GUEST SPEAKER:
Steve Barkwell - Deputy Chief of Oshawa Fire Department
Introduced By David Andrews and Thanked By: David Penney
Deputy Chief Steve Barkwell began his career with Oshawa Fire Services in 1999. His current responsibilities include a blended role between operations and support, which encompasses the Suppression, Fire Prevention, and Training divisions, Facilities, Alternate Community Emergency Management Coordinator, and Health and Safety.
Deputy Chief Barkwell’s past roles have included: Firefighter, Relief Dispatcher, Shift Training Instructor, qualified Training Officer, and Acting Captain.
Through his many experiences and training, Steve has a wealth of knowledge in health and safety, financial stewardship, training, human rights, labour relations and legislation. Emergency responders face many challenges during their regular duties, which include not only physical but also mental challenges.
Steve Barkwell works with frontline staff to help develop improved health and safety programs
Steve gave a very nice report of the Departments Activities over the last year. All of his remarks can be found in the 2018 Annual Report.
Their Mission:"To promote and protect the health and well-being of the community through adaptable and progressive education, prevention, and emergency services."
Oshawa Fire Services provides the highest level of life safety and property protection to our community. They are proud of the men and women who work for Oshawa Fire Services and the skills and services they provide on a daily basis. They respond to many types of emergencies, including: fires, medical assists, motor vehicle accidents, and specialized type rescues
Other services provided to the public include: fire safety inspections, fire prevention and public fire safety education, emergency planning and preparedness, enforcement of the Ontario Fire Code, Fire Protection and Prevention Act, municipal by-laws, and fire control activities and plans review and new building construction inspections
See: https://www.oshawa.ca/residents/resources/Oshawa-Fire-Services-2018-Annual-Report---ACC-Final.pdf
Steve thanked Rotary for our support and indicated that fire department relies heavily on community partnerships for help.
Fire Services Community Events:
Coffee with the crew
Join your neighbours and Oshawa Fire Crews for coffee and conversation. Oshawa McDonald's restaurants along with Oshawa Fire Services host this event where members of Oshawa Fire Prevention and Suppression Crews will be on hand to discuss fire safety, including smoke alarms, carbon monoxide alarms, home escape plans and more. A great opportunity to get to know the Firefighters and Fire Prevention staff in your community. Watch for more dates, times and locations coming soon.
Fire Prevention Week
Do you have fire prevention or fire safety questions? Are your smoke alarms in good working order and not expired? Are they installed in the proper areas within your home? Do you require CO alarms? Have you prepared a home escape plan? Would you like some planning tips? Do you know the history behind Fire Prevention Week?
Community Safety Day
Each year in early June, Oshawa Fire Services holds a Community Safety Day at Fire hall #5 (1550 Harmony Road North). It is an exciting day featuring fire truck tours, fire safety information, firefighter demonstrations, a free barbeque, face painting, jumping castle and so much more! This is a free event with donations being accepted toward sending children to Camp Bucko, a camp for children who have suffered burn injuries.
In Oshawa there are now six fire stations and 16 dispatchers that cover Oshawa Whitby, Clarington , Port Perry and Uxbridge. See: https://www.oshawa.ca/residents/fire-station-locations.asp
Their three lines of defense- Education (#1 priority),Enforcement, and Suppression..
Medical calls seem to be increasing while all other calls are about the same. Response times remain low. They are doing a lot of smoke alarm checking.
He reminded us that with all the new high- tech building materials out there, we typically have only 1-3 minutes to get out. So, plan you’re your escape routes in advance. Make you’re your fire extinguishers are accessible to where possible fires may break out.
A very informative talk
Meeting Adjourned
IF YOU CAN’T MAKE IT, MAKE UP : Go online at www.rotary.org go to the club locator and find a club or clubs near your destination. Or you can add the free App Rotary Club Locator to your phone for instant look up of any club in the world. Please mail or fax your make-ups to Secretary Robbie Larocque, or give your make-up card to the attendance/registration officer at the next club meeting.