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More Support for Volunteer Fire Departments

More Support for Volunteer Fire Departments

Volunteer fire departments, ground search and rescue organizations, and First Nations fire departments will get help to address the impacts of rising operational costs.

The Province is investing almost $3.5 million to provide one-time grants to more than 340 organizations. Each group will receive $10,000.

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How Do Wildfires Affect Local Economies?

How Do Wildfires Affect Local Economies?

Wildfires have been growing in frequency and severity in the United States over the last several years. Although most fires occur in forests or other wildlands, away from where large numbers of people live and work, recent large wildfires have spread into populated areas and have resulted in heavy damages.

In 2018, the Camp Fire, the largest wildfire in US history, destroyed 18,804 structures and killed 85 people in Paradise, California. Of the top 10 costliest fires (measured by insured losses), 8 have occurred since 2017.

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Langford fire chief calls for change to end firefighter cancer deaths

Langford fire chief calls for change to end firefighter cancer deaths

Langford Fire Chief Chris Aubrey says changes are needed to stop firefighters from dying of cancer, as he paid tribute to Assistant Chief Lance Caven on Tuesday (March 21).

The type of cancer Caven died from is one of 13 on the province’s list of presumptive work-related cancers for firefighters. If a firefighter is diagnosed with one of those cancers, they don’t have to prove the cancer is work-related to get compensation under the Workers Compensation Act.

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Mayor calls for crackdown on illegal Airbnb rentals after deadly fire in Old Montreal

Mayor calls for crackdown on illegal Airbnb rentals after deadly fire in Old Montreal

As firefighters continued their search Monday to find victims of a fatal fire in Old Montreal, the city’s mayor, Valérie Plante, called on the Quebec government and Airbnb to work more closely with the municipality to crack down on illegal short-term rentals.

The body of one victim was recovered yesterday from the rubble of the multi-unit heritage building ravaged by fire on Thursday. Six other people are still missing.

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Firefighters battle blaze at Hong Kong high-rise building site

Firefighters battle blaze at Hong Kong high-rise building site

Firefighters in Hong Kong are battling a huge blaze at a high-rise building under construction in the Kowloon district, which has forced the evacuation of some nearby apartment blocks.

It eventually escalated to the fourth level of severity on a five-point scale and about 130 people living in three buildings nearby were evacuated early on Friday amid concerns the fire might spread.

Multiple floors of the structure – including scaffolding – were on fire and burning debris floated in the air. Some fell to the ground.

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Multi-storey buildings being built ignoring fire safety

Multi-storey buildings being built ignoring fire safety

The risk of fire hazard is increasing by the day as buildings as tall as 10-12 storeys are being built without adhering to the Building Code while ignoring fire safety plans in all the urban centres across the country, including Dhaka.

The high-rise structures around the country lack proper arrangement of extinguishing systems such as stairs and exit paths, fire elevators, fire doors, fire detectors, fire sprinklers, fire suppression systems etc. Those buildings without basic fire safety plans are being used for commercial and other purposes without any type of occupancy certificate.

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