FIRE CHIEFS MARK 100 YEARS OF SERVING CANADIANS

OTTAWA, September 17, 2008 – The Canadian Association of Fire Chiefs (CAFC) is marking 100 years of operation at its Fire-Rescue Canada Conference to be held at the High Country Inn Hotel and Convention Centre in Whitehorse, Yukon September 21 -24 2008.

Titled “History Shaping the Future”, the Conference brings together Chiefs from among the almost 3500 full-time, volunteer and composite fire departments across Canada. The Conference program addresses many of the key issues challenging fire services in Canada. The modern Canadian fire service no longer focuses mainly on fire prevention and protection. In fact, it is estimated that some two-thirds of incidents calling for a fire service response do not involve fire at all, but rather emergency accident response, natural disasters, health matters (e.g. SARS), rescues on land and water and hazardous materials issues, often involving transportation and storage.

Among the many letters of congratulations sent to the CAFC by leaders from across Canada in recognition of its 100th Anniversary, is one from Yukon Premier Dennis Fentie. He stated “I trust this year’s conference is going to be a success, with firefighters from across the nation gathering to share practical information and discuss the many public safety issues facing our communities.”

One of the key conference program subjects is handling marijuana “grow ops”, a highly dangerous problem for firefighters who are often called to shut such clandestine installations down.

Another important issue to be discussed is improving firefighter health and safety – according to the Canadian Fallen Firefighters Foundation, eight firefighters have lost their lives in the 12 months period since the last CAFC conference.

The Conference also recognizes the Full-Time Fire Chief of the Year and the Volunteer Fire Chief of the year, both of whom will be announced at the closing banquet on Wednesday September 24, 2008.

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Information:

Don Warden
Executive Director

Canadian Association of Fire Chiefs

Cell: 705-444-9745

Blackberry: 705-717-8009

www.cafc.ca

Dawson City Fire Chief Jim Regimbal
President of the Association of Yukon Fire Chiefs
Tel: 867-334-6371

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