Gravenhurst Volunteer Fire Department

Your Muskoka Fire Safety Resource

Three Fatal Fires
INSTALL WORKING SMOKE ALARMS: IT’S THE LAW!
Smoke alarms provide precious seconds to escape a fire


NEWS  August 16, 2011

The Office of the Fire Marshal (OFM) can now confirm that three separate, tragic fires since last Friday have claimed the lives of four adults and three small children in Ontario. Another adult remains in hospital with fire-related injuries. The absence of working smoke alarms and home fire escape plans are common factors in all three fatal fires.

A fire on August 12 on Bastedo Ave., in Toronto is believed to have been the result of unattended cooking. OFM investigators have determined that there were no working smoke alarms in the three-storey house. Two adults perished in the fire.

Another fire on that same day, at East Boundary Rd. in Alexandria, claimed the lives of a woman and her three children. OFM investigators have determined the fire originated on the exterior porch at the front of the home, blocking the only exit from the home. Investigators also have determined that while there was a working smoke alarm on the main storey of the home, there was no battery in the smoke alarm outside the sleeping areas on the second storey. This household had three small children and highlights the importance of having a home fire escape plan.

A third fire on August 13, at Ascot Lane in Huntsville, claimed the life of an adult. While OFM investigators have not yet determined the cause of this fire, there were no working smoke alarms in the one-storey cottage.

The OFM continues to work closely with Toronto Fire Services, Toronto Police Service, North Glengarry Fire Department, Technical Standards and Safety Authority, the Town of Huntsville Fire Department and the Ontario Provincial Police on these investigations.

QUICK FACTS

To ensure everyone is safe from fire, the Office of the Fire Marshal is urging residents to:

  • Test smoke alarms to make sure they are working;
  • Install battery-operated smoke alarms, or electrically-connected alarms with a battery back-up; and,
  • Develop and practice a home fire escape plan to ensure everyone knows what to do if a fire occurs.

It’s the law in Ontario to have working smoke alarms on every storey of the home and outside all sleeping areas. Failure to comply with the law can result in a ticket of $235 or a fine of up to $50,000 for individuals or $100,000 for corporations.

QUOTES

“The tragic incidents from the past weekend could have been prevented. It’s the law to have working smoke alarms. I strongly urge everyone to take a few minutes to test their smoke alarms and practice their home fire escape plans. You are responsible for your children and everyone else in your home and, for ensuring everyone knows what to do if a fire occurs.”
- Ted Wieclawek, Ontario Fire Marshal

 
New tax credit for volunteer firefighters PDF  | Print |
Saturday, 16 July 2011 08:13

Minister Shea highlights new tax credit for volunteer firefighters

Kensington, Prince Edward Island, July 6, 2011… The Honourable Gail Shea, Minister of National Revenue, today visited the Kensington Fire Station on Gerald McCarville Drive to promote a new non-refundable tax credit for volunteer firefighters announced in the 2011 federal budget.

"Every day in Canada, almost 85,000 brave men and women are ready to put their own lives at risk to protect the lives and property of their friends, neighbours, and even perfect strangers. Our Government recognizes these efforts and is proud to have introduced the Volunteer Firefighter's Tax Credit," said Minister Shea.

The non-refundable tax credit is available to any volunteer firefighter who serves at least 200 hours per year at one or more fire departments beginning on January 1, 2011. Services that make up those 200 hours include responding to and being on call for firefighting and other emergencies, attending meetings at the fire department, and taking courses in preventing and putting out fires. When an eligible firefighter claims the credit, they can reduce income taxes they have paid or will owe at tax time by as much as $450.

"This credit is one of several measures announced in Budget 2011 that will help Canadians and their families to keep hard-earned dollars in their pockets. I encourage all volunteer firefighters to learn more about the credit and to claim it when they file their 2011 income tax and benefit returns."

Volunteer Firefighter Tax Credit (VFTC)

1. What is the new Volunteer Firefighter Tax Credit (VFTC)?

For 2011 and subsequent years, the budget proposes a new non-refundable tax credit, based on an amount of $3,000, for certain volunteer firefighters.

2. I am a volunteer firefighter. Do I qualify for the VFTC?

To qualify for the new credit, you must meet the following conditions:

  • you must be a volunteer firefighter in the year; and
  • you must complete a minimum of 200 hours of eligible volunteer firefighter services with one or more fire departments in the year.

However, if you were also engaged by the same fire department (other than as a volunteer) for the same or similar duties, you cannot include any hours related to that department in determining if you have met the 200-hour threshold.

A certification from a fire chief or delegated official within the fire department may be requested to verify the number of hours of eligible volunteer firefighter services you performed for the department.

3. What are eligible volunteer firefighter services?

Eligible services include:

  • responding to and being on call for firefighting and related emergency calls as a firefighter;
  • attending meetings held by the fire department; and
  • participating in required training related to the prevention or suppression of fire.

4. I am currently a volunteer firefighter. Do my hours of service completed since January 1, 2011 count towards the 200-hour threshold?

Yes.

5. How is the VFTC calculated?

The VFTC is calculated by multiplying the lowest personal income tax rate for the year (15% in 2011) by $3,000. For 2011, the non-refundable credit will be $450.

