Older and Wiser

Statistics show that adults over age 65 are at the highest risk of being killed or injured in a fire.

Although most older adults continue to live independent, productive lives, the natural aging process can make them particularly vulnerable to fire.  Common fire risks for older adults include careless smoking, careless cooking and improper placement of space heaters.

Older and Wiser is designed to be delivered by fire departments with the assistance of community groups, home support workers and friends and families of older adults.

TAPP-C (The Arson Prevention Program for Children)

TAPP-C is an assessment and intervention program aimed at reducing the incidence of youth fire-setting in the community.

TAPP-C is based on the premise that for most youth, fire-setting is a behavioural problem that can be corrected with a combination of education and psychological counselling. Fire play is when a child puts themselves or others in danger by playing with fire materials such as matches or lighters. Cornwall Fire Services plays a key role in the identification and referral of youth fire setters. The program focuses on educating children aged 2-17 about appropriate fire safety behaviours. According to the Centre for Addiction & Mental Health, Clarke Division, a follow-up survey of some of these children indicated that 70% have not continued to set fires. 　

Whether you are a student moving into a college residence, or just decided that you would like your own place to live, there are a multitude of decisions to be made.

Every year we hear about a number of major fires affecting young adults throughout the province. While there are several causes for these fires, you need to be prepared in the event of fire. 

Know Fire is a fire safety awareness program for students. It includes quick and simple tips that will help save lives, whether you are a student, property owner, or parent.

Cornwall residents can apply to the Cornwall Fire Department for a permit to conduct small open-air fires in an approved burning appliance on their property, subject to the conditions set out in the City's Open Air Burning By-law.

Residents are encouraged to carefully review the By-law before filling out the Open Air Burn Permit Application Form. The completed application form must be submitted to Protective Services at the Cornwall Fire Department's Headquarter Station (10 Fourth Street West, behind City Hall) during regular business hours.

The cost of an Open Air Burn Permit is $100, payable at the time of issue. Payment may be made by either cash or cheque (made payable to the Cornwall Fire Department). The permits are valid for 3 years from the date of issue.

Open Air Burning Bylaw
Open Air Burn Permit Application Form

Restrictions

• At certain times of the year and as conditions warrant, the Chief Fire Official may issue a complete ban on open air burning. When a ban is issued, all open air burning is prohibited.
• Also, no open air burning will be permitted when a smog alert has been issued for the forecast region of Stormont County, which includes the City of Cornwall. 
• Only clean, cured wood is to be used for burning. Green wood, painted wood, construction material, garbage, cardboard or recyclable materials are examples of items that should not be burned.
• Please note that fires should be small and they should be supervised at all times by an adult. The fire must be extinguished when there is no supervision. Fire extinguishment equipment, such as a garden hose, should be readily available and accessible.
• Fires should be kept on a non-combustible surface a minimum of 20 feet (6 metres) from structures and/or property lines. The minimum distance can be at the discretion of the Chief Fire Official or his designate.
• Open air burning is permitted from April 1 to October 31, from sunset to midnight.
• Please keep the following points in mind for open air burning:
  • Never use flammable liquids such as gasoline to start your fire
  • Remove all vegetation and other material that could spread the fire
  • Maintain close supervision of children and pets
  • Be familiar with equipment to extinguish the fire, such as rakes, shovels or garden hose
  • Pay attention to wind conditions and potential spark hazards
• Obtaining authorization to have an open air burn does not relieve an owner from their obligation to comply with the Environmental Protection Act of Ontario. While burning, it is your obligation to ensure that smoke does not interfere with the ability of your neighbours to enjoy their properties or conduct their business without disruption. Watch where your smoke travels and do not burn when there are foggy conditions or wind that will carry your smoke in a direction that will disrupt adjacent roadways or properties.

• Persons violating the Open Air Burning By-Law could face a $195 fine. Repeat offenders may be subject to full cost recovery measures including the cost of fire department vehicles, equipment and staff ($410.00/hour). Persons violating the Ontario Fire Code may be prosecuted under the Fire Protection and Prevention Act. A burn permit can be revoked by the Fire Chief or his designate.

