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Fire Prevention Division The Fire Prevention Division is the second prong in our efforts to reduce fire losses, injuries and deaths in our community. While Public Education is the first aspect, fire prevention through inspections, plan reviews and code compliance is another aspect of the job. In the past for many fire departments, Gravenhurst included, the role of fire prevention really encompassed the activities that we now perform as part of public education. While not as glamorous as public education or fire suppression, the job of fire prevention is vital to the public safety of the community. Under the direction of Chief Fire Prevention Officer David Eidsness,
who is also our Platoon Chief, the Fire Inspections of buildings and facilities are carried out on a complaint-or-request basis. As our staff is completely volunteer, we are unable to undertake systematic inspections of all buildings. The inspections that are carried out deal with code compliance in an effort to reduce injuries and deaths through proper building maintenance and upkeep. This aspect alone keeps this division extremely busy, as an inspection on one building will account for hours of time in paper work, follow-up and even court time. As a result, any requests for inspections should be submitted well in advance of your requirements so that they can be completed on time. At present we are unable to complete inspections in a timely manner due to the current backlog. A popular request for inspection is for woodstoves and chimneys. These inspections are dealt with in a separate policy. A listing of the open air burning guidelines are available here, as well as the Muskoka Forest Fire Danger Rating. Smoke Alarms: It's The Law! Under the Ontario Fire Code, every home in Ontario is required to have working smoke alarms. Homeowners must ensure that smoke alarms are installed between sleeping and living areas. They are also required to maintain the smoke alarms in working order. In rental accommodation, the obligation to install and maintain smoke alarms in operating condition falls to the landlord. Landlords must also provide smoke alarm maintenance information to the occupant of each unit. It is an offence for any person to disable a smoke alarm. This requirement applies equally to homeowners, landlords and tenants.
Don't Have a Smoke Alarm? We want to give you one! FREE! Yes Free. The "Alarmed for Life Program" will get you a free smoke alarm or replacement battery. If you need help installing the alarm, we can help too. We want every household in Gravenhurst to be protected. |
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Site designed and maintained by
John Black and David Eidsness |
Prevention
Division examines plans for a variety of projects proposed in the town. In this way fire
protection considerations can be dealt with at the planning stages. The division will
review plans for subdivisions, lot creation or severance's, commercial buildings and
multiple residence homes, to name but a few. 