ResponderTHE FIRE CHIEFS ASSOCIATION February 2014

The Bell Still Tolls A Million Times Better Than You and Me! ’s Ken Block— Canada’s Fire Chief of the Year February 2014 | 1 2 | The Responder

ResponderTHE ALBERTA FIRE CHIEFS ASSOCIATION CONTENTS

5 From the Publisher The Responder is the official publication of the Alberta Fire Chiefs Association. The magazine is 6 Message from Trent R. West, Fire published twice a year. Commissioner of Alberta

The publication is distributed free of charge to 7 New STARS Helicopter for Southern emergency services personnel throughout Alberta, Alberta Manitoba, Saskatchewan and British Columbia. In addition, The Responder is distributed to urban 7 90 Years Old and Still on Duty and rural municipalities, Members of the Legislative Assembly of Alberta and other organizations with 8 The Bell Still Tolls an interest in fire and related emergency services. 12 How Did 1,000 Animals Die in One Publication Mail Agreement: 40065432 Spot? Return undeliverable Canadian addresses to: A Million Times Better Than You and Me! Rose Country Advertising & Public Relations 14 11904 -113 Avenue Recognition for Outstanding Edmonton, Alberta 16 Contribution Canada T5G 3C2 You’re Invited Phone: 1.800.661.4278 18 Fax: 780.452.2890 County of Regional Fire Email: [email protected] 20 Service Set to Meet Demand in an Expansive Region Publisher/Editor Brian Stecyk The Colour of the Badge Doesn’t Matter [email protected] 24

Advertising Sales 26 Edmonton’s Ken Block —Canada’s Fire Kelley Johnston Chief of the Year [email protected] 29 What You Don’t Know About CO Can Creative Director Kill You Margaret Horton [email protected] 30 Hundreds of Reasons to Visit Grande Prairie Copyright 2014, RC and AFCA. All rights reserved. The contents of this publication may not be 34 Is PINK the Answer? reproduced by any means in whole or in part without the expressed written consent of the Cover Photo: Fire fighter Brendan Braes is a Paid-on-Call Fire publisher or the Alberta Fire Chiefs Association. fighter who has worked with the County of Grande Prairie since 2011. That followed six years as a volunteer fire fighter with the Town of Sexsmith. February 2014 | 3 rates to municipalities has been completed and new rates will be announced soon.

Recruitment and retention is still a priority and plans are underway for additional activity this year. We will be helped along with some corporate sponsorship for our initiatives.

A highlight of 2013 was extending congratulations on your behalf to Daniel Kootenay, Fire and Safety Advisor of the Yellowhead Tribal Council and Fire Chief Oscar Cotton Dear Friends, of the Blood Tribe on their receipt of the Queen’s Golden Jubilee Medal. It has been busy since our convention. We have been working hard to ensure the interests of the AFCA are I extent hearty thanks to Chief Dan Lemieux of Grande heard by governments at all levels. Prairie and Chief Everett Cooke for the hard work they are doing in making arrangements for the 2014 conference This last fall I participated in the Alberta First Nations in Grande Prairie. They are developing a unique and Technical Advisory Group Conference; the Alberta interesting program. I encourage all of you to attend to Association of Municipal Districts and Counties take in the conference and take in the experience of the Conference; and the Alberta Urban Municipalities South Peace country. I guarantee you will enjoy it. Conference; the Alberta Emergency Management Summit and a meeting with former municipals affairs Minister Bill Purdy Doug Griffiths. I also attended regional meetings in Cold Executive Director, AFCA Lake and Red Deer. Deputy Chief Wabamun Fire Department Progress on the 2013 conference resolutions has been steady. The resolution related to Alberta Transportation

4 | The Responder From the Publisher

I recently travelled One thing you will learn about is dinosaurs. Did you to Grande Prairie know that one of the largest ever fossilized dinosaur to meet with the bonebeds was discovered on Pipestone Creek near organizers of Wembley? If you are a golfer you will enjoy the annual the 2014 AFCA golf tournament at the Grande Prairie Golf and Country Convention. Chief Club—I certainly will. Everett Cooke and Chief Dan Lemieux I look forward to seeing many of you again in Grande are working hard Prairie next June. to ensure this year’s convention is one of the best ever. Brian Stecyk Their intent is to provide a venue The next issue of The Responder for education will be distributed at the AFCA and discussion while at the same time to give you Conference. Be sure to contact us an opportunity to experience the Peace Country. A early if you wish to be part of it. person in Red Deer last June commented about Grande Prairie as being “too far to go.” What he fails to recognize is that it is the same distance from as it is to Grande Prairie and fire fighters from the north always attend the convention when it is held in Red Deer or Edmonton.

This issue will introduce you to some of the character and things you may experience during your visit next spring. You will be amazed by the modern City of Grande Prairie and the beauty and industry in the surrounding County of Grande Prairie and MD of Greenview. Hopefully, you will extend your visit and see The Honey Capital of Canada, Falher, where 40 per cent of Canada’s honey is produced; Beaverlodge with its giant beaver; the gravesite of Twelve Foot Davis in ; the beauty of the Blueberry Mountain area west of Rycroft and Spirit River, or the lakes and forests near High Level. There is something for everyone. You won’t regret taking the time to explore it.

February 2014 | 5 Message from Trent R. West, Fire Commissioner of Alberta

I’d like to welcome of Albertans. Effective collaboration of the public safety everyone to the system through the support of municipal leaders and first Alberta Fire Chiefs response organizations was clearly demonstrated during Association annual last year’s emergency responses and disastrous floods conference. This year’s and is the future of progressive change. theme “Collaborating for Progressive Change” Your communities are very fortunate to have the is an excellent reminder continued support and commitment of councils and of the success of the emergency response organizations to their public safety. past and the goals of our future. I look forward to working with the association and other Ministries and agencies in this collaborative system. All Your organizations the very best. have a proud history steeped in tradition and those ways support local issues and the local work effectively. It is Trent R. West important to evolve and develop collaborative systems Alberta Fire Commissioner needed to ensure excellence in response to the safety

Proudly supporting the fire services of Whitecourt-Ste. Anne Alberta Beach Gunn Sangudo Alexis Nakota Lac Ste. Anne Sunset Point Sioux Nation County Whitecourt Blue Ridge Mayerthorpe Wildwood Cherhill Niton Junction Woodlands Darwell Onoway County Entwistle Parkland County Yellowhead Evansburg Peers County Fallis Rich Valley Gainford Rochfort Bridge 227 Legislature Building 10800 - 97 Avenue Edmonton, AB T5K 2B6 Phone: 780-415-9550 Fax: 780-415-9411 [email protected]

