GTHEazette ALBERTA FIRE CHIEFS ASSOCIATION Spring/Summer 2012

Canada’s Longest Serving Fire Fighter

Safe Homes Use Safe Cladding

Understanding the Science of FireSpring/Summer Engineering 2012 | 1 2 | The Gazette GTHEazette ALBERTA FIRE CHIEFS ASSOCIATION

The Gazette is the official publication of the Alberta Fire Chiefs Association. The magazine is published twice a year, Spring/Summer and Fall/Winter. The publication is distributed free of charge to CONTENTS emergency services personnel throughout Alberta, Manitoba, Saskatchewan and British Columbia. In 5 From the Publisher addition, The Gazette is distributed to urban and rural municipalities, Members of the Legislative 6 Canada’s Longest Serving Fire Fighter Assembly of Alberta and other organizations with an interest in fire and related emergency services. 9 Alberta’s Alarming Need for Fire Fighters Publication Mail Agreement: 40065432 Return undeliverable Canadian addresses to: 12 Safe Homes Use Safe Cladding

Rose Country Advertising & Public Relations 15 Understanding the Science of Fire 11904 -113 Avenue Engineering Edmonton, Alberta Canada T5G 3C2 20 Fire, Ice, Water: a Mix for Safety

Phone: 1.800.661.4278 24 CAFSA: Two Helmets and 30 Years Fax: 780.452.2890 Later Email: [email protected] 30 The Red Doc needs Your Attention Publisher/Editor Brian Stecyk 34 Fire Fighters to Receive Workers’ [email protected] Compensation Coverage for PTSD

Advertising Sales Kelley Johnston [email protected]

Creative Director Margaret Horton [email protected]

Copyright 2012, RC and AFCA. All rights reserved. The contents of this publication may not be reproduced by any means in whole or in part without the expressed written consent of the Cover Photo: Walter Thomas admires the restored Bickle fire truck that publisher or the Alberta Fire Chiefs Association. was once the state-of-the art equipment in Fort Saskatchewan.

Spring/Summer 2012 | 3 Dear Friends, Welcome to the third edition of The Gazette. We I congratulate Premier Redford on the re-election of the are featuring a number of stories that hopefully will PC Government. We are looking forward to working interest you. with Hon. Doug Griffiths who remains Minister of Municipal Affairs. Those of you, who read the last issue One very important story relates to work being done of The Gazette, will know of his personal commitment to develop a Rural EMS Direction. Thanks to the great to rural Alberta and to the work we do. He understands work of Barbara Sojquist and her team of fire fighters, volunteering and is one of our strongest advocates in municipalities and various rural organizations, progress the Legislature. is being made to ensure we have an appropriate EMS response in rural Alberta. Please follow-up with Barbara We also look forward to working with Hon. Greg and give her your ideas and suggestions to strongly Weadick, Associate Minister of Municipal Affairs; Hon Fred support the efforts she is doing on your behalf. President Horne, Minister of Health; Hon. Diana McQueen, Minister Cornforth has been the leading force by working of Environment and Sustainable Resource Development; with Alberta Health Services to establish an advisory Hon. Jonathan Denis, Minister of Justice and Solicitor committee. This committee needs the support of AFCA General; and other members of the provincial cabinet. and other agencies to determine the important role that first responders play. Tied with that is the unanswered I just want to remind you again to share your copy of The question of dispatch. The reduction in the number of Gazette. We count on you to pass it around. If you want dispatch centres is causing problem in rural Alberta. additional copies—just ask and we will send them to you. Every fire department in Alberta is constantly facing problems related to recruitment and retention. In this If you have any ideas or suggestions about this publication issue, we provide you with an update on the progress or about any AFCA matter, call or send me an email. the AFCA has been making towards informing Albertans about volunteer fire fighting and promoting the fire Bill Purdy services as a great volunteer choice in rural Alberta. Pay Executive Director, AFCA particular attention to the tools that will be provided to Deputy Chief you to make your job easier. Wabamun Fire Department

4 | The Gazette From the Publisher

Welcome to the are being resurrected. The teamwork that eventually third edition of put the fire out is a testament to the public spirit of fire The Gazette. fighters from throughout Alberta. Thank you for your encouragement and As I travel throughout Alberta, I often visit museums. support. We have Almost every museum has some artifact exhibiting the especially enjoyed the history of fire fighting in their region. I have asked but welcome reception never received an answer about whether there should we have received be a fire fighters’ museum in Alberta. If some energetic from fire fighters fire department or municipality were interested and throughout Alberta grabbed the fire hose, I am sure it could be an amazing as we visited fire halls showpiece of our province’s history—just an idea. from Fort McMurray to Southern Alberta. I hope you enjoy this issue of The Gazette. Please share it around the fire department. If you want additional Over the past year, I have learned a great deal about copies, just ask. Also if you want to submit an article the fire fighting and EMS industry. Before I got involved or have an idea for one just let me know. If you have as publisher of The Gazette, like many people, I largely any great photos please send them to us and we will took things for granted and just assumed fire fighters publish them. would be there if they were needed. Publishing this magazine has certainly changed my mind and I now tell Best wishes for a great conference. many others about the commitment and sacrifices that fire fighters have to make to keep our lives safe and secure. Brian Stecyk A year ago we were all concerned about the Slave Lake fire and the hardship the community was going through. Thankfully the town is being rebuilt and lives

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Spring/Summer 2012 | 5 Canada’s Longest Serving Fire

Fighter By John Mather About five or six years ago, the guys“ Walter and Helmuth Ritter enjoy a ride in the Fort “ created an internal award called the Saskatchewan Fire Department’s restored Bickle. Walter Thomas Award.

