Presumptive Health Initiative

A presumptive disability law links a particular occupation with a disease or condition that has been shown to be a hazard associated with that occupation. As a result of this linkage, if an individual employed in the occupation covered by the presumption contracts a disease or condition that is specified in the presumptive law, then that disease or condition is presumed to have come from that occupation. In this case, the burden of proof shifts from the employee to the employer to demonstrate that the condition was not in fact associated with the occupation but with another cause.

For fire fighters and emergency medical responders, scientific evidence has demonstrated an increased risk for heart disease, lung disease, cancer, and infectious diseases. At this time, most of the United States and Canadian provinces have some form of presumptive law that applies to fire fighters and emergency response personnel. These laws vary greatly between states and provinces.

The IAFF Division of Occupational Health, Safety & Medicine has developed an information database of the current presumptive disability provisions in the United States and Canada.

Click here to view Presumptive Health Menu from IAFF.org website.

Information linked from IAFF Offical Website.


Becky Harmata
The Fire Emporium
Toll Free: 866-832-1468
Fax: 250-769-3588
Email: info@fireemporium.com
Web: http://www.fireemporium.com

Climbing the ladder while watching the rear-view mirror

Written by Lou Wilde, Assistant Chief, Kelowna BC

Sometimes, with the busy lives we all lead, we forget where we’ve come from. It happens to all of us to some extent in our personal lives and our careers. I hope as a chief officer I haven’t lost too much perspective about what it’s like in the trenches. I’m sure I could still charge a hand line and set a relief valve correctly but I don’t get out of bed nine times on a night shift anymore. I do my best to keep in touch with those who are still doing the job out there every day and night.

Talking with a fellow chief about this recently, we discussed the newer junior officers (lieutenants and captains). We remarked that every now and then these newly minted officers forget that they used to be grunts doing the dirty jobs, or how when they were firefighters they were the smart alecs who often challenged officers on their decisions. Now, these new officers have no tolerance for the firefighters they used to be – the shoe’s on the other foot. The same goes for training. Before, as firefighters, these guys perhaps thought that repetitive drills on basic skills were pointless but now, as officers, they realize that the onus is on them to keep their people safe.

To read full article, click here.

Article published on Firefightingincanada.com.

Becky Harmata
The Fire Emporium
Toll Free: 866-832-1468
Fax: 250-769-3588
Email: info@fireemporium.com
Web: http://www.fireemporium.com/

West Kelowna Wildfire T-Shirts

"As a community, you really pulled together. I'm proud to be your mayor," stated West Kelowna Mayor, Doug Findlater. This statement is taken from a speech given at the appreciation night at Royal LePage Place in West Kelowna held to say thank you to fire fighters and all first responders following the wildfires of 2009.

West Kelowna Fire Rescue is selling commemorative t-shirts of the 2009 Wildfires and net proceeds are being donated to the local community food bank.

T-shirts are available through West Kelowna Fire Rescue at 250-769-1640 ext 4 or email Laura.MacLeod@districtofwestkelowna.ca. Men's, Ladies and Youth sizes available for $20.00/each.

Men's navy t-shirt picture shown, ladies available on brown or navy Bella ladies cut shirt and youth is available on red or camoflague t-shirts.


Becky Harmata
The Fire Emporium
Toll Free: 866-832-1468
Fax: 250-769-3588
Email: info@fireemporium.com
Web: http://www.fireemporium.com

West Kelowna thanks its heroes

A small but enthusiastic crowd turned up at Royal LePage Place Wednesday to say thank you to fire fighters and first responders following the wildfires of 2009.

Dubbed 'Facing The Fires - A Night To Remember,' the evening gave residents of the community a chance to say thank you after the near devastating Glenrosa, Rose Valley and Terrace Mountain fires.

The kudos went both way.

"As a community, you really pulled together. I'm proud to be your mayor," stated West Kelowna Mayor, Doug Findlater.

"We're a new community," added Findlater, "but we're going places."

Those sentiments were echoed by EOC Deputy Director Jason Johnson, West Kelowna Fire Chief Wayne Schnitzler and others who spoke to the crowd.