Box 3618 4811 Crockett Street FDM Records Management Mayerthorpe, AB T0E 1N0 for Fire and EMS Phone: 780-786-1997 Fax: 780-786-1995 Fast, accurate and easy to use. Toll-Free: 1-800-786-7136 comprehensive modules, from incidents to [email protected] training to reporting and bi. George VanderBurg, MLA Whitecourt-Ste. Anne Constituency cad | rmS | buSineSS intelligence vanderburg.mypcmla.ca Sign up for the eNewsletter fdmsoft.com 800.986.9941

6 | The Responder New STARS Helicopter for Southern Alberta

Thanks to a successful fundraising campaign a new in Edmonton. The helicopters will enhance access to $16 million STARS helicopter is now providing services emergency pre-hospital critical care through more rapid from its Calgary base. response, an expanded service area, a larger medical interior, powerful lift capacity, and a de-icing system that The helicopter is the second of two new donor-funded will enable flight during adverse weather conditions. AW139s with the first being unveiled last December 90 Years Old and Still on Duty In the 2012 Spring/Summer issue of The Gazette, (now The Responder), an article highlighted the career of Canada’s longest serving fire fighter—Walter Thomas. It is now 66 years since he joined the Fort Saskatchewan Fire Department and he is still a member, serving as department historian.

He received a special honour earlier this year with the opening of the Walter Thomas Fire Hall. Friends, relatives, dignitaries, fellow fire fighters and especially his great grandson joined in the unveiling. Congratulations Three generations of fire fighters—Walter Thomas; Grandson, Kristopher Liber; and Great- Walter! Grandson, Ethan Liber. February 2014 | 7 TheBell still

TollsBy Brian Stecyk This is a state of the art emergency“ “ response dispatch centre.

Grande Prairie covers 40 per cent of it from Fox Creek in the south to the NWT in the north and from the Town of Slave Lake in the east to the BC border in the west. Imagine taking care of an area of 284,595 sq. kilometres.

Chief Dan Lemieux The dispatch centre handles every 911 call for this vast Do you live in southern Alberta? area. RCMP calls are relayed to Edmonton, EMS to Peace River and the Grande Prairie Centre dispatches 65 You do if you live south of a line that would pass through fire departments. The main call centre is located in the Whitecourt, just north of Fort Assiniboine and Bonnyville. Pete Eager Fire Station in Grande Prairie but to ensure We often think that Red Deer is the centre of Alberta but uninterrupted and redundant service a standalone back-up it’s not. Red Deer is about 333 km from the USA border centre is located at the new Westgate Fire Station. and about 889 km from the NWT border. “This is a state of the art emergency response dispatch Why is this important? Alberta is a huge province and centre,” says City of Grande Prairie Fire Chief Dan Lemieux. the emergency dispatch services operated by the City of “We are proud of our staff (16 of them)—it is a big and

8 | The Responder The 1920 City of Grande Prairie ‘state-of-the-art’ fire hall and fire fighters. Courtesy of South Peace Regional Archives.

important job and they do it very well. Our dispatch team received national recognition in 2012 for the outstanding dispatch service they provided during the Slave Lake fires in 2011.”

Chief Lemieux has been with the fire service for 11 years— seven of those as fire chief. “My first career was human resources. The people skills I learned in that job have helped me immensely in my fire chief role. It is all about dealing with people and I know that the more respect we show for each of our members the better we work as a successful team.”

“We have a career fire department with 85 union members. We are not fully integrated but we offer medical Keeping fire fighters fit by providing the best training facilities co-response in partnership with Alberta Health Services,” is important. Fire fighter Chris Storeshaw, GPFD member since adds Chief Lemieux. 2007 is a regular in the gym.

February 2014 | 9 a bell that would alert the volunteer fire fighters of a fire. When a new fire siren was installed in 1939 it was decided that the bell was no longer needed so it became a church bell donated to the Wanham Presbyterian Church. In 1970 the church closed and the bell was returned to Grande Prairie. Apparently the church later tried to get the fire bell back but the City recognizing its historic value kept it. The actual bell and a replica of the original bell tower are now the focal point of the Pete Eager Fire Station. The bell still tolls for special occasions such as the annual Fire Fighter Memorial held on September 11th each year.”

Things have change a great deal from those early days. The Westgate Fire Station located on the western edge of the Now there are three fire stations in the City of Grande City of Grande Prairie is the newest fire hall in the city. Photo: Janice Kretzer-Prysunka www.JKPimages.com Prairie. The main location is the Pete Eager Station, then there is the Salmond Fire Station on the north end of the The first fire services in the Village of Grande Prairie were City and the new Westgate Fire Station. organized in 1918 four years after the municipality was created. In 1957, Pete Eager a volunteer fire fighter was “Our staff complement includes 68 who work in fire named the first full-time paid fire chief. suppression, four in fire prevention plus the 16 in dispatch. They have a big job because of the rapid growth of the Chief Lemieux recalls the story of the fire bell. “In the early City of Grande Prairie. The city population is now about days (1917 to 1939) the fire station was equipped with 60,000, a 27 per cent increase from just seven years ago

10 | The Responder Having the best equipment for fire training is essential. Training for emergency response in tower situations is an important component of urban fire response. and a market area population of 250,000. There are lots angle rescue and confined space rescue. of people and a great deal of economic development and growth that we have to be able to provide emergency “This works well for us,” says Chief Lemieux. “By having services for,” says Lemieux. specially trained fire fighters at these stations we are able to respond effectively to situations most likely to occur near The fire department conducts most of their own training those halls. It is a real asset for the City of Grande Prairie.” programs with each facility dedicated to specialized training. Water and ice rescue is a focus at the Pete Eager “I hope fire fighters and fire officers coming to Grande Station and every fire fighter at that location is a water and Prairie this spring will take the time to visit our facilities. ice technician. Although there isn’t a large amount of water We will be arranging tours for those that are interested,” in the city there is a significant need for technical rescue concluded Lemieux. expertise on the regional river systems. The team was called in to assist the Grovedale Fire Department with a rescue on the early last year.

Hazmat training is the focus at the Salmond Fire Station. Fire fighters based at that station are hazmat technicians and receive extensive training with hazardous materials and rescue in those situations.

The new Westgate Fire Station has specialized training structures for technical rescue such as trench rescue, high

Since 2010, Dispatcher Geraldine Chubbs, GPFD member, has enjoyed her job in the call centre. February 2014 | 11 How did 1,000 Animals Die in One Spot? The Philip J. Currie Museum was named one of the top ten By Brian Stecyk architectural designs in the world to watch by Azure Magazine.

