Central York Fire Services smart technology trailer helps residents prepare for emergency

YorkReigon.com
Oct. 7, 2016
Teresa Latchford

Smart technology can help you determine if you are prepared for an emergency.

Central York Fire Service is the first in Ontario to use the Bullex Fire Safety and Emergency Management Trailer to help residents experience first-hand what to do in the event of a fire or extreme weather situation.

“Training for emergencies and having a home-escape plan can save lives,” said CYFS Fire Chief Ian Laing. “With our new trailer, we are making sure our community has the tools available to prepare for the unexpected.”

The trailer is equipped with kitchen fire and extreme weather simulations as well as a bedroom that allows people to practice safe evacuation.

Kitchen fires are the greatest cause of residential fires, according to Laing. In the trailer, residents experience the heat, smoke, sound effects and digital flames to get a feeling of what it would be like if cooking started a fire. The scenario measures if the participant reacts correctly and is educated on how to properly use a fire extinguisher.

In the bedroom simulation electrical outlets smoke, there are visual fire effects, an interactive 911 call and automatic smoke alarm. Participants learn the importance of a home-escape plan and how to do drills at home including feeling a door for heat, blocking smoke with a pillow or towel and how to evacuate using a window and escape ladder.

Weather simulations feature an actual news broadcast with surround-sound effects for hurricanes, earthquakes, floods and tornadoes. The education portion includes critical life-saving steps.

The CYFS trailer will be visiting public events in Newmarket and Aurora.

For more information, visit cyfs.ca.