The following by-laws are related to Cornwall Fire Services.

• Sale of Fireworks
• Establishing and Regulating
• Open Air Burning
• Cost Recovery Fees
• Services Fees for Alarm Maintenance Services

Your fire department wants you to be prepared if a fire strikes your home. Please take a few minutes with your family to make a fire escape plan by following the nine simple instructions listed below. Every household must have a fire escape plan and a working smoke alarm to help ensure survival in a fire. Begin your plan by checking your smoke alarm to make sure that it is working. The smoke alarm will wake you up if a fire occurs while you are asleep.

1. Draw a floor plan of your home: Use a grid to draw a floor plan of your home, following the example provided as a guide. You should draw a floor plan for each floor of your home.
2. Include all possible emergency exits: Draw in all walls, doors, windows and stairs. This will show you and your family all possible escape routes at a glance.
3. Include any important features that could help with your escape: Doors and windows are escape exits from your home. Are there any other features that could help you get out safely? Can you climb out a window onto the roof of a porch or garage? Is there a tree or television antenna tower that can be safely reached from a window? These features can be extremely useful in an emergency, however you must make sure that all escape routes are practical and usable.
4. Mark two escape routes from each room: There is a main exit from every room. This will be the exit to use if there is no apparent danger. If you are unable to use the main exit because of smoke or fire, you must have an alternate exit. The second exit is usually the window. Special consideration should be given to planning escape routes from the bedrooms as most fires occur at right when everyone is sleeping. This second exit must be practical and easy to use. Make sure that the occupant of that bedroom is able to use the second exit.
5. Remember - some people may need help to escape: Decide in advance who will assist the very young, elderly or physically challenged members of your household. A few minutes of planning will save valuable seconds in a real emergency.
6. Choose a place outside where everyone will meet: Choose a meeting place that every one will remember. It is a good idea to choose a spot at the front of your home or close to your neighbour's house. Everyone must know to go directly to this meeting place so they can be accounted for. No one should go back into a burning building for any reason.
7. Call the fire department from a neighbour's home: Once at the meeting place, someone can be sent to the neighbour's home to call the fire department. Include the neighbour's name and the fire department phone number on your plan. Mark the street address of your home on your fire escape plan, Always keep the Fire Departments number by your own phone in case a neighbour needs to call.
8. Make sure everyone is familiar with the home escape plan: Go over the entire plan with everyone. Discuss primary and secondary escape routes from each bedroom. Ensure that all children know the plan. Walk through the escape routes for each room with the entire family. Use this walk-through exercise to check your escape routes, making sure all exits are practical and easy to use. It is important that all windows will open and that no heavy furniture blocks any escape route. If escape ladders or ropes are to be used, make sure that they area accessible and that the appropriate individual is capable of using them.
9. Practice your escape plan: After reviewing the floor plan with the members of your household, have an actual practice to ensure that everyone knows what to do. Practice your escape plan every six months. In a real fire, you must react without hesitation as your escape routes may be quickly blocked by smoke or flames. Your practice drills will ensure that everyone knows what to do when fire strikes.

 Don't let a discarded cigarette take your last breath!!!!

• If you smoke, smoke outside.
• Use deep, wide ashtrays on sturdy tables.
• Before you throw out the butts and ashes, make sure they are out, and douse in water.
• Check under furniture cushions and in other places people smoke for cigarette butts that may have fallen out of sight.
• Keep matches and lighters up high, out of reach of children's sight and reach.

The Cornwall Fire Services' Fire Prevention Division is working closely with the Eastern Ontario Health Unit and it's Tobacco Cessation Program Services.  For further information, please visit the following sites:

Eastern Ontario Health Unit

myquit.ca

 “Sparky the Fire Dog ® is a trademark of NFPA, Quincy,
MA”

Click here to visit Sparky's website for great children activities, videos and apps.