Walter Thomas of Fort Saskatchewan is Canada’s because he’s always had problematic eyesight. When the longest serving fire fighter. He’s served as a ladder man, a alarm sounded, Thomas sprang into action and raced to hose man and any other job required of him – except for the fire hall. one. He can’t drive the fire truck. Thomas has never had a driver’s license. If a fire call came in and he was working, he just left the job and went to the fire hall. Yet even after the fire hall moved Thomas, 89, joined the small volunteer department in to a location further away, he either ran or rode his bicycle 1947 – on May 1 to be precise – 65 years ago! to the hall.

“Back in those days almost all the businessmen in the Originally when he joined the department it had 15 community volunteered to serve on the fire department,” members and an old Model-A pumper. Shortly after he he says. “When my boss decided he couldn’t keep up with joined they acquired a used crash truck from an airport. this duty anymore, he asked me to take his place.” He was up on scaffolding when the water tower at the old Thomas had come to Fort Saskatchewan after the Second jail caught fire in the 1960s, he says. World War to work at Sherman’s Hardware which then stood at the corner of 100 Ave. and 103 St. It was across As he’s grown older on the job, Thomas has become the street from the old city hall and across a back alley and the official historian for the Fort Saskatchewan Fire second street from the fire hall. Department. Without a driver’s license, he never got any special favours. When the alarm sounded you had to report Walter, born Walter Tomaszewski, was born near Calmar to the fire hall. In Walter’s case it was jump on his bicycle and raised on a farm there. He has no driver’s license or run to the hall.

6 | The Gazette For Fire Chief James Clark, Walter is an institution. “I was Walter is best known for his work with the fire department, born and raised here. I’ve been a fire fighter for 22 year in but, he has also been very active in other organizations in the Fort and fire fighter for 27 years. Walter’s been here the the community. While he doesn’t like to talk about it, he’s entire time.” been very involved in the Legion having served at every branch level office and then at zone commander. He’s been Clark says, “Walter’s dedication led to the department’s on the Canada Day committee for 20 years. major award for fire fighters being named after him.” Married to Alice the two met in Aberdeen, Scotland during “About five or six years ago, the guys created an internal the war. “He had a book I wanted,” says Alice. “I got the award called the Walter Thomas Award. It’s voted on book, Walter got me.” They have seven children, three by the members for one of the members. It’s basically a boys and four girls and nine grandchildren, four great member who displays the type of dedication which Walter grandchildren. has exhibited throughout his entire career.” “The reason I keep going is that it’s something I really enjoy Every year at our appreciation night, Walter and the fire and the department had nothing in regards to their history fighter who was awarded the previous year, gets to present so I thought I would make something up for them,” says to the new recipient. Having an award like that truly shows Walter. the department’s true feelings towards Walter, says Clark. “He’s always been here and is always dedicated.” Walter feels 90 is probably the time he’ll finally call it quits.

The work and camaraderie are things Thomas cherishes Chief Clark just marvels at Walter. “His dedication, doing even in his role as the department historian. He reports to what Walter does is no different than the dedication of our the fire hall faithfully each Friday to do the historian work. officers or fire fighters in learning their craft. It makes the members on the floor look up to him and think boy can I “For a long time I did go and fight fires, but when I be doing this for that long. He’s an inspiration to the young became the historian I had to go to the museum and get fire fighters moving up.“ And that just about sums up the the old newspapers and comb them for any department philosophy of the Fort Saskatchewan Fire Department. articles. After that it was compiling 20 years of materials and now it is regular updating from the current papers. “We’re all about tradition.” says Clark.

Says Chief Clark, “What he’s been doing for the last few years ... as official historian ... he is dedicated to preserving the history of this fire department through his effort in clippings and keeping everything in order just as any members does in fighting a fire. Every member of our team does his or her part. When there is something in the newspaper Walter orders it up and chronicles it so we can refer to it whenever we need to. It’s a very important role.

Clark emphasizes that Thomas’s lack of a driver’s license has never been a concern. “In all the years Walter has been with the department, his lack of a driving license has never been a problem. He always rode his bike and he’s a very healthy individual. He just never drove the truck. Even in our world today, a crew of four or five goes out, only one person drives the truck. The others pull the hoses, put up ladders and do the ground work. And Walter did all that.”

Spring/Summer 2012 | 7 8 | The Gazette Alberta’s Alarming Need for Fire Fighters By Paul Lemmerick

The Alberta Fire Chiefs “Association responds with

new provincial recruitment

and retention campaign meant to attract and keep“ more recruits in Alberta Michael Donovan, President and CCO of DONOVAN, after receiving communities. 2012 EEDC recognition award.

It might be one of the most important and first step was development of the Volunteer Recruitment timely questions posed in our province. And it’s one and Retention Strategy—a series of initiatives to assist that resonates loudly with every fire chief and fire fire departments and communities to address their department across Alberta. With dwindling recruitment recruitment needs.” and retention numbers, we are sorely in need of new volunteer fire fighters. “The uptake has been good,” says Krich. “Some communities use a lot of the tactics while others adapt Fewer volunteers on board means more people end up a few to suit their needs. The recent addition of an doing more and more work and soon they begin to interactive CD that enables a community to fill in the burn out. Everyone starts asking, “How long can this blanks to develop their own strategy is working well. go on?” Some people just can’t continue and the fire But, we are now moving on to the next step.” department is forced to close. Others spend a great deal of time and effort With a grant from the Government convincing friends and family to join the of Alberta, the Alberta Fire Chiefs ranks—fortunately most are successful, Association (AFCA) embarked on an but almost all say, “it’s not easy!” ambitious plan to boost recruitment and retention numbers in Alberta. AFCA “Fire departments are largely unseen enlisted the help of award-winning and taken for granted. People just don’t branding, advertising, and marketing want to join something they know firm DONOVAN Creative to develop the nothing about,” says Peter Krich, Fire provincial campaign brand and marketing Chief and Deputy Director of Emergency strategy. Management, City of Camrose. “Our

