FIRE CHIEFS’ ASSOCIATION OF BC
Fire Chiefs' Association of BC WHO I AM
FCABC 1st Vice President (current) Direct responsibilities include provincial fire service training, fire service education, firefighter safety and pre-hospital medical care. Fire Chief, City of Pitt Meadows (since 2008) Service for 24 yrs as volunteer FF or career Chief in Pitt Meadows and Langley City Served 21 years as a paramedic (both ALS and BLS) in Metro Vancouver FCABC projects include: FCABC representative on Provincial Medical Leadership Committee and the BCEHS Provincial Executive Council - First Responder Committee Roll-out of the Fire Inspection and Prevention Initiative (FIPI) program with WorksafeBC FCABC lead on new provincial training standard matrix (“Playbook”) Fire Sprinklers, Shipping Container Hazards, Fire Safety at Work (BCIT), LGMA/Chief Orientation, BCIT Report on Fire Fighter Training in BC, and others
FCABC ZONE 3 MEETING MAY 2, 2014 Fire Chiefs' Association of BC 2 WHO WE ARE
“The Fire Chiefs’ Association of British Columbia shall be a source of peer support, information and education to its members and uphold their rights, it shall actively interface with both government and the public on issues relating to the Fire Service within the Province of British Columbia.”
SMOKE ALARMS—THE FIRE SERVICE PERSPECTIVE Fire Chiefs' Association of BC 3 EXECUTIVE BOARD
President Timothy Pley Port Alberni Fire Department
1st Vice President Don Jolley Pitt Meadows Fire Rescue Services
2nd Vice President Phil Lemire White Rock Fire Rescue
Past President Len Garis Surrey Fire Service
Zone 1 Director Tom Bremner Salt Spring Island Fire Rescue
Zone 2 Director Bruce Ferguson Langley Township Fire Department
Zone 3 Director Brad Shirley Salmon Arm Fire Department
Zone 4 Director Simon Grypma Nelson Fire Rescue
Zone 5 Director Darrell Blades 100 Mile House Fire Rescue
Career Director Wayne Williams Penticton Fire Department
Volunteer Director Rob Krause Burns Lake Fire Department
Industrial Director Don Delcourt BC Hydro
Trades Director Lynne Boucher FDM Software
UBCM Director Al Richmond Cariboo Regional District
LGMA Director David Stuart District of North Vancouver
SMOKE ALARMS—THE FIRE SERVICE PERSPECTIVE Fire Chiefs' Association of BC 4 WHAT WE DO
Represent the British Columbia fire service at all levels with government and with the public. Advocate for the fire service, working with government and standards organizations to improve fire protection for citizens and visitors to BC. The FCABC also functions as a unifying force, providing a forum for its members along with mentorship programs and educational forums to ensure they have appropriate training and support for their many roles.
SMOKE ALARMS—THE FIRE SERVICE PERSPECTIVE Fire Chiefs' Association of BC 5 MEMBERSHIP
Active Members – senior officers from Career, Volunteer, and Industrial fire services as well as Regional District fire managers Associate A – Trades: companies who regularly do business with the BC fire service Associate B – other organizations and agencies Retired – former FCABC members who have retired from Active service
SMOKE ALARMS—THE FIRE SERVICE PERSPECTIVE Fire Chiefs' Association of BC 6 ASSOCIATIONS
The FCABC Executive holds memberships in:
Canadian Association of Fire Chiefs NFPA And works in partnership with:
UBCM Professional Firefighters Association of BC LGMA Office of the Fire Commissioner BC Fire Training Officers Association Alberta Fire Chiefs’ Association Fire Prevention Officers of BC BC Ministry of Forests, Lands and Natural Volunteer Firefighters’ Association of BC Resource Operations — Forest Protection Branch FCABC was instrumental in forming the Fire Services Government Liaison Group – where all five fire service Associations met on a regular basis to provide one fire voice to the various Provincial ministries and agencies
SMOKE ALARMS—THE FIRE SERVICE PERSPECTIVE Fire Chiefs' Association of BC 7 WORKING SMOKE ALARM MOVEMENT BACKGROUND
Recent research revealed almost 70% of smoke alarms present in house fires in BC from 2006-2011 were not functioning Research predicts that a working smoke alarm could reduce deaths by 32% The most vulnerable populations –children, elderly, and First Nations – face the highest risk of dying in a residential fire. It is estimated that 10 lives would be saved each year in BC if every home had a working smoke alarm. Over 9500 alarms provided in more than 55 communities
SMOKE ALARMS—THE FIRE SERVICE PERSPECTIVE Fire Chiefs' Association of BC 8 WORKING SMOKE ALARM MOVEMENT EDUCATIONAL MATERIAL
Signage on two 51’ semi-trailers (both sides) which are used to deliver freight up and down Vancouver Island.