There are theories but no one knows for sure. Some Prairie may have some answers of their own if they take say a flash flood on a swollen creek led to the drowning the opportunity to visit one of the world’s largest and while some say the deaths arose from a stampede as most important paleontological sites. the animals tried to escape from predators. It’s difficult to find the answer because it happened 73 million years Pipestone Creek is a tributary of the Wapiti River in ago along Pipestone Creek, Alberta. Delegates to the northwestern Alberta. It was a herd of Pachyrhinosaurus Alberta Fire Chiefs Association Conference in Grande that perished those millions of years ago. The death site was discovered in 1973 when a Grande Prairie school teacher, Al Lakusta, found a large number of fossilized

Smith Brownlee & Associates Inc. bones along Pipestone Creek. They were identified Providing Successful Solutions by noted paleontologist Dr. Philip Currie but not immediately. It took numerous excavations during the SmithThe Smith Brownlee Brownlee & Associates & Associates Inc. Inc. consulting consulting team team has has extensive extensive 1980s with a lot of follow up study and analysis. Finally experienceexperience assisting public safety agencies,agencies, providing providing services: services: in 2008 the never before discovered horned dinosaur • Researching, Costing, Procurement and Implementation of Technology  Researching, Costing, Procurement & Implementation of Technology was named Pachyrhinosaurus lakustai in honour of its • Application Management and Business Analysis  Application Management and Business Analysis • Project and Change Management discoverer.  Project and Change Management • Business Intelligence - Call us for a demo of our Queryosity© tool  Business Intelligence - Call us for a demo of our Queryosity© tool We apply our experience to help your organization with The find is enormous. The bonebed is approximately We apply our expertise to help your organization with its business strategyits business and strategy processes and to processesdeliver significant to deliver, sustainable significant, results . 30 metres wide and 100 metres long and contains the sustainable results. CONTACT US CONTACT bones of approximately 1,000 dinosaurs. Excavation of To learn more... Phone: To Learn more...phone: (250) 338 - 1944(250)338.1944 the first two metres resulted in 6,000 to 7,000 bones. Contact Usemail: [email protected]: One of the key elements of the find is that the bones are visit: www.smithbrownlee.comwww.smithbrownlee.com from both adults and juveniles indicating that the young travelled in herds with their parents. 12 | The Responder An adult Pachyrhinosaurus was a large animal—about eight metres long and weighing over four tonnes. The size of these animals testifies to the vast amount of plant matter that must have been available as a food supply.

To celebrate and tell more of the Pachyrhinosaurus lakustai story the River of Death Discovery Museum Society was formed in 2010. The society is determined to create a museum with their dream about to be realized. They faced quite a challenge—$34 million. Thanks to their amazing fundraising efforts, the support of the entire community and the various levels of government they have raised $28 million to date. The Philip J. Currie Museum is being built in Wembley, about 20 km west of Grande Prairie—the closest community to the bonebed. It’s a multi-phase project.

Phase one, completed in 2011, involved developing Famous Canadian actor access to the bonebed. Now students, paleontologists “and comedian Dan Aykroyd and the public have easy access to the actual bonebed site. Phase two: Teeple Architects of Toronto were and a variety of his celebrity retained to create a new concept and design for friends visited the bonebed and the museum. Design was followed by tendering and construction—now underway led by PCL with spent two days working with completion anticipated in October 2014—phase three. Dr. Philip Currie—uncovering“ Phase four is the determination of what story should be told. A firm specializing in natural history exhibits and bones and then taking the story architecture Reich & Petch of Toronto undertook the task to the world. and delivered a plan in 2011. The final process will be completing the story and creating the displays.

Famous Canadian actor and comedian Dan Aykroyd and a variety of his celebrity friends visited the bonebed and spent two days working with Dr. Philip Currie— uncovering bones and then taking the story to the world. Thanks to Dan’s efforts, one episode of Born to Explore Training, Equipment & Services plus stories in countless newspapers and media outlets is n estimated to have carried the Pipestone Creek dinosaur our Operatio al Range story to over 20 million people. Expand Y Ice Rescue Since the discovery along the River of Death many Technician Training other dinosaur species have been discovered in the Peace Respond to incidents on River County. You can learn a lot more if you visit frozen lakes and rivers. www.curriemuseum.ca

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February 2014 | 13 A Million Times Better Than You or Me! By Brian Stecyk

Think of the last pizza you ordered— did it smell good? Could you smell each of the individual ingredients? Could you still identify the odor several days, months, or years later?

Java and Milo could tell the difference and on top of it they could be one of the greatest assets you could ever have as an emergency responder. Java and Milo are specially trained search and rescue dogs. You may recall seeing or meeting them at the AFCA trade show last spring.

Marijke Barnson of Strathmore is proud of her dog Java. “He’s a Dutch Shepherd being trained as a cadaver dog. To be effective, training has to be fun for the dog—it has to be a game. At three months Java knew that if he found the odor he would get to play with the toy,” she says.

Java, now two years old is being further trained to locate drowning victims. A popular misconception is that dogs cannot smell anything located in water.

I urge people to learn more about That is not the case and throughout the

“ the incredible abilities of these world dogs are used to find drowning victims. After death a body begins to emit working dogs. I promise that “ gases as it decomposes. These gases rise you will be both impressed and to the surface where trained cadaver dogs can identify the scent. A search effort on amazed at what they can do. Priest Lake Idaho demonstrated the power of search dogs. Following a drowning a sonar scan identified an object in 347 feet of water. A search dog was brought to the scene to see if human remains could be detected. The dog alerted strongly at the location. Winds made diving impossible so a Remote Operated Underwater Vehicle 14 | The Responder You or Me!

“Making training fun for the dog is key Part of training involves hiding miniscule amounts of Amazingly these dogs work to find to success,” says Marijke Barnson of scented material in random boxes. Java alerts to the cadavers under hundreds of feet of water. Strathmore. box with the scent just as he would in an actual search.

was used. Indeed a body was located but not the victim Where does that amazing sense of smell come from? Dogs they were looking for. It appeared the found body had not only have about 125 to 300 million scent receptors been underwater for 15 to 20 years. compared to a human’s five million, they also have a well-developed Jacobsen organ in their mouth. This organ Grant Wright of Calgary, a 30-year dog trainer, works has special receptors that provide scent information to the with Milo a yellow Lab trained to respond to both live dog’s brain as air is drawn across it. You may see a dog and cadaver profiles. “We train for a variety of purposes. breathing differently when it is searching for an odor—they These dogs find lost people, evidence at crime scenes, are drawing air back and forth over the Jacobson organ. and decomposing bodies. The dogs are certified to locate evidence as small as a button or shell casing to very large Cadaver dogs have such tremendous capabilities that they items. Some are trained to bark while cadaver dogs sit at can identify scent from gravesites. Ann Christiansen of the location where the odor is strongest. These dogs don’t Idaho and her cadaver dogs Rocco and Kessa were asked to need an article of clothing—they are trained to respond to locate gravesites of Civil War victims in West Virginia—they human scent and once they are locked-on they will stay on did. After that exercise they located remains of slaves that the scent. It is remarkable to see a search and rescue dog at had been buried in the early 1800s and closer to home, work.” Since the last AFCA conference both Grant and Milo they have located numerous burial sites along the Oregon have retired from active search and rescue. Trail—also from deaths that occurred in the 1800s.

