Seniors and fire safety was the theme of the November congregate dinner hosted by the Seniors’ Centre for Excellence in Drayton. The Nov. 4 event focused not only on fire safety, but also on the role physical fitness can play in staying safe in a fire.
Fire Chief Rick Richardson gave an overall view of the Mapleton Fire Department that includes the Drayton and Moorefield stations.
Each station has 22 volunteer firefighters with Richardson being the only paid employee.
Through a recent campaign to attract new recruits the Moorefield station received five applications and the Drayton station, seven. Each firefighter is required to complete 200 hours of training on weekends, in designated areas of Wellington County before becoming a Level 1 firefighter.
Approximately 40 per cent of the calls firefighters receive are medical in nature. Motor vehicle accidents account for 25% and the remainder are fire and carbon monoxide related. The Mapleton Fire Department averages 160 calls per year.
Due to the presence of Conestogo Lake in the township, 15 firefighters in each department are fully trained in water and ice rescue. The Mapleton department is outfitted with a boat and the necessary equipment for these types for rescues.
Every two years firefighters attend training sessions to update their skills. Confined space training is also a component of each department due to the number of farm grain bins and silos and similar equipment at Darling Ingredients Inc. in Rothsay.
“The Mapleton Fire Department plays a large role in educating the public about fire safety. The department along with the OPP and ambulance services host a safety day at the arena for all school children in the area. Schools, service clubs and other organizations have had myself as guest speaker at many of their functions,” Richardson said. “Fire inspections are completed every one to two years at restaurants, care facilities and community centers.”
Each member of the Mapleton Fire Department wears a pager. Depending on the type of emergency, calls are forwarded to different locations in the province. Ambulance calls are sent to the Cambridge dispatch. Ambulances serving the Mapleton area may come out of Harriston, Arthur, Fergus, Listowel or Milverton when not stationed in Drayton. Medical calls are also sent to the Mapleton fire fighters because of their proximity to local calls. Each Mapleton fire station carries the equipment necessary to respond to a medical call.
The Orillia OPP receive calls requiring OPP assistance. Fire calls are sent to a central location in Guelph and relayed to the fire departments pagers.
“In the Drayton/Moorefield area a call made from a land line appears at the 911 call center with the caller’s address also appearing on the 911 screen. Addresses are absent from calls made on cell phones,” Richardson said.
Fitness a factor
After sharing basic tips on smoke and carbon monoxide alarms, fire extinguishers and fire escape routes Richardson played a video titled, At Our Age, featuring Tom Bosley. Bosley, who passed away on Sept. 23 at the age of 83, is best known as Howard Cunningham on the long-running ABC situation comedy Happy Days is an advocate for fire safety and seniors. The video focused on fire safety and a senior’s fitness levels.
Bosley said, “If you are not fit enough to get up and out then changes need to be made. Proper balance and good levels of fitness make things safer. Everyone needs to keep fit for their own health and safety.”
In addition to common fire safety practices, Bosley suggested the use of handrails on both sides of stairways, keeping space heaters three feet from objects, removing throw rugs from walking areas or replacing them with rungs with non-skid backing, keeping a flashlight by the bedside and telephones on each level of the home. Ashtrays should be deep and soaked in water when full. Never smoke in bed or while lying down. Have regular vision and hearing tests completed. Replace batteries in hearing aids when needed. Purchase a smoke alarm with a flashing light if hearing impairment is a concern. Wear sturdy shoes that have non-slip soles.
“Mapleton is a safe community to live in,” Richardson said. “Each year fire statistics are 10% lower than the year previous. We are hoping that our educational programs continue to have an effect on the community.”
Richardson checked a carbon monoxide detector brought in by one of the dining programs participants. The unit was unfit for use and Richardson suggested that the individual purchase a new digital detector .
“If the unit reads zero, carbon monoxide levels are safe. At 100, residents must evacuate the premises. Newer models of smoke and carbon monoxide combination detectors can be programmed by smart phones,” Richardson said.
For more information on fire safety contact Richardson at 519-638-3313
