Prince Rupert joins in on Fire Prevention Week across North America

This is the week where checking around your house for fire hazards becomes a family activity, with greater awareness of the dangers relayed through Fire Safety Week across North America.

Seven days that are set aside for education  and to provide the support of the community to those who take to the city's streets in response to fire other calls for assistance.

In Prince Rupert, students will hear more about Fire Safety from the members of Prince Rupert Fire Rescue Department, whether through visits to the the schools, or with groups stopping by the Fire Hall on First Avenue West to make note of what safety instructions to take home to their parents or guardians.

The theme for this year is Look. Listen. Learn and to help bring the message home the Province of British Columbia is offering up iPads for students across the province, with students offered the opportunity to enter a contest to win one of six iPads that will be available across the province.

You can learn more about that project here.

Also making note of the week dedicated towards Fire Safety is Jennifer Rice, the Parliamentary Secretary for Emergency Preparedness, who took advantage of the week to remind British Columbians to prepare around the home, school, child care centre and where we work.

“Emergency preparedness starts at home. Talk about your emergency plan with everyone in your home. Make sure your home has working smoke alarms on each floor. Know the emergency number for your fire department and make sure you have an emergency kit in your vehicle. Lastly and most importantly, practice your home fire drill regularly. 

 “Fire escape plans are not only important at home but also at schools, child care centres and places of employment. Fire safety planning will help ensure your family, friends and community members have the information, skills and tools they need to react safely in the event of a fire.

You can review Ms. Rice's full statement on the week here.

Ralph Goodale, the Federal Minister for Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness also issued a statement to observe this week,  calling on the themes of Look, Listen, Learn.

The National Fire Prevention Association has compiled a collection of items for use by educators in the classroom, or those who work with youth to help spread the message of fire safety, you can learn more about those items here.

The City of Prince Rupert Fire Hall on 1st Avenue West

As part of its annual report this year, the City of Prince Rupert celebrated the arrival of the latest piece of apparatus for the Prince Rupert department, with the city's fire fighters making use of a new pumper which was purchased last year.

Some history on the Prince Rupert Fire Rescue Department can be found here and here.

While not as active as it once was in the past, some notes on the local firefighters can be found on a Facebook page that shares information about Community events that the Firefighters host.

Port Edward's volunteer fire department is also observing the week dedicated towards safety.

A review of some of the work of Fire fighters and other emergency response personnel across the Northwest can be found from our archive pages here.

To return to the most recent blog posting of the day, click here.