“I really miss Grant. We trained together for seven years “I urge people to learn more about the incredible abilities and I learned a lot from his experience and dedication to of these working dogs. I promise that you will be both training dogs for search and rescue,” adds Marijke. impressed and amazed at what they can do,” concludes Marijke. Preferably training begins when a dog is eight to 10 weeks of age and continues for the rest of their active lives. Once (Special thanks to Marijke Barnson for her extensive help a dog team is certified, they are available as a search and with this article. If you would like to learn more she can be rescue resource. Marijke and Java certify annually to the contacted by email at: [email protected]) North American Police Work Dog Association (NAPWDA) cadaver standards. This is to ensure their team is trained and certified to the highest industry standard. The test includes obedience, wilderness area search (with an elevated hide), building search (with an elevated hide), vehicle search, rubble search, buried search and water search. Generally testing takes three to four days. In addition to normal SAR training, NAPWDA teams require the following courses prior to testing: Crime Scene Preservation, HAZMAT Awareness, Blood Borne Pathogens, and five ICS courses.

February 2014 | 15 Recognition for Outstanding Contribution By Brian Stecyk

Left to right starting at the tail end of the truck! Fire Chief Barry Johnson, Muskwachees FD; Fire Chief Glen Giroux, Driftpile First Nation FD; Fire Chief Allan Koski, Sucker Creek First Nation FD; Fire Chief Glenn Horseman, Horse Lake First Nation FD; Fire Chief Wesley Stamp, Enoch Cree Nation FD; Fire Captain Trevor Bigstone, Bigstone Cree Nation FD; Medal Recipient Oscar Cotton, Blood Tribe EMS; Medal Recipient Daniel Kootenay, Alexis First Nation; Leon Smallboy, Fire Safety Coordinator First Nations (Alberta) Technical Advisory Group; Bill Purdy, Executive Director AFCA; Fire Chief Albert Gladue, Bigstone Cree Nation FD; Fire Chief Gabriel Meneen, Tall Cree First Nation FD; and Fire Chief Floyd Provost, Piikani Nation FD.

In September at the Aboriginal fire officers meeting Alexander First Nation, Enoch Cree Nation, Sunchild First in Enoch, two very special awards were presented. Oscar Nation and O’Chiese First Nation. Cotton and Daniel Kootenay were presented with the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee Medal for their contribution Daniel is a member of the Alberta Fire Chiefs Association to fire fighting and emergency response. These awards and has successfully completed fire fighter I, II and III resulted from nominations sent through the Aboriginal Fire training. Many duties of Daniel consist of planning and Fighters Association of Canada. conducting training in structural fire fighting to the five First Nations member fire fighting brigades. He also works For 25 years Daniel Kootenay of Alexis has dedicated with youth in fire prevention, as well as staff on all the five himself to providing fire and safety services to members of Aboriginal-operated schools. Daniel provides training in the Yellowhead Tribal Council: Alexis Nakota Sioux Nation, the use of operation, restoration and maintenance of fire apparatus, equipment systems and facilities. He plans and conducts fire inspections on schools, buildings, and homes and sometimes will be called to a scene in the middle of the night. His passion is in conducting fire prevention programs and advising about corrections of hazardous conditions.

Daniel is a ‘family’ man and enjoys his children and grandchildren, when he stays on weekends and whenever possible at his trap line/cabin near Lodgepole, Alberta. He is an avid hunter, fisherman and trapper all year round and shares his catches with his family and elders in the community. Daniel is well known in the communities and

16 | The Responder Oscar then started training to become an EMT which he did in the late 1980s and later acquired his paramedic Oscar’s Reserve is unique as it certification. Oscar is just one of less than a handful First

“ is the largest in Canada— Nations people in Alberta that have this diploma. imagine having to travel Oscar’s reserve is unique as it is the largest in Canada— “ imagine having to travel anywhere of up to an hour to anywhere of up to an hour to respond to a fire or EMS call. It is 550 square miles and respond to a fire reaches the United States border! or EMS call. Besides his passion for fastball and slowpitch which he has retired from...oh and fast cars, Oscar has taken up a new sport in billiards. His love of the game has taken him to Recognition for Outstanding Las Vegas many times to compete and he is also a referee his kind and generous heart goes out to all his friends and during the VNEA tournaments. He is a loving father of relatives. Contribution three ladies and enjoys his granddaughter. By Brian Stecyk Oscar Cotton, fire chief and paramedic, is a Blackfoot from As with most fire chiefs, Oscar has many challenges in the the southern Alberta Treaty 7 Territory, Blood Tribe. Oscar services his fire fighters provide and he does his best to began his career as a fire fighter with the Tribe in 1982. The meet the demands of the job. Tribe recognized that there was a need for an ambulance and fire service and thus began the Blood Tribe Emergency Services in 1977.

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February 2014 | 17 You’re Invited

Evergreen Park—Site of Opening Ceremonies, Trade Show and Keynote Speaker — Bobby Halton

AFCA 2014 Annual Conference, June 7-12, 2014 The Fire fighters of Northwestern Alberta invite you to attend the AFCA Conference. Your hosts, City of Grande Prairie Chief Dan Lemieux and County of Grande Prairie Chief Everett Cooke and their colleagues in the Peace Country have prepared a special program that will inspire, entertain and inform.

Location: Evergreen Park and Pomeroy Hotel & Conference Centre

Pre-Conference Operation LiFTT (Live Fire Training Tour) June 6 to 7, 2014

Two days of intensive live fire training will be provided with the help of Dräeger Safety Canada Ltd. and 20 qualified instructors. Don’t miss it—limited number of participants can be accommodated.

Golf Tournament Saturday, June 7, 2014 12:00 Noon There’s lots of fun and lots of prizes at the annual AFCA golf tournament. You don’t have to be a great golfer to enjoy this event at the Grande Prairie Golf & Country Club. Only 100 participants—register early Friends, trees, water, sand and sunshine—what more could a golfer wish for?

Leadership Learning Session Western BBQ Sunday, June 8, 2014, 8:00 a.m. – 3 p.m. Monday, June 9, 2014, 6:00 p.m.

