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FIRE DEPARTMENT INFORMATION |
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The
mailing address for the Lake of Bays Fire Department is: Lake of Bays Fire Department 1012 Dwight Beach Road Dwight, ON P0A 1H0
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The Lake of Bays Fire Department has four fire halls all staffed 24 hours per day by volunteer firefighters. Therefore, in most cases if you were to stop by a fire hall there would be no one there. But in the event of an emergency the fire fighters are paged out to respond.
The four fire halls are currently located at: • Station 20 Port Cunnington – 1230 Fox Point Rd also known as Muskoka Rd #21 • Station 30 Hillside - 1007 Limberlost Rd also known as Muskoka Rd #8 • Station 40 Baysville – 12 University Street • Station 50 Interlake - 2309 Limberlost Rd also known as Muskoka Rd #8 |
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Do
you know what for?
•
Any
structural fire •
Vehicle
Fires •
Motor
Vehicle Accidents •
Any
type of water rescue •
Electrocutions
•
Industrial
Accidents Using
9-1-1 in the District of Muskoka
How
does it work and where does my call go?
The
9-1-1 emergency telephone systems are in place in the District of
Muskoka, to assist citizens with Police,
Ambulance or Fire
Emergencies. It should be realized that non-emergency calls to the
9-1-1 systems could create delays in handling other very serious
emergencies that require immediate attention. The following are some
general guidelines for the proper use of the 9-1-1 systems for Fire
emergencies in the Township of Lake of Bays. Please
do not call 9-1-1 for non-emergency situations! Examples
of non-emergency situations are: •
Open
Air Burning Complaints •
General
Information Remember,
these are general guidelines, but if there is any doubt, do not hesitate
to call 9-1-1.
When
you request an emergency service using 9-1-1, the following procedures
are put into place: A
Call Taker will receive your call and ask you Police,
Fire, Ambulance? When
you identify your call as a Fire
emergency it is automatically transferred to the Fire & Emergency Services Dispatch Center. The dispatcher
will electronically receive the address and telephone number of the
telephone you are calling from. Therefore, it is important to state if
you are calling from someone else's phone or a different location from
the emergency. If you are in a situation that you can't speak, the
address that appeared on the 9-1-1 screen will be the one that the fire
services will be responding to. Therefore, take the time to find out
your correct address and make sure that your telephone company has it
listed correctly. Remember seconds count in an emergency; we want to
reach your home or location of emergency without guessing where you
live.
• What
is the emergency?
• Verifies
and asks where is the emergency?
In addition to your address, helpful information would include major
intersections or cross streets that are near to you. Any identification
name for your building or landmarks.
• Who
needs the help?
This might include the number of people/Age/Medical history
• Is
anyone trapped?
• Is
anyone still in the building?
As
mentioned above, the dispatcher for complete accuracy will verify the
address again. Try
to remain calm and give direct answers to all the questions asked. Speak
slowly and clearly. You will be asked additional questions so the
dispatcher can send the right type of help. All questions are important.
NOTE:
Wait for the fire dispatcher to hang up before you do.
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Small
fires are permitted in most RURAL areas of Muskoka as long as the
following rules are complied with: There is no daytime burning permitted
at anytime. Fires must take place between two hours before sunset and
two hours after sunrise. Your fire can be no greater than two metres in
diameter and only environmentally materials may be burned. The smoke
from your fire cannot interfere with your neighbours or a roadway and
you must have sufficient tools and water available to put the fire out
should the need arise. Remember, you must be with your fire at all
times.
Please
call the Toll Free number 1-877-847-1577
from any telephone in Ontario for a verbal version of this rating.
