Fire marshal speaks to SACPA on fire safety and risk prevention

By Alejandra Pulido-Guzman - Lethbridge Herald on December 6, 2024.

LETHBRIDGE HERALDapulido@lethbridgeherald.com

Lethbridge Fire and Emergency Services Chief Fire Marshal Troy Hicks, spoke about downtown fire safety and the role everyone plays in fire prevention during Thursday’s Southern Alberta Council on Public Affairs session at the Lethbridge Senior Citizens Organization.
Hicks told those in attendance that fires across the city have increased and last year the number of fires reached the triple digits, making it one of their busiest years to date.
“We’ve had numerous fires and not just in the downtown core, all over the city of Lethbridge pretty well daily. My goal is always through fire prevention and fire prevention education to minimize these fires. But as we all know, fires happen,” said Hicks.  
He said that when he talks about fire with youth in the community, he usually asks them if they believe fire to be a hazard or a good thing.  
 “They’re always so adamant fire being a hazard, but a fire is also a good thing. Fire keeps food warm, keeps people warm,” said Hicks.
 He said fire keeps furnaces going if they people have gas furnaces, fire also helps people cook outside, stay warm in their backyard, if used properly fire can be very beneficial to people’s everyday lives.
 “I just want to remind everybody that the risk is real and everyone should take precautions to reduce the risk of any type of fire, whether it’s downtown, whether it’s in your homes, regardless of where you live,” said Hicks.
He explained that by preventing fires in the first place, people are able to prevent financial losses that could impact the local economy especially in the downtown area.
“We want to protect public safety and we also want to reduce the risk of civilian or firefighter injuries. What we need to remember is that everybody has a role in fire prevention,” said Hicks.
 He said there is a lot people can do to help fire prevention and their actions make a difference, whether when they see somebody doing something that is a fire hazard, they should report it to the fire department, or by doing their part to reduce fire hazards around their home.
Hicks said those wishing to report concerns of fire hazards or fire risk can do so by calling the Fire Prevention Bureau at 403-320-3811 but if it is an actual fire call 911 immediately, even if you think somebody else already called.
“Never assume somebody else already call, call it in yourself if you see a fire. We get multiple calls on each fire most of the time and that is ok. I rather have multiple people calling us than not at all,” said Hicks.
Hicks explained throughout his presentation that there are three main ways to make a difference in fire prevention and it comes down to minimizing fire risks, reducing fire hazards, and making sure regular checks and maintenance is done around the home and business to make sure everything is in good working condition, especially electrical, furnaces and fire alarms.
For businesses Hicks said one way to prevent fires is by reducing hazards in and out of dumpsters as well as locking them to prevent people from setting fires inside of them.
“Surveillance can help prevent fires as well. We are in the digital age, sometimes something as simple as a sign saying that you do have security cameras can be a deterrent and people might move on and also keep dumpsters, garbage and recycling bins in well-lit areas,” said Hicks.
He also spoke about reducing fire hazards by disposing of hazardous materials properly and not storing them in areas that could potentially start a fire. He gave the example of wood stain and how people should properly store it to prevent combustion.
“They need to be kept in a metal container that is full of water, all brushes, everything. Not just wrapped up and thrown in your garbage can. I never used to believe in spontaneous combustion, but I’ve been to half a dozen spontaneous combustion fires here in the city since I’ve been here because of it. It happens,” said Hicks.
He said, when in doubt call the fire department to find out how something can be disposed of safely to avoid fire. And he reminded everyone to dispose of all kinds of batteries properly and not throw them in the garbage.
“There are multiple businesses in town that will take your old used batteries and dispose them properly, please do not throw them in your black bin or the recycling bin as this can cause fires inside our recycling and garbage trucks,” said Hicks.

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