Fire won't wait: plan your escape this Fire Prevention Week

 
 

For Immediate Release                                                             

October 7, 2022
 

Fire won't wait: plan your escape this Fire Prevention Week
Fire Prevention Week takes place October 9-15, 2022

Vancouver, BC –With fire-related deaths in BC on the rise, it is more important than ever to plan and practice your home fire escape. During the 100th anniversary of Fire Prevention Week, the BC Professional Fire Fighters’ Burn Fund is urging the public to create and practice a home fire escape plan with all residents of the home.

From January 1 to June 30, 2022 there were 40 fire related deaths in BC as reported to the BC Office of the Fire Commissioner. This number is concerningly high for the first half of the year. In 2021 there were 59 fire related deaths in total. 

“Working smoke alarms and home fire escape planning saves lives. Practice your escape and test your smoke alarms monthly, ensuring to replace the alarm if it is not working or is more than 10 years old,” says Gayanne Pacholzuk, Prevention Coordinator with the BC Professional Fire Fighters’ Burn Fund. 

Today’s home fires burn hotter and faster than ever before due to flammable materials in the home. In the case of a home fire, residents could have less than two minutes to get out safely once the smoke alarm sounds.  

The Burn Fund has once again partnered with the BC Office of the Fire Commissioner and other fire service partners to host the annual Fire Prevention Week Contest. To promote this year’s theme of “Fire won’t wait: plan your escape,” students from kindergarten to Grade 12 are encouraged to enter by creating a home fire escape plan and filling out the ballot. 

The goal of the contest is to educate the next generation on the topic of fire prevention, helping to save lives and prevent painful burn injuries. The deadline is November 4, 2022 and all information can be found at www.gov.bc.ca/FirePreventionWeek.
 

Fire Prevention Week Tips: 

  1. Know what to do when you hear the alarm sounds and have a plan in place. 

  2. Plan and practice your home escape with all members of your household. 

  3. Know how long it takes you to get out and know two ways out of your home. 


Learn more at burnfund.org and follow the Burn Fund at @BCBurnFund.

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Interview Opportunity: Gayanne Pacholzuk, Prevention Coordinator for the BC Professional Fire Fighters Burn Fund and retired Kelowna Fire Fighter. 

About the Burn Fund: 
Established in 1978 by the BC Professional Fire Fighters’ Association, the Burn Fund is supported by more than 4,000 professional fire fighters from 53 communities in BC and the Yukon. These fire fighters donate their time and skills to support burn survivors. They also work to increase the public's knowledge about fire and burn prevention. The Burn Fund Executive and Board of Directors are represented by professional fire fighters, medical staff, and volunteers from across BC. 

Learn more at burnfund.org and follow the Burn Fund on Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook at @BCBurnFund


MEDIA CONTACT
Nicole Clark, Director of Communications
BC Professional Fire Fighters' Burn Fund
P: 778.789.0820
E: communications@burnfund.org

Vote Saturday, October 15, 2022

 
 

Vote on Saturday, October 15, 2022

It’s your Community. Make a Difference! Vote for a Candidate that supports your Local issues!

This fall, British Columbians will be voting in community elections and electing municipal councils.

These elections matter, the votes cast will help shape the direction of our public safety and communities for the coming four years. 

These elections are the most direct way for individual community members to influence their local government.

Make a plan to vote Saturday, October 15—Pledge to vote today!

 

This campaign is hosted by BC Professional Fire Fighters’ Association. We will protect your privacy, and keep you informed about this campaign and others.

Authorized by the BC Professional Fire Fighters’ Association under LECFA,

info@bcpffa.org, www.bcpffa.org

 

Kindly remind your family, friends and neighours to vote, or simply share on social media.

 
 

Residents of Surrey support increase in staffing of fire fighters!

The Surrey Fire Fighters’ Association asked, and the residents of Surrey responded… they support increase in staffing.

September 27, 2022 I. Eliana Carrillo

More than nine-in-ten eligible voters in Surrey want to increase number of fire trucks that operate in the municipality. 

Vancouver, BC [September 27, 2022] – Sizeable majorities of eligible voters in the City of Surrey call for decisive action to properly prepare for emergencies, a new Research Co. poll conducted on behalf of the Surrey Fire Fighters’ Association has found.

In the telephone survey of a representative sample of eligible voters in Surrey, almost nine-in-ten respondents (89%) support establishing another fire hall in the city, specifically tailored with the appropriate equipment and firefighters for managing emergencies and fires in high rise buildings.

“The Surrey Fire Service needs immediate attention with a growth plan for additional resources,” says Saverio Lattanzio, President of the Surrey Fire Fighters’ Association. “Fire fighters on the front line are stretched thin, suffering from burnout and in dire need of staffing. Properly resourced fire protection must be maintained to ensure public and fire fighter safety.”

More than four-in-five eligible voters in Surrey (87%) support increasing Surrey Fire Fighters’ staffing levels to reach the average ratio currently seen in cities such as Vancouver, Burnaby, Toronto, Calgary and Ottawa.