"This is a time to reflect, a time to celebrate and a time to thank people who did such a good job this summer," says Findlater.

The mayor, who himself was one of the first to be evacuated when the Glenrosa fire broke out on July 18, says the community was fortunate to have professionals looking after every detail up and down the ranks.

After going through emergency preparedness training in the spring, he says it would have been easy as mayor to get involved in operational issues.

"The mayor, the council and the elected officials have to stay back at the policy level and let the professionals do their job. All of the firefighting was done with such excellence, such professionalism."

Findlater says the one memory he'll take away is the work of those in the air, especially during the early hours of the fire.

"I watched those with my mouth wide open as I looked at those aircraft. The water bomber wobbling as it went over Gorman's mill in 70km winds trying to save that mill. Really gutsy stuff."

Fire Chief Wayne Schnitzler says a celebration such as Wednesday's helps to put closure on a very challenging summer.

"It really challenged us as people, it challenged us a a fire department and at the end of the day, the outcome could have been so much worse," says Schnitzler.

During the entire ordeal, Schnitzler says he really never thought about things emotionally.

"I think it's over the years of experience you get. You go into work mode and you don't have time for emotions. You do your job and make decisions that affect peoples lives and properties."

In all, 11,000 West Kelowna residents were forced out of their homes as a result of both the Glenrosa and Rose Valley fires.

Story by Wayne Moore, Castanet.net.


Becky Harmata
The Fire Emporium
Toll Free: 866-832-1468
Fax: 250-769-3588
Email: info@fireemporium.com
Web: http://www.fireemporium.com/

King Township wins vehicle safety award

Oct 14, King Township, ONT.

King Fire and Emergency Services has won the 2009 Emergency Vehicle Safe Operation Achievement Award, an international honour presented annually by the volunteer and combination officers section of the International Association of Fire Chiefs. The King Township Sentinel reports. READ MORE

Article courtesay of King Township Sentinel at www.kingsentinel.com.

Becky Harmata
The Fire Emporium
Toll Free: 866-832-1468
Fax: 250-769-3588
Email: info@fireemporium.com
Web: http://www.fireemporium.com

Sleep Deprivation in Firefighters

The study of sleep deprivation is extremely important in many regards. Humans don't perform at peak levels without adequate sleep. It will affect you not only physically but mentally as well. There are many reasons behind sleep deprivation but the reality is there is a correlation between the amount of sleep one gets and their overall level of performance. Fire fighters are one of the highest at risk careers for sleep deprivation.

There is a great video (choose New Video 2) and report that illustrates the background basics of sleep patterns and the health and performance effects of sleep deprivation. They are a project that was supported by a cooperative agreement between the International Association of Fire Fighters (IAFC) and the United States Fire Administration (USFA), with assistance from the faculty of Oregon Health & Science University.

Click here to view The Effects of Sleep Deprivation on Fire Fighters and EMS Responders.


Becky Harmata
The Fire Emporium
Toll Free: 866-832-1468
Fax: 250-769-3588
Email: info@fireemporium.com
Web: http://www.fireemporium.com

Cooking with bravery

When last we met Winnipeg firefighter Jeff Derraugh, our intrepid local hero had just released his first cook book, Fire Hall Cooking With Jeff the Chef. Now, just over two years have passed and Derraugh has released a second cookbook, Where There's Food There's Firefighters: More Surefire Recipes to Feed Your Crew (Touchwood Editions, $19.95).

This husband and father of five and grandfather of two attributes the popularity of the first book to good old-fashioned-word-of-mouth. Six months after the first printing, a second was ordered.

"I wrote it to have it be conversational, so that the book is kind of "talking to you," says Derraugh, "I think it should read like a conversation, like you're there and you're kibitzing in the kitchen. It seemed to be what people liked about the first book."...[read more]

Source: Winnipeg Free Press (click for full story)

Becky Harmata
The Fire Emporium
Toll Free: 866-832-1468
Fax: 250-769-3588
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Firefighter Tribute Commentary

After all the years I’ve been dispensing advice and preaching the gospel according to me, I can’t believe I have never yet expressed appreciation and admiration for firefighters. What an oversight!

