Archive for year: 2014
Slow Down Move Over!
Overview
B.C. has a regulation under the Motor Vehicle Act to protect emergency workers – police officers, fire and ambulance personnel, tow truck operators, special police constables, conservation officers and park rangers — when they are attending incidents on the road. Drivers must ‘Slow Down Move Over’ when approaching a stopped emergency vehicle, from either direction, when it is on or beside an undivided highway and has its lights flashing. (If the highway is divided – for example, by a concrete median – vehicles travelling in the opposite direction are not required to slow down.)
If there is another lane going in the same direction drivers must move into the other lane to pass, if it is safe to do so and a police officer has not directed them to do otherwise. This gives emergency workers as much space as possible.
Drivers must slow their speed to:
- 70km/h when in an 80km/h or over zone
- 40km/h when in an under 80km/h zone
Drivers must always yield the right of way to approaching emergency vehicles that have their lights and siren on. Drivers who fail to yield to a moving emergency vehicle face a fine and penalty points.
(Information Credited to BC Ministry Of Justice)
Lest We Forget
The Barriere Fire Department Will Never Forget We Thank You For Your Service
Full Burn Ban Lifted
Effective at noon on Wednesday, Oct. 15, open fires will once again be permitted in all fire zones within the Kamloops Fire Centre, due to a decreased risk of wildfires.
Members of the public will be allowed to:
* Burn waste, slash or other material.
* Burn stubble or grass.
* Use fireworks or burning barrels.
You still require a burn permit which can be acquired at the District Of Barriere town hall or contact us by clicking HERE.
Work Safe BC Investigation To Firefighter Death
This is a very educational video done by Work Safe BC on the dangers fire poses to us even when we think we have done everything to mitigate the risk to us and the public. Its with training and education of tragic events like this, that will save lives of many Firefighters in the future. Please watch the video and pay respect to the men and woman that have lost their lives in the line of duty to protect the people you love.
Why Is Burning Plastic So Harmful?
The killing fumes
Most fire deaths are not caused by burns, but by smoke inhalation. Often smoke incapacitates so quickly that people are overcome and can’t make it to an otherwise accessible exit. The synthetic materials commonplace in today’s homes produce especially dangerous substances. As a fire grows inside a building, it will often consume most of the available oxygen, slowing the burning process. This “incomplete combustion” results in toxic gases.
Smoke is made of components that can each be lethal in its own way:
particles: Unburned, partially burned, and completely burned substances can be so small they penetrate the respiratory system’s protective filters, and lodge in the lungs. Some are actively toxic; others are irritating to the eyes and digestive system.
vapors: Foglike droplets of liquid can poison if inhaled or absorbed through the skin.
toxic gases: The most common, carbon monoxide (CO), can be deadly, even in small quantities, as it replaced oxygen in the bloodstream. Hydrogen cyanide results from the burning of plastics, such as PVC pipe, and interferes with cellular respiration. Phosgene is formed when household products, such as vinyl materials, are burned. At low levels, phosgene can cause itchy eyes and a sore throat; at higher levels it can cause pulmonary edema and death.
In addition to producing smoke, fire can incapacitate or kill by reducing oxygen levels, either by consuming the oxygen, or by displacing it with other gases. Heat is also a respiratory hazard, as superheated gases burn the respiratory tract. When the air is hot enough, one breath can kill.
(Provided by NFPA)
Burn Ban & Restriction Details
Open Fire Bans
This prohibition will remain in place in the Kamloops, Vernon, Penticton, Merritt and Lillooet fire zones until Oct. 15, 2014, or until the public is informed otherwise (This applies to the Barriere Fire Protection District).
Specifically, this open fire prohibition applies to:
– The burning of any waste, slash or other materials.
– The burning of stubble or grass.
– The use of fireworks, sky lanterns or burning barrels of any size or description.
Smoke Alarms Save Lives
Please Remember that a smoke alarm in every room could one day save you or your family’s life! When you have a smoke alarm put into your house you need to remember to check it once a month to ensure that the batteries are charged and the smoke alarm functions. Every detector has a test button that allows you to see if indeed the alarm works and has power. have you removed your detector because every time you cook it goes off? Well go out and buy a alarm that has a 15 minute shut off that will automatically start to work after 15 minutes of silence. One day you might just be woke up and alerted by a fire before its to late!
Thursday Night Training
Hello,
The Fire Department practices every Thursday 7pm-9pm at the fire hall on Barriere town road.
We are always looking for new volunteers, the only requirement to join you have to be 16 years old or older and must attend at least 75% of practices and as many calls that you are available for. Come on down check us out for the night see if you have what it takes to be a Volunteer Firefighter!