Instructor Symposium Business Sessions Sunday, June 8, 2014, 9:00 a.m. – 3 p.m. Tuesday, June 10, 2014, 7:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. and Wednesday, June 11, 2014, 7:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. Opening Ceremonies Pomeroy Hotel & Conference Centre Sunday, June 8, 2014, 4:00 p.m. Formal Banquet Tuesday, June 10, 2014, 6:00 p.m. Wine & Cheese and Trade Show Sunday, June 8, 5:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m. and Register Online Now! Monday, June 9, 8:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m., 2014. www.afca.ab.ca 18 | The Responder Trade Demos Intensive Training Monday, June 9 8:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.

Interior: with real Flash over: learn fire flames, extreme heat, behavior in a controlled high humidity, severely safe environment. restricted visibility and thick smoke.

Photo courtesy of Dave Stewardson.

Propane ignited car fire and propane tank BBQ: realistic fire simulation.

Western BBQ Monday, June 9, 2014, 6:00 p.m. Business Sessions Tuesday, June 10, 2014, 7:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. and Wednesday, June 11, 2014, 7:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. Pomeroy Hotel & Conference Centre Formal Banquet Tuesday, June 10, 2014, 6:00 p.m. Register Online Now! Confident SCBA in realistic maze: skills are improved in areas of orientation, communication, rescuing www.afca.ab.ca casualties, industrial related rescue and sharpening reactions relying on senses other than sight. Training photos provided by Dräeger Safety Canada Ltd. February 2014 | 19 State-of-the art fire equipment. County of Grande Prairie Regional Fire Service Set to Meet Demand in an Expansive Region By Brian Stecyk Chief Everett Cooke

County of Grande Prairie Regional Fire Service Chief He adds: “Our training facilities are the only certified Everett Cooke oversees the largest fire service region in interprovincial training grounds in northwestern Alberta Northern Alberta, protecting over 5,500 square kilometres (certified by the Justice Institute of BC and the Alberta Fire of land and more than 21,000 residents, as well as a range Commissioner). We are continuously upgrading with more of businesses and industries. props, and adding confined space facilities, and drafting tanks and pump certification tanks to ensure we can train To effectively and efficiently provide fire service to one of for most eventualities.” Canada’s fastest-growing regions, Cooke says the County’s Regional Fire Service works under a composite model that He says that the calibre of the County’s facilities enable combines excellence, a unique staffing structure and a them to reach out well beyond their own borders, offering regional focus. training to other fire departments from as far away as northeastern British Columbia, High Level and Peace River. “The County is effectively serving this expansive region with 120 paid on-call and 20 full-time fire fighters who are And just this past November, in a move to have a name highly trained to meet the diversity of the area we serve,” that better represents its regional service model, County say Cooke. Council approved a name change for its fire department

20 | The Responder Fire fighter Skrepnek demonstrates lowering a body using ropes. Teepee Creek is one of six locations where the County of Grande Prairie has fire halls. from its current name, County of Grande Prairie Fire that are owned by the County, and four that are owned by Service, to County of Grande Prairie Regional Fire Service. urban communities with which they have mutual aid fire agreements. The County Regional Fire Service has eight response areas covered by nine fire stations. These include five stations The County’s fire halls are located in Bezanson, Teepee D3958_TransCare_hlfpg_Layout 1 11/14/13 11:22 AM Page 1

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February 2014 | 21 We are continuously upgrading

“ with more props. We are

adding confined space facilities, drafting tanks and pump “ certification tanks to ensure we can train for most eventualities.

Live fire training occurs at the County of Grande Prairie’s Dunes Training Centre.

Creek, La Glace, and the Dunes (south of the City of Grande Our goal is to develop the best trained and most effective Prairie). The main station is situated just west of Clairmont. response team we possibly can. We are committed to Mutual aid agreements exist with the villages of Hythe and getting better every day.” Wembley and the towns of Beaverlodge and Sexsmith. The County also has mutual aid agreements with the During the past summer County Regional Fire Service staff neighbouring counties of Saddle Hills, Birch Hills and the began training for Dangerous Goods Technician levels, MD of Greenview. adding another level of safety for residents and businesses.

In 2010, the County decided to independently expand their Fire prevention is another key component of the fire own fire services (prior to that time, services were provided service’s activities. A Fire Guardian Program involves 23 by the City of Grande Prairie). “Although we do not have trained fire guardians being available throughout the a mutual aid agreement with the City of Grande Prairie, County to conduct fire inspections and provide safe fire we work with them through the Grande Prairie Regional advice. The service is provided at no cost to the resident. Emergency Partnership, which was created to respond As well, fire guardians issue fire permits, making it easier to state of emergency disasters that are beyond the for residents who live a considerable distance from a fire capabilities of the local responders,” says Cooke. station. Any resident can become a fire guardian if they take the necessary training. He says that one of County Regional Fire Services’ driving forces is training. Not only is it able to support training for An indiction of activity of the fire services is information other fire departments; the department has invested heavily regarding 2012. It proved to be a busy year with a to ensure it provides service with highly-trained personnel. combined 1178 total number of calls coming from 556 fires, 399 medical co-response calls and 214 MVC calls. “The County delivers all training locally to our paid on- Over one-half of the calls involved the Clairmont and call and full-time fire fighters,” says Cooke. “We want to Dunes fire stations. In addition, the trained members have ensure that we have at least 75 per cent of our members responded to ice, trench and rope rescue, and dangerous at rural stations certified with NFPA1001 Level 2 which is goods responses within the region. the level all members at the urban stations have completed.

22 | The Responder Learning drafting techniques is important for movement of A bus converted to a Mobile Support Unit is housed at the water in isolated or wildland areas. Bezanson Fire Hall.

“We are well equipped,” says Cooke. “Not including the municipal apparatus owned by the towns of Beaverlodge, Sexsmith, Wembley and the Village of Hythe, we have 10 engines, one ladder, seven water tenders, two reserve engines, five brush units, one rescue, two fire prevention units, seven utility or support units and one reserve tender.”

This year, the County of Grande Prairie Regional Fire Service and the City of Grande Prairie Fire Department are co-hosting the 67th Annual Alberta Fire Chiefs Conference. Cooke says the conference will be chock full of educational activities, and will include a tour of the county’s extensive facilities.

Rain is good news for fire fighters but recruitment is just as important as this sign on the LaGlace fire hall demonstrates. February 2014 | 23 The Colour of the Badge Doesn’t Matter By Brian Stecyk

“It doesn’t matter what the colour of the truck is or what badge it is—it is up to us to cooperate and help out wherever we can,” says Steve Rawlyk, Beaverlodge Fire Chief.

That is the motto of his team of 18 fire fighters and their local fire department auxiliary. The team responds to approximately 200 incidents per year with many of them being motor vehicle related.

“The fire department auxiliary is a great group of four to five women. They provide support in non-response areas such as meals, community events and fire prevention promotion. It is the community working together to help the fire department,” states Rawlyk.

The Beaverlodge Fire Department has a fire service agreement with the County of Grande Prairie and a specialty services agreement with the City of Grande Prairie for hazmat and rescue within Beaverlodge.