Firefighters are unique in our society…the only people whose job it is to go into an inferno, when common sense and every human instinct tells us to get out and stay out. If you come to grief, whether in a traffic or water accident, storm, flood, earthquake…you name it…you are most likely to be saved by a firefighter.

We were sitting at dinner with a firefighter on the weekend when a guest began to choke and collapsed. Immediately, our friend began using the Heimlich maneuver, a technique used to dislodge an object blocking someone's airway. I’m sure you know it works by sending a blast of air upward through the windpipe. But there’s a big difference between training practice and the real thing. It took considerable physical strength, it took considerable emotional strength and it took what seemed like forever! But it saved a person’s life which is why I vowed to take another St. John Ambulance course and went on line to print out a copy of the 4-step Heimlich procedure.

Earlier in the week, this same firefighter went through incredible anguish when two of his closest friends ran into trouble inside the burning Reed’s Restaurant in Meaford. And just the week before, he fought the toughest blaze of his thirty-year career at Chapman’s Ice Cream in Markdale.

Boy, this would not be the job for me! Honestly, until the other night I didn’t understand why a person would risk life and limb going into a building where you can’t see and you can’t breath and the flames lick at you. I told him it doesn’t make any sense to accept the cumulative damage of inhaling smoke and other toxins fighting fire after fire.

No, it’s not for me, but at least I get it now. This man doesn’t see himself as a hero, but there’s no other word for it. They are heroes and this is my salute to firefighters…thank you…because you really do put others first…you care beyond my mere words.

Source: Bayshore Broadcasting News Centre
September 15, 2009
by: Ross Kentner

Becky Harmata
The Fire Emporium
Toll Free: 866-832-1468
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New Wildland Firefighter Plaque

New Wildland Firefighter Plaque

With all the wildfires currently burning in BC, we thought it fitting to add a Wildland Firefighter Plaque to our line of Firefighter Plaques. To view our full line of Firefighter Plaques click here.


Becky Harmata
The Fire Emporium
Toll Free: 866-832-1468
Fax: 250-769-3588
Email: info@fireemporium.com
Web: http://www.fireemporium.com/

Brampton Firefighters Claim 3 Regional Championships

Brampton firefighters claim three regional championships
By Pam Douglas The Caledon Enterprise

Brampton firefighters claimed three regional championships in the FireFit Challenge at Chinguacousy Park this past weekend, taking every event in which they competed.

The Brampton 1 team won both the relay and team competitions, while the Over 40 team topped its relay event.

Brampton Fire Chief Andy MacDonald, a member of the winning Over 40 team, said the wins set the stage for next year when Brampton will host the big event— the FireFit Canadian Championships.

“It was a tremendous success,” MacDonald said of the regional competition.

This year, the national championships will be held in Gaspe, Quebec, Sept. 3-6.

The sixth annual Blazin’ Summer Weekend FireFit Regional Challenge brought thousands out to the stands to watch, despite a downpour Saturday afternoon.

The Brampton 1 team consisted of Brad Welsh, Steve Keegstra, Drew Heurter, Sean Romanek and Chad Abra.

The Over 40 team included MacDonald and Peter Reid, Mark Evans, Dan Rowland (three former Canadian champions) and Marcel Fournel.

The FireFit Challenge is a race against the clock performed in full firefighting gear. They climb, pull, spray and drag their way to the finish line in team, individual and relay competitions.

The competition simulates firefighting tasks often required during emergency situations, such as running up flights of stairs carrying a hose and dragging a ‘victim’ across the finish line.
Participants run up a five-storey FireFit tower, fully clothed in heavy firefighter gear, breathing apparatus and boots and carrying a 20 kilogram roll of hose, pull a rope attached to another 20 kilogram roll of hose up from the ground and run down again.

Competitors then must move a 65 kilogram weight nearly two metres with a hammer, run a slalom course to pick up a fire hose that weighs 150 kilogram when extended and hit a target with the water stream.

They then pick up a life-sized dummy, the weight of an average man, and drag it a distance of 30 m.


Becky Harmata
The Fire Emporium
Toll Free: 866-832-1468
Fax: 250-769-3588
Email: info@fireemporium.com
Web: http://www.fireemporium.com/