Salute to Firefighters 2018

Salute to Firefighters — The Free Press

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Thursday, October 11, 2018 Page A13

Stay alert: fire safety is in your hands

Look. Listen. Learn.

Be aware — fire can happen anywhere.

For this year’s Fire Prevention Week, October 7 to 13, 2018, Fire Prevention Canada is endorsing the National Fire Prevention Association’s (NFPA) new theme: Look.

Listen. Learn. Be aware — fire can happen anywhere. The slogan identifies three crucial aspects of fire safety and reminds us that fires can occur when and where we least expect them. In recognition of Fire Prevention Week 2018, check out these three key tips from the NFPA for staying safe in the event of a fire.

1. Look. Inspect your home for potential fire hazards — such as loose outlets, faulty wiring, frayed electrical cords and unattended candles — and eliminate them wherever possible.

October 7 to 13, 2018

Salute to Firefighters! at Canadian Tire we care.

Thank you to our local firefighters and volunteers.

1791 9th Avenue 250-423-4222

2. Listen. Keep an ear out for the sound of smoke alarms. If there’s a fire, you’ll only

have a few minutes to escape the building safely and get to your household’s designated meeting spot. Check your smoke alarms every two months to ensure that they’re working correctly.

3. Learn. Make sure to learn two ways to exit every room of your house, through either a door or a window. Keep these exits easy to open and clear of clutter. Your household should have a fire escape plan in place and rehearse it at least twice a year.

Though many people mistakenly think that a fire could never occur in their own home, mishaps and disasters don’t discriminate.

Always be prepared for the worst. If you stay alert and take preventive measures, you and your loved ones are much more likely to stay safe during a fire.

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Fire safety

Are your fire escapes accessible?

In the event of a house fire, smoke can invade your home in less than three minutes. It’s therefore vital that everyone evacuate the premises quickly. Will your emergency exits allow for this to happen?

To avoid hindering your quick departure to safety, make certain that the doors and windows that serve as emergency exits are unobstructed at all times. Put away all items strewn around them (shoes, backpacks, toys, etc.) and be sure not to block emergency exits with furniture or large objects. Also, in winter, carefully remove snow from all doors, balconies, windows and terraces after every snowfall. Make sure your house number sign is kept clear as well.

Additionally, you should regularly ascertain that windows intended as evacuation points effortlessly open (that they don’t get stuck due to ice or rust, for instance). And if you have young children, also make sure these exits are easy for them to reach and open.

Finally, don’t forget to identify all possible hitches in your evacuation plan.

Ideally, set up a strategy that allows for two different paths to get out of each room in your house.

Help this heroic firefighter put out the fire.

To guarantee the safety of you and your loved ones, make sure emergency exits remain unobstructed at all times.

ANSWER:

McDonald’s proudly supports the

COMMUNITY FIRE CHIEF FOR THE DAY KIDS CONTEST

THE DISTRICT OF SPARWOOD IS PROUD TO SALUTE OUR FIREFIGHTERS

McDonald’s Highway 3 - Fernie

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 extend a heartfelt thanks to all of our skilled and qualified firefighters for their dedication, commitment to fire rescue, training, fire safety and education, and pay tribute to them during Fire Prevention Week.

Thank You To our FireFighTers

The Free Press

Salute to Firefighters — The Free Press

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How to create an effective fire safety plan

Thursday, October 11, 2018 Page A15

Fires ignite and spread quickly.

Having a fire safety plan in place can save lives.

While fire can provide warmth and safety, it also can cause immediate and significant damage that can uproot lives and devastate homes. Because fire is such a formidable foe, it’s imperative that people from all walks of life have a fire safety plan.

The threat of fire Fourty-eight percent of fires that cause severe losses occur in residential properties. Cookingrelated fires are the most prevalent, followed by fires sparked by heating equipment.

How quickly fire can spread may surprise some people. In the average two-story home fire, fire ignites in 30 seconds, smoke pours into most rooms by 2.5 minutes, and roughly 4.5 minutes after the fire has ignited, flames can be visible from the exterior of a house. Temperatures inside can grow from 190 F to more than 1400 F in two minutes.

