Ontario Association of Fire Chiefs Welcomes Announcement on Automatic Sprinklers

AJAX, ON, May 6, 2013 /CNW/ - Earlier today at the Ontario Association of Fire Chiefs (OAFC) Annual Conference, Premier Kathleen Wynne, joined by Minister of Community Safety and Correctional Services, Madeline Meilleur, announced that the government will be implementing the recommendation of the vulnerable occupancies Technical Advisory Committee (TAC) to require the retroactive installation of automatic sprinklers.

"The issue of automatic fire sprinklers in vulnerable occupancies is an issue that has been of the utmost importance to fire chiefs across Ontario and one that we, as an association, have been focusing on for many many years," said Kevin Foster, President OAFC.  "On behalf of the OAFC, we are very pleased with the Premier's announcement and look forward to future announcements from the Minister regarding the implementation of other TAC recommendations aimed at improving fire safety."

There is no question that automatic sprinklers in vulnerable occupancies will save lives.  Four Coroners Juries have recommended this important improvement.  The OAFC looks forward to continuing to work with this and other issues with government on our mission of "Leading Innovation and Excellence in Public and Life Safety".

The Ontario Association of Fire Chiefs represents the chief fire officers of the 458 municipal fire departments in the Province of Ontario. These Chiefs Officers are ultimately responsible, by statute, for the management and delivery of fire, rescue, and emergency response to the 13 million residents of Ontario.

SOURCE: Ontario Association of Fire Chiefs

Kevin R. Foster
 President, OAFC

Director of Fire Services (Fire Chief) and Emergency Management,
Town of Midland

[phone]

[email protected]