As reported on DurhamRadioNews.com, Oshawa Professional Fire Fighters Association President Peter Dyson says they’re backing the city’s calls after a June fire caused $6-million in damage.
“When you look at these buildings when they’re under construction, there’s not really many systems in place,” explained Dyson. “You don’t have an alarm system. You don’t have sprinklers. You don’t have fire safety systems while they’re under construction.”
The June 9 fire on Bloor Street was at an abandoned construction site. It was so big, it affected a nearby building, destroyed 14 vehicles and sent a number of officers to hospital with smoke inhalation.
Dyson says the building codes don’t require cities to have a specific level of fire protection in place for these kinds of structures.
The city wants more guidelines and safety rules for woodframe construction of buildings over four storeys.
“These fires burn hot and they burn rapidly,” Dyson said. “Anything that we can do to better protect the public and better protect the firefighters that have to go and put these fires out I think is a positive.”
Dyson also added the need for another firetruck at Station 1. One was taken from the downtown station to service the new station on Simcoe Street, north of Conlin Road. To read Dyson’s full statement click here.