Ontario Vol FF

Winter Responses & Training

2012-01-19T15:33:00.002-05:00

The winter seems to be reaching us here in Southwestern Ontario. Brothers and sisters, please stay safe when responding to calls. We can't help anyone when we become the victim.

This is a challenging time for volunteer departments. Now that the cold weather is here, no-one wants to practice outdoor evolutions. This is a good time to catch up on some class room training. That said, we get calls in all kinds of weather. That's a good reason to get out in the snow and the wind and practice how we play.

Stay toasty and safe.

Paul Nelson, Callander (Nipissing) Firefighter LODD

2011-12-28T12:23:00.004-05:00

My thoughts and prayers go out to the family of Firefighter Paul Nelson of Callander. Paul was a member of the Township of Nipissing Fire Department Who knows what Paul was facing on the road last night. Whatever the reason, we lost another Ontario Volunteer Firefighter last night.

Stay cool and frosty out there, brothers. Let's make Paul Nelson the last firefighter injured or killed in an MVC,

CBC Report

Firefighter Close Calls

Nipissing Township Media Release

North Bay Nugget Report

Great Explanation of Meaford Trial

2011-12-21T13:42:00.002-05:00

This is a well written article that breaks down the trial in Meaford. It explores the issues quite in depth. I only wish I could write so eloquently as Laura King, editor of Firefighting in Canada.

Please read this article. It explains so much.

http://www.firefightingincanada.com/content/view/10483/41/

Ongoing Meaford trial raises concerns over safety and funding

2011-12-21T11:37:00.000-05:00

The ongoing trial in Meaford, Ontario is certain to have long lasting and far reaching implications for the Fire Service in Ontario. Defence lawyer Norm Keith correctly states that "... it has created the potential for a “war” between the Labour Ministry and fire departments, who normally collaborate on drawing up safety guidelines.". His statement about volunteer recruitment also affects retention. “It will have the potential of a tremendously strong chilling effect on volunteers. They might just not want to be a volunteer anymore.” Keith states.

Prosecution is not doubt a very drastic step when dealing with the Ministry of Labour. Chief Molloy expresses concerns that, "incident commanders are worried about possible litigation, is that going to make them second-guess their rescue decision?". From recent personal experience, I have heard those types of questions around a couple of fire halls.

These are concerns about the long range effects of the Meaford trial. What we cannot lose sight of, are the short term effects. The Fire Service has worked long and hard, from within it's own ranks, to improve the safety of it's members. Remember? Everybody goes home. The charges; Accountability Setup, Establishing A Command Post, and Establishing RIT, speak to basic IC training.

What this whole incident illustrates is that the expectation of the Fire Service's competency is the same regardless of whether it is a full time or part time, paid or volunteer department. We must continue to train and strive toward Section 21 guidelines.

While one aspect of the Meaford trial is to determine if guidelines can be treated as legally enforceable regulations, another is to send a wake up call about funding.

Chief Beebe, of Upsala, Ontario hits the nail on the head. "What [the trial] does highlight, is the need for the federal and provincial governments to help smaller municipalities and their departments achieve compliance with safety standards." Chief Bebee states. Chief Bebee's blog

This is so true. I hope Chief Molloy comes out of this without any convictions. I also see a slight positive from this whole exercise. That is notifying all levels of government that funding action is needed to ensure that firefighters can do their job in the most safe manner possible.

Owen Sound Times
December 15, 2011

Kitchener Record
December 18, 2011

One last thought.....

While I am concerned about the confrontational atmosphere being created between the Ministry of Labour and the Fire Service, I am more concerned with Office of the Fire Marshall's recent attitude change.

Is the Fire Service being abandoned by everyone? Why are Provincial Government agencies no longer offering positive assistance in safety and legislative compliance?

There has been a shift to negative, punitive enforcement. All the more reason to demand the resources that are necessary to meet the restrictions and regulations that the Fire Service is placed under.

We've been given the tools, now give us the resources to use them.

OFM and MOL

2011-12-09T11:58:00.001-05:00

I have recently heard that the OFM is shifting to an enforcement focus. This is to align itself with the MOL. There go the bureaucratic friends of Ontario firefighters. I am sure that this is a result of the Meaford investigation. There is a saying that the Fire Service history is 100 years of staunch resistance to change.

Give us time to catch up.

This a quick synopsis that I wandered into on beebewitz's blog. The info is from Firefighting in Canada. Here is the article.

Volunteer Fire Department NFPA standards

2011-12-09T11:42:00.001-05:00

My department is going through some struggles trying to catch up to current NFPA standards. Even though the NFPA is a US body, it sets the standard for the continent. The Office of the Fire Marshall is mandated to create a provincial Fire College. The OFC is constantly growing and modifying just like departments are. The instructors do a great job of preparing new recruits as well as continuing the education of senior firefighters. Volunteer Firefighters and Volunteer Fire Departments have a great struggle ahead of them to train to the standards of the NFPA. Sometimes, there aren't enough hours in the day.

Volunteer Firefighter in Ontario, Canada

2011-12-09T11:32:00.001-05:00

A bit about me. I am a volunteer firefighter in the Ontario, Canada. I have been a volunteer firefighter for eight years now. There are 462 fire departments in Ontario. 431 of them are composite / volunteer. There are almost twice as many volunteer firefighters in Ontario as paid firefighters. This is current as of Oct.31, 2011. If you know a volunteer firefighter, give them a pat on the back.

Stop the Insanity

2011-12-09T11:23:00.001-05:00

Why is it that people, as a global group, refuse to recognize that they are the instruments of their own destruction? The way the first world lives and the third world emulates that, is unsustainable. Is it that very basic motivation of greed that drives us? Must we gain more status and material items in order to feel superior to our fellow man? How do we stop this madness?

Entrance to the world of diary wrting in public

2011-12-09T11:15:00.000-05:00

Blogging strikes me as a very unique activity. This is basically journal writing. However, most journals are kept private. This format is public and permanent. I am not sure how much to share here. I guess that I will play it by ear.