Union requests meeting with City Council

The head of the London, Ont., Professional Fire Fighters Association is asking city politicians for a public meeting to discuss the union’s perspective regarding six years of contract negotiations with no labour deal in sight. City Hall is seeking a number of concessions including the end of a policy that gives firefighters pay parity with police, and is taking the matter to court for review. >> Read full article

Housing cut for B.C. Rapattack base

British Columbia will no longer provide food and shelter for specialized firefighters at the Rapattack base in Salmon Arm, the only Rapattack base in the province. Mayor Nancy Cooper is concerned that without adequate housing, firefighters may need to seek rental accommodations. >> Read full article

Firefighter in recovery after being pulled from a burning building

A Toronto firefighter was rushed to hospital in critical condition last week and suffered serious but non-life-threatening injuries. Fire crews arrived on scene to find heavy smoke and flames coming out of a home, and after a mayday call, the unconscious firefighter was pulled from the burning building. >> Read full article

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Editor’s blog

On Friday, the Ontario government provided an update on the recommendations from the Elliot Lake inquiry. As Laura King writes, the document is brief, and rather vague. >> Learn More…

Guidelines for Highway Incident Scene Safety and Traffic Control

Highway traffic accidents pose a daily hazard for first responders. Unfortunately, often responders are killed and injured assisting at accident scenes. In most of these cases, they are injured due to a second accident when other cars and large trucks crash into the accident scene. These accidents can be avoided if proper highway incident traffic control is utilized.

The materials presented in this training course are based upon proven highway traffic control that provides for a safe incident area. Participants are trained in the proper location of advanced warning signs, flagging techniques, lane closures, and safety equipment. >> Learn More

Explosives discovered at house fire

After a Welland, Ont., house fire was extinguished, firefighters found several improvised explosive devices inside the home. The Niagara Regional Police explosives unit was brought in, and further investigation is underway. >> Read full article

Fire Fighting in Canada This Week

Host Tamar Atik reports on the rescue of a Toronto firefighter, the effects of Hurricane Matthew in Cape Breton Island, and also some ways departments across Canada are having a bit of fun with this year’s Don’t Wait — Check the Date theme for Fire Prevention Week. >> Read full article

Cape Breton seeks assistance after 225 millimetres of rain

Flood damage in the Cape Breton Regional Municipality has prompted the mayor to seek disaster assistance. Federal public safety minister, Ralph Goodale, recently confirmed that Nova Scotia has officially asked for assistance under the national disaster relief program, and indicated a preliminary estimate of at least $10 million in damages. On Thanksgiving Monday, firefighters responded to 280 calls including 14 rescues to remove people stranded in their homes or vehicles. >> Read full article