Fire Chiefs' Association of BC 9 WORKING SMOKE ALARM MOVEMENT EDUCATIONAL MATERIAL
Public Safety Announcement Video
SMOKE ALARMS—THE FIRE SERVICE PERSPECTIVE Fire Chiefs' Association of BC 10 WORKING SMOKE ALARM MOVEMENT PARTICIPATING DEPARTMENTS
100 Mile House Fire-Rescue CSRD Fire Services Kamloops Fire Rescue
Abbotsford Fire Rescue Service Cumberland Fire Rescue Kelowna Fire Department Agassiz Fire Rescue Dashwood Fire Department Kitimat Fire/Ambulance
Ashcroft Volunteer Fire Department Dawson Creek Fire Ladysmith Fire Rescue
Bowen Island Fire & Rescue Elkford Fire Rescue Langford Fire Rescue Cache Creek Fire Department Forest Grove Langley City Fire Rescue
Central Saanich Fire Department Fort St. John Fire Rescue Mayne Island Fire Rescue
Chilliwack River Valley Volunteer Fire Fraser Lake Fire Rescue Mission Fire / Rescue Department gitwinksihlkw Volunteer Fire Nakusp & District Vol. Fire Dept. City of Campbell River Fire Department Department Nelson Fire & Rescue Golden Fire Rescue Colwood Fire Department Nelson Fire Rescue Grand Forks Fire/Rescue Comox Fire Rescue New Afton Fire & Mine Rescue Hemlock Valley Fire Dept Courtenay Fire Departmant Oak Bay Fire Department Hope Fire Department Creston Fire Oyster River Fire Rescue Hornby Island Fire Rescue
SMOKE ALARMS—THE FIRE SERVICE PERSPECTIVE Fire Chiefs' Association of BC 11
WORKING SMOKE ALARM MOVEMENT PARTICIPATING DEPARTMENTS
Parksville Fire Department Surrey Fire Services
Peachland Fire/Rescue Taylor Fire & Rescue Pender Island Fire Rescue Thetis Island Vol. Fire Dept.
Penticton Fire Department Township of Langley Fire Department
Pitt Meadows Fire Rescue Tumbler Ridge Fire Department Powell River Fire Rescue Union Bay Fire Rescue
Saanich Fire Department Vancouver Fire & Rescue Services
Salmon Arm Vernon Fire Rescue Services Salt Spring Island Fire /Rescue Victoria Fire Department
Sechelt Fire Department West Kelowna Fire Rescue
Sicamous Fire Dept. White Rock Fire Rescue Sidney Fire Department
Sparwood Fire Department
SMOKE ALARMS—THE FIRE SERVICE PERSPECTIVE Fire Chiefs' Association of BC 12
SMOKE ALARMS BACKGROUND
One unit is mandatory in all buildings constructed since 1979 Minimum requirement of one working smoke alarm per floor Recommended outside sleeping areas and at top of stairways BCBC 2012 requires smoke alarms in every sleeping room Required to be hardwired and interconnected Battery operated units only allowed for retro-fits and as ancillary units beyond the minimum required Many local jurisdictions require all units to be interconnected in cases of residential suites by Bylaw (may be wireless)
SMOKE ALARMS—THE FIRE SERVICE PERSPECTIVE Fire Chiefs' Association of BC 13 SMOKE ALARM “RULES”
Test every smoke alarm monthly (even if interconnected) Replace battery at least annually, or when it “chirps” Clean regularly and vacuum gently (every 6 months maximum) Replace all smoke alarms after 10 years from manufacture date Replace affected smoke alarms after any significant exposure to moderate or greater levels of smoke or heat. Replace any damaged smoke alarm immediately Mount following manufacturers instructions Don’t mount near windows, doors or air duct vents SMOKE ALARMS—THE FIRE SERVICE PERSPECTIVE Fire Chiefs' Association of BC 14 SMOKE ALARMS (BC) / SMOKE DETECTOR (USA)
Interchangeable terminology due to US influence Ionization Smoke Alarm Photoelectric (Optical) Smoke Alarm Dual Technology / Dual Sensor Smoke Alarms Combination units (Smoke Alarm / CO Detector) All types must pass identical performance standards (UL/ULC) Hard-wired/ battery powered/ both/ interconnected Many new advanced technologies such as “Hush” feature and NEST SMOKE ALARMS—THE FIRE SERVICE PERSPECTIVE Fire Chiefs' Association of BC 15 SMOKE ALARMS – PHOTO ELECTRIC
Uses a Light Emitting Diode (LED) and a light sensitive sensor in a sensing chamber Smoke particles in the chamber scatters the light beam and sets off the alarm Best response to slow smouldering fires and are less prone to nuisance alarms and deactivation Best suited for living rooms, bedrooms and near kitchens
SMOKE ALARMS—THE FIRE SERVICE PERSPECTIVE Fire Chiefs' Association of BC 16 SMOKE ALARMS – IONIZATION
Uses a small amount of radioactive material to ionize the air in a sensing chamber, permitting conductivity Smoke in the chamber decreases this conductivity. When the conductivity level is reduced to a set level, the alarm goes off Best response to fast flaming fires. Poor response for smoldering fires. Not fully endorsed by some experts Best for areas with highly combustible materials
