Winnipeg Fire Paramedic Service partners with local BIZ groups to help reduce the risk of arson this summer

Released: June 2, 2017 at 11:05 a.m.
The Winnipeg Fire Paramedic Service reminds residents of fire prevention techniques

Winnipeg, MB - The Winnipeg Fire Paramedic Service (WFPS) is expanding its Community Fire Prevention Partnership (CFPP) and will now partner with Local Business Improvement Zones (BIZ) and Take Pride Winnipeg Inc., to help identify and report properties at risk of arson. The goal of the CFPP is to identify and remedy common targets for arson in the community prior to a fire occurring.

As part of the CFPP, seasonal BIZ employees will receive training on how to identify and report potential fire hazards using the City’s 311 Contact Centre (311). Referrals made by BIZ employees via 311, will be followed up by Community By-law Enforcement Services or the WFPS.

"I encourage the public to join the Winnipeg Fire Paramedic Service and local BIZ associations in reporting potential arson risks to 311,” said Mike Pagtakhan, Chair of the Standing Policy Committee on Protection, Community Services and Parks. "By working together to identify the issues and take precautions, we can all play a role in making our community safer for everyone."

“Seasonal employees of the various BIZs and Take Pride Winnipeg Inc. have been identified as strong partners to participate in the WFPS’s Community Fire Prevention Partnership because they work outdoors in the community throughout the summer during periods of traditionally higher arson activity,” said Mark Reshaur, Assistant Chief, WFPS. “We are confident that this new partnership will increase public safety by reducing the risk of arson.”

“We are very pleased to partner with the Winnipeg Fire Paramedic Service as part of their Community Fire Prevention Partnership,” said Jennifer Mathieson, Past Chair, Winnipeg BIZ Alliance. “With more than 50 members of our BIZ patrol teams now trained to identify and report potential arson targets, neighbourhoods across the city will be better protected against arson.”

Fire crews have also begun their annual neighbourhood fire prevention inspections. Inspections will continue throughout the spring and summer months. Firefighters will inspect neighbourhoods between calls, to look for potential fire hazards. If a property is found to have a fire risk, firefighters will provide the resident with an information pamphlet and instruction on how to reduce identified fire risks.

The WFPS would also like to remind all residents to protect themselves and their communities against fire during the spring and summer months. Residents can reduce the risk in their neighbourhood by promptly reporting fire hazards such as abandoned bulk waste, and carrying out the following fire prevention techniques on their properties:

  • Keep shrubs and trees near buildings trimmed and watered.
  • Store flammable material safely.
  • Dispose of garbage, leaves, lumber and bulky waste (such as mattresses or couches) properly and promptly.
  • Ensure that your shrubs and flower beds are regularly cleared of dead plant matter.
  • Do not extinguish cigars or cigarettes in potted plants. Potting soil and peat moss can be flammable.
  • Keep firewood well away from your house or garage.
  • Keep doors and windows secured. Don't use double-keyed locks or bars on bedroom windows that could trap a person inside during a fire.
  • Keep locks, hinges, frames, doors and windows in good repair. Check skylights, roof hatches, fences and gates regularly to ensure they are secured.
  • Use motion-activated lights to brighten the outside of your home or garage.
  • Be alert to any smoke or unusual odours.
  • Smoke alarms won't stop a fire, but they can save your life. Make sure you have working smoke alarms installed and change the batteries every year. Test your alarms monthly.
  • Develop and practice a home escape plan and regularly review it with your family.
  • Only use fire pits and other fire receptacles that are approved by the City’s Neighbourhood Liveability By-Law. Never leave an open fire unattended. Fire pits should not be used in wind speeds higher than 25 km/h.

To report accumulations of bulky waste on curbs or in back lanes, contact 311 by phone at 311, or by email at .

For more information on the Winnipeg Fire Paramedic Service, please visit City of Winnipeg - Winnipeg Fire Paramedic Service.

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