COMMUNITY

Since then, the Fire Prevention division has grown exponentially and Waldschmidt and counterpart Doug Kellam have worked hard to add in special courses such as ‘What’s Cooking with Teens’ which they present to high school food classes each semester before they start any cooking.

“We have a Fire Extinguisher training kit that we can take to PDHS and teach fire extinguishing to the shop and science classes, we take it to industries for Health and Safety purposes and any community groups that may ask,” said Waldschmidt They also attend County of Brant schools, the Children’s Safety Village and they follow the curriculum developed by the City of Brantford Fire, County of Brant Fire and Six Nations Fire.

“Each spring we attend schools for the Learn Not to Burn program. Most recently we have worked with the Recreation Department to create a very popular Junior Firefighter camp that is offered at March Break and twice during the summer months. This is all in addition to fire inspections and investigations ”

Despite a busy Fire Prevention schedule, his desire to learn was still red hot so he completed more courses throughout the years – Certified Fire and Explosion Investigator, Company Officer, Fire and Life Safety Educator and eventually earning his Building Code Identification Number and Fireworks Handling Certificate

“Each of these courses allowed for increased responsibilities allowing me to work with By-Law, Planning and Building departments with the county,” said Waldschmidt. IN the last few years, he’s become the designated Chief Fire Official, giving comments to the County’s planning department and working with the County’s building department and bylaw officers on a regular basis. These duties, combined with his ongoing education, led him to the Office of the Ontario Fire Marshall, the next natural step in his remarkable career. Congratulations Tom and good luck on your future endeavours

Perhaps you’ve seen Tom Waldschmidt and Doug Kellam, Fire Prevention Officers in various Fire Prevention videos online? Last week was Fire Prevention Week and both men were busy educating the public on the dangers of fires and how to safeguard your family. This week’s Fire Prevention theme was “Smoke Alarms: Make them Work for You!” Click on the video above!

Below, County of Brant Fire Department Fire Prevention Officers Tom Waldschmidt (right) and Doug Kellam (left).