Fire Drills: The Great Escape

If the fire marshal has his way, Nova Scotians will hear ringing in their ears all day Wednesday, Oct. 7.

"The theme of this year's Fire Prevention Week, Oct. 4-Oct. 10, is Fire Drills: The Great Escape," said Fire Marshal Bob Cormier. "When a fire breaks out, often the only thing preventing people from serious injury or death is knowing an escape route --an escape route that has been practised under non-emergency conditions."

The fire marshal and local fire services encourage all employers to hold fire drills during the workday Oct. 7 and to ensure that employees, and anyone they are responsible for in the place of work, know the escape route.

"Part of being safe in the workplace is knowing how to escape if a fire breaks out," said Mr. Cormier. "That knowledge is even more important for employees, such as nursing home staff or teachers, who care for others in the workplace."

Later that day, at 6 p.m., the Fire Marshal's Office will try to unify the Nova Scotia public to participate in The Great Escape, the first-ever North American fire drill in which families simultaneously practice their home fire-escape plans.

"Children, even preschoolers, should know what route to take to exit their burning home," said Mr. Cormier. "The Department of Labour's Learn Not to Burn program is successful in teaching children about fire safety, but it does not take the place of carefully practised fire drills in the home."

Families should begin the drill by sounding the smoke detector so that children will recognize the sound and associate it with the idea of an immediate evacuation of the premises. The plan should include a stationary meeting place, such as a lamp post, a tree or a neighbour's house.

"Families should not hold surprise fire drills. They should not become a source of worry or stress; they are simply a chance for the family to carry out an essential safety activity," said Mr. Cormier.

Studies have shown that when it comes to fire safety, knowledge saves lives. People who have received fire safety training or instruction are more likely to immediately raise the alarm and/or organize evacuation as a first action.

"We hope that fire drills remain just that -- drills -- and that they do not have to be used," said Labour Minister Russell MacKinnon. "Even so, the public must be encouraged to practice fire drills because we know that knowledge saves lives. Fire prevention and safety is everyone's responsibility and must be made a priority."

For more information on fire-escape planning, contact the Fire Marshal's Office at 902-424-5721 or toll-free at 1-800-559-3473, or contact the local fire department.