Spring/Summer 2012 | 9 “Our research showed that there were some serious misconceptions about volunteer fire fighters in Alberta,” said Michael Donovan, President and Chief Creative Officer of DONOVAN. “Many people assumed that volunteer fire fighters were somehow less than so-called ‘professional’ fire fighters when the training and the requirements for service are exactly the same. Over 95 percent of fire fighters in Alberta are volunteers. We needed to create a strategic recruitment and retention campaign that helped educate people to the facts and opportunities. The campaign we’re creating and launching this year will educate Albertans to the fact that everyday people are our community fire fighters, that you too can make fire fighting part of your life, and that the vast majority of the fire service is made up of volunteers from your community.”

“We want to tell the story of the pride that’s there, but also show that no matter who you are, or where you come from, or what you do, you too can make volunteer fire fighting part of a rewarding life,” said Donovan. “There is a place for you. Fire fighting helps you get more from your life, gives you the opportunity to do something great for your community, and meet and work with men and women who feel the ways that you do about career, community, and family. DONOVAN is very proud to have the opportunity to work on this very important provincial initiative. We also hope this campaign will in part help local municipalities keep more young people and families in their local areas.”

The campaign is moving forward on a number of fronts. First, a strong brand and visual identity has been developed by DONOVAN to represent all volunteer fire fighters in Alberta. This brand and logo will appear on a number of items that will be distributed to local communities across Alberta, including a video, window decals to show community support, advertising templates for recruitment and retention drives at the community level, and a recruitment and retention microsite to help grow awareness, educate, and increase provincial recruitment into the fire service. Campaign brand elements are backed by a provincial marketing plan and strategic media recommendations.

10 | The Gazette We want people to know “ “that volunteer fire fighters come from all walks of life.

life can be part of the fire service. The video is meant for use at career fairs, trade shows, on the new recruitment site, and on any community or fire department websites. The video can also be made shorter for use on television as further budgets allow.

“Down the road you will see billboards and other communications initiatives,” says Krich. “We want our volunteers to be proud of what they do and we want people to want to join with us to share that pride. We want to get things done without undue pressure on our “We want people to know that volunteer fire fighters municipalities and by undertaking these steps we are come from all walks of life—they’re your next door doing just that.” neighbour, the local welder, the hairdresser, the druggist, the hardware store owner, the farmer and the Watch for the Alberta Volunteer Fire fighters school teacher,” says Bill Purdy, Executive Director AFCA. recruitment campaign in your community.

While parts of the campaign will be displayed in both rural and urban communities, the new campaign website, www.Albertavolunteerfirefighters.ca, will be the main recruitment and education tool. The site will provide information about the fire service, how to join and who to contact. The site will also be available through social media channels and as a mobile version across all mobile devices.

One of the most exciting elements of the new Taking care of you campaign is a three-minute video shot by DONOVAN featuring a team of volunteer fire fighters. The video will be unveiled at the AFCA annual general meeting 1.800.272.5688 in June, 2012. The recruitment video highlights the Edmonton Fort McMurray www.twinsurance.ca extraordinary lives that volunteer fire fighters lead while showing that anyone from any age, gender, or walk of

Spring/Summer 2012 | 11 Safe Homes Use Safe Cladding By Matt Dobson, Code & Regulatory Director, Vinyl Siding Institute

Fire safe homes use fire safe claddings. For decades, vinyl siding has been used more than any other cladding in Alberta because it delivers curb appeal, durability, low maintenance – and safety – at an

Safety is important affordable cost.

“when considering exterior Safety is important when considering exterior cladding, whether it is new construction or remodeling of a cladding, whether it is new“ home. Vinyl siding provides peace of mind based on construction or remodeling two factors: of a home. • One of the basic compounds used to create vinyl siding is polyvinyl chloride, also known as PVC. Its chlorine bases means the product does not ignite, even from another flame, until it reaches a temperature of 387°C (730°F).

12 | The Gazette

The combination of vinyl

“ siding’s durability, value and design flexibility make“ it an excellent exterior cladding option.

• Additionally, PVC cannot sustain combustion on sheathing in high-density developments. Over the past its own. Even when ignited, PVC tends to self- several years, the National Research Council of Canada extinguish; to keep it burning, vinyl siding must Institute for Research in Construction (NRC-IRC) has constantly be exposed to high temperatures from looked closely at how to improve fire safety through the other burning materials. And when the flame source Joint Fire Protection and Housing and Small Buildings is removed, vinyl siding quickly extinguishes. Task Group on Spatial Separation.

These characteristics significantly reduce vinyl siding’s Extensive research concluded that vinyl siding’s chemical contribution to fire spread, especially compared with makeup makes it a safe exterior cladding and does not other common building materials. contribute to the growth of residential fires.

Recent changes to the National Building Code have Why Fire Officials Should Care created requirements to make homes even safer by All organic materials will ignite. But the higher the specifying the use of vinyl siding with gypsum board temperature a product has to reach before it ignites

Spring/Summer 2012 | 13 the safer it is. For example, the ignition temperatures of vinyl siding are significantly higher than common framing lumber, which ignites at 260°C (500°F) and self- ignites at 410°C (770°F).

