Emergency Planning

Sprinklers

SPRINKLER SYSTEMS

Finally it is starting to register with builders, not only commercial buildings can benefit from the installation of sprinkler systems but homes can too. Recently it was reported in the Toronto Star on February 16^th, 2008 a local developer in Port Perry did just that. He had a sprinkler system installed into a high rise condominium building in Port Perry on the recommendation of the local Fire Department. It cost an additional $5,000.00 per unit which may seem like a lot but it really isn’t when you factor in the safety feature it offers.

            Many people buying these units could be people like me looking for a one floor residence as they get older. It is not just the stairs they can not handle any more, but it is also their hearing which starts to deteriorate. Now I am speaking about myself. I am sure others in my age bracket are better preserved. Think of the wake up call you will get if there is a fire in your unit. You will not only hopefully have the smoke alarm going off, but you will be rained on. At least you will be able to safely leave your unit before harm comes your way. Your possession, although precious, can be replaced but your life can not. The Fire Department may damage your possessions anyway upon arrival with their rather large powerful hoses emitting the water pressure they discharge into your home.

            Recently there have been more deaths reported by Fire in the GTA. Bill Stewart of the Toronto Fire Department reported to the Toronto Star about several recently when interviewed. In one fire 6 people died trapped in a stairwell trying to leave. He is an advocate for improvements of the building codes and bylaws. I am sure he is proud of the direction buildings are going in, should Port Perry’s project be an indication of change. Reported in the same article it was quoted 920 people died in residential fires from 1997 to 2006. Since 1995, 89 of these people lived in high rises in

Toronto

.

            

Vancouver

has required sprinklers in all new residential construction since 1990. Only last month has Premier Dalton McGuinty said

Ontario

may soon implement similar legislation. Hopefully this will come to fruition in short order. It is heart breaking to hear of the losses incurred from these preventable fires. We need to be more diligent.

            Recently I drove past the Fire Station on

Victoria Street

in

Whitby

where the Fire Department had a sign up reminding all residents with basement apartments to call them and have them checked out to see if they comply with all the rules and regulations regarding fire safety. Landlords may consider this annoying and invasive but it is necessary. Remember the saying “Better safe than Sorry”. Do you really want to be sorry if a fire, which could have been prevented through these safety measures, started in your home’s basement apartment incurring not only loss of property but possibly loss of life? Remember the fire could spread into your quarters as well. Do you want to take this risk?

Please check with your local Fire Department regarding what you should be doing to keep yourself and your loved ones safe. Many offer advice and inspections for free.

            

Carbon Monoxide Poisoning

Carbon Monoxide Poisoning

At this time of the year this is a threat to all families. Currently our houses are expected to be airtight, not allowing out any of the expensive heat we have paid for. This can cause us harm.

What about when the power goes out and we lose our heat? We might do what this family did which cost them their lives and that was to use a generator to provide them with electricity for their electric heater to keep their family warm.

Never use a generator indoors.The generator is powered usually by gas or oil which if used indoors can cause Carbon Monoxide Poisoning. More than likely you would fall asleep and never wake up. Generators are to be kept outdoors with a cord plugged into them brought indoors. More than likely this family was worried about leaving open a gap for the cord and wasting their precious heat.

Our lives are far more precious than heat loss.

Please read the article below which happened just recently and often happens somewhere annually in North America. "Mom, girl, neighbor die of apparent carbon monoxide poisoning Wednesday, November 21st 2007, 4:16 PM A 5-year-old, her mother and a neighbor died Tuesday of apparent carbon monoxide poisoning in a condemned house warmed with generators and space heaters, officials said. Tanishia Armstrong, 25, her daughter, Talani Johnson, and their downstairs neighbor, Ricardo Pearce, 27, went to sleep Monday night and never woke up. " "

What Is Carbon Monoxide? Carbon monoxide is a flammable, colorless, odorless, tasteless toxic gas produced during incomplete combustion of fuel.

Carbon Monoxide is the leading cause of accidental poisoning deaths in the country according to the Journal of the American Medical Association.

Fifteen hundred people die annually in the country due to accidental carbon monoxide exposure, and additional 10,000 seek medical attention.