Planning is critical When fires ignite, time is of the essence to make a fast evacuation. Unfortunately, panic may set in and people may not know how to act when under such acute stress. That’s why planning for the event

of fire can provide families with the information they need to evacuate safely. Evacuation plans and drills should be established and practiced frequently so that getting out alive becomes second nature. However, only about one-quarter of households have actually developed and practiced a home-fire escape plan.

The following guidelines can help families customize their fire escape plans.

• Find two ways out. Look at your home’s layout and identify two ways out of every room, if possible.

Walk around the house in each room and practice what to do if a fire broke out in that space.

• Choose an outside meeting place. Establish a spot to meet a safe distance in front of the home where everyone can gather after they’ve gotten out safely.

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

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

• Assign help to those with mobility issues.

Elderly adults, infants or young children may have difficulty escaping on their own. Plan a buddy system so that a key person in the household is responsible for rousing and helping another from the house.

• Check fire protection. Be sure that there is a

working smoke alarm in every bedroom and on every level of the house.

• Drop it low. Heat and smoke rise and escaping on hands and knees is essential for survival.

• Practice several times a year. Conduct a fire drill a few times each year, and choose a different escape route each time.

Thank You Firefighters for your dedication and service.

Join Us in Recognizing Local Heroes

250.423.4607 • Fernie

OPEN EVERY DAY 8:00 A.M. - 9:00 P.M.

Page A16 Thursday, October 11, 2018

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Fernie Fire Department Fernie Fire Rescue Team

Back Row L-R: Tom Hopkins, Troy MacLachlan Middle Row L-R: Tyson Schmidt, Brett Robertson, Luc Coultry, Mike Bragg, Bruce Nelson, Dustin St. Jean, Scott Robinson, Cory Robinson, Benno Hart, Zane Neal, Brendan Morgan.

Front Row L-R: Steve Kallies, Liz Allitt, Jason Andreola, Mike Lennox, Trevor Fairweather, Justin Pruchnicki, Dean Borgen, Mark Siewert, Travis Leeden, Mick Prideaux.

Missing: Ted Ruiter, Brett Uphill, Colton Bennett, Robert Betteridge, Dennis Djonlich, Brad Filgate, Steve Marlborough, Sanjeev Parmar, Adam Roscoe, Inaki Sarmiento, Justin Surine, Alan Weir, Jeromy Wenzlawe.

Hosmer Fire Department

Hosmer Volunteer Fire Department

L-R: Mike Hockley, Jeremy Nordstrom, Ben Goertzen, Humberto Alvarado, Peter Goettlicher, Brandon Brideau, Richard Reedyk, David Barrett, Shelley Vaness, Dave Boreen Missing: Clea Sackville, Jeanine Smith, Bryan Matthews, Tania Wallman, Greg Wallman

Sparwood Fire Department

Sparwood Fire Rescue Team

L-R: Tom Bremner, Miranda Dolfo, Tony Bell, Daniel Flegel, Andrew Schmitz, Kyle Bodie, Noah Devine, Willy Mortimer, Assistant Chief Karl Ehrler, Fire Chief Dean Spry, Deputy Chief Brad Hogg, Alex Isaacs, Capt. Mike Harrington, Tom Lundrigan, Lt. Duane Nelson, Lt. Dwayne Matatall, Tim Schindel, Daniel Piderman, Keyten Kunst, Lt. Pete Race, Capt. Ken Syrja.

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Thursday, October 11, 2018 Page A17

Jaffray Fire Department

Jaffray Fire Rescue Team

L-R: Kathy McAleese, Dave Boreen, Willy Rayman, JP Braaten, Glenna Perkins, Ron Ek, Dennis Lightburn, Cindy Lightburn, Mike Hockley Missing: Michael Keehn, Aaron Wolff, Lainee Gleeson, Ken Streloff, Laurent Leonetti, Clint Ewasiuk, JT Ewasiuk, Kayla Ewasiuk, Mike Boreen, Terry Montgomery

Elko Fire Department

Elko Fire Rescue Team

L-R: Mike Hockley, Corlyn Haarstad, Julie Holmgren, Ilona Webster, Joe McPhee, Angela Fregin, Dean Haarstad, Dennis Wilkinson, Mark Johnson, Shayne Webster, Len Holmgren, Dave Boreen Kneeling L-R: Fred Frehner, Dale Hark Missing: Cody Blumhagen, Anissa Haarstad, Daigen Wilson

Elkford Fire Department

Elkford Fire Rescue Team

L-R: Jason Kaiser, Chris Olsen, Misty Shinners,James Mills, Sheldon Thiel, Dave Olsen, Kevin Rookes, Derek Finlay, Harvey MacPherson, Louis Bourgeois, Chief Corey Kortmeyer, Deputy Chief Curtis Nyuli, Elov Simmons, Patrick Milan, Courtenay Robinson.