Results of ASTM E162-06 test, Standard Test Method The combination of vinyl for Surface Flammability of Materials Using a Radiant “ siding’s durability, value Heat Energy Source, show PVC as one of the materials with the lowest radiant panel index – meaning it and design flexibility make“ doesn’t release a lot of energy when it burns, so it will not readily spread flames on its own. Vinyl siding is it an excellent exterior typically given a flame spread index rating of 25 or less, cladding option. which puts it in the category with the highest resistance flame spread.

Vinyl Safety in Residential Construction The National Fire Protection Association’s National Electrical Code recognizes the strong fire-safe characteristics of vinyl through its approved use as a NFPA statistics show that most house fires start on residential wiring insulator. For decades, millions of the insides of homes and are contained within their homes have been wired using vinyl-sheathed electrical structures of origin. Fewer than three percent of all systems. fires go beyond the structure of origin, and less than two percent of all home fires’ sources of origin are related to the exterior wall surface. In fact, only four percent of all residential fires start on the outside of the structure, but they do not necessarily originate with the exterior cladding.

The combination of vinyl siding’s durability, value and design flexibility make it an excellent exterior cladding option. And the safety offered from vinyl siding’s natural composition and fire resistance make it a fire safe cladding for any home.

About the Author: Matt Dobson is the code and regulatory director for the Vinyl Siding Institute (VSI), which represents manufacturers of vinyl and other polymeric siding and suppliers to the industry. He is a long-standing member of the National Fire Protection Association and has served on several technical committees, including the Life Safety Code (NFPA 101), Uniform Fire Code (NFPA 1) and the National Electrical Code (NFPA 72).

Mr. Dobson has nearly 20 years of experience in the construction industry and can be reached at [email protected].

14 | The Gazette Understanding the Science of Fire Engineering By Ted Tennison

Most often when we think of fire protection we envision the dedicated efforts of our local fire department and their highly-trained fire fighters who Our work is quite are there to protect us should we need to call on their services. What is not that obvious is that on many “specialized so we have occasions these frontline fire fighters rely on outside recruited a number of our expertise when they are investigating the cause of a

fire incident. One company that often is called in to

employees from other assist in fire investigations is Sereca Fire Consulting Ltd., a Canadian firm which is quickly becoming a global parts of the world where “ leader in fire forensic engineering and fire protection our type of work has been consulting. going on for some time. “We are first and foremost an engineering company that specializes in fire engineering and forensic engineering,” says Michael Bodnar, Sereca partner and senior managing engineer at the company’s Calgary office. With offices in Vancouver, Calgary, Toronto

Spring/Summer 2012 | 15 and Singapore, Sereca currently has 50 employees code consulting and other services that are needed to and is always on the lookout for potential employees ensure that a building or industrial facility is designed who have the right combination of education and and built to a level of acceptable risk,” says Bodnar. experience. Two projects that Sereca is currently working on are the “Our work is quite specialized so we have recruited a Calgary International Airport expansion and Calgary’s number of our employees from other parts of the world West LRT extension. “Working with the architects, where our type of work has been going on for some engineering and construction companies, we are time,” says Bodnar. “We are pleased to see that there providing consulting services to ensure the facilities are are now two Canadian universities offering specialized being built in compliance with the required code so programs in fire engineering.” that if a fire did occur the building would perform as expected.” One area of Sereca’s business is fire protection consulting which often involves working with Another area of Sereca’s business is forensic architecture, interior design and engineering firms. engineering. This involves coming onto the scene after Often in situations where architects are designing a a fire or an explosion has occurred. Quite often in this unique building established building codes need to be case Sereca is retained by insurance companies, but also reviewed and possible alternative solutions provided. directly by companies and other stakeholders, to do an Through technical analysis, which can include the use of investigation of what happened. computer fire modelling, Sereca is able to provide their clients with innovative options of how the architect “The insurance companies want to find out what went and the construction company can achieve their design wrong so, if necessary, changes could be put in place to objectives while still meeting or surpassing building mitigate the possibility of this happening in the future,” codes. says Bodnar.

“We are able to provide clients with a wide spectrum “They also want to be assured that the fire or explosion of expertise including fire engineering, building and fire was not caused by some malfunction of equipment in

“Mobile RMS – It’s incredible. Standing Behind So easy. So fast. I love it.” Our Heroes – Tyrone Heigh, Asst. Fire Chief, Parksville, BC [email protected] | 1.800.986.9941

16 | The Gazette Sereca makes extensive use of computer modelling that assists in predicting and visualizing the impact of fire on building design.

We are first and foremost

“ an engineering company the area or that inappropriate procedures or processes that specializes in fire“ were taking place causing the fire.” As with any fire, engineering and forensic insurance companies want to get the most information possible as to what could have started the fire or caused engineering. the explosion. Having investigation results provided by a company like Sereca could be a major factor when insurance claims are being settled.

The company is currently investigating the recent B.C. sawmill plant explosions that took place at Burns Lake and Lakeland Mills in Prince George. Both fires resulted in multiple fatalities and a number of injuries.

“We have staff investigating these fires at the moment and are working to determine their cause,” says Bodnar. “The fire investigation process is meticulous and some of our team have been on site for several months.”

Sereca is sometimes retained by municipalities to work in conjunction with local fire department authorities. Some municipalities may not have the expertise to investigate a very large or complicated loss and they look to Sereca’s expertise for assistance.

Spring/Summer 2012 | 17 We have also been retained to

“ investigate fires or explosions

that are suspected to be related to clandestine drug labs, in“ particular the manufacturing of methamphetamine.