6. I received a payment for my duties as a volunteer firefighter. Do I still get the VFTC?

As a volunteer firefighter, you may be eligible for an income exemption of up to $1,000 if you received a payment from a government, municipality, or other public authority for carrying out volunteer firefighter duties. If you choose to claim this exemption, you will not be eligible for the new VFTC.

7. I am eligible for a $1,000 exemption related to the payment I received for carrying out volunteer firefighter duties. Is this exempt income reported on my T4 information slip?

For 2011 and subsequent years, the income exemption related to volunteer firefighter duties will be identified on your T4 information slip.

8. How will I claim the VFTC?

Beginning with the 2011 personal income tax and benefit return, a new line will be incorporated into the Schedule 1, Federal Tax to allow you to claim the credit.

9. Where can I get more information about this new tax credit?

The CRA is committed to providing taxpayers with up-to-date information. The CRA encourages taxpayers to check its Web pages often. All new forms, policies, and guidelines will be posted as they become available.

In the meantime, please consult the Department of Finance Canada's Budget 2011 documents for details. 

Above information links : News Release  www.cra.gc.ca/firefighter

 

July 2011

 

 
 



Public Education Matters
     

Enhancing Fire Safety Education and Prevention in Your Community

Issue 28, June 4, 2010 Dear Public Educator/Fire Prevention Officer:      

Maytag Dishwasher Recall


The attached notice was issued by the Electrical Safety Authority regarding a recall of some Maytag dishwashers. Please consider distributing this information in your community so members of the public are aware of the potential fire risk.
 

Your feedback is always welcome! Contact the OFM's Public Education and Media Relations section by email or phone (416-325-3100) if you have questions about public education or media relations in your community. Let us know about specific programs that work well in your community or specific public education topics you would like addressed in an upcoming notice.



 
Tailgating Emergency Vehicles

New penalties for ignoring or tailgating emergency vehicles

TRAFFIC LAWS

Posted 9 days ago

Starting Friday, drivers who tailgate fire trucks or keep on motoring with an emergency vehicle in their rearview mirror will get slammed with tough new traffic fines.

Jan. 1 will bring a slew of stiff highway penalties that include licence suspensions, possible jail sentences and some fines that are quadruple the current punishment.

Drivers who don't pull over for emergency vehicles or who follow fire vehicles too closely will get hit with the harshest penalties, with a maximum fine of $2,000 -- up from the current $500 fine -- along with three demerit points and a possible two-year licence suspension.

Repeat offenders could face fines of up to $4,000 and a possible six-month prison term.

Firefighters hope the new sanctions will be effective.

"It's just generally a lack of understanding and consideration," said Peter Kennedy, president of the Ottawa Professional Firefighters Association.

"There's still an awful lot of education to be done," he said, noting how many drivers pull off the road but don't come to a complete stop.

"Once we go by, they go right up on our butt and figure it's free passage," said Kennedy, adding many drivers think "it's almost like a race to get back into the queue."

Since June 2008, when Ontario introduced laws requiring highway drivers to move over an extra lane for emergency vehicles, drivers still aren't giving enough room for first responders, said deputy fire chief Bruce Montone.

"We've seen some change in driver behaviour but unfortunately not enough," said Montone.

He said distracted drivers often narrowly miss emergency workers "by a matter of inches."

"That law is there as much to protect the public as to protect the responders," he said.

Darryl Wilton, president of the Professional Paramedic Association of Ottawa, said drivers need more public service announcements explaining the laws, not just tougher fines.

"The problem is when we're outside our vehicle and someone is whizzing by you at 120 km/h, we have no control. You try to get the message out but people are not getting the message," said Wilton, a paramedic supervisor.

Starting Friday, drivers will also face increased fines for running a red light, not wearing a seatbelt and not securing kids under 16, with those penalties doubling to $1,000. Careless driving and failing to remain at the scene of a collision now carry a $2,000 fine, double their current rate.

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Dehumidifiers Recalled

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
December 17, 2009
Release # 10-082		Firm’s Recall Hotline: (800) 553-3199
CPSC Recall Hotline: (800) 638-2772
CPSC Media Contact: (301) 504-7908

Home Depot Recalls Dehumidifiers Due to Fire and Burn Hazards

WASHINGTON, D.C. - The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, in cooperation with the firm named below, today announced a voluntary recall of the following consumer product. Consumers should stop using recalled products immediately unless otherwise instructed.

Name of Product: Hampton Bay Dehumidifiers

Units: About 2,000

Importer: The Home Depot, of Atlanta, Ga.

Hazard: An internal component can fail causing the dehumidifier to overheat, posing fire and burn hazards to consumers.

Incidents/Injuries: Home Depot has received 18 reports of the dehumidifiers catching fire. One consumer reported a burn injury to his forearm.

Description: The dehumidifiers are beige, have four wheels, and measure 21 inches high, 13 ½ inches wide and 17 ½ inches long. “Hampton Bay” is printed on the front panel. Model HB-50 is being recalled. The model number is printed on the back interior panel.

Sold at: The Home Depot from November 2000 through May 2007 for between $120 and $150.

Manufactured in: China

Remedy: Consumers should immediately stop using the recalled dehumidifiers and contact Home Depot to receive a gift card for the full amount of the purchase price.

Consumer Contact: For additional information, contact The Home Depot at (800) 553-3199 between 8:30 a.m. and 5:30 p.m. ET Monday through Friday, or visit the firm’s Web site at www.homedepot.com
 
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