The fire department “ auxiliary is a great“

Chief Steve Rawlyk group of four to five leads the emergency services team in women. Beaverlodge.

24 | The Responder The Beaverlodge department covers a large area—about able to purchase a new rescue truck from the money they half-way to Wembley and south to the Wapiti River. The raised,” says Steve. furthest call is about 110 km away. There is a lot of industry in the region, mostly oil and gas, but industry provides its “Training is a challenge,” adds Steve. “We use the College own response services. of the Rockies for accreditation. The difficult part is to accommodate everyone’s schedule. We have members “Like other departments we find recruitment and retention who do live and work in town but many work elsewhere to be hit and miss. We have quite a few drop in and we in the region and with shift work it is usually impossible to have gained a few in the last six months. One of the best get everyone together at the same time. We have adapted things we ever did was to attend the recruitment and with three approaches. We use traditional training and retention seminar in Stony Plain. The things we learned then a test. Secondly, we offer self-study and then practical have helped us draw people in,” adds Chief Rawlyk. training and a written test. The third option involves two and a half day courses and then a test. At the end of the Steve Rawlyk has been involved with the fire department day we get everyone trained and accredited.” for over 15 years, with the last four years as chief. “I have a great group of people and that makes the job much “I am proud to say that we have great emergency easier.” Steve has a day job as a driver for Anytime Towing. management within the Grande Prairie Region because all communities work together. That cooperation is another One of the new initiatives involves the Firefighters tool that makes our jobs easier. All we can do is build from Association fundraising for a new firehall. They host an here!” concludes Chief Rawlyk. annual steak and lobster dinner and dance. “We were

Imagine fighting a fire when this two- wheeled cart was the best equipment available.

The world’s largest beaver greets visitor to Beaverlodge. February 2014 | 25 Edmonton’s Ken Block – Canada’s Fire Chief of the Year By Ted Tennison

I was totally taken by surprise“ with this honour and“ didn’t even know that I had been nominated.

26 | The Responder One of the signs of success in anyone’s career was selected to be a team member, and following three is when they are recognized by their peers for their months of intensive training ended up working for 19 years accomplishments. Individuals who bestow honour on one as a member of the hazmat team.” of their colleagues know firsthand that it takes exceptional performance beyond the normal course of duty to receive Like most fire fighters with the department, Block was this high praise. Edmonton’s fire chief, Ken Block, was the transferred to different fire stations every three or four recipient of such praise when he was named the Fire Chief years. He did spend the majority of his time in downtown of the Year by the Canadian Association of Fire Chiefs at fire stations. “I got to really enjoy the high activity of the their annual conference held this past September. downtown stations and did not have an interest to move to suburban stations where there was not that same level “I was totally taken by surprise with this honour and didn’t of activity,” says Chief Block. even know that I had been nominated,” says Chief Block. “I can honestly say I never aspired to be the fire chief until Block was recognized for his leadership and work in the later stages of my career. I was more than content earning Edmonton the reputation as one of North to take the experiences I was being offered and progress America’s most progressive and respected fire services. The through the ranks as lieutenant and captain. At this same award recognizes his accomplishments since becoming the time I had a young family and all the obligations that come city’s fire chief in 2009. with that.”

“The City of Edmonton is fortunate to have a fire chief It was during his 18th year that Block noticed there were a as dedicated and committed to protecting the safety of lot of growing issues between administration and the fire residents as Ken Block,” said Edmonton’s former mayor, fighters’ union. “There seemed to be agendas that were Stephen Mandel. “We congratulate him on this prestigious differing and quite frankly the service to the citizens and recognition and thank him for the service he provides in the department suffered significantly,” says Chief Block. “I keeping our city safe.” decided to get involved with the union, and figured out that there had to be a better way forward.” “I am humbled to receive this award,” says Chief Block. “The fire service is all about teamwork and this recognition Block was elected first vice president of the union, serving serves as a reflection of the significant contribution of one term and was then elected president for three all staff, past and present, who have contributed to our consecutive terms. “This experience really opened my eyes Edmonton Fire Rescue Services being considered one of the to a number of pressure points that existed between the best fire services nationally and internationally.” administration and the union,” says Chief Block.

Block has the distinction of spending his entire fire fighting “One of the first things I did was restore our membership career with the City of Edmonton. “I was hired by Fire Chief in the International Association of Fire Fighters; and Louis Day in 1980 and like many recruits, worked my way this along with other changes brought the two groups through the various ranks as I progressed in my career,” says Chief Block. “At that time our training was 12 weeks in length after which I took my place in fire suppression at Station 15 on Two Platoon.”

“I had some wonderful mentors as a rookie fire fighter who often urged me to do my very best, as by doing that doors would swing open for me as I progressed through my career,” says Chief Block.

“This happened to me in 1987 when Edmonton’s first dangerous goods team was established. I applied and

February 2014 | 27 A recruit in 1980, Fire Chief Block now leads one of the most progressive fire departments in Canada. together to the benefit of Edmonton’s fire service.” the occupational illness aspect of fire fighting advocating for health and financial coverage for fire fighters who are Ken was determined to resolve the various outstanding suffering or have suffered from a variety of cancers that the issues between the fire fighters’ union and administration. government now acknowledges as being job related,” says “Although often challenging, I enjoyed my time as union Chief Block. “The government’s realization of these factors president,” says Chief Block. “I worked very closely with is welcome news to the fire fighting community.” former Fire Chief Randy Wolsey, who was contemplating retirement in the not-too-distant future. I realized that for Block also comments on the changing role of today’s fire me to throw my hat into the ring for fire chief, I had to step fighter. “To me the individual qualities that make the best away from union activities.” fire fighter are character related,” says Chief Block. “We want to hire people who have the notion that serving the Block gave up his union position and was later appointed public is an honour and not a right. Today’s fire fighter a deputy chief, a position he held for 20 months until the needs to be a person who never puts themselves ahead retirement of Chief Wolsey. After a nationwide competition of the team and is always ready to do what is best for the Chief Block was appointed Edmonton’s fire chief in team and the public.” February 2009. Being named the Fire Chief of the Year is just the latest of a When asked what he enjoys the most in his position as number of career accomplishments for Block. He previously Edmonton’s fire chief, Block is quick to respond. “I find it received the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee Medal, the Alberta exciting that you’re never sure what the day will bring you,” Centennial Medal, the Canadian Exemplary Services Medal says Chief Block. “Today, fire fighting is such a complex and the Alberta Emergency Services Medal. business that we spend a lot of time on strategic planning, budgeting and myriad of other activities just to ensure “It is privilege for me to be Edmonton’s fire chief,” says we provide our citizens with the best in fire and rescue Chief Block. “Starting a career as a 23-year old and ending services.” up in the top position is a gift. We have an outstanding group of individuals within Edmonton Fire Rescue Services On the other side of the coin, the most difficult part of whether it is dispatch, investigations, prevention or service Block’s job is dealing with the loss of life of a fire fighter centre staff. I am honoured to lead this group of men and through service or illness. “I have been very involved in women who are committed to public safety.”

