I would like to introduce myself as the newest columnist for the Fort Frances Times.
Foremost, I acknowledge that I live, work, and play in the Traditional Territory of Treaty #3, home of the Anishinaabe People.
I will be sharing some innovative evidence-informed solutions that advocate and educate, as well as bring your attention to the serious issue of unintentional injuries.
I have a health & safety, injury prevention background, as well as over 37 years experience in the fire rescue service. I spent almost 28 years in the forest products industry in varying capacities, and was the Safety & Health Coordinator for Resolute Forest Products-Fort Frances Division, until it closed in 2014.
I’ve also worked as a Health & Safety Advisor at the Rainy River Mine Project. After gaining some construction and mining experience, I moved onward to the fire rescue service in 2016 as a full time fire chief.
In addition, I’ve been married for over 32 years and have two daughters who are both married and are teachers in Fort Frances. I am also a proud grandfather and have two grandchildren.
Meanwhile, I’ve previously written safety columns over the years for the Fort Frances Times, as well as other community newspapers across Canada as a public service. I truly believe, when people begin to accept safety as a personal “internal value” that will not be compromised regardless of the situation … less injuries will occur.
Injuries are the leading cause of death for Canadians under the age of 45 years, ahead of cancer and heart disease. The economic burden of injury in Canada is estimated at $29.4B annually.
Additionally, preventable injuries are putting a huge strain on the Canadian Healthcare System and Emergency Responders who are already facing a staffing crisis.
Injury prevention matters because the experience of injury is physically, mentally and spiritually traumatic. No one should ever have to experience a life altering or life ending injury, which could have been prevented.
On another note, Test Your Smoke Alarm Day recently took place on September 28th across Ontario. Being prepared to act in the event of a fire can start with simply pressing the test button and having confidence that a working smoke alarm is in your home. Test SMOKE ALARMS at least once a month, refresh batteries at least once a year, and replace SMOKE ALARMS older than 10 years.
Safety—it starts with you folks.