Page A18 Thursday, October 11, 2018

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Baynes Lake Fire Department

Baynes Lake Fire Rescue Team

L-R: Dave Boreen, Marie Cosens, Karen Bergman, Chad Bevand, Sharon Leeper, Sandy Helfrich, Steve Ebbern Missing: Jim Cosens, Judy Ebbern, Rachael Smith, Dave Sutherland, Ashley O’Neil, Jolene Gorrie, Shanna Wills, Paul Wills, Janet Baher, Bonnie Kari

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

Get involved with the department in your area!

Baynes Lake: Elkford: Elko/Jaffray:

250-429-3133 250-865-4020 250-429-3133

Courage Under Fire We Salute Our Firefighters.

For the important role they play in protecting our lives and for their brave and selfless sacrifice.

A special thank you for your dedication and hard work during the fire in Sparwood Heights.

We gratefully recognize your service to our community.

You are all heroes, and we thank you for all that you do.

Causeway Bay Hotel 102 Red Cedar Drive, Sparwood, BC 250-425-2003

Fernie: Hosmer: Sparwood:

250-423-4226 250-429-3133 250-425-0558

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

Fire Prevention Week: A Message from Fernie Fire Department “Look. Listen. Learn. Be aware. Fire can happen anywhere”.

The Fernie Fire Department would like to remind you and your family to be prepared in the event of a fire!

Fire can happen anywhere, and we encourage all residents to follow these steps with your family: “Look” for places that fires could start in your home. Identify hazards and take care of them.

“Listen” for the sound of the smoke alarm. Ensure it is working and installed on every floor. Smoke alarms are a key part of a home fire escape plan.

“Learn” two ways out of every room in your home and make sure all doors and windows leading outside can open easily.

In the event of an emergency, it is important your family is prepared. For more information on Fire Prevention Week and Household Safety, visit www.fernie.ca or stop by the Fernie Fire Hall.

Keep fixed and portable space heaters at least three feet from anything that can burn.

Turn off heaters when you leave the room or go to sleep.

Smoke outside Ask smokers to smoke outside.

Have sturdy, deep ashtrays for smokers. Keep matches and lighters out of the reach of children.

SAFETY TIP

SAFETY TIP SAFETY TIP

Give space heaters space

Pet-proof your house Keep hazards out of pets’ reach, like flammables or electrical wires.

Inspect electrical cords Replace cords that are cracked, damaged, have broken plugs or have loose connections.

Test smoke alarms at least once a month and replace batteries once a year or when the alarm “chirps” to tell you the battery is low. Replace any smoke alarm that is more than 10 years old.

Thank You Firefighters We thank the dedicated men and women of our local fire departments. We gratefully recognize your service to our communities.

Tom Shypitka

Kootenay East MLA tom.shypitka.mla@leg.bc.ca

302-535 Victoria Avenue N., Cranbrook, BC V1C 6S3 Phone: 250-417-6022

Have a home fire escape plan Make a home fire escape plan and rehearse it at least twice a year.

SAFETY TIP

Test smoke alarms SAFETY TIP

SAFETY TIP

Follow these fire SAFETY TIPS

Thursday, October 11, 2018 Page A19

SAFETY TIP

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Watch your cooking Stay in the kitchen when you’re frying, grilling or broiling food.

If you must leave, even for a short time, turn off the stove.

Mayor McKerracher, Council and the District of Elkford staff salute Elkford’s Fire Rescue Team. Thank you for your dedication to keeping our community and homes safe. To commemorate Fire Prevention Week this year, Elkford Fire Rescue is hosting a

Free Open House and BBQ Saturday, October 13th 12:00 PM - 3:00 PM Elkford Fire Hall (2300 Balmer Drive) You and your family are invited to join us to meet your local department, enjoy games and draw prizes, and practice home fire safety skills.

