March 23, 2011
Town urges residents
to make fire plans
The town of Deep River is reminding
local residents to plan for their own safety in the event of a major
fire.
The town issued a statement last Friday reminding residents that the
office of the Ontario Fire Marshal (OFM) has advised the Deep River
fire department that its firefighters “should not enter into burning or
smoke-filled structures” to rescue those trapped inside or battle the
fire from inside, “until sufficient resources are on scene.”
“Residents of the town of Deep River must take responsibility for their
own safety by ensuring they have working smoke alarms on all levels of
their home along with a home escape plan, and that they practice the
plan with their family members.”
Business and property owners must ensure their buildings comply with
the Ontario Fire Code, the statement adds.
Last week's statement follows the release of a review of the town's
fire services by the OFM last month.
The review was initiated by the OFM back in November as a result of
concerns stemming from its investigation of a fatal house fire in
October that claimed the life of a three-year-old boy.
Key among the recommendations in the OFM review is for the town to beef
up staffing levels for its fire service.
"Based on OFM analysis of actual fires, the fire department is
conducting operations without sufficient staffing, and this places
occupants and firefighters at greater risk," the review states.
"The OFM evaluation finds that the current fire suppression capability
does not meet the needs and circumstances of the municipality.
“The fire department currently does not have the internal resources to
effectively, efficiently and safely conduct fire suppression operations
at single family dwellings or at any higher risk occupancy."
The maximum number of Deep River firefighters that could respond to an
emergency is nine, the review notes, while the minimum number of
firefighters that would be required under the OFM's public fire safety
guideline "to conduct interior fire suppression (and) rescue safely,
effectively and efficiently at a moderate risk occupancy would be 16."
A two-storey, single family dwelling is typically classified as a
"moderate risk."
In order to meet the necessary staffing levels, the OFM recommended
that the town consider several options, including a "jointly operated
and managed fire department" with Laurentian Hills, the addition of
volunteer firefighters to Deep River to create a “composite” fire
department, or the hiring of an additional 12 firefighters.
The town has set up an ad hoc committee to review the OFM's
recommendations.
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