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NEWS 
 

Last summer’s B.C., Alberta heat wave was among most extreme since 1960s, study shows

The record-breaking heat wave that scorched western North America last June was among the most extreme ever recorded globally, new modelling and analysis by researchers at universities in the United Kingdom shows.


Mayor Tory and Toronto Fire Services Chief Matthew Pegg unveil North America’s tallest firefighting apparatus

Toronto mayor John Tory and Chief Matthew Pegg unveiled Toronto’s newest piece of specialized firefighting and rescue equipment the Bronto Skylift 70m articulated aerial unit, nicknamed “Tower 1.”


36 wildfires so far this year in Kamloops Fire Centre, up slightly from 10-year average of 27

The number of early-season wildfires in the Southern Interior this year is slightly above the 10-year average. That’s according to the B.C. Wildfire Service, which says its crews have responded to 36 fires in the Kamloops Fire Centre since April 1, with 68 total hectares having been burned.


Time-wasting 911 calls increasing in Peel Region: report

In Ontario, the number of calls to 911 dispatchers in Peel Region grew last year along with the number of calls classified as misuse, according to new figures. A report, which will be considered on Thursday by the Region of Peel’s emergency management program committee, said the number of 911 calls grew 11 per cent from 2020 to 2021.
 
SPONSORED SPOTLIGHT 
 
FFIC|America Rosenbauer|101663|SS1

America’s First Electric Fire Truck is Here

Rosenbauer’s RTX Revolutionary Technology electric fire truck is revolutionizing firefighting. Every square inch is reimagined for increased safety, maneuverability, agility and power. It’s the fire truck of the future.
» Learn more here
 
Current Issue 
 
F1

NFPA Impact: The importance of being (fire) smart

Back in 2011, after a spring wildfire swept through Slave Lake, I interviewed Fire Chief Jamie Coutts for a story for this magazine. It’s been 11 years since that wind driven, weather- and climate-change affected fire roared through a community that was aware of and alert to wildfire. Nothing could have stopped that fire. If you are in the wildland urban interface, or if your municipality is at risk of wildfire, it’s critical that your residents embrace FireSmart principles, and that neighbours work together to build FireSmart communities. By Laura King » Read more...
 
F2

Guest Column: The miracle

There is a story inspired by the U.S. hockey team at the 1980 winter Olympics that stands out above many others. Regardless of what nation you belong to, this story and its outcome will always be remembered as the miracle on ice. By James R. Rychard » Read more...
 
SPONSORED SPOTLIGHT 
 

A complete facility fire brigade training solution!

The NFPA and IAFC are pleased to bring you the second edition of Facility Fire Brigade: Principles and Practice, a modern integrated teaching and learning system for the four levels of a Facility Fire Brigade:

  • Incipient Facility Fire Brigade Member
  • Advanced Exterior Facility Fire Brigade Member
  • Interior Structural Facility Fire Brigade Member
  • Facility Fire Brigade Leader

Today’s facility fire brigade members protect all types of facilities. As they answer these calls, it is imperative that no gaps in knowledge compromise their effectiveness or their safety in protecting who they serve. Facility fire brigade members need up-to-date, comprehensive training materials to thoroughly prepare for any situation that may arise.

» Order today from Firehall Bookstore
 
FEATURED CONTENT 
 

Branding for the modern fire service

The life cycle of a fire department is one marked with benchmarks, such as anniversaries, and the people that make them up change over time. The vehicles, training and tools need to adapt and grow to remain viable and relevant as benchmarks go by. These events make up the history of the department, which in turn forms the “culture” or the “soul” of a service. When a fire department moves towards the future, it has a lot of transitional components in play, from leadership movement, acceptance of new technology and forming a new sense of self-identity. When that time comes to contemplate what the department stands for — being mindful of the past, but striving forward towards the future – that is the time to think about branding. By Kirk Hughes » Learn more

Lingo and logistics

Current interagency communication techniques are like a step stool in your tool kit, infrequently used, but important and helpful when the time comes. While there are workarounds to it, like standing on your toes, and stretching to reach, nothing quite beats the real thing. Equipment and strategies of interagency communication are currently “only used in moments of need, rather than a system that is ingrained into the public safety space,” said Michael Akpata, applied solutions manager at Mutualink and former first responder. It should be “something that people automatically expect it to be there, as opposed to being surprised when it is.” By Kaitlin Secord » Learn more
 
FIRE FIGHTING IN CANADA: THE PODCAST 
 

The evolution and future of mass notification systems

Tune in to April’s podcast for a conversation on how public alerts have evolved, why radio is still a key player, what the research shows about public reaction to emergency notifications, best practices for crafting your message, why it’s important to know and address your policy hurdles and how GPS plays a role in the next generation of population targeting. Podcast host Fire Chief Tom DeSorcy talks all this and more with Jacob Westfall, chief technology officer with Public Emergency Alerting Services Incorporated (PEASI), a mass notification software company based in Calgary who is the developer of Alertable software. » Listen now
 
Events 
 

BCFTOA Conference

May 14-19, 2022
Location: Salmon Arm, B.C.
» Learn more

AFCA Conference and Trade Show

May 29-31
Location: Red Deer, Alta.
» Learn more

MAFC Conference and Trade Show

June 2-4
Location: Dauphin, Man.
» Learn more