“As the municipal campaign continues, eligible voters in Surrey have a clear idea of what they would like to see in order to protect lives and property,” says Mario Canseco, President of Research Co. “Voters across the entire city believe it is time to hire more fire fighters and make additional investments in equipment.”

Almost seven-in-ten eligible voters in Surrey (69%) would prefer for the ratio of firefighters to citizens to increase as the city grows.

Just under four-in-five eligible voters in Surrey (79%) think it is “very important” that the next Mayor supports Surrey Fire Fighters by making the workplace safer and ensuring proper response to emergencies in Surrey.

Methodology:

Results are based on a telephone survey conducted from September 12 to September 16, 2022, among 402 eligible voters in the City of Surrey. The data has been statistically weighted according to Canadian census figures for region in the City of Surrey. The margin of error—which measures sample variability—is +/- 4.9 percentage points, nineteen times out of twenty.

Find our data tables here and download the press release here. 

For more information on this poll, please contact:

Saverio Lattanzio, President, Surrey Fire Fighters’ Association

778.322.6363 [e] sav@iaff1271.org

Mario Canseco, President, Research Co.

778.929.0490 [e] mario.canseco@researchco.ca

 
 
 
 

BC Leaders recognized at IAFF Convention

IAFF leaders from BC recognized for their outstanding service, dedication and leadership.

The IAFF 56th Convention was held in Ottawa, Ontario August 7-12. Over 1700 were in attendance. From BC, 72 delegates representing 30 locals, and 140 members from 50 6th District locals (BC, AB, Sask, Yukon, NorthWest Territories). The 6th district stood in solidarity on the issues at hand. BC had a couple of key individuals who were recognized within the 6th district, Mark Brise Local 913 Kamloops and Jeff Clark Local 323 Burnaby.

Congratulations to both Mark and Jeff, and to all those who were recognized throughout the IAFF who provide leadership and service for their members and community.

District 6 - Mark Brise joins GP Ed Kelly, GST Frank Lima, US Fire Administrator Dr. Lori Moore-Merrell; CAL FIRE Local 2881 President Tim Edwards; Kamloops, BC Local 913 Secretary Mark Brise; Austin, TX Local 975 Vice President Randy Denzer and Boston, MA Local 718 member Scott Wahlen.

Denzer and IAFF Headquarters staff first looked at existing training to see which pieces might be applicable to structural fire fighters responding to the interface. Then, they thought about how to train these fire fighters to effectively operate in the interface using their departments’ existing equipment.
The result was the development of the IAFF Responding to the Interface (RTI) training program. It has since been beta tested and is now available.
Brise is one of the program’s instructors.

“In Canada, we know that fire fighters responding to these fires are not necessarily going to be IAFF members. All Canadian fire fighters need this training,” said Brise. “I spoke with IAFF 6th District Vice President Mike Carter who decided to make the need for this training a federal lobbying issue.”

Lobbying efforts were successful. The Canadian government earmarked $37.9 million of its budget in April 2022 to wildland firefighting response, $600,000 of which will be specifically used for the IAFF RTI training.

See full story here.

More information about IAFF training and wildland fires can be found here.

District 6 – Jeff Clark, Past President of Burnaby Local 323. Unmatched in energy and tenacity, he led a successful fight for cancer presumption, helped elect a friendly mayor, led the creation of new union hall, and brought the World Police and Fire Games to Burnaby, British Columbia.

Outstanding affiliate leaders from across the IAFF were honored on the final day of the 56th Convention in Ottawa, Ontario, as the union presented its Local Leadership Awards.

The ability of the IAFF to defend and improve conditions for fire fighters and paramedics depends on the quality and dedication of thousands of local affiliate leaders. Every two years during Convention, Local Leadership Awards are presented to 16 outstanding affiliate leaders, one from each of the union’s 16 districts in the United States and Canada.

Each Local Leadership Award recipient was recognized on stage and presented with a carved glass award.

See full details here.

 
 

Remembering Assistant Chief Forrest Owens, Central Saanich Fire Department

To all IAFF Affiliates, 

On behalf of Central Saanich L4428, it is with deepest regret and sorrow to report the line-of-duty death of Assistant Chief Forrest Owens, IAFF 6th District Local 4428, Central Saanich, British Columbia. Brother Owens, 64, passed away on July 21, 2022 succumbing to occupational cancer. Forrest Owens was a Charter Member of Central Saanich Local 4428. 

A memorial service will be held on at 1:00 pm on Sunday, August 14, 2022 at Saanich Fairgrounds 1528 Stelly's Cross Road, Saanichton, British Columbia V8M 1S8

  • Procession & Muster Location: Stelly's Secondary School, 1627 Stelly's Cross Road - MAP

  • Parking will be at the muster location. Overflow parking TBD.

  • Muster Time: 11:00am; Procession Start: 12:00pm

  • Service Time: 1:00pm - 1528 Stelly's Cross Road - Saanich Fairgrounds RCMP Building

  • Formal Reception to follow at the Saanich Fairgrounds Main Building

 

Expressions of sympathy or condolences for the Local or the family can be sent to IAFF Local 4428, 1512 Keating Cross Road, Saanichton, BC V8M 1W9.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be sent to 1512 Keating Cross Road, Saanichton, BC V8M 1W9 Canada. Central Saanich Volunteer Firefighters Association is establishing the Forrest Owens Memorial Scholarship. 