Or you can view this information on the Gravenhurst Fire
department web site at
www.gravenhurstfire.com/ffdanger
The
Muskoka Forest Fire Danger Rating is determined using the Forest Weather
Index (FWI), an internationally used method for determining the risk of
fires in open air. It uses factors such as the relative humidity,
temperature, previous 24 hour rain amount, wind direction and wind speed
in combination with the forest fuel type and loads to determine the risk
of the forest to certain fire types. From this calculation the forest
fire danger rating is made in consultation with the Fire Chiefs of the
six area municipalities and the Ministry of Natural Resources. |
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In
general, the regulation contained in the Ontario Fire Code addresses
four fire safety issues: •
Fire separation for each dwelling unit •
Means of escape from each dwelling unit •
Smoke alarms •
Electrical safety The
owner has three options for compliance with the fire separation for
dwelling units. Four options are provided for compliance with the means
of escape from each dwelling unit. Depending
on the option selected for fire separation and means of escape, it may
be necessary to install electrically wired, interconnected smoke alarms
throughout the house. Where interconnected smoke alarms are not
installed, every dwelling unit must be equipped with a battery operated
or electrically wired smoke alarm on every level that contains a bedroom
or sleeping area. The
owner is responsible for complying with the provisions of the Ontario
Fire Code. You can read more about the provisions of the Ontario Fire
Code by visiting the web site of the (Ontario) Office of the Fire
Marshal at: http://www.gov.on.ca/OFM/
or go directly to the entire Ontario Fire Code at: http://www.gov.on.ca/OFM/legreg/index.aspl. |
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6. SMOKE ALARMS |
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Types
of Smoke Alarms
Smoke
alarms operate on one of two basic principles: ionization or photo
electronic. For maximum protection, you should understand the advantages
and disadvantages of both types. Keep
in mind only smoke alarms that are ULC approved should be used.
Ionization The
ionization alarm uses a small amount of radioactive material to make the
air within a sensing chamber conduct electricity. When very small smoke
particles enter the sensing chamber, they interfere with the conduction
of electricity, reducing the current and triggering the alarm. The
particles to which the alarm responds are often smaller than can be seen
with the human eye. Because flaming fires produce the greatest number of
these invisible particles, ionization detectors respond slightly faster
to open flaming fires than do photo electronic alarms. Photo
Electronic
The
photoelectric alarm uses a small light source - either an incandescent
bulb or light-emitting diode (LED) - that shines its light into a dark
sensing chamber. The sensing chamber also contains an electrical,
light-sensitive component known as a photocell. The light source and
photocell are arranged so that light from the source does not normally
strike the photocell. When smoke particles enter the sensing chamber of
the photoelectric alarm, the light is reflected off the surface of the
smoke particle, allowing it to strike the photocell and increase the
voltage from the photocell. When the voltage reaches a predetermined
level, the alarm activates. Power
Supply
Batteries
or household current can power residential smoke alarm.
Battery-operation detectors offer the advantage of easy installation - a
screwdriver and a few minutes are all that are needed. Battery models
are also independent of house power circuits and will operate during
power failures. It is critical that only the specific battery
recommended by the alarm manufacturer be used for replacement. Smoke
Alarm Location
A
smoke alarm in every room will provide the fastest detection. 85% of all
fire deaths and injuries occur in homes where there are no working smoke
alarms. Remember, only a working smoke alarm can save your life! Most
fatal fires occur at night when people are asleep. Often, victims never
wake, due to carbon monoxide poisoning. A working smoke alarm will alert
you, giving you precious time to escape. Installing
a smoke alarm on every level of the living unit provides good all-around
protection. Because smoke rises, they should be placed on or near the
ceiling, according to your users manual. SMOKE
ALARMS... IT'S THE LAW! Under
the Ontario Fire Code, every home in Ontario is required to have working
smoke alarms installed between sleeping and living areas. Homeowners
must ensure that smoke alarms are installed on every level of a home and
are 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. Testing The
smoke alarm should be tested regularly. Remember to check the batteries
in your smoke alarms. Vacuum out the dust and change the batteries every
spring and fall when you adjust your clocks for daylight savings time. Note:
Smoke alarms do not last forever; they should be replaced after ten
years. Replace smoke alarms that malfunction in any way. |
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Carbon
monoxide (CO) is a colourless, odourless and deadly gas. It is almost
the same density of air, not heavier or lighter, so it mixes freely with
it. Because you can't see, taste or smell it, carbon monoxide can kill
you before you know it's present. CO is breathed in and bonds with the
hemoglobin in your blood, displacing the oxygen you need. It will
eventually displace enough to suffocate you from the inside out,
resulting in death or brain injury. Where
does Carbon Monoxide come from? It
is a by-product of anything that burns. It comes from gas or oil fired
appliances such as furnaces, dryers, stoves, water heaters, fireplaces
and barbecues. It can also come from wood burning stoves and fireplaces
and automobile engines. What
are the symptoms? Symptoms
can be mistaken for those accompanying the flu. They may include
headache, fatigue, nausea, dizzy spells, and confusion. If you feel
better after being away from the house for a period of time, you could
be suffering from carbon monoxide poisoning. Carbon
Monoxide Detectors Look
for a detector that is ULC listed to the Canadian
Gas Association (CGA) standard #619. The ULC mark guarantees that
the product has passed tests in the areas of performance, safety and
accuracy. Where
do I put my Carbon Monoxide detector? Near
the sleeping area, according to the Consumer
Product Safety Commission, which recommends at least one detector
per household. A second detector located near the home's heating source
adds an extra measure of safety. |
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Fire
extinguishers are for use in small fires only. Never place yourself or
others in jeopardy by attempting to extinguish a fire that is too large
or if smoke presents a hazard to the operator. Never fight a fire if the
fire is spreading beyond the spot where it started. If there is a fire,
sound the alarm, and get everyone out. If possible, try to confine and
contain the fire by closing doors to it. Call the Fire Service from a
safe location.
All
ratings are shown on the faceplate. Some are marked with multiple
ratings such as AB, BC and ABC. These extinguishers are capable of
putting out more than one class of fire.
Class
A and B
carry a numerical rating that indicates how large a fire an experienced
person can safely put out with an extinguisher. Class
A extinguishes
ordinary combustibles or fibrous material such as wood, paper, cloth,
rubber and some plastics, etc. Class
B extinguishes
flammable or combustible liquids, such as fuel, oil, gasoline, kerosene,
paint, paint thinners, cooking grease, solvents and propane, etc. Class
C
extinguishers have only a letter rating to indicate that the
extinguishing agent will not conduct electrical currents. Class
C extinguishers must also carry a Class
A or B rating. Used for energized electrical equipment, such as
appliances, switches, wiring, fuse boxes, electrical motors, power
tools, panel boxes, etc. Class
D
carries only a letter rating indicating their effectiveness on certain
amounts of specific metals. Combustible metals such as magnesium,
sodium, titanium and potassium burn at high temperatures and give off
sufficient oxygen to support combustion. They may react violently with
water or other chemicals and must be handled with care.
Remember the acronym, P.A.S.S.
Remember:
Should
your path of escape be threatened... |
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9. SAFETY TIPS |
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COOKING - #1 Cause of Home Fires. Cooking
oil and grease are the major cause of residential fires in Canada. Kitchen
fires, due to cooking oil or grease catching, cause the
fastest-spreading destruction of any kind of residential fire. KITCHEN: Do
not leave cooking unattended. Do not wear loose clothing with long
sleeves. Have your wood stove installed by a qualified installer. LIVING ROOM: Provide
fire screens for fireplaces. Provide sufficient electrical outlets for
your needs. If there are smokers in your home, check the furniture for
fallen cigarettes or embers before your leave the room. BEDROOM: When
clothes are ironed, ensure the plug is pulled when finished. Check
electrical appliances for safe operation. e.g. Electric blankets. Never
smoke in the bedroom. BASEMENT & ATTIC: Remove
all unnecessary combustibles. Have your furnace and chimney and flue
connections checked for leaks and clean the furnace at least once a
year. Remove flammable liquids from the house. Never store gasoline in
basements, or other confined areas. GARAGE & WORKSHOP: Most
contain flammable materials such as thinners, gasoline, paints and
industrial cleaners. They should be properly covered, stored neatly and
kept from ignition sources such as space heaters. Keep your workshop
free of combustibles like papers and wood shavings and oil rags. |
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