How Does CO Enter The Home? Carbon monoxide can escape from any fuel-burning appliance, furnace, water heater, fireplace, woodstove, or space heater. Any of these things can be very dangerous: A faulty furnace, maybe from mechanical failure A clogged fireplace from a bird's nest resting on top Water heaters, perhaps damaged in a flood A gas stove in your kitchen A faulty space heater A gas dryer that's not properly installed A grill used inside a garage during winter Many newer homes are built air-tight cutting down on the supply of fresh air to your furnace creating an oxygen starved flame. Tight closing replacement windows and doors, and additional insulation can cause similar problems in older homes.

Carbon monoxide can spill from vent connections in poorly maintained or blocked chimneys. If the flue liner is cracked or deteriorated, CO can seep through the liner and into the house reaching dangerous levels. If a nest or other materials restrict or block the flue CO can leak into the house. Improperly sized flues connected to new high-efficiency furnaces and water heaters can contribute to CO leakage.

Some new furnaces and water heaters are installed using the existing chimneys which may be the wrong size to allow the furnace to vent properly. Warming up vehicles in an attached garage, even with the garage door opened, can allow concentrated amounts of CO to enter your home.

A car in parked in a garage attached to the house, which in the Region of Durham is the norm, could potentially cause a real problem for those who start them long before they get in them to warm up the car in winter. Wind can also blow fumes back into the garage, and temperature differences between the indoors and outside can move CO back into your house or garage In the neighbourhood I live in the wind can be an issue.

If you are suffering from chronic flu-like symptoms, see your doctor and ask if it could be a low-level CO poisoning. If you have a CO detector, and it alarms, open windows and ventilate your home with fresh air, have your heating system checked by a professional.

If your alarm sounds and you are feeling drowsy or dizzy, leave the house and call 911 from your neighbors' home. You may need medical attention for CO poisoning. CAUTION: Many of our Carbon Dioxide Detectors are connected to our electrical supply with a back up battery.

Annually replace the batteries in your Smoke and Carbon Dioxide Detectors and check monthly to make sure they work. In 1997 a family lost two of its members to Carbon Monoxide Poisoning in Toronto. Because of this tragedy Toronto conducted a study into this issue which resulted in the recommendation of all family homes being equipped with carbon monoxide detectors. I wanted to point out to you regardless of where you are without these safeguards in place to detect the poison in the air we are all vulnerable. We do not have to leave ourselves exposed to the risk.

Good Samaritan

Good Samaritan

On Wednesday, November 28^th, 2007 an employee of McDonald’s Restaurant in Oshawa assisted a female customer who had collapsed because of a stroke. I am very proud of this person as she is also a student of mine in the Developmental Service Worker Program at Trillium College. Both are located in the Oshawa Mall.

We want people like her to be around when we vulnerable and need assistance.

There are all types of Emergency Situations in life where without the assistance of perfect strangers we may not survive. This was one of them. My student acted quickly making the woman comfortable, asked for the assistance of another staff person while she immediately called 911. The 911 operator kept her on the line asking her to describe the woman’s condition in order to make an informed decision on how to direct the paramedics who were to be called.

Below is the Good Samaritan Act we have in Canada which protects those who help others in an emergency situation. I do not believe my student had this on her mind when she went to assist this woman, but should others have concerns they should know this law exists.

Good Samaritan Act, 2001

S.O. 2001, CHAPTER 2

Definition

1.  In this Act,

Protection from liability

2.  (1)  Despite the rules of common law, a person described in subsection (2) who voluntarily and without reasonable expectation of compensation or reward provides the services described in that subsection is not liable for damages that result from the person's negligence in acting or failing to act while providing the services, unless it is established that the damages were caused by the gross negligence of the person. 2001, c. 2, s. 2 (1).

Persons covered

(2)  Subsection (1) applies to,

(a) a health care professional who provides emergency health care services or first aid assistance to a person who is ill, injured or unconscious as a result of an accident or other emergency, if the health care professional does not provide the services or assistance at a hospital or other place having appropriate health care facilities and equipment for that purpose; and

(b) an individual, other than a health care professional described in clause (a), who provides emergency first aid assistance to a person who is ill, injured or unconscious as a result of an accident or other emergency, if the individual provides the assistance at the immediate scene of the accident or emergency. 2001, c. 2, s. 2 (2).

