FireWatch

FireWatch is a service that provides links to news stories from the fire community that have attracted our attention.

Firefighters battle to save iconic Waterton Park hotel

Firefighters battle to save iconic Waterton Park hotel

Teams of firefighters from Taber, Coaldale, Lethbridge, Willow Creek, Calgary and Cardston arrived in Waterton National Park to protect the townsite from a raging wildfire. They employed high volume pumps, hoses and sprinkler systems in their efforts to save...

Houston residents warned of risks from bacteria, alligators

Houston residents warned of risks from bacteria, alligators

In the aftermath of Hurricane Harvey Houston residents are being warned to take precautions before returning to flooded homes. Houston's fire chief has told residents to wear breathing masks to protect themselves against sewer bacteria and to be aware that alligators...

June in fire history – the Great Vancouver Fire

June in fire history – the Great Vancouver Fire

On June 13, 1886 what began as a land-clearing brush fire was spread out of control by strong winds. The fire claimed dozens of lives and leveled all but a few structures in the newly incorporated city. The fire went down in history as the Great Vancouver Fire. Click...

Body of Cache Creek Fire Chief found

Body of Cache Creek Fire Chief found

The body of Cache Creek Fire Chief Clayton Cassidy has been found near the bridge washout where he disappeared nearly a month ago. Chief Cassidy was with the Cache Creek Volunteer Fire Department for over 30 years and received the Medal of Good Citizenship from...

Fatal foster home fire blamed on bolted door, loose rules

Fatal foster home fire blamed on bolted door, loose rules

A seventeen year old girl and a caregiver died in a fire in a group home near Lindsay, Ontario in February of this year. The victims were trapped in a room where the exit door was bolted shut. In Ontario foster homes and group homes operate under different licensing...

Recruitment huge issue for volunteer fire departments

Recruitment huge issue for volunteer fire departments

In towns in Canada served by volunteer fire departments recruitment has become a huge issue. Because many volunteer departments follow the same training guidelines as paid fire departments the time commitment, for people who in many cases already hold down a full-time...

FireSmart Home Development Guide now available to all Canadians

FireSmart Home Development Guide now available to all Canadians

FireSmart Canada, in partnership with The Cooperators, has developed the "FireSmart Home Development Guide". The Guide contains specific measures homeowners can take to reduce the risk of wildfire damage, including choices of building materials and building design....

Carrier Corp. recalls heat pumps due to fire hazard

Carrier Corp. recalls heat pumps due to fire hazard

Carrier Corporation has recalled certain heat pumps because the capacitors in the control board may stop working, causing the unit to overheat, posing a fire hazard. Approximately 2,000 of the units were sold in Canada. Click here to read more.

Inquest told ice rescues risky, rarely successful

Inquest told ice rescues risky, rarely successful

An inquest looking into the deaths of two Ontario firefighters during training for ice rescues has heard rescue operations in icy, swift water are rarely successful. Private safety training courses in the province are unregulated and the Ontario Fire College does not...

May in fire history – Slave Lake wildfire

May in fire history – Slave Lake wildfire

The Slave Lake wildfire, which destroyed roughly one-third of the Town of Slave Lake, Alberta, burned through the town from May 14 to May 16, 2011. The town hall, library and radio station were completely gutted and 732 residents were left homeless. Insurable damage...

Tokyo F.D.’s new test room imitates extreme heat, cold

Tokyo F.D.’s new test room imitates extreme heat, cold

The Tokyo Fire Department recently unveiled its new testing room where extreme climate conditions can be artificially created. The testing room will be used to conduct research on countering heatstroke in preparation for the 2020 Tokyo Olympics and to develop...

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