University of Western Ontario to receive Fire Safety Award

TORONTO, June 4, 2013 /CNW/ - The University of Western Ontario (UWO) will receive a Fire Safety Award from the Fire Marshal's Public Fire Safety Council at a ceremony on June 12, 2013 in Toronto. The annual Fire Safety Awards recognize outstanding contributions to fire protection and prevention in Ontario.

Over the past five years, UWO has been working to enhance safety on their campus for everyone who lives, learns and works there. With training and guidance from London Fire Services, UWO has been able to implement new safety measures, including a mandatory live burn demonstration for all first year students.  The demonstration gives students a first-hand look at how quickly fire can consume a small dorm room. One of the live burns was videotaped and a powerful short film was produced and shared with universities and colleges across North America.

Other fire safety initiatives adopted by UWO include offering monthly fire extinguisher training sessions for interested students, faculty and community members; retrofitting stove top elements and microwaves with special technology in vulnerable housing units to prevent cooking fires; installing an outdoor speaker/siren system to warn of severe weather and other emergencies; and implementing new security and monitoring systems to reduce false alarms.

Since 2008, the results, of these initiatives have been impressive.  False alarms have been reduced by 50 per cent on campus and students have acquired fire safety skills they can take with them through life.

"The University of Western Ontario's fire safety initiatives are a clear indication of their commitment to keeping their students, faculty and the community safe from fire," said Ted Wieclawek, Ontario Fire Marshal and Chair, Fire Marshal's Public Fire Safety Council.  "Having worked with UWO throughout, the fire service can confidently respond to emergencies on campus in a timely and efficient manner."

The Fire Marshal's Public Fire Safety Council gratefully acknowledges the support of its sponsors in this event: Technical Standards and Safety Authority, The Co-operators Group, Kidde Canada Inc., Home Depot of Canada Inc., Proctor & Gamble Inc., Electrical Safety Authority, CSA Group, Enbridge Gas Distribution Inc., Roxul Inc. and Underwriters' Laboratories of Canada.

SOURCE: Fire Marshal's Public Fire Safety Council

Carol Gravelle, Office of the Fire Marshal, 416-325-3138