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Salute to Firefighters — The Free Press

Wood heating: seven tips to reduce fire hazards Do you use wood heating? While few things are cosier than a wood fire on a cold winter’s day, using a fireplace or wood stove comes with a number of safety risks. To minimize fire hazards, and protect your property and family, follow these key tips: 1. At the beginning of each wood-burning season, check your chimney and fireplace or stove before using them. Make sure that your chimney isn’t obstructed; that the stonework, the door’s seal and the seals inside the fireplace are in mint condition; that the refractory bricks inside the wood-burner are whole and that the chimney is not rusted or corroded.

2. Store most of your wood outdoors, away from the house, keeping just a few bundles inside at a safe distance from your unit.

3. Get your chimney swept either once a year, or after burning five cords of wood. This will remove creosote, a highly flammable deposit created by smoke.

4. Use quality wood. Make sure it’s dry and only burn a few small logs at a time to reduce creosote buildup.

5. Since complete combustion creates less smoke, make sure enough air gets into your fireplace or stove to keep the flames going.

6. Clear the space around the fireplace or stove.

Don’t leave any flammable materials near it and make sure air can circulate freely.

7. Regularly throw hot ashes away in a closed metal container with a raised bottom. Place the container on a non-combustible surface at least one metre away from buildings and flammable materials for three to seven days, or until the ash has completely cooled down.

All new fireplaces and wood stoves should be installed by a professional.

It’s a safety issue!

Top ways to PREVENT FIRES AT HOME House fires can stem from negligence, mechanical mishaps or electrical failures. Need some specific advice on how to protect your home? Room by room, this graph shows you the fire-safety habits and protocols you should adopt.

Bathroom • Make sure all electrical outlets have an integrated circuit breaker.

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Portable fire extinguishers: making the right choice Used to douse the flames of a burgeoning fire, a Furthermore, check whether it’s refillable or portable fire extinguisher is a valuable piece of has a limited lifespan. safety equipment that you should have on hand at Once you get home, install the fire extinguisher home. Do you need to buy or replace one? If so, be near an exit, but at a good distance from possible sure to look for a fire extinguisher that has the fire sources (oven, heater, etc.). Most importantly, learn to use it and be ready to act in case of an following four features: 1. It has a seal from a recognized organization emergency. such as the Underwriters Laboratories of If your fire extinguisher was made Canada (ULC). before 1985, be sure to replace it ASAP. 2. It can put out A, B and C type fires. In other words, it puts out fires from combustible materials (wood, paper, cloth, etc.), flammable gases or liquids (oil, gas, grease, etc.) and electrical equipment (wiring, electrical panel, etc.).

3. It has a minimum 2A 10B C rating, which means it can put out a 2 ft3 paper or wood fire (2A) and a 10 ft2 gas or oil fire (10B). The letter C means that the extinguishing agent does not conduct electricity.

4. It’s lightweight and easy to use, since the extinguisher won’t be of any use if it’s too heavy for you When choosing a fire extinguisher for your home, make sure you can to wield. easily pick it up and use it.

Attic Chimney

• Don’t store fuel or flammable materials in the attic.

• Have your chimney swept at least once a year.

Bedroom • Never smoke in bed.

• Install a fire alarm in every room and check the batteries once a month. Batteries should be changed every year.

Kitchen Garage • Store flammable products (paint, solvent, etc.) in approved containers and far from heat sources.

• Install a carbon monoxide alarm near the garage door and on each floor of your home.

Living Room • Always keep an eye on lit candles.

• Only plug appliances that use small amounts of electricity (lamps, TVs, etc.) into multiple-outlet adapters and power strips.

• Never leave food cooking unsupervised.

• When unplugging electrical appliances (toaster, kettle, etc.), do so by pulling on the plug, not on the cable.

Stairs • To ensure a speedy evacuation, make sure doors, windows and stairs are always kept clear.

Basement • Have a professional look at your heating system every year.

• Remove the lint in the dryer filter after each use.