28 | The Responder The Canada Safety Council estimates carbon What You Don’t monoxide kills 250 Canadians annually and injures over a thousand more—yet 60 per cent Know About CO of homes don’t have CO alarms. Install and maintain a carbon-monoxide detector—your best, and only, warning system. For a complete Can Kill You checklist of tips on CO go to atcogas.com. By Lisa Ricciotti ATCO Gas has developed a handy checklist Every winter brings new reports of close calls or to help keep Albertans safe from carbon fatalities caused by carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning, monoxide (CO) this heating season. The free and this season Alberta’s first big scare arrived early. On downloadable checklist, available at atcogas. Remembrance Day weekend, 80 Calgarians were evacuated com, was created to provide Albertans with an by fire crews after ATCO Gas detected dangerously high easy tool they can use in their homes to prevent CO levels in their condominium building. The cause? Ice and detect CO. ATCO Gas receives more than blocking the fresh-air vent near the natural gas boiler. 3000 service and emergency calls related to CO each year. It’s not unusual to encounter blocked intake or exhaust vents on emergency CO calls, says Jim Lemke, Customer Services Foreman, NEOC. After 28 years, Jim finds most residential incidents trace back to improper maintenance, installation or use of fuel-burning appliances.

Anything in your home that burns fuels—whether that’s gas, wood, propane, kerosene or charcoal—poses a potential risk if fuel doesn’t burn correctly. Jim feels people now generally realize fuel-burning appliances need regular maintenance (clean and/or change your furnace filter regularly!), plus an annual professional inspection. Yet he worries few understand the “negative pressure effect”— and how they could inadvertently create this hazard in their homes.

Today’s well-sealed houses minimize airflow to conserve energy. In this airtight environment, prolonged running of non fuel-burning appliances such as electric dryers, central vacs, kitchen or bathroom fans depletes air supply. But fuel-burning appliances demand oxygen, so these air- starved appliances seek a new source by creating a negative pressure vacuum, which sucks CO-contaminated air back into the house.

“That’s why it’s so important to open a window when using fireplaces or fans for a long period,” Jim explains. “It’s also why you should never warm up your car in an attached garage, even with its door open. When you enter from the house, you create a back draft that draws serious CO levels into your home.”

February 2014 | 29 Hundreds Of Reasons To Visit Grande Prairie By David Olinger and City of Grande Prairie Photo courtesy of Lloyd Dykstra.

Visiting Grande Prairie at anytime would bring you set in a stunning prairie landscape. to a vibrant, youthful community. Planning a trip here in 2014 gives you many more reasons to be here – it’s our Travelling to Grande Prairie, visitors will enjoy a scenic trip 100th anniversary since incorporation as a village. whether it’s via Highway 43 or 40. Regularly scheduled WestJet and Air Canada flights will get you to and from Grande Prairie is a robust community. With the youngest international airports in Edmonton and Calgary in less than population in Canada and one of the fastest growth rates two hours. in North America, it doesn’t take long for visitors to notice the energy here!

The year 2014 will be a particularly eventful as the city embarks on 12 months of celebrations to mark the centennial.

These activities, highlighted by a Homecoming on the August long weekend, are opportunities for the community to recognize and mark 100 years of history. The Alberta Fire Chiefs Association Conference is just one time during the year for you to join us in celebrating our past, present and exciting future!

Situated on the southern edge of the beautiful Peace River Colourful flowers and blue skies will greet you when you visit Region, 460 kilometres northwest of Edmonton, the city is one of Canada’s fastest growing cities.

30 | The Responder Photo courtesy of Melanie Jenner.

Visit the Art Gallery of Grande Prairie where new and unique experiences are found in every direction.

Grande Prairie is an extremely experienced host of provide you with the dining experience you desire. During conferences, events and trade shows, and knows how to the long sunny summer days, enjoy a cool drink on one cater to its guests. Whether you’re staying a night or a of Grande Prairie’s outdoor patios or transport yourself week, modern accommodations are available to ensure a to another world and experience authentic cuisine from comfortable stay in the city. Thailand, India and Africa.

About 30 fixed-roof accommodations within the If fine dining is your preference, reserve a table at one of Hundreds Of Reasons To Visit community offer more than 3,000 rooms with prices to Grande Prairie’s luxurious and highly rated restaurants, like suit everyone’s budget. Many of the 60 hotels voluntarily Padrino’s Italian Ristorante, Escape Bistro & Wine Bar or Grande Prairie participate in the Canada Select Accommodations The Office. After experiencing service excellence, unrivalled program, helping you to select the best place for your stay. wine selections and remarkably fresh meals, you’ll quickly By David Olinger and City of Grande Prairie Photo courtesy of Lloyd Dykstra. discover why these are the dining hot spots for locals and Restaurants of all sizes, atmospheres and ethnic palates will visitors alike.

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February 2014 | 31 “ around the world, and shows works from its permanent Sunset at Saskatoon Lake. collection. “ Outdoor enthusiasts, shopaholics and art lovers will find entertainment in Grande Prairie. No matter the season, Muskoseepi Park is a must-see attraction for every visitor. With 1,100 acres of green space following the Bear Creek corridor, this is the jewel of Grande Prairie. The park includes a 10,000 square-foot-pavilion, the Grande Prairie Museum, tennis courts, playground, Water Park, 25-metre outdoor pool, lawn bowling, fishing pond, skating in the winter, mini golf and amphitheatre. The Photo courtesy of Lloyd Dykstra. expansive trail system means you can make a quick getaway to walk, run or ski, depending the time of year.

Enjoy the food, our warm northern hospitality and acquire A visit to Grande Prairie is not complete without a visit a taste for the food adventure that awaits you in Grande to the Eastlink Centre. This exciting two-year-old facility Prairie. For more excellent selections, check out www. provides a mix of aquatics and field sports opportunities goodeatsgp.ca and accommodates every level of athlete. The broad range of equipment ensures multi-generational access During your stay, why not take in some of the rich art to the entire facility. The facility is also completely barrier and culture that opportunities that exist here! Several free. It features only the second surf-riding attraction in local theatres add to the thriving art community, offering Canada. exciting entertainment venues for cultural enrichment. Spend an evening at a live theatre production or visit If you miss the many deer that call this urban green the Art Gallery of Grande Prairie where new and unique space home, venture out of the city and spend a few experiences are found in every direction. days exploring the County of Grande Prairie. Witness all this dynamic landscape has in store for you by taking Maintaining the largest art collection in the region, this advantage of the exciting adventures offered by a facility offers many art courses throughout the year, number of companies in the region. boasts works from talented local artists and exhibits from Experience white water rafting, explore nature in all its untamed glory, go hiking or ATVing, book a hunt with It’s now easier than ever one of the many outfitting companies, or try downhill or to get the best insurance rate cross-country skiing and mountain biking.

