Fire Prevention

CAUTION AROUND HOME DURING PANDEMIC       

Check out this article from the NFPA on staying fire-safe during the COVID-19 pandemic and always. With many Yellowknifers working from home and off-school, households are using heating systems for extended hours, cooking more frequently and sharing outlets to charge phones, laptops and other devices. 

REPORTING A FIRE

You may make the difference in saving a life, preventing burn injuries, or limiting property damage by reporting a fire.  Here are some guidelines in reporting a fire situation. 

 Fire Alarm System – Building Monitored

In a building where the fire alarm system is being monitored, the monitoring company will contact the Fire Division to advise of a fire alarm activation.  This will promote rapid response to the building in question.  If you have information on the fire (or false alarm) please call the emergency # (9-1-1 or 873-2222) and advise the dispatcher, who will in turn update the responding crew.  The more they know prior to arrival, the quicker the crews will be to deal with the incident.

 Fire Alarm System – Building Not Monitored (Local Alarm Only sign will be above or below the pull stations)

If the fire alarm has been activated in a building where the system is not monitored, please leave the building and call the emergency # (9-1-1 or 873-2222) giving the dispatcher the name and address of the building and advise of alarm activation.  Pass on any information you may have - the cause of the activation, location of the fire in the building (if you know).

 It is important to note that individual suites in apartment buildings and condos are not connected to the fire alarm system.  If you smell or see smoke coming from someone’s suite or hear their smoke alarm sound, knock on their door to ensure they are OK.  If there is no incident (smoke alarm set off by cooking), no need to contact the emergency #.  If they don’t respond, activate the pull station, go to your meeting place outside, and call the emergency # (9-1-1 or 873-2222) and advise the building name, address, and suite # that the smoke is coming from.

No Fire Alarm System

If you are in a building with no fire alarm system (small office buildings, homes, etc.) and you see smoke or fire, get everyone out of the building and call the emergency # (9-1-1 or 873-2222) giving the dispatcher the name and address of the building.  Pass on any information you may have regarding the location of the fire within the building and the cause.   (If it is a  very small fire, and you are trained in using a fire extinguisher, make sure everyone is out of the house before attempting to extinguish the fire – ensure you call the emergency # before attempting to extinguish.)

 Alarms Ringing

If you are walking by a building and you hear alarms ringing coming from the building, call the emergency # (9-1-1 or 873-2222), giving the name and address of the building.  The dispatcher may request that you wait for the responding crew to arrive.

 Fire on the Exterior of a Building

If you believe there to be a fire on the exterior of a building, check to see if the fire appears to be growing, and the colour of the smoke turns from light to dark grey and appears to be growing in volume.  If this is the case, call the emergency # (9-1-1 or 873-2222) giving the dispatcher the name and address of the building.

Note:  In -30°c to -40°c temperatures, building and vehicle exhaust turns into ice fog.  When this fog floats in front of various light features, it can give the appearance of fire and smoke. 

 Wildland Fires

The Fire Division will respond to wildland fires within the City’s boundries, and will respond to structure fires outside of these boundries.  When calling the emergency # (9-1-1 or 873-2222) to report a wildland fire, please provide the exact location of the fire and as many details as possible (size of the fire, any exposures – i.e. property at risk); stay on site to show the fire crew the location. 

 You, as a resident of Yellowknife, are the eyes and ears of the Fire Division.   Everyone benefits with early detection, early arrival of the Fire Division, and early intervention. 

 FIRE PREVENTION WEEK 2019

Importance of fire prevention

In a fire, mere seconds can mean the difference between a safe escape and a tragedy. Fire safety education isn’t just for school children. Teenagers, adults, and the elderly are also at risk in fires, making it important for every member of the community to take some time every October during Fire Prevention Week to make sure they understand how to stay safe in case of a fire.

2019 Campaign

This year’s FPW campaign, “Not Every Hero Wears a Cape. Plan and Practice Your Escape!” works to educate everyone about the small but important actions they can take to keep themselves and those around them safe.

Did you know?
In a typical home fire, you may have as little as one to two minutes to escape safely from the time the smoke alarm sounds. Escape planning and practice can help you make the most of the time you have, giving everyone enough time to get out.

Be a hero

How do you define a hero? Is it…a person who is courageous and performs good deeds? Someone who comes to the aid of others, even at personal risk?

A hero can be all of those things. A hero can also be…someone who takes small, but important actions to keep themselves and those around them safe from fire. When it comes to fire safety, maybe you’re already a hero in your household or community. If not, maybe you’re feeling inspired to become one. It's easy to take that first step - make your home escape plan! 

 About Fire Prevention Week

Since 1922, the NFPA has sponsored the public observance of Fire Prevention Week. In 1925, President Calvin Coolidge proclaimed Fire Prevention Week a national observance, making it the longest-running public health observance in our country. During Fire Prevention Week, children, adults, and teachers learn how to stay safe in case of a fire. Firefighters provide lifesaving public education in an effort to drastically decrease casualties caused by fires.

Fire Prevention Week is observed each year during the week of October 9th in commemoration of the Great Chicago Fire, which began on October 8, 1871, and caused devastating damage. This horrific conflagration killed more than 250 people, left 100,000 homeless, destroyed more than 17,400 structures, and burned more than 2,000 acres of land.

 To Request a Fire Safety Presentation Click Here.