Sandy DeJong(Middle Top), Willy Rayman, Cindy Lightburn, Justine Yuszko, Shari Fabiano, Fire Chief Dave Boreen Front Kneeling L-R: Guillaume Courmont, JP Braaten, Yann Loranger, Ian DeJong Missing: Battalion Chief- Jacky Stotts, Viktor Mouchet, Laurent Leonetti, Danny Carlyle, Mike Nelson, Claude Poirier, Lynn Carlyle, Troy Carlyle

Baynes Lake Fire Department

Baynes Lake Fire Rescue Team

Back L-R: Greg Dyble, Kayla Ewasiuk, Bonnie Kari, Sandy Helfrich, Judy Ebbern, Sean Ebbern, Steve Ebbern, Deputy Fire Chief Todd Martens Missing: Fire Chief Dave Boreen, Bert Tiffin, Jim Cosens, Dave Sutherland, Alan Agate, JT Ewasiuk, Rob Prevost, Paul Wills, Shanna Wills, Greg Harris, Pennee Harris, Sharon Leeper, Kat Boag-Munrue, Janet Baher

Elkford Fire Department

Elkford Fire Rescue Team

Pictured L-R: Patrick Milan, Corey Kortmeyer, Garry Shiosaki, Gary Tucker, Scott Haugo, Bruce White, Fire Chief Bernie Van Tighem, Bobbie-Lee Houseman, Derik Finlay, Louis Bourgeois, Misty Shinners, Harvey MacPherson, Brad Comey Missing - Elov Simmons, Ryburn Regular, Jason Kaiser, Sheldon Thiel, Dustin Smith, Neil Hawthorne, Lydon Simmons, Pat Sorenson, Loren Langille, Derek Chamberlain, Douglas Wilde

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FIRE PREVENTION WEEK

If the worst happens

D

espite all the security measures ta­ken to limit the risk of fire, no one is im­mune to such a tra­gedy.

When the worst hap­pens and your property is in fla­mes, it’s important to act im­mediately. That is when a carefully planned and pra­cticed eva­cuation plan co­mes into its own.

What is an evacuation plan?

An evacuation plan is a drawing that illustrates each floor of your home. To be effective, it must contain the following elements: • all emergency exits (doors, windows) • the routes leading to these exits (at least two per room) • the location of all smoke and car­bon mo­noxide alarms, as well as portable fire extingui­shers • the designated assembly point outside the home An evacuation plan has se­ ve­­ ral Answer to Junior firefighter Word Search Page 7 objectives. It increases the chances of survival du­ring a fire; it prevents panic and re­ckless actions; and it helps residents easily meet up af­ter the evacuation. An eva­ cuation plan has to be tailor-made for the occupants; children 12 years and un­der, seniors, and people with disabilities will definitely need as­sis­tance to reach an emergency exit.

Valuable tips for preventing fires Fire destroys everything in its path, including precious memories and lives. Here are a few prevention tips to help you and your family avoid becoming fire victims.

The golden rule? Have a smoke alarm that is in good working order on every floor of the home, especially near bedrooms.

Test them on a monthly basis and change the batteries once a year. Did you know that the majority of fire deaths occur at night? Victims rarely succumb to the flames; rather, smoke inhalation is responsible for most of these fatalities.

Avoid smoking in bed. You just have to doze off for a few minutes for your cigarette to end up on the sheets. Keep all items related to smoking out of the reach of children. Ashtrays, matches, and lighters should always be left in a safe place.

Flammable items that have not been used for several months, such as cans of paint and solvent, should be discarded in an appropriate manner. Most municipalities have a depot site for such materials. The same also goes for all those piles of paper left lying around — recycle them.

A family activity

Lastly, the most logical rule of all is to keep highly dangerous pro­ ducts, such as ga­ soline and propane containers, outside the home. This type of pro­ duct should ne­ ver, under any ci­ r­ cum­­stances, be stored inside your home.

An evacuation plan invol­ ves the whole family. First, make sure that all members participate in its creation. Display it proudly at a central location in the house where everyone can see it. Make sure you do a fire drill every year.

Oc­cupants should be able to reach the designated assembly point in less than three minutes.

“Fresh Fernie Experiences”

on Like u Fac s ebo ok

The Difference is Taste

t Take-ou or Delivery

October 5-11

The Coal of the Wild.

Mountains of toppings and an avalanche of taste

Proudly supporting our local firefighters New menu with great new items coming this fall!

• Thin, Regular, Whole Wheat or Gluten Free Crust • Build Your Own Pizza • 36 Toppings & 9 Sauces Open at 4:00 pm

• Awesome Lasagna • Salads, Wings & More...

• $12.00 Pizza Every Tuesday!

250-423-0007 592 - 8th Avenue, Fernie, BC

Call for Daily Specials

Mayor McKerracher, Council, and the District of Elkford Staff would like to sincerely thank all of our dedicated Volunteer Fire Fighters who work to keep our community and homes safe.

This year’s Fire Prevention Week is from October 5th to 11th, 2014. Our theme this year is “Working Smoke Alarms Save Lives: Test Yours Every Month”. To commemorate this important week, Elkford Fire Rescue will be hosting an Open House on October 11th at the Fire Hall, located at 2300 Balmer Drive, from 12:00 PM – 3:00 PM. We cordially invite you and your family to attend this event. We will be providing information on home fire safety, including smoke alarms and fire safety planning.

www.elkford.ca

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Our Valley’s fire departments are always looking for more volunteers.

Get involved with the department in your area!

Jaffray: 250-429-3473 Baynes Lake: 250-529-7451 Fernie: 250-423-4226 Hosmer: 250-423-4221 Sparwood: 250-425-6271 Elkford: 250-865-4020

WORDS TO FIND BOOTS DANGER EXITS FLAMES FIRE FIRE ALARM

FIREMAN FIRE STATION GEAR HELMET HOSE LADDER

RESCUER TRUCK SAFETY WATER

Please see answer on page 6.

at Canadian Tire we care.

Proud sponsor of the Community Fire Chief for the Day Kids Contest.

Thank you to our local firefighers and volunteers.

1791 9th Avenue 250-423-4222

1702 9th Avenue Hwy. 3 Fernie 250-423-5380

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FIRE PREVENTION WEEK

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SMS Equipment supports Fire Prevention Week Fires can be prevented with regular professional maintenance.

Contact your local SMS Equipment branch for details.

SMS Equipment Inc. Elkford: #1 Intata Road, Elkford, BC V0B 1H0. Phone: 250-865-8281

Western Region 1 866-458-0101 Eastern Region 1 800-881-9828

smsequip.com