You don’t work a 9-5, so neither do we. The Pipestone Creek area is home to one of the richest TW is proud to introduce online quoting dinosaur bone beds in the country and the Philip J. Currie to all AFCA members. Visit us online at Dinosaur Museum is expected to open in Wembley, just www.twinsurance.ca/AFCA to receive a west of Grande Prairie in December 2014. car or home quote in less than 5 minutes, 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. Grande Prairie offers an array of choices in clothing, pharmaceutical, home and hardware, sports, arts, souvenir, entertainment and service outlets. Many 1-800-272-5688 businesses are concentrated in the user-friendly twinsurance.ca/AFCA downtown core along 100 Avenue, and along 100 Street North. Our west end is blossoming with numerous

32 | The Responder new shopping offerings, making Grande Prairie the envy of many larger centres.

Our youthful population ensures plenty of evening entertainment, including a wide variety of pubs, dance and music clubs for your enjoyment.

Whether you’re in the mood for some two-stepping, live music or just relax with some friends, there’s a place in Grande Prairie for you!

For something more low-key, laugh away the evening at comedy night, try your luck at the casino or be enthralled by one of the latest releases at one of several movie theatres.

Grande Prairie – an excellent choice for a conference, a four-season’s vacation spot and a great place to live, work and play. A visit to Grande Prairie is not“ “complete without a visit to the Eastlink Centre. February 2014 | 33 Photo courtesy of Susanne Sagmeister. Is PINK the Answer? By Brian Stecyk

Over the past two years as publisher and editor of The Responder, I have had the opportunity of talk with Alberta fire fighters from across the province. Many expressed concern about the evolution of building products and how they posed risks for fire fighters.

As Chief Ted Dillon of Ponoka said when he was interviewed for the Spring/Summer issue, “Things have changed a lot over the past 24 years. ...changes to construction materials have increased hazards for fire fighters.” Ted talked about toxic chemicals but mostly he was referring to structure fires and construction of floors using I-joists. Made out of lumber separated by a web of oriented strand board, the I-joists have replaced the traditional dimensional lumber floor joist in a lot of new home construction.

“Now, when we enter a burning building we have to be concerned about the floor caving in—the I-joists just burn more quickly than dimensional lumber does,” says Chief Dillon.

Wood frame construction remains the material of choice for most Canadian homes. Fortunately it is cost effective, durable and readily available. More importantly it is environmentally friendly and a renewable resource. But technology is changing that. The movement to engineered joists began in 1969.

Manufacturers saw an opportunity to develop a product that could compete with solid lumber while at the same time offering advantages of dimensional stability, strength and availability. Engineered joists can reach over longer spans and be constructed with much deeper web than could be obtained using dimensional lumber. These joists also do not have the negative characteristics of wood such as shrinkage, warping, cracking, etc. But, they are less fire resistant.

Can the danger to fire fighters be measured? One measure is the ‘burn through rate’. The mass of wood plays a big role as the burn through rate of solid wood is much longer and thus when compared to an uncoated I-joist the solid lumber will retain its strength much longer.

Another measurements involves flame spread ratings and smoke development classifications. These measurements relate to interior finishes in a building—for example floor joists that are exposed in a basement (i.e. not covered by drywall).

Building Product Flame Spread Rating Smoke Development Classification Unprotected OSB 150 137 Unprotected Lumber 150 300 PinkShield Plus Coated I-joist Less than 25 125

34 | The Responder Is PINK the Answer? By Brian Stecyk

These time-lapse photos show the properties of coated OSB and uncoated OSB when subjected to an identical flame. At 57 seconds the untreated panel is completely inflamed and burned through in 15 minutes. The treated product responds as it should with no flame or burn-through during the same time-frame.

A company in Calgary may have an answer. Richard manufacturing plant in Calgary. “Once we understood Dettbarn, CEO and owner of PinkWood has been involved the process we had to figure out consistent application in manufacturing of I-joists for almost 25 years. He has methods and then how to do it cost effectively. Now that been part of the development of the engineered joist has been accomplished we can get to work,” he says. product during that time and he firmly believes in their long-term prospects. “The benefits for construction using The first product will come out of the new PinkWood plant engineered joists far outweigh the benefits of solid wood. in January 2014. Besides I-joists, the coating is applied The only challenge has been to address the fire risks to dimensional lumber and OSB sheeting. The product is associated with use of I-joists. We now have an answer for available for application by homeowners and builders as that,” he offers. paint or as ready to go products for construction.

He adds, “I-joists present one major disadvantage—poor Is PinkWood’s product the answer? Builders will still make fire resistance. Because the OSB web is constructed from choices between solid sawn lumber, uncoated I-joists, and strands of wood glued together with resins and is such fire resistant coated I-joists. Recent code changes in the US a thin section, it does not have the mass to absorb heat “Fire Protection of Floors” (2012 IRC R-501.3) specifies the energy. In the event of a fire in an area such as a basement options for un-sprinklered and non-drywalled basement where the ceiling is left exposed, the joist will ignite and ceilings. The specifications provide two choices: 2 x 10 or lose structural integrity in a very short time. Through 2 x 12 solid sawn lumber or I-joists with a fire resistant application of a special intumescent coating we can make coating. the I-joist perform better than wood in a fire situation. We have been manufacturing coated I-joists since 2010.” Those specifications have not yet been adopted in Canada but may be as regulators work to resolve the issues of The science behind the coating involves the chemical unsafe materials in homes. composition of the intumescent coating. Intumescent coatings react to extreme heat by swelling and producing The big question—why is it pink? “We are a strong a char which absorbs the heat energy and reduces transfer supporter of the Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation. One through the heated product. Application of the coating of the ways we could show our support was by making makes PinkWood’s Class A fire resistant I-joist five times our product and name PINK. We make a donation of 20 more resistant than an un-protected I-joist (Tested by cents for every gallon used to the Canadian Breast Cancer Intertek and approved under CAN/ULC S102-10 and Foundation, Prairies & NWT,” concludes Dettbarn. ASTM E84-13a). An added benefit is the application of the coating makes the product mildew and moisture resistant. Learn a lot more at www.pinkwood.ca

Dettbarn believes in it so strongly that he and fellow investors have just opened a state-of-the-art coated I-joist February 2014 | 35 There will come a time when lives will depend on the reliability of your communications equipment.

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36 | The Responder