DAN CEARNS, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, for The Standard
SCUGOG: Scugog’s fire chief has announced a couple of new programs intended to improve fire safety awareness.
At a meeting on Monday, February 8th, Fire Chief Mark Berney spoke about a new door-hanger campaign and a virtual challenge. “One common denominator with dwelling fires that end tragically is the lack of working smoke alarms. Given the tragic events across the province recently, along with the lack of working alarms found locally and a recent close call involving [Carbon monoxide], staff have developed two innovative ways to enhance our smoke and [carbon monoxide] program,” Chief Berney announced.
He started by describing the new door-hanger program. “The first one is the distribution of door-hangers. It’s a program we use post-fire, but we want to use this now when we come across a dwelling without working smoke or [carbon monoxide] alarms. The program is reactive, [and] it’s initiated after we enter a dwelling and determine the lack of working alarms. Our mission will be to provide residents in the neighbourhood with information about working smoke and carbon monoxide alarms. We hope, given the times we’re experiencing right now, this is going to work for us in enhancing our fire protection across the community in the dwellings.”
The Chief then spoke about the second new program. “This program is going to be proactive and initiated by our firefighting team virtually. Firefighters have been challenged to reach out to their families, friends and neighbours virtually, to discuss fire safety, and complete the Scugog Fire Alarmed At Home Challenge. Mayor Drew and members of council, don’t be naive. You will be getting a call, maybe from me or one of my team [members], but I hope you take the call, and you grow with it,” Chief Berney said.