Nearby Accommodations: Elk Lake Inn & Suites 

Contacts:

Burn Camp Kick Off Site Notice 2023

Burn Camp Kick Off Site Notice for 2023

Each year Burn Camp Kick Off is generously hosted by an IAFF Local. Burn Camp 2023 will be a particularly special year as it marks the 30th anniversary of camp!

Submit your request to Coordinator Margot Merinsky burncamp@burnfund.org by August 31st, 2022. by August 31st, 2022.

Visit Burn Camp

 
 
 

CTV Vancouver

About Burn Camp - burnfund.org/camp-for-young-burn-survivors/

The Burn Fund hosts young burn survivors for one week of camp each July.  Over one thousand children from across B.C. between the ages of 6 to 18 have attended since 1994. The camp provides young burn survivors with an opportunity to share experiences with their peers.  The Burn Camp Committee works hard for many months planning for an exciting and memorable Burn Camp!  This year’s host for our Burn Camp are the friendly folks at Cheakamus Centre in Paradise Valley.

Campers and their counselors participate in group activities such as swimming, hiking, kayaking, rafting, waterskiing, skit night, and arts & crafts. They also receive valuable one-on-one support from junior counselors – themselves burn survivors – and from their counselors.  Doctors, nurses, medical therapists, adult burn survivors and professional fire fighters donate their time as counselors.

The camp is free for young burn survivors to attend. The cost to the Burn Fund for each camper to attend is approximately $2,900.

Thanks to the support of donors and sponsors, the Burn Fund covers the campers’ travel, accommodation and the cost of coordinating and operating the camp.

 

BCPFFA Support Pipes & Drums Campaign

The Surrey Fire Fighters Pipes & Drums Band (SFFP&D) band is raising funds to rebrand in colours and patterns that give meaning of tartans and to symbolize the IAFF and BCPFFA. On July 17, 2022 BCPFFA representatives presented the SFFP&D band with a $40,000 cheque and a copy of the Special Resolution.

 

Photo by Dave Harcus

 

Earlier this year, the SFFP&D band provided a budget presentation to the BCPFFA executive board to outfit the current members of the Surrey Fire Fighters’ Pipe and Drums Band with a capital campaign. The BCPFFA executive board was supportive and motioned for significant funding towards the campaign. Fifty three BCPFFA Local affiliates voted on a special resolution by referendum vote to support the SFFP&D band where it was successfully adopted. In addition, the BCPFFA supports the band with a 10 cent per capita specifically for the BC Fallen Fire Fighters Memorial travel needs.

Pipe Major Jeff Sim stated, “It’s off the charts… we are overwhelmed at the support of the membership in particular the BCPFFA leadership, the way you have accepted us and promoted our efforts not only now but over the last decade. We will strive to continue our commitment to provide one of the longest standing traditions whenever and where ever possible to our brothers and sisters of the IAFF.”

Piper (& BCPFFA Vice President Emeritus) Tim Baillie goes on to say, “There’s not enough words to thank the BCPFFA for helping us with this campaign. We are here to serve our brothers and sisters, families and communities.”

The SFFPD band is called on often to participate at a variety of events such as Line of Duty Death (LODD) memorials such as BC Fallen Fire Fighters Memorial, parades, and local community events.

President Gord Ditchburn says, “We are appreciative of the SFFP&D band and what they represent by continuing the long-standing tradition of coming together to provide a wonderful service to the families of our fallen at memorials services. They add a special effect as our men and women remember the fallen that I admire very much.”

The band is funded by hosting fundraisers or receiving contributions from organizations including the BCPFFA, Surrey Fire Fighters Local 1271 and many locals who request their services. The funds provide support for uniform, equipment and travel. Locals wishing to contribute funds at their own accord are welcomed to do so on an ongoing basis.

Secretary Treasurer Todd Schierling goes on to say, “Having worked with Pipe Major Jeff Sim on several occasions over the last 15 years on LODD services, community events and BCPFFA Biennial Fallen Fire Fighters Memorial, it has been an honour. We admire the showmanship these fine musicians bring to events attended by our families, members and communities. They are a dedicated group wishing to grow their team by welcoming any member willing to join. We appreciate their succession planning for the future..”

Share video with your members

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Video by Chris Mckee

 

ABOUT THE SFFP&D BAND: The Surrey Fire Fighters Pipes & Drums Band (SFFPD) is a non-profit highland bagpipe and drum band in British Columbia established in 2013 with its own constitution and by-laws. The band performs at joyous and solemn occasions around the province, the country, and North America – these musicians proudly keep firefighter traditions alive. The SFFPD band is (currently) composed of 24 pipers and 8 drummers of both active and retired firefighters from Coquitlam, Burnaby, Surrey, Delta, Vancouver, Richmond and the Township of Langley, including men and women of various ethnic backgrounds including civilians, police and military personnel. The 32 member band welcomes any band member from other BC Locals to join the team.