A test burn house is used to evaluate how a fire might spread and what remains after the fire when the fire investigation commences.

18 | The Gazette Sereca uses advanced fire science knowledge and fire engineering principles to respond to their clients’ technical needs.

In addition, the company has also done work for the RCMP. In these situations, the RCMP may not have in-house arson investigation expertise and will retain Sereca to undertake this aspect of the investigation.

“We have also been retained to investigate fires or explosions that are suspected to be related to clandestine drug labs, in particular the manufacturing of methamphetamine,” says Bodnar. “We know from our experience that these types of fires or explosions can create a very dangerous situation for investigators so our experience is called upon quite often when these types of situations arise.”

Sereca’s services to the investigative side of the fire- fighting field combined with its ability to assist firms by providing fire protection consulting ensures a solid future for this growing company that has its sights set on continued growth and expansion.

Spring/Summer 2012 | 19 Fire, Ice, Water: a Mix for Safety By Darian Day

About 20 years ago, back in the early 1990s, and after a number of unfortunate water- and The need for water rescue ice-related accidents on Wabamun Lake, this community decided it was time to develop its “capabilities became evident own water rescue team. The decision was a as people became more coming-together of vested interests: the local fire department, the TransAlta power company which

active and began to use owned a power plant situated on the lake, and

the province’s lakes and the Village of Wabamun. The safety challenges of the area were unique. Not only was the rivers in greater numbers,“ community situated on a busy recreational lake, especially during but the power company also used the cold lake waters to cool the plant, resulting in year-round the winter. open water and patches of thin winter ice (the power plant, operational since 1956, was torn down in 2010).

20 | The Gazette Wabamun Lake’s fire department was the first rural All municipalities surrounding Lake Wabamun, including department in Alberta to assemble a team that Parkland County made financial contributions. specialized in water rescue. Bill Purdy, Executive Director, Alberta Fire Chiefs Association, comments that “the The early days of water rescue at Wabamun Lake have need for water rescue capabilities became evident developed into a regular training program and the as people became more active and began to use the establishment of Standard Operating Guidelines. Today, province’s lakes and rivers in greater numbers, especially the sessions are led by in-house trainer and captain, during the winter.” Dennis Wichuk, who has been with the department for more than 20 years. Mr. Wichuk is accredited by Dive In moving forward with the project, training was the Rescue International, an organization which provides biggest challenge. Wabamun Lake initially turned to the training to many of the major cities in North America. RCMP (whose mandate includes provincial water safety) which then provided one of its members to deliver Annual sessions are offered for the area’s new recruits training to the department’s original class. Mr. Purdy in mid-March, when the conditions on the lake are recalls that much of the department’s early equipment especially challenging; in early spring, open water was fashioned by its own crew, with team members has developed, and the ice, while still present in large creating the specialized awls, ropes, reach poles and sheets, is becoming soft and unstable. Attendance is other equipment needed for the area’s water and ice voluntary, and the number of attendees at each year’s rescues. sessions range from 20 to 25; there are no prerequisites or prequalifications. The training confers “Specialist” Since then, funds from the department’s budget as accreditation and includes four hours of classroom well as federal and local grants have been used for theory, followed by four hours of on-the-lake practical the purchase of additional equipment. For example, training. Two to three times a year, the department a $45,000 federal grant went toward a new and also offers refresher courses with approximately 10 fire fully-equipped Boston Whaler. Local businesses have fighters attending each session. also been supportive: Ekco Marine of Alberta Beach contributed a rescue boat at its own cost, and TransAlta There are 435 Fire Departments in Alberta, and many has funded the purchases of major pieces of equipment. have limited need for water rescue teams since their

Spring/Summer 2012 | 21 areas do not contain rivers or major bodies of water. Mr. Purdy states without question that the formation Mr. Purdy points out that the necessity for these of the Wabamun Lake team has resulted in additional specialist rescue teams lies mainly in the northern positive rescue outcomes. When asked about some of and mountainous areas of the province where an the causes of water- and ice-related accidents, Mr. Purdy abundance of lakes, rivers and streams can translate cites alcohol abuse, poor decision-making on the part of into public hazards and terrible accidents. The Bow the public, and inattention to rapidly changing weather River through Calgary also puts significant pressure conditions. With regard to boat operator training, he upon the Calgary Fire Department. About half of says simply that this mandatory program accredited by the rural northern departments currently have water the federal government is insufficient. rescue teams, and the decision to train in this speciality lies exclusively with the municipalities and their fire When it comes to demographics, ice and water departments. accidents don’t play favourites; everyone is a potential victim. In late April of 2009, three adults and seven In Edmonton, according to Deputy Fire Chief John children—all under the age of six—launched a boat Lamb, almost all of the city’s fire teams are trained onto the lake. The boat broke down amid freezing in water rescue, with the exceptions being those rain, and the fire department found itself responding departments that are not geographically close to water to a frantic page for help. All the boaters made it out hazards. Training is not voluntary, though it may vary alive, although two of the children were hypothermic in type according to the needs of the neighbourhood and were assisted by the ambulances which had been in which each fire hall is situated. Stations close to the placed on standby on the lake’s edge. city’s river receive swift water training in addition to the static water training that prepares teams to deal When asked how long a team has to execute a rescue, with lakes and ponds. Edmonton’s fire fighters receive Mr. Purdy mentions the Golden Hour, and goes on refresher training twice per year, once in summer and to say that the only conditions under which the team again in winter. won’t go out is a lightening storm. Storms like this are simply too dangerous on open water, and the safety of The province’s Fire Commissioner provides $500,000 in the team members is always paramount. Instead, the training funds, and is mainly directed towards standard team will wait out an electrical storm, staying in close fire fighting courses; departments apply for and receive contact with the Control Centre for storm news updates funds, and then decide how to utilize these financial until the coast is clear. Mr. Purdy says that there are resources. Mr. Purdy mentions an initiative is currently about 12 to 15 water- and ice-related calls a year in underway to increase this pool of funds, due to the the Wabamun Lake area alone, with a higher incidence need to provide more training province-wide. occurring in the summer months when boaters are out

22 | The Gazette by the hundreds on sunny weekends. As Mr. Purdy says proved vital for two rescues. When the contract with emphatically, the department would rather be called Bombardier ended, TransAlta purchased the equipment than not be called. for the department outright.

