Hundreds of firefighters from across province attend annual convention

by Kris Svela

FERGUS

 This community was sufficiently covered for any emergency, as firefighters from across the province attended the Fire Firefighters’ Association of Ontario (FFAO) annual convention at the Centre Wellington sportsplex last week.

The convention saw firefighters  training on vehicle extrication at the local fire hall and proper water pumping procedures at Belwood Lake.

The gathering also saw the election of new president John  Scheeringa of Elmira, and a new board of directors, as well as the crowning of Miss Ontario Firefighter, Mildmay’s Rachael Diebold.

On Saturday, a fundraising dance was held to assist the family of firefighter John Alles, who died on his way to a fire call on July 20, 2011. Alles had served 27 years as a firefighter and was a member of the Centre Wellington Fire and Rescue Department.

Throughout the convention, members of provincial fire departments gathered for camping. Due to local watering restrictions, the groups decided to cancel the games and events scheduled for the weekend.

Rounding out the week, the association held a Muster Memorial Parade on the grounds of the sportsplex and  into the hall, led by the Ontario Fire Service Pipe Band. Hundreds of fire fighters marched in full dress uniform for a memorial service for firefighters who have given their lives in the line of duty or passed during their years of service.

The convention also hosted a trade show and raised money for Camp Bucko, a summer retreat for burn victims near Minden.

According to Scheeringa, firefighters were tested following some of the demonstrations. At the extrication course, employees of Hurst, the makers of the Jaws of Life, were on hand teaching firefighters safe extrication procedures.

“A lot of us are taking updates and refresher courses,” Scheeringa said.

The first move firefighters learned in the extrication demonstration was to secure the vehicle using steel posts. A vehicle on its side was secured good enough to allow firefighters to get on top of it without it turning over.

“These guys learn everything from medical (procedures) to taking the glass out of a car,” said instructor Jason Cole.

He added firefighters attending accident scenes can now use a portable, battery operated Jaws of Life cutting tool that takes up less space in fire trucks and can operate continually for 20 minutes on one battery.

The extreme heat on Aug. 3 was also beneficial to the firefighters, who have to pay attention to victims in vehicles who are experiencing the same conditions, along with injuries.

“If it’s bad for us, it’s just as bad for the people in the car,” Cole said.

Scheeringa said firefighters were tested during the extrication demonstration to see whether they had learned the skills taught.  A similar test was done during the water pumping demonstration. He said people don’t realize the mathematical calculations needed to pump water - and at what pressure - in different fire situations.

The FFAO represents some 19,000 volunteer firefighters in Ontario.

August 10, 2012