When to evacuate residents during a wildfire
A researcher at South Dakota State University has used fire spread modeling in conjunction with traffic simulation modeling to help emergency managers make decisions around evacuating residents during a wildfire. Click here to read more.
Acid leak on highway leads to multiple insurance claims
An incident involving two transport trucks leaking sulphuric acid on the main highway through Trail, BC has lead to 2,500 insurance claims for vehicle damage. Among the vehicles damaged were the city's year-old fire truck and a fire command vehicle. Click here to read...
Regina considers new fees under its fire bylaw
In an effort to improve public safety and align with provincial legislation and the National Fire Code the City of Regina is considering introducing new fees, including charging for false fire alarms, facility inspections and permits for open-air fires and selling...
June in fire history – Air Canada Flight 797
On June 2, 1983 Air Canada Flight 797 travelling from Dallas/Fort Worth to Montreal developed an in-flight fire behind the lavatory that forced the aircraft to divert to Cincinnati for an emergency landing. Twenty-three passengers died in the incident, which became a...
Forecasters predict hot dry conditions in western Canada this summer
The Canadian Wildland Fire Information System is predicting hot, dry weather across a large swath of Western Canada for the summer of 2018. Click here to read more.
Tom Cartwright named Ontario fire chief of the year
Tom Cartwright of Port Colborne, Ontario has been named Ontario Fire Chief of the Year. Since a tragic multiple death fire in 2016 Chief Colborne has been an advocate for the need for fire departments to take a more proactive approach to fire safety and prevention....
Review of BC’s 2017 wildfires calls for overhaul of disaster response practices
The results of an independent review of British Columbia's response to 2017's wildfires and floods have been published. The report, entitled "Addressing the New Normal: 21st Century Disaster Management in B.C." highlights the gap between spending on response versus...
Cities struggle to establish battery safety standards
Cities are struggling to establish safety standards for lithium-ion batteries even as their uses continue to expand. City planners are concerned about power storage units in basements and on rooftops. Click here to read more.
Ontario fire chief fights forced retirement
The former fire chief of Renfrew, Ontario has vowed to fight what he considers to be an illegal termination of his employment. Guy Longtin was terminated when his position was included in a mandatory retirement policy for firefighters. Click here to read more.
Saskatchewan will use sprayer planes to help fight wildfires
May in fire history – the Slave Lake wildfire
From May 14 to 16, 2011 a huge wildfire pushed by 100 km per hour winds burned through the town of Slave Lake, Alberta forcing the complete evacuation of the town and surrounding area and causing roughly $750 million in insurable damage. Click here to read more.
New Vancouver firehall shares space with supportive housing
2017 BC wildfires triggered monster thunderstorm
On August 12, 2017 the heat from four wildfires in British Columbia triggered monstrous thunderstorms comparable to a volcanic eruption. Click here to read more.
FD Instructors’ Conference gets first look at virtual reality training
Attendees at this year's Fire Department Instructors' Conference in Indianopolis will get their first look at a virtual reality firefighter training system. Click here to read more.
Montreal’s fire service will hire more women, people of colour
Montreal's fire service, currently overwhelmingly white and male, has plans to double the number of women and visible minorities on the front lines within three years and to triple those numbers in seven years. Click here to read more.
Under new rules BC first responders won’t need to prove PTSD is work related
Changes to the BC Workers Compensation Act would designate PTSD and other mental disorders as "presumptive conditions" so firefighters, police officers, paramedics, sheriffs and correctional officers will no longer have to prove their PTSD is job-related. Click here...
Creston Fire Hall Advisory Committee hears more from FireWise Consulting
The Creston Fire Hall Advisory Committee met recently to discuss recommendations made by FireWise Consulting Ltd. regarding issues around their current fire hall. Click here to read more.
Residential cannabis grow ops need regulation, oversight
BC fire chiefs and municipalities are warning that a lack of regulation and oversight of residential cannabis grow operations puts people at risk. Click here to read more.
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Movers & Shakers
Clarington Fire Chief Dave Speed recognized for Ontario Leadership Award- Mt. Pleasant introduces new Fire Chief Mark Kraisinger
- Orillia Fire Chief Capt. Glenn Higgins retires after nearly 30 years
- Canyon Fire Deputy Chief Wiley Harp retires after 42 years of service
- Captain Mark McCarthy retires from Butte Silver Bow Fire Department after 30 years