SMOKE ALARMS—THE FIRE SERVICE PERSPECTIVE Fire Chiefs' Association of BC 17 SMOKE ALARMS – NEST
New wireless technology product that is a dual sensor alarm using photoelectric and CO Can be wirelessly connected with compatible thermostats Can connect wirelessly to mobile devises for alerting and supervision Easy temporary deactivation and control features Recent issue with NEST-Wave feature (recall)
SMOKE ALARMS—THE FIRE SERVICE PERSPECTIVE Fire Chiefs' Association of BC 18 INDIVIDUALS WITH CHALLENGES
Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing High intensity strobe lights and bed/pillow shakers Loud, mixed low-pitched sound accessory
Home fire sprinkler installation for the infirm or physically challenged
SMOKE ALARMS—THE FIRE SERVICE PERSPECTIVE Fire Chiefs' Association of BC 19 HIGH FIRE CAUSE AREAS
Faulty Wiring Kitchens and bathroom wiring should include ground fault interrupters Bedrooms should be wired with arc fault circuit interrupters Overloaded Circuits Always be aware of the power load of all the appliances hooked up to one circuit, and never exceed the capacity Kitchen Fast-flaming fires. Often grease laden. Ensure extinguisher present Sleeping /Recreation Areas Slow, smoldering fires. Cigarettes and candles
SMOKE ALARMS—THE FIRE SERVICE PERSPECTIVE Fire Chiefs' Association of BC 20 FIRE PATH TRAVEL
Range Hoods If not sealed properly can extend fire dramatically Interconnected flood conduit, pipe and wiring Travel between floors is invisible until exposure or collapse Not always installed or sealed properly Balconies Fire travels up exterior wall to roof soffit unimpeded Extends to attic space and travels quickly across building
SMOKE ALARMS—THE FIRE SERVICE PERSPECTIVE Fire Chiefs' Association of BC 21 CARBON MONOXIDE (CO)
Carbon Monoxide – colorless, odourless, tasteless and invisible - the ‘silent killer” 500 deaths annually from CO poisoning in USA Fuel burning appliances very common in BC Vehicles and balcony BBQ’s are special concern Harmful to humans in either long-duration low dose, or short-duration high dose situations. Symptoms are typical of general illness and gradual
SMOKE ALARMS—THE FIRE SERVICE PERSPECTIVE Fire Chiefs' Association of BC 22 CO DETECTORS
One detector on each floor level is recommended Avoid areas with air exchange, combustion or sunlight Mount approximately 5 ft (1.5 m) from floor Test weekly and clean/vacuum monthly Many models available - battery, plug-in, hard-wired Detect via chemical or electrochemical reaction, or semiconductor electrical resistance sensor Replace CO Alarms at maximum every 5 years SMOKE ALARMS—THE FIRE SERVICE PERSPECTIVE Fire Chiefs' Association of BC 23 RESIDENTIAL SPRINKLERS
Interior design is unobtrusive, and system uses domestic water supply or dedicated storage reservoir Don’t activate spontaneously. Very effective and economical Reduce damage amount due to fire and smoke through early confinement or extinguishment Improve exit times for occupants and protect exit pathways Future discussions to begin again soon regarding local ability to influence fire sprinkler requirements as part of jurisdictions overall fire protection system
SMOKE ALARMS—THE FIRE SERVICE PERSPECTIVE Fire Chiefs' Association of BC 24 GROW-OPS
Alterations to structural integrity poses a collapse hazard Electrical service overload or bypass creates safety hazard Often remains insidiously after “clean-up” (weak wires) Ventilation is compromised, eliminated or altered from design Mold/mildew occur as a result Commercial remediation certificate Real Estate agents required to disclose IF THEY KNOW!
SMOKE ALARMS—THE FIRE SERVICE PERSPECTIVE Fire Chiefs' Association of BC 25 INFORMATION
http://www.nfpa.org/smokealarms http://www.embc.gov.bc.ca/ofc/public- ed/index.htm http://www.fpoa.bc.ca/
SMOKE ALARMS—THE FIRE SERVICE PERSPECTIVE Fire Chiefs' Association of BC 26 SUMMARY
FCABC serving diverse membership who in turn serve diverse communities FCABC Board made up of fire service leaders from across province FCABC routinely makes a conscious effort to serve the needs of all FCABC success dependent upon engagement of members, and support from members Partners in our overall fire protection mandate for the Province of BC with the Office of the Fire Commissioner of BC, the BC Fire Training Officers Association (BCFTOA), and the Fire Prevention Officers of BC (FPOABC).
SMOKE ALARMS—THE FIRE SERVICE PERSPECTIVE Fire Chiefs' Association of BC 27