Thank a volunteer firefighter
I work for the Office of the Fire Marshal (OFM). My role is to provide support to municipalities and fire departments across Ontario to meet the needs of their communities including public education, fire prevention, firefighting, fire protection, training and fire investigation.
As I travel around the province this week attending Fire Pevention Week activities (October 3rd through 9th), I'm reminded of the fact that although there are currently 467 fire departments in Ontario, only 31 of them are actual full-time fire departments. Didn't know that, did you? The remainder consist of 174 composite departments (volunteer/full-time) and 262 volunteer departments.
When our volunteer firefighters are heading to an emergency, you may see a green flashing light on their vehicle. Please pull over to the side of the road just as you would for any emergency vehicle.
Firefighters are always ready to fight fires. But they do so much more. They are trained in CPR and first aid, and assist in medical emergencies, traffic, farm and marine accidents. One of the challenges is having volunteers properly trained in such things as defibrillation, dangerous goods and much more. This demands a very high degree of commitment from our vounteer firefighters. Besides all this, these people have jobs. Many are farmers, and work in our communities. They coach hockey, soccer, baseball and also help with fundraisers, bake sales and community projects.
So don't forget to install a smoke alarm on each floor of your home and check the batteries. While you are at it, install a carbon monoxide alarm on each floor as well. The cost of these units is nothing compared to the lives of your loved ones.
And remember to thank a volunteer firefighter.
Thank a volunteer firefighter
I work for the Office of the Fire Marshal (OFM). My role is to provide support to municipalities and fire departments across Ontario to meet the needs of their communities including public education, fire prevention, firefighting, fire protection, training and fire investigation.
As I travel around the province this week attending Fire Pevention Week activities (October 3rd through 9th), I'm reminded of the fact that although there are currently 467 fire departments in Ontario, only 31 of them are actual full-time fire departments. Didn't know that, did you? The remainder consist of 174 composite departments (volunteer/full-time) and 262 volunteer departments.
When our volunteer firefighters are heading to an emergency, you may see a green flashing light on their vehicle. Please pull over to the side of the road just as you would for any emergency vehicle.
Firefighters are always ready to fight fires. But they do so much more. They are trained in CPR and first aid, and assist in medical emergencies, traffic, farm and marine accidents. One of the challenges is having volunteers properly trained in such things as defibrillation, dangerous goods and much more. This demands a very high degree of commitment from our vounteer firefighters. Besides all this, these people have jobs. Many are farmers, and work in our communities. They coach hockey, soccer, baseball and also help with fundraisers, bake sales and community projects.
So don't forget to install a smoke alarm on each floor of your home and check the batteries. While you are at it, install a carbon monoxide alarm on each floor as well. The cost of these units is nothing compared to the lives of your loved ones.
And remember to thank a volunteer firefighter.