January 19, 2006

Fire Safety for Persons with Disabilities

Dr. Bonita Porter
Deputy Chief Coroner - Inquests for Ontario
Office of the Chief Coroner
Toronto, Ontario

Dear Dr. Porter:

I am responding to Dr. McLennan’s letter dated January 6 advising of the recent investigation into the fire-related death of a disabled woman who was confined to a wheelchair. I understand this investigation was jointly conducted with the Office of the Ontario Fire Marshal.

The Canada Safety Council (CSC) supports the two recommendations resulting from that joint investigation as follows:

1. Wheelchairs purchased from a manufacturer are often extensively modified at a local site to precisely suit the needs of a given user. Materials that are used in the manufacture and/or local modification of wheelchairs, where care needs permit, should be fire-retardant.

2. Persons who are unable to rapidly summon help due to a physical or other disability, and their caregivers, should be reminded of their heightened needs with respect to fire prevention and detection.

We also believe they should help prevent future similar deaths. You may also consider the following as an additional recommendation:

Disabled persons should have a separate smoke alarm in their rooms and a separate fire escape plan tailored to their special needs. Emergency responders, including firefighters, must be advised that a disabled person lives in the house. A “buddy” system should also be considered.

Fire and life safety for disabled persons is a problem that has always existed. A major deterrent in efforts to establish effective programs and guidelines is the lack of scientific data regarding their ability to deal with life threatening emergencies. Of course, each person’s response depends upon that person’s particular disability.

Again, the recommendations from your joint investigation, along with the one suggested by the Canada Safety Council, should help prevent future similar deaths.

We would be pleased to promote the recommendations, as you see fit. CSC’s expectation is that they will be incorporated into the Ontario Fire Code as regulations. For this purpose, I look forward to hearing from you.

Sincerely,

Emile-J. Therien
President , Canada Safety Council

CC: International Association of Firefighters (Canadian Division)

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		January 19, 2006 Fire Safety for Persons with Disabilities Dr. Bonita Porter Deputy Chief Coroner - Inquests for Ontario Office of the Chief Coroner Toronto, Ontario Dear Dr. Porter: I am responding to Dr. McLennan’s letter dated January 6 advising of the recent investigation into the fire-related death of a disabled woman who was confined to a wheelchair. I understand this investigation was jointly conducted with the Office of the Ontario Fire Marshal. The Canada Safety Council (CSC) supports the two recommendations resulting from that joint investigation as follows: 1. Wheelchairs purchased from a manufacturer are often extensively modified at a local site to precisely suit the needs of a given user. Materials that are used in the manufacture and/or local modification of wheelchairs, where care needs permit, should be fire-retardant. 2. Persons who are unable to rapidly summon help due to a physical or other disability, and their caregivers, should be reminded of their heightened needs with respect to fire prevention and detection. We also believe they should help prevent future similar deaths. You may also consider the following as an additional recommendation: Disabled persons should have a separate smoke alarm in their rooms and a separate fire escape plan tailored to their special needs. Emergency responders, including firefighters, must be advised that a disabled person lives in the house. A “buddy” system should also be considered. Fire and life safety for disabled persons is a problem that has always existed. A major deterrent in efforts to establish effective programs and guidelines is the lack of scientific data regarding their ability to deal with life threatening emergencies. Of course, each person’s response depends upon that person’s particular disability. Again, the recommendations from your joint investigation, along with the one suggested by the Canada Safety Council, should help prevent future similar deaths. We would be pleased to promote the recommendations, as you see fit. CSC’s expectation is that they will be incorporated into the Ontario Fire Code as regulations. For this purpose, I look forward to hearing from you. Sincerely, Emile-J. Therien President , Canada Safety Council CC: International Association of Firefighters (Canadian Division)