Strokes

A stroke usually happens suddenly, and a person having a stroke has several of these signs:

• numbness or weakness on one side of the body
• a very bad headache
• dizziness
• loss of balance or coordination
• trouble talking or understanding what people are saying
• trouble seeing

Anyone who has even one of these symptoms should get to the hospital right away. A doctor will make sure the person is not in immediate danger and treat the patient. Without quick intervention the woman in McDonald’s may have suffered more of an impact from her stroke.

We need our Good Samaritans.

Please send me your Good Samaritan stories to share with others. Everyone loves a happy ending.

High Rise Evacuation Plans and Procedures

High Rise Evacuation Plans and Procedures

Before I really get started I should remind you that the Office of Emergency Management for the Region of Durham has put together some excellent material you can either pick up at the Rossland Road Office of Emergency Management Office or download from the following web site:http://www.region.durham.on.ca/departments/demo/AreYouReady.pdf

Please keep a copy of this booklet with you and incorporate it into your Emergency Kit as reference material since the booklet addresses known risks in the Region of Durham.

However having said this I would like to address what you can do to keep you and your family safe should you live in an apartment building. First of all you should have your own individual plan for your family since it should meet the needs of all family members. Next you should make sure your building superintendent is aware of anyone in your family with special needs so he/she can accommodate their needs in the plans for the building. You should never move into an apartment building which can not meet the needs of your individual family members if the building is not equipped with the equipment and plans which address the needs of those challenged. Should you still move into such a building I would recommend a lower floor so  your challenges are minimized by the distance someone may have in assisting you down the stairs should the elevators be inoperable. Special chairs should be stored in the building to lift people down the stairs.

Many high rise buildings have an intercom or radio system which would be used in a disaster. You would be advised to either stay in your apartment or shelter on site. Another method of notifying tenants used in recent years is an auto dialer system. This would be employed by the building manager or Security Company on behalf of the building which would allow them to call everyone at once and give you a message advising you of your instructions on how to address your emergency situation. In order for this system to work it is your responsibility to ensure the right people have the right numbers to call, so if you change your phone number you need to advise the building manager of this right away.

If you are unable to leave your apartment and you see smoke in the hallways or coming under your door, you will need to seal your doors to the best of your ability with tape if possible. If not at least block the smoke from coming in from under the door with a wet towel. You should then move into a smoke free room and seal the door which enters this room. While doing this you should also call 911 and let them know which room you are in and why you are unable to leave your apartment. Going towards a balcony or window would be in your best interest. If you have notified your building manager of your set of circumstances in advance he/she will have a list of tenants to provide to the fire department upon arrival needing assistance to vacate the building.

Another way of looking after yourself would be to incorporate into your plan a buddy system where you would make arrangements with someone on your floor to look after your interests should you need to evacuate your building. Even better would be to have two buddies at opposite ends of the hallways in case the centre of the hallway is blocked or one of your "buddies" is not home when the emergency occurs. Another idea to make your life safer would be to purchase your own evacuation type chair so your buddy does not have to wait for one should there by more than one person per floor in need of this piece of equipment to leave the building. You and your buddies should practice your special needs regarding how you need to be lifted etc. at regular intervals and go over your routes of leaving the building at least twice a year. A copy of the route and method you need to take to leave the building should be posted in your apartment to allow those not familiar with your set of circumstances to have the necessary details to complete your evacuation of the building safely. These would include any special instructions regarding your special needs, such as hearing impaired, sight limitations, mobility issues and special mental health concerns.

The apartment building owners should have evacuation routes posted in all corridors, stairwells and elevators. Meetings with tenants and management should happen at regular intervals to discuss the needs of having a proper plan in place. Regular training and drills will ensure that all occupants leave the apartments safely. Keeping the building managers up to date of your specific changes of circumstances will assist them in modifying their plans to accommodate your needs.

Emergency Planning is everyone's responsibility.

Please send me your comments and questions.

