March in fire history – the Triangle Shirtwaist Factory fire
The Triangle Shirtwaist Factory fire, in New York City on March 25, 1911, was the deadliest industrial disaster in the history of the city and one of the deadliest in the U.S. One hundred and forty-six garment workers died from the fire, from smoke inhalation, or by...
No one wants to be chief of Montreal fire department
Montreal Fire Department has been without a chief since September of last year. In the last year the department has also lost both deputy chiefs, an assistant director and about twelve division and batallion chiefs. Labour strife, budget cuts and impending retirements...
Federal government to create indigenous fire marshal’s office
Indigenous Affairs Minister Carolyn Bennett has committed to resume tracking fire-related deaths in First Nations communities and to establishing an indigenous fire marshal's office to oversee data collection and spearhead fire prevention. At least 173 people have...
Some First Nations fare better at firefighting
Although many First Nations have poor or non-existent fire protection services there are some success stories. The Six Nations Fire Department in Ontario and the Cree Nation independent government in Quebec have well-equipped and trained fire departments. Click here...
BC adds 3 cancers to list of firefighters’ illnesses eligible for coverage
The province of British Columbia has added breast cancer, prostate cancer and multiple myeloma to the list of illnesses covered by the Workers Compensation Act under the Firefighters Occupational Disease Regulation. Click here to read more.
Victoria firefighters required to take PTSD prevention training
Victoria Fire Department has adopted a program developed by the Canadian Mental Health Association and the Vancouver Fire Department that focuses on pre-incident care for its first responders. Drug overdose calls in Victoria have recently increased dramatically. Click...
Investigator warns most children sleep through smoke alarms
Research that repeatedly exposed sleeping children to the sound of standard smoke detectors found more than 80% of the children, aged between two and 13, did not respond to the alarm. Dave Coss, fire investigator and watch commander at Derbyshire fire and rescue...
NFPA issues fire hose safety bulletin
The National Fire Protection Association has issued a bulletin on fire hose safety that reminds the fire service of the importance of following NFPA 1961 (Standard on Fire Hose) and NFPA 1962 (Standard for the Care, Use, Inspection, Service Testing and Replacement of...
Alberta rolls out plan for 2017 wildfire season
Alberta's wildfire plan for 2017 includes longer contracts for water tankers hired to fight fires and increased fines for abandoning campfires or burning during bans. Click here to read more.
Lifesaving apps launched in Florida
Orange County Fire Rescue recently launched two lifesaving apps that encourage citizens with CPR training to respond to sudden cardiac arrest incidents near them. The apps, PulsePoint Respond and Pulse Point AED, notify users through their mobile devices that someone...
February in fire history – Black Saturday bushfires
Australia's all-time worst bushfire disaster took place in February 2009, when an exceptional heat wave sparked 400 fires in the state of Victoria. One hundred seventy-three people died and 414 were injured. February 7 has become widely referred to in Australia as...
Dubai launches rapid response jetski with a firefighter on a jetpack
Hamilton will not charge user fees for waterfall rope rescues
After Hamilton's fire chief warned a user fee could deter people from calling for help city officials have decided not to charge for rope rescues at local waterfalls. Instead they will look into creating a map of trouble spots on the Niagara Escarpment, where numerous...
Langley Township Fire Chief honoured
In recognition of his longstanding dedication to public service and public safety, the Justice Institute of British Columbia will confer an honourary Doctor of Laws degree upon Stephen Gamble, the Township of Langley's Fire Chief. Gamble has spent 38 years in the fire...
After 24 years arrests made in L.A. fire that killed 10, including 7 children
Los Angeles police have arrested several suspects in a fire that swept through a crowded apartment building in May of 1993, killing ten. Among the dead were seven children. More than 100 residents were displaced and 40 were injured. Three of the suspects apparently...
NFPA issues safety bulletin on firefighter protective hoods
Because firefighter protective hoods do not stop soot and chemicals from depositing on a firefighter's neck and head a new NFPA bulletin recommends that fire departments establish practices for care and maintenance of this piece of equipment. here for the full...
Tenants reminded to ensure their landlords provide working smoke alarms
After a house fire in Vancouver killed a toddler, tenants' advocates are reminding renters that they need to ensure their homes have working smoke alarms. Provincial guidelines require landlords to install smoke alarms and keep them in good working condition but there...
Sleep health program can reduce injuries and disability in firefighters
Researchers at Brigham and Women's Hospital developed a sleep health program incorporating sleep health education and sleep disorder screening. Findings of their study showed a nearly 50 percent reduction in long term disability days among those who participated, as...
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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