He recalls a winter event in 1995 when three people on The Sea-Doo paid its dues during a daring rescue on Ski-Doos ventured out onto the lake during a blizzard. the Pembina River, which was 15 feet above its banks at With the snow swirling, the trio failed to see the posted the time. Somehow, seven young people had managed signs warning of open water. Two machines plunged to strand themselves on the opposite side of the river. into the water while the third managed to avoid the With the waters raging, neither a boat nor a Zodiac was hazard and raced back to the village to call 911. The adequate for the rescue. Mr. Wichuk deployed the Sea- department responded immediately and attempted Doo in extremely dangerous currents, to rescue the kids, the rescue with a quad, which quickly became stuck in one by one, until they were all safe on the right side of the thick blanket of snow. Local citizens loaned their the river. own Ski-Doos, and the team raced out again to find the two accident victims, hypothermic, on the edge of When queried about the Wabamun department’s the ice. This story had a happy ending, and led to the integration with other Alberta rescue units, Mr. Purdy department’s acquisition of its own Ski-Doo, supplied describes water rescue as a total team effort. Wabamun by Ecko Marine and paid for by TransAlta. Lake assists with rescues in nearby communities such as Lac Ste. Anne and Yellowhead County. All the fire Today, the department has a full complement of departments work closely with other provincial rescue equipment, including Ski-Doos and Zodiacs, a Boston groups including the RCMP, STARS, and Air One. Whaler, slings, water rescue suits, life jackets, buoyancy According to John Lamb, the City of Edmonton also has coats, throw bags, and more. Mr. Wichuk stresses, mutual assistance agreements in place with the areas however, that the point is to “get started”, and that an surrounding the city. Groups are called in depending on initial small investment will equip a department with the skills and equipment needed for a particular rescue. the basic necessities in water rescue gear. Wabamun’s As far as training courses, interested parties may contact department also possesses Sea-Doos, described by Parkland County Fire Services which now manages the Mr. Purdy as essential to certain types of shore rescues Wabamun Fire Department. which can’t be accessed by the larger boats and zodiacs. Bombardier, which manufactures the Sea- Doo, in 1995 provided a two-year rescue equipment loan program. The Wabamun Lake department took advantage of the program, during which the equipment

Spring/Summer 2012 | 23 CAFSA: Two Helmets and 30 Years Later By Darian Day

Hey, fellas, whoever “leaves Chile first, he’s got “ to send a helmet back to us here at the station. It all started with a promise between buddies at Fire Station Number 18 in Santiago, a long time ago way down there in Chile. It went something like this: “Hey, fellas, whoever leaves Chile first, he’s got to send a helmet back to us here at the station.” It was a pledge that Victor Fernández kept. In spades. After his arrival in Canada in 1980, Victor joined St. Albert’s Fire Services as a fire fighter/EMT, and shortly thereafter shipped not one but two helmets to his comrades in Santiago. The helmets were followed by more small pieces of equipment: protective clothing, breathing equipment, additional helmets, and more until what had started as a vow between friends had evolved into a regular and large-scale commitment.

In 2000, Victor—who also has a Master’s degree in Sociology—formalized these fire fighting equipment donation projects with the founding of Canadian Aid for Fire Services Abroad (CAFSA). Since its inception, CAFSA has overseen the transfer of more than 30 tons of equipment and 12 fire trucks, valued at nearly $4 million, to fire fighters and other emergency and medical teams in other parts of the world.

24 | The Gazette As a formally registered charitable organization, other vehicles that have sat abandoned in empty fields CAFSA operates with a volunteer board of directors, and dusty garages for years despite CAFSA’s requests an accountant and a lawyer, and a host of local and for donations. Victor notes that sometimes potential foreign volunteers to prepare and complete donor donors are concerned about liability, but he emphasizes missions for fire stations and other service groups that this should not be an issue since all liability matters overseas. Victor sees these missions, which take about are addressed by CAFSA and its legal advisors. Victor 16 months from beginning to completion, as a huge encourages Fire Chiefs to approach their cities on behalf recycling effort. Here in Canada, he says, the interests of CAFSA when trucks are approaching retirement. of fire fighters and the personal protective gear that For example, Victor is aware of a truck in Okotoks that keeps them safe are managed by NFPA standards. For is about to be retired, and Victor is hoping that the example, the standards state that fire fighting jackets equipment will finds it way to CAFSA for reuse in a fire and pants can’t be used for more than five to seven station abroad. years. Yet, Victor says, Canada’s discarded equipment is “like a dream come true for fire fighters in other To date, CAFSA has undertaken 10 missions in nine parts of the world where they have nothing.” When different countries including Guatemala, Mexico, Cuba, asked where this equipment would go if not to CAFSA Colombia, Chile, Bolivia, Peru, Ecuador, and El Salvador. and its recipients, Victor’s answer is simple: “It would Part two of CAFSA’s most recent mission—to Penco, be in the landfill.” In many cases, gear and equipment Chile—was just completed in May 2012, and resulted in is simply discarded. It’s a continuing challenge to the delivery of an aerial truck donated by the Bonnyville encourage the donation of used equipment to CAFSA, Fire Department, two additional fire fighting trucks says Victor, but he adds emphatically that when fire donated by the Thorhild Fire Department and County of departments find out about CAFSA, they’re happy to the Leduc Fire Department, and 14 tons of fire fighting send equipment his way. equipment. In addition to equipment donations, each mission involves training the recipient organizations on Larger pieces of equipment, such as fire trucks, water the use of the equipment, and ensuring that, after CAFSA tankers, and aerial trucks, are another story. “These leaves, people are in place to continue with ongoing belong to the cities and municipalities,” says Victor. He education. CAFSA methodology employs the power of points out that these municipalities would often rather sell them for a few thousand dollars than donate them to CAFSA. Yet, he also knows of trucks and

Spring/Summer 2012 | 25 the Internet too, with training updates and refreshers needs of the prospective recipient to the equipment delivered by YouTube and other Internet sites. in CAFSA’s warehouse. And, while the equipment and training is donated at no cost, the recipient When asked why CAFSA’s focus to date has been on organization must demonstrate that they will be able Central and South America, Victor answers “because to maintain the equipment and to have the means to that’s who has asked for help”, and adds that CAFSA pay for the shipping. As for the travel expenses incurred doesn’t limit itself to specific geographical areas. In by Victor and the CAFSA team, each pays his or her 2010, Victor was nominated for CBC’s “Champions own way, usually using their vacation time to travel for of Change” (he was shortlisted in the top 10), and CAFSA missions. through this event, he met a man from the Philippines and another from Uganda, both of whom are involved Victor is motivated in large part by the growing in charitable activities in their home countries. Each awareness of the toxic risk factors to which fire fighters requested CAFSA’s assistance, and CAFSA is considering are exposed as they undertake their life-saving work. their requests for next year’s project. “It’s the same all over the world”, Victor says, referring to the plastics and other Victor receives as many as 50 emails materials that are used in a day from fire departments and buildings. When these organizations in other countries, materials burn, they emit asking for assistance; potential poisonous fumes, which are recipients are carefully vetted inhaled by fire fighters as through CAFSA’s standards of they subdue fires and rescue assessment as well as Internet victims inside burning video conferencing. Some of buildings. “Here”, Victor the criteria include matching the points out, “the Canadian

26 | The Gazette You can be part of the “ “problem, or you can be part of the solution.

standards for personal protection are very high, but we’re still getting sick,” stating that there are 15 types of cancer that are now recognized as related to fire fighting work. “Standards are lower in other countries, so you can just imagine,” says Victor, who feels a personal responsibility to get the message out about the importance of personal protective equipment (PPE), and to do something concrete about the problems facing fire fighters in less economically-developed countries. Breathing apparatus are just one example, says Victor: “here, we have self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA’s). In other countries, sometimes they go into a fire with just damp towels over their faces.”

Victor believes in the credo: “You can be part of the problem, or you can be part of the solution.” It’s a philosophy that runs in the family. Victor’s daughter, Balbina, became involved in collecting donations at the age of nine when she saw her father organizing fire fighting boots in the family garage (CAFSA now has a warehouse to store donated equipment). Balbina decided to donate two pairs of her own shoes so that a daughter of a fire fighter overseas could have some

Spring/Summer 2012 | 27 shoes too. Then, she went around the neighbourhood, and collected another 200 pairs of children’s shoes, which went into the shipping container along with the helmets, boots, and other fire fighting equipment. Since then, Balbina, with the active support of her school and classmates, has been involved in three additional missions with the collection of school supplies and other items such as wood stoves for chilly classrooms.

Victor Fernández has been widely recognized for his humanitarian work with six decorations and medals to his credit as well as “Keys to the City” and Rotary Club humanitarian awards. He is also a member of the United Nations’ Fire Rescue Development Program, headquartered in Rome. Victor greatly appreciates the official recognitions, but even more important, he says, is the “indescribable feeling” that comes from the volunteer work that he does. Fire fighters all over the world face the same dangers, says Victor, and he’s working tirelessly so that CAFSA can continue its support for the brotherhood of fire fighters and other emergency workers overseas.

28 | The Gazette CAFSA’s Victor Fernández with an admiring future Guatemala fire fighter.

Watch the following YouTube video about the unloading of http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XbHb6_ the Bonnyville Regional Fire Department Fire Truck in Chile. NF3Og&feature=youtu.be

Spring/Summer 2012 | 29 The Red Doc Needs Your Attention By Brian Stecyk

For four years, a committed group of individuals have been working towards a comprehensive Rural EMS

Direction (RED). The motivation arose from the 2008

provincial government decision to centralize dispatch Edgerton Mayor Barbara Sjoquist. of ambulance services. “ For many reasons the decision did not sit well with It just didn’t people involved in rural emergency services. “It just didn’t make sense,” says Barbara Sjoquist, Mayor “ make sense. of Edgerton. “It may make some sense in compact municipalities like big cities, but it certainly doesn’t recognize the unique challenges of rural Alberta.

30 | The Gazette Credit: Kelly Clemmer Star News in Wainwright

We are even now learning that our city neighbours “The argument made by former Cabinet Minister Jack are having trouble with the proposal as well. They Hayden was that a centralized system would benefit 85 have different needs than we do but they are also percent of Alberta’s population,” says Sjoquist. “What concerned.” they failed to realize is the comment that came from Parkland County-geographically, 95 percent of Alberta Every fire fighter knows that they are most often the is rural and thanks to economic activities and recreation first responders to medical emergencies—often in rural more and more people are spending time in rural areas response times for ambulance can exceed 40 areas.” minutes, while trained fire fighters can be on the scene within minutes. Even in the major cities of Edmonton “Our partnership group has a good working and Calgary, fire fighters are usually first on the scene relationship with both the former and current Health for an emergency call. Ministers and supports the ‘halt’ on ambulance dispatch

Spring/Summer 2012 | 31 It appears difficult for some to realize the

“ value that the first responder network in

most of Alberta involves volunteers—people who are willing to leave their businesses,“ their families, their leisure activities, 24/7 to provide EMS services.

32 | The Gazette transition called in March, 2010 by former Health the requirements and we call the right people at the Minister Gene Zwozdesky and the Review of Ambulance right time.” (www.ec911.com) and Ambulance Dispatch transition by the Health Quality Council of Alberta called in February, 2012 by Our evolving rural strategy document will be updated Health Minister Fred Horne. We are also working closely at Rural Strategy Meetings to be held June 2 and 3, on these issues with the Minister of Municipal Affairs, 2012. That follows extensive meetings that were held Doug Griffiths.” in Wainwright in November 2010 and at the Provincial First Responders Conference that was held in August “The “Red Doc” is a document that evolved over the 2011. past four years. It is a discussion tool for communities, municipal councils, emergency services, schools, For rural Alberta, one of the clear benefits of this government departments and ministries concerned exercise has been the recognition that all communities about the future of 911 and community capacity are facing the same challenges. The development of to respond to medical emergencies. It is a living the Red Doc has brought municipalities and community document—a work in progress and will be continually organizations together. updated as new ideas come forward,” adds Sjoquist. “We have challenges that must be dealt with,” says “Everything we have learned through all the provincial, Sjoquist. “Cell phones don’t work everywhere, calls are national and international research, all the feedback dropped, location of the caller may not be available from EMS, fire and first responders continues to confirm and servicing remote areas is extremely difficult, local our belief that the only way to effectively and efficiently knowledge in an emergency is important. Even in our respond to emergencies is through a coordinated/ small urban community we have to deal with it every integrated dispatch,” she adds. day. I even went so far as to ensure that the person I was dealing with at TELUS called me on my cell phone Barbara Sjoquist knows of what she speaks. In addition so he could actually experience the frustration of to serving as Mayor of Edgerton, she represents the dropped calls. We have to resolve these issues because “Partnership for Rural Community First Responders on for (emergency response in rural areas) EMS they are the AHS Advisory Panel for Medical First Response, she critical­—lives depend upon it.” serves on the AUMA Small Communities Committee and she sits on the Board of Directors of the East Central If you are concerned about fragmentation of EMS 911 Society (EC 911). response, marginalization of the fire departments in first response, and confusion of authority, you should “In East Central Alberta we have an excellent 911 be learning more. The Ambulance Dispatch Transition dispatch centre. It is a stand-alone centre that is on hold. It is up to people reading this article and provides services to an area governed by 27 member their municipalities to be informed and to contribute municipalities. It appears difficult for some to realize to a comprehensive Rural EMS Strategy that will really the value that the first responder network in most of properly address the needs of our communities. Alberta involves volunteers—people who are willing to leave their businesses, their families, their leisure You can assess your community health capacity—you activities, 24/7 to provide EMS services. It is different may have already done so—and ensure that your MLAs in cities where EMS personnel are employed full-time,” knows about it. Join the discussion about a coordinated she says. 911 network that includes rural call and dispatch centres. Think about having a local RED Day. Send an “Our EC 911 system is very sophisticated. We tailor email to Barbara and she will make arrangements to dispatch to meet local department protocols. For help you do that. ([email protected]). You example, if a municipality needs someone with can also attend meetings and have your direct particular expertise we will call a certain set of input. For regular information visit volunteers instead of another. We know the area and www.ruralcommunityfirstresponders.com Spring/Summer 2012 | 33 Fire Fighters to Receive Workers’ Compensation Coverage for PTSD By Ted Tennison

The Alberta government has introduced Workers’ The wording of the legislation indicates that the Compensation Board (WCB) coverage for Alberta’s province’s 13,500 full- and part-time fire fighters will be first responders who suffer from post-traumatic stress covered for PTSD. Part-time fire fighters include casual, disorder (PTSD). First responders include fire fighters, volunteer or part-time members of a fire protection paramedics, police officers and sheriffs. service. The government recently also extended WCB cancer coverage to part-time fire fighters. Announced as Bill 1 during the May 24 Speech from the Throne, the Workers’ Compensation Amendment It is not expected that WCB employer premiums will Act, will streamline the process for first responders to increase as a result of this revised legislation. As PTSD is receive compensation for PTSD without having to prove already covered under WCB policy, it is not anticipated their condition is work-related. Alberta will be the first that the number of claims received will change. It is also province in Canada to provide such coverage. not anticipated that any additional successful claims will have any significant overall impact on employer “Bill 1 reaffirms our commitment to our province’s first premiums. responders recognizing their crucial role in Albertans’ safety and health and dealing with some of life’s most PTSD is an intense emotional and psychological traumatic experiences,” says Premier Alison Redford. response to a recent or past traumatic event that is “These brave men and women put their lives on the line life-threatening, very disturbing or stressful. Symptoms in our greatest time of need, and we need to respond include reliving the event through nightmares or to them when they need help.” flashbacks, emotional numbness, avoiding reminders of the event and being on edge or easily startled.

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