Fire Prevention Week

FIRE PREVENTION WEEK Each year the Province of Ontario designates a week in October as Fire Prevention Week to commemorate The Great Chicago Fire which occurred on October 9, 1871 and killed more than 250 people, left 100,000 homeless and destroyed more than 17,400 structures. To commemorate the loss of life and property from this fire, Ontario designates a week in October as Fire Prevention Week. The purpose is to raise awareness of fire safety. Most people think that home fires happen in other communities. Between 2003 and 2005, 211 preventable structure fires occurred in Whitby. All municipalities in Durham Region would have similar statistics. On February 20th, 2006 three people died in Port Perry in a fire. Later the same week in February, 2006 a Bowmanville resident also died in a house fire. July 28th , 2006 a resident in Oshawa died in a house fire. These deaths may have been prevented by the installation of Smoke Alarms in good working order. Annually replace the batteries. Monthly check the batteries. Smoke Alarms are not the only things you need in place. You could consider installing an automatic fire sprinkler system much like the ones used in commercial settings. The most inexpensive and reliable way to protect you and your family in addition to installing smoke alarms is to create an escape plan from your home. This can be done on graph paper. You need to draw a copy of your floor plans on paper. Each room should include two exits. One could be blocked in the event of a fire. Should you need to escape from a second floor room, often windows are placed above porch roofs which allow you to escape to safety. Should this not be the case you may need to invest in escape ladders which can be stored in boxes below your windows in upper story rooms. If there is smoke in the house when you are trying to exit, you should crawl on your hands and knees to get out through the nearest exit. All family members should learn if possible how to exit their home on their own and where to meet when outside. Two practice exercies should occur annually with one during daylight hours and another at night. Children have been known to sleep through alarms going off. Practice will help them understand the process. All members of the family need to be involved in the practices. Everyone should be advised where they will meet in front on their home. All members should be accounted for. The Fire Department should be called from a neighbours or from a cell phone once everyone is out. Should someone be left behind notify the Fire Department immediately upon their arrival of where you think the person is and let them deal with the rescue. The Fire Department has the right expertise and equipment to manage the rescue. Remember never go back into a burning house. Next time we will talk about how to look after a plan for he disabled and the elderly. .

Emergency Planning

IS YOUR FAMILY PREPARED?
For a major emergency – like a blackout or severe storm – you need to be prepared and ready. You should be prepared to take care of yourself and your family for a minimum of 72 hours during an emergency.

START TODAY. PREPARE YOUR EMERGENCY KIT

Basic items you will need to survive for 72 hours:

Water – at least two litres of water per person per day (Include small bottles that can be carried easily in case of an evacuation order); Food that won’t spoil, such as canned food, energy bars and dried foods (remember to replace the food and water once a year); Manual can opener; Flashlight and batteries; Candles and matches or lighter (remember to place candles in sturdy containers and to put them out before going to sleep); Battery-powered or wind-up radio (and extra batteries); First aid kit;  Special items such as prescription medications, infant formula and equipment for people with disabilities; Extra keys for your car and house; Some cash in smaller bills, such as $10 bills (travellers cheques are also useful) and change for payphones (if there is a power outage you may not be able to access the bank machine or use your credit card).                                                                                     

A copy of your emergency plan including contact information for every member of your family including pets. Information on who would know where you are at any given time is important, whether it is at home, close to home or at a distance. Please see web site listed below on items which should be included. More details on this area and others will be provided at a later date.

Here is a web site which will allow you to complete an emergency plan for your family which is specific to your family’s needs. You should print this and include it in your kit once it is done.  http://getprepared.ca/plan/plan_e.asp Additional information regarding specific plans for seniors, children and pets can be found on this web site.

It’s a good idea to put your emergency kit in a backpack, duffel bag or suitcase with wheels. If you have to evacuate, you can easily bring it with you.

Prepared by Pamela Kullo-Egelton of Emergency Plans Canada who is a Whitby Shores resident , and a consultant specializing in the following: the writing of Emergency Plans, the development of Business Continuity Plans, Training and the development of Emergency kits. She can be reached at 905-427-4223 or by email at pamteacher@rogers.com.