In his year end report to council, fire prevention officer Jason Benn provided a roundup of activities over the past several months.
“This year was a positive one and I have had the privilege of dealing with fire safety within the township.”
He talked of the new school program, Travelling Sparky.
“The program is going very well thus far with the children and teachers in the area.”
Benn said, “This is a pilot project and if successful will be presented to the Wellington Dufferin Fire Prevention Officers Association for consideration.”
Benn further noted that firefighter Graham Ross, has shown great interest in fire prevention inspections.
“He has learned the ropes fast and is a valued assistant of the prevention division. In the near future, he will be filling in during my absence while attending courses and other events.”
Ross will be attending the Ontario Fire College in 2012 to attend fire prevention courses.
When Mayor Dennis Lever noted the report is new, Puslinch Fire Chief Bob Gordon said he had asked for the year end report to let council know what was accomplished.
Lever asked for about the Travelling Sparky program in the school.
Councillor Susan Fielding ventured that Sparky is the department mascot.
Gordon said the Sparky used by the department is a costume.
“But this program at the school includes smaller Sparky dolls the kids can take home for a few day. Benn will come back later and discuss it with the kids. It’s to get the information out.”
Gordon said the program ties in with a number of fire issues – from smoke alarms to home escape plans.
Lever remembered that at a previous fire department open house there was a trailer where there was a good demonstration on how to escape a building filled with smoke.
He wondered if there is any intention of ever bringing that back.
“There’s a new item on the horizon,” Gordon said.
He said the fire prevention officer has purchased an inflatable smoke house for his home department in Wellington North.
He said it is something the Puslinch department could rent, and it is based on the same idea as the trailer smoke house.
“Kids can first walk through and see everything, then it is filled with imitation smoke and they go through it again.”
Gordon added that when the inflatable house was recently demonstrated to the public in Mount Forest, “people were surprised how little they could see through the smoke.”
Gordon anticipated the smoke house would be here for the fall fair, possibly before that if there is another open house.
Gordon added that Benn is doing an excellent job.
“